Do you prefer sweet and chaste (closed-door) or steamy and spicy romance (open-door)? It’s probably not a surprise to my followers that I prefer the former along with substantial content and thought-provoking themes. What is your reading preference?
My Favorite Sweet Romance Reads
I’m linking up today with That Artsy Reader Girl for Top Ten Tuesday: Valentine Freebie.
***This post contains Amazon affiliate links or links to posts that include affiliate links.
(In no particular order)
Love and Lavender by Josi S. Kilpack
Tropes: Marriage of Convenience, Friends to Lovers
This is a sweet, slow-burn romance between two endearing differently-abled individuals.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
Tropes: Strangers to Friends to Lovers
I love the epistolary format of this slow-burn, sweet romance set in a bookstore!
The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin
Trope: Customer to Lover
A sweet romance brews in this story of women on the homefront during WWII.
Last Christmas in Paris by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb
Tropes: Friends to Lovers; Long Distance Courtship
The epistolary format is always enjoyable. This story is especially poignant because the romance develops during wartime (WWI).
Radar Girls by Sarah Ackerman
Trope: Strangers to Lovers
This is one of my favorite stories by Ackerman (I’m a completist!). I love a well-told histfic/women’s fiction mashup! It checked all my boxes. You’ll need to read my review to hear why.
The Ladies Rewrite the Rules by Suzanne Allain
Trope Enemies to Lovers
This is a fun story in which several ladies turn the tables on the men in Regency England.
Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews
Trope: Strangers to Friends to Lovers
The love is slow-burn in this holiday romance. I loved the thoughtful themes.
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikrey by Gabrielle Zevin
Trope: Work acquaintances to Lovers
This is a memorable and poignant book about books and found family.
The Belle of Belgrave by Mimi Matthews
Trope: Marriage of Convenience
Twisty, page-turning, and unpredictable!
Vicarage Christmas by Kate Hewitt
Trope: Strangers to Lovers
This heartfelt novella is #1 in The Holley Sisters of Thornthwaite Series (reviewed here). I love gently told family drama and each has a side of romance.
QOTD:
Do you have favorite sweet romance or do you prefer them steamy?
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A couple of favourites of mine in there. Loved Last Christmas in Paris and The Guernsey etc. I don’t mind a bit of spice in books but love the sweet too!
Such a fun prompt this week!
Ah Guernsey! Such a good book.
There are several other books on your list that I would like to read too!
Love Guernsey and that quirky book club🙌
I definitely prefer sweet romances to spicy Carol. I find steamy reads or listens embarrassing! 😂
Solidarity! 🙌💯
My preference here is similar to yours. From your list I read Potato Peel Society snd loved it.
Such a memorable story and book club!
I’ve heard good things about the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society.
Here is my Top Ten Tuesday post.
Guernsey is TBR worthy! Hope it comes your way some day! I’m hoping over to read your post now (just found your comment in my spam folder).
Lots of good choices here! And I do love a good, sweet romance.
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.
Thanks for sharing the love!
I’ve only read Shaffer’s book on your list, but I enjoyed it.
A memorable story and cast of characters!
Great list, Carol. I have read many of these, but haven’t yet tried that Mimi Matthews series. Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks Carla! It surprised me how much I enjoyed Belle of Belgrave.
I’ve read so many positive reviews for it.
What a great list! There are a few here on my to-read list — I need to get back to Sara Ackerman at some point. I read (and loved) two of her books, and just haven’t gotten around to reading more, although I intend to!
Have you read Radar Girls? I loved that one!
Not yet, but I’d like to! I’ve read The Lieutenant’s Nurse and (I think) Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers — at least, I know I have a copy, and I think I read it at some point!
I like both sweet, clean romances and steamy ones. But if I’m to read something spicy, it needs to be well written and not gratuitous.
Here’s my TTT:
https://pinkfordays.wordpress.com/2024/02/13/top-ten-tuesday-5-literally-couples-i-love-and-5-i-hate/
I agree! Give me some substance!