I am a proud hopeless romantic. And I have been one way before Bridgerton gained notoriety on Netflix and millions of households fell in love with the Duke of Hastings. I have always been unashamed of my love for romance novels (even all the way back in High School when it was definitely NOT cool to walk around with your nose stuck in A Rogue by Any Other Name). I would gladly recommend authors and books to all my friends. There’s nothing quite like the two main characters working through all of their problems and baggage (and often stupidity about love) to get to that absolutely perfect happily ever after! Its addicting!! I was so happy when Bridgerton did so amazing on Netflix. If you are like me and are counting the days until we see the ton again, I have a few recommendations for you that we have in the Bell Library.
Make Me Love You by Johanna Lindsey – I LOVE Johanna Lindsey’s books! Her Mallory series was one of my absolute favorites when I was younger. Make Me Love You has everything I love in it, enemies turned lovers, dastardly highway men, and of course, a perfect happily ever after. From the publisher:
“One duel could be considered a matter of honor, but three duels are attempted murder! With enlightened society outraged at such reckless behavior among young noblemen, the Prince Regent orders Robert Whitworth, the earl of Tamdon’s heir, and Lord Dominic Wolfe to end their dispute by allying their families through marriage. Whichever party refuses to comply will forfeit his lands and title.
Whitworth relishes the idea of sending his younger sister Brooke to his enemy’s remote estate. He knows the Wolf will reject her as a bride, thereby losing his wealth and status. The Wolf, however, is determined to scare away the Whitworth chit. With dueling no longer an available means of destroying the man he abhors; he will be satisfied to see him lose his lands and title. But he hadn’t expected his enemy’s sister to be so resourceful or resilient.
Brooke Whitworth has been dreaming of her first season in London because she intends to win a husband who will take her far away from her unloving family. Instead, she is being sent to the Yorkshire moors to wed a mysterious nobleman whose family is cursed and who has thrice tried to kill her brother. But there’s no room in her heart for fear; this man is her means of escape. She will make him love her!”
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness – I will admit I usually don’t go for paranormal romance stories, but this one was too good to pass up! After watching the TV series of the same name, I was excited that the book was even better! From Wikipedia:
“When Diana Bishop returns to Oxford University, her life is flipped upside down. While researching in the library, Diana requests a book called Ashmole 782. This manuscript, also known as the Book of Life, has been missing for over 150 years. As soon as Diana touches the ancient manuscript, her powers are activated. Frightened by her clear cosmic connection to Ashmole 782, Diana returns the book. It appears, however, that her discovery had already caught the attention of other creatures, resulting in a series of events that slowly brings her witch heritage back into her life.
Matthew Clairmont is a vampire who has spent at least 150 years looking for that book. When word travels that the book is in Oxford, he races over expecting to see the book but instead he encounters Diana Bishop. Matthew’s vampiric protective instincts set in and he makes it his responsibility to ensure Diana’s safety. As the story progresses, a forbidden romance starts to bloom between the vampire and the witch.”
Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant- I read somewhere that descried this book as “Jane the Virgin” meets To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and that is spot on! This is a much younger book, the protagonist Tessa is in high school, but such a sweet story about being the heroine of your own love story! From the publisher:
“Sixteen-year-old Tessa Johnson has never felt like the protagonist in her own life. She’s rarely seen herself reflected in the pages of the romance novels she loves. The only place she’s a true leading lady is in her own writing—in the swoony love stories she shares only with Caroline, her best friend and #1 devoted reader.
When Tessa is accepted into the creative writing program of a prestigious art school, she’s excited to finally let her stories shine. But when she goes to her first workshop, the words are just…gone. Fortunately, Caroline has a solution: Tessa just needs to find some inspiration in a real-life love story of her own. And she’s ready with a list of romance novel-inspired steps to a happily ever after. Nico, the brooding artist who looks like he walked out of one of Tessa’s stories, is cast as the perfect Prince Charming.
But as Tessa checks each item off Caroline’s list, she gets further and further away from herself. She risks losing everything she cares about—including the surprising bond she develops with sweet Sam, who lives across the street. She’s well on her way to having her own real-life love story, but is it the one she wants, after all?”
