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Top 5 Tuesday

Top 5… romantic reads

Good morning bookworms!
Today’s Top 5 Tuesday is ‘romantic reads’. Top 5 Tuesday is hosted by the super lovely Shanah over at the Bionic Bookworm. You can visit her here, and join in for Top 5 Tuesday by checking out all the amazing topics we have coming up!
So, apparently it’s getting warmer in the northern hemisphere (which makes sense because it’s getting freaking cold here). Now is about the time when we start to get our blankets out and put the hammock away!! And if I had a roaring fire, I would be in front of it, curled up on my armchair with a hot chocolate, a blanket, and a good sob-story romance!
Just an FYI, I’m not really your traditional romance reader. I like a slow-burn romance, you know, with barely any eye contact. Or one with super broken boys. Or ones that have more heartbreak than heartwarming scenes. Basically, if there’s two people in love but destroying themselves and I’m crying tears of sadness, it’s my fave kind of love story. (Yes, I’m aware that I’m a freak.)


First up, let’s talk about Emergency Contact by Mary H. K. Choi. This is what I lovingly refer to as ‘passive romance’. Passive romance is what happens when no one (including the characters) are paying attention or looking at each other, because their entire relationship is conducted virtually. And then they accidentally fall in love. It’s the greatest thing ever and Choi absolutely KILLS it in this book. 10/10 introverts would recommend this type of romance in real life.

Next, we have the ‘feed them until they love you’ trope. I’ve got to be honest, this is primarily used in C. G. Drews’ books. But it’s amazing. And YOU can witness the amazingness in both, A Thousand Perfect Notes and The Boy Who Steals Houses (released on 4 April). In ATPN August feeds Beck cake, and in TBWSH Sam makes pancakes for Moxie and brings her caramel (there’s also about 20kg of brownies in this book, so, be warned when you read it).

I also love books where your heart breaks into a million pieces because the ‘romance’ is so sad. In fact, I just reread one of my favourites in this category the other day. I was testing to see if it would get me out of a slump, and I devoured the book in a couple of hours, curled up on the couch, bawling my eyes out from start to finish. *so many FEELS!* It was perfect. If you want a romance story that’s super sad, but also super sweet, I highly recommend Back After the Break by Anita Notaro.

There’s also the actual romantic, slow-burn, meet-cute stories. Becky Albertalli, Adam Silvera and Stephanie Perkins do them really well. I mean, Silvera’s books are sweet but they don’t usually end up very happy – so there is that to contemplate! If you’re looking for a book in this field, probably try What If It’s Us or Anna and the French Kiss.

And last, but by no means least, there’s my ultimate fave: “I hate them! Uh, oops… Actually I love them”. Yes, enemies to lovers. The romance in this field is basically non-existent, except in smirks, backhanded compliments and the occasional backhand slap, deception (sometimes treason), so many lies, and makeout sessions filled with oaths of hatred. *fans self* Sometimes it’s confusion of sexuality, sometimes it’s families at war, often it stems from stupid acts of bygone years. Whatever it is, I really, really, really love it. So here’s my top 5 in this genre (not in any particular order):

So, there you are friends. Romantic reads… *sigh*
Until next time, happy reading ??

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