I am really trying to get out of my bubble this year. As part of that, I’m doing a reading list from a local bookstore to try to force myself to read different genres.
The one I’m really struggling with is romance.
This is so outside my usual wheelhouse and I have a bit of a prejudice against a lot of romance. For reference, I am a straight male, and I feel like a lot of romance is written much more to appeal for a female audience.
For reference, I generally read more sci fi and darker fiction, but can be fairly picky.
I recently realized that one of my favorite books in recent years, This is How You Lose the Time War, is considered a romance, so would love to find something similar to that.
Any suggestions?
by CountChoculasGhost
7 Comments
The One – John Marrs
Winter’s Orbit – Everina Maxwell
Ice Planet Barbarians – Ruby Dixon
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
Lessons in Chemistry
Maybe [Paladin’s Grace](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/38725548-348d-4053-8a69-4844d038e105) by T. Kingfisher? It’s a dual pov fantasy mystery romance. I read very little romance myself, and I enjoyed it!
Reign & Ruin by JD Evans is a romantic fantasy. The romance is done so well and in a mature way, in my opinion. It’s nothing like the typical, cheesy romance where they fall in love instantly. There is a deep mutual respect before there is love, which makes it more realistic.
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver is a dark romance about serial killers that I really enjoyed.
100% recommend _The Time Travellers Wife_ by Audrey Niffenegger. It’s a beautiful love story and a sci-fi at the same time. And it’s beautifully written.
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
They aren’t technically romance books but these have strong elements of romance (imo):
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
Recursion by Blake Crouch
11/22/63 by Stephen King
Please please pleeeeease ask this over at r/romancebooks so that they can inundate you with perfect suggestions. Seriously.