University Libraries Popular Romance Collection

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  A Court of Thorns and Roses

  Sarah J. Mass

  A Court of Thorns and Roses follows Feyre Archeron, a mortal huntress who is taken to the land of Prythian as punishment for killing a faerie wolf. In the new land, she becomes entangled with Tamlin, a powerful high lord whose court is soon cursed. As Feyre uncovers the dangers threatening the faerie realm, she must confront her growing feelings for Tamlin and the challenges that test her strength and loyalty. Blending fantasy romance with high-stakes adventure, the story explores themes of sacrifice, freedom, and the transformative power of love, representing a story where courage shapes one's destiny.

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  An Amish Proposal for Christmas

  Chase Mischler

  An Amish Proposal for Christmas follows Becca Yoder, a 24-year-old woman who has spent her entire life working at her family’s small Amish market in northern Indiana. Though she longs to explore the world beyond her community, she knows she can’t leave until she finds someone suitable to take over her responsibilities at the market. Becca is tasked with training Gideon Fisher from Texas on how to run the market. However, Gideon is homesick, and Becca must help him discover what makes her hometown special. The novel highlights themes of new opportunities, the meaning of home, and traditions as both Becca and Gideon navigate what their futures might hold.

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  A Thousand Boy Kisses

  Tillie Cole

  A Thousand Boy Kisses is about the journey of Poppy Litchfield and Rune Kristiansen. Rune was the Norwegian next-door neighbor to Poppy, and the two became inseparable. When Poppy’s grandma gives Poppy the challenge of getting 1,000 boy kisses, Rune is determined to help with every last one. The reader watches these two fall into love and hit all the bumps in the road. As the story grows, the reader can’t help but to be captivated by the characters and the plot that takes place within the pages. The book explores the themes of enduring young love, life, death, grief, and cherishing each moment.

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  Better Than the Movies

  Lynn Painter

  Better Than the Movies is a story of Liz Buxbaum, who is a romance movie lover and believes the perfect guy will sweep her off her feet. When her childhood crush, Michael, moves back to town during her senior year, Liz is set to win his affection. She reluctantly teams up with Wes Bennett, the annoying boy next door, with the plan that Wes will help her attract Michael using rom-com strategies in exchange for her help with his own love life. As Liz and Wes navigate their pact, Liz discovers that real love isn’t about the perfect story line, but about the genuine, unexpected connection she develops with Wes. The story is a heartfelt journey about letting go of fantasy and embracing the imperfect reality of true love, rather than following a script.

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  Binding 13

  Chloe Walsh

  This story features Johnny Kavanagh, a talented but troubled rugby star, and Shannon Lynch, a shy, academically driven girl trying to survive a toxic home life. When Shannon transfers to Johnny’s elite school, their worlds collide, forcing them to confront family trauma, social pressure, and their growing, complicated connection. As their relationship deepens, both must navigate secrets, loyalty, and the expectations placed on them, discovering that healing and love can come from the most unexpected places.

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  Can't Escape Love

  Alyssa Cole

  Can't Escape Love, by Alyssa Cole, is about a nerdy romance that blossoms from an unexpected encounter at a coffee shop. The novel's portrayal of love from the points of view of a person in a wheelchair and an able-bodied person was refreshing and a nice touch of diversity you do not usually see. This book does not just include a disabled character; it challenges assumptions about disability that are not true. If you want a fun, contemporary romance that challenges your perspective of disabilities in romance, this one's for you.

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  Crazy Rich Asians

  Kevin Kwan

  Crazy Rich Asians is about Rachel and Nick, who are dating. Rachel isn't the wealthiest person in the world; however, she quickly discovers that Nick is a part of one of the richest families in Asia. Nick's family has a very hard time accepting Rachel, as she doesn't come from money. This book has twists and turns that make it incredibly fun to read. Crazy Rich Asians tells the reader that it doesn't matter how much you have, but rather how much you love others.

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  Divergent

  Veronica Roth

  Divergent is about two main characters who are different from the rest of their world. The leaders in their world hate them for their abilities and try to kill them multiple times. Tris and Four battle their leaders and try to show them that they are not dangerous, but in fact incredibly important. Tris and Four end up falling in love. This book explores characters who are different from everyone else but how being different is not bad.

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  Every Summer After

  Carley Fortune

  Every Summer After is about a girl returning to the lake town where she spent many childhood summers. Persephone Fraser, the main character, reunites with a boy who was once her best friend and first love before a painful mistake tore them apart. The story reveals how their bond grew over six summers, only to go down in a moment. As they confront the pain that lingers, they discover whether forgiveness and love can outlast all the years of not speaking to one another.

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  Fifty Shades of Grey

  E.L. James

  Fifty Shades of Grey is a modern romance that explores the relationship between college student Anastasia Steele and billionaire Christian Grey. Their connection ignites quickly during a tension-filled interview, leading to a passionate and unconventional partnership that raises questions about consent, true love, and emotional maturity. The book offers readers a new look at escapism through sexual tendencies as well as growing personality by exploring different relationship dynamics. Steele, timid at first, becomes more comfortable with Grey’s mystery throughout the book. New boundaries are tested; vulnerability is unveiled; and their intense chemistry might just persuade you to read the entire series.

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  Give Me a Sign

  Anna Sortino

  Lilah, a hard-of-hearing, near-deaf teen spends the summer working as a counselor at Gray Wolf, a camp for deaf and hard-of-hearing kids. She hopes to connect more deeply with the Deaf community and figure out where she belongs. In doing so, Lilah finds herself navigating new friendships, a budding romance with charming fellow counselor Isaac, and the challenges of self-advocacy. As she helps her campers embrace their identities, she begins to understand her own, learning that community, communication, and self-acceptance are all part of finding her place in the world.

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  Home for Christmas

  Camilla Isley

  This cheerful Christmas romantic comedy is about two people forced together by a mistake. Riven Clark, a writer who wants a quiet, working holiday in a remote cabin, has his plans ruined when his whole family shows up. To make things worse, a second family, the Nicholses, also arrives, having double-booked the cabin. Riven is stuck sharing a room and a bunk bed with Wendy Nichols, a lively playwright. They start as enemies, constantly bickering and playing jokes on each other because they are complete opposites. However, the forced closeness during the chaotic holiday eventually makes them realize they have a spark. The story follows them as they fall in love amid the Christmas mess, proving that even a disastrous holiday can bring two people together.

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  If He Had Been With Me

  Laura Nowlin

  If He Had Been With Me is about a boy named Finny and a girl named Autumn, who were best friends when they were younger. As time passed, they grew apart from one another and formed different lives without the other in them. While they are in high school, they begin to rekindle the bond they once had with each other, but now in a romantic way. One night, something tragic happens. This book delves into the themes of childhood friendship, high school relationships, tragedy, and grief.

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  Knot My Type

  Evie Mitchell

  Knot my Type follows Frankie, who is a very bold sexologist who defies all stereotypes with her wheelchair and very vibrant pink hair. She finds herself needing advice on her accessible rope play. Jay, a charming man and carpenter, is anything but a one-woman man. As Frankie navigates her way and her unexpected chemistry with Jay, she is drawn to a thrilling dance of passion and self discovery, challenging her opinions about love and commitment. The novel has themes of disability, accessibility, empowerment, and body positivity. By using these themes, it shows readers how people with disabilities handle love and passion in the real world.

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  London, Love, and a Little Something Irish

  Nataly Jennings

  London, Love, and a Little Something Irish is based on the author's true story of romance and trusting in God’s timing. In the beginning, Nataly is in a relationship with Joel, who is safe and stable but doesn’t quite give Nataly the passionate, head-over-heels love. Eventually, she meets Nathan, a man full of mystery and adventure, with whom Nataly immediately feels a spark. She is torn between her comfortable relationship with Joel and risking everything for the once-in-a-lifetime love with Nathan. The story is a clean Christian romance set against the beautiful scenery of London and the wild countryside of Ireland, containing themes of following your heart and trusting in God’s plan.

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  Love at First Sighting

  Mallory Marlowe

  Love at First Sighting follows two strangers whose unexpected encounter sparks an immediate and undeniable connection, pushing them to navigate the excitement and uncertainty of sudden attraction while confronting past fears and personal expectations. As their bond deepens, they learn how vulnerability and trust shape the way love grows. Blending contemporary romance with emotional warmth, the story explores themes of timing, openness, and the courage to embrace unexpected beginnings, representing a modern romantic tale about how meaningful connection can emerge in the most surprising moments.

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  November 9

  Colleen Hoover

  November 9, by Colleen Hoover, follows Fallon, an aspiring actress, and Ben, an ambitious writer, who meet by chance on November 9—Fallon’s last day in Los Angeles before moving across the country. Drawn to each other, they agree to meet only once a year on the same date, with no contact in between, allowing their lives to unfold independently while their connection deepens over time. As the years pass, Fallon learns that Ben’s intentions may be tied to a past tragedy involving her, forcing both of them to confront painful truths. The story explores healing, forgiveness, and the blurred lines between love and destiny.

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  One Last Stop

  Casey McQuiston

  One Last Stop, by Casey McQuiston, is a heartfelt queer rom-com that blends romance, mystery, and a touch of magical realism as it follows August, a guarded newcomer to New York City, whose life is transformed when she meets Jane, an effortlessly cool lesbian who also happens to be displaced in time. Through found family, late night diners, and the electric city, McQuiston crafted a story about love that defines logic and the courage it takes to open your heart. As August works to uncover Jane’s past and bring her home, she discovers her own place in the world. This novel is a joyful read that discovers the connection and magic between the two characters.

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  One True Loves

  Taylor Jenkins Reid

  One True Loves focuses on Emma, a woman whose life is split in two by an impossible choice. After her husband, Jesse, goes missing in a helicopter crash on their anniversary, Emma is devastated but rebuilds her life and a new relationship. Emma finds comfort in Sam, and he proposes to her, but everything changes when Jesse is found alive years later. Emma becomes stuck between the love she thought she lost and the love that brought her comfort. She must make a decision. This book is a twist of events always keeping you curious as it explores grief, self-discovery, and the complexity of choosing between two great loves.

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  Phantom Waltz

  Catherine Anderson

  Phantom Waltz tells the story of Ryan Kendrick, a wealthy rancher, and Bethany Coulter, a champion barrel racer who became paraplegic after a rodeo incident. Ryan is instantly drawn to Bethany’s strength and independence but must win her trust after she closed her heart off from romance after the accident. The novel incorporates themes of disability, resilience, and acceptance into heartfelt romance. By highlighting accessibility and autonomy, this novel offers acceptance into heartfelt romance. By highlighting accessibility and autonomy, this novel offers readers a deeper understanding of how disabilities can shape romantic relationships.

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  Reminders of Him

  Colleen Hoover

  Reminders of Him, by Colleen Hoover, is about Kenna, recently released from prison for a tragic drunken driving accident that kills her boyfriend. The town she returns to still blames her, making it difficult for her to reunite with her daughter, who was born in prison and is being raised by Kenna's late boyfriend's parents. The only person willing to hear her story is Ledger, a local bar owner, who has helped raise Kenna’s daughter. This novel explores Kenna and Ledger's relationship and emotional journeys. They endure highs and lows together and experience struggles. This novel contains strong themes of forgiveness, guilt, and second chances.

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  Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

  Becky Albertalli

  Simon is a normal 16-year-old with a big secret. He is gay, and no one at his high school knows. When a private email about his crush is accidentally sent to the wrong person, Simon is blackmailed into helping classmate Martin save his own reputation. As Simon continues secretly emailing with the mysterious “Blue,” he begins to fall for the boy he has never met before. Balancing friendships, lies, and first love, Simon must find the courage to be honest about who he is before everything unravels. As more pressure builds, Simon realizes that staying silent may cost him the relationships that matter the most.

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  Still Beating

  Jennifer Hartmann

  Still Beating follows the stories of Cora and Dean, lifelong enemies connected through the relationship of Dean and Mandy, Cora’s sister. The two are kidnapped and forced to rely on one another to survive the unthinkable. Their trauma brings them together in a way they never expected, separating the lines between hatred and a need for something far deeper. After they escape, Cora and Dean struggle to live their lives navigating the connection they formed in captivity. The novel explores themes of trauma, healing, and love.

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  That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf

  Kimberly Lemming

  Kimberly Lemming uses a fun, lighthearted style to show how one bad decision can turn someone’s life upside down. Brie’s normal routine changes the moment she accidentally throws a love potion at a werewolf named Felix, dragging her into curses, demons, and trouble she never expected. As they deal with everything that follows, Brie starts to understand Felix’s situation, and their bond becomes real rather than magical. The book fits the fantasy romance subgenre and mixes humor, adventure, and a relationship that grows through trust and choice.

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  The Hating Game

  Sally Thorne

  The Hating Game is about two co-workers, Lucy and Josh, and how they hate each other due to how competitive they are with their jobs. However, their hate quickly turns into attraction as Josh gets jealous when Lucy goes on a date. They eventually decide they like each other and explore an unexpected relationship. This book shows that anyone can fall in love in the most random way and that it's not always what people expect.

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  The Mistletoe Motive

  Chloe Liese

  Gabby and Jonathan work at a bookstore and are always getting on each other’s nerves. Whether it’s about who gets what in the snack cabinet or how festive one should be over the holidays, they never seem to agree. When they realize one of them will be let go soon, they strike a deal with each other: Whoever gets the most sales in December gets to keep their job. As they both use their own tactics to win, Gabby notices Jonathan in a new light and starts to experience feelings towards him. The book is a mix of character development, romantic tension, and holiday spirit.

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  There You'll Find Me

  Jenny B. Jones

  There You’ll Find Me is a story about an 18-year-old girl named Finley who is traveling to Ireland to study abroad and to complete her late brother's travel journal. She has an audition coming up, but because of the death of her brother, she needs time to heal. While on the plane, she meets Beckett Rush, a famous teen Hollywood actor. Their characters cross paths many times throughout the story, and it follows the enemies-to-lovers trope. As the story goes on, Finley is assigned to care for a woman from a nursing home. After getting the assignment, she faces many challenges: the woman not wanting to participate; running into Beckett; doubting her religion; and the grief of losing her brother. In the end, Finley and Beckett fall in love. Finley also reconnects with God after all of the battles she faces. The book shows themes of love, grief, spirituality, and healing.

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  The Space Between Worlds

  Micaiah Johnson

  The Space Between Worlds is about Cara, a woman who can jump between different versions of Earth because the versions of her in those worlds are already dead. She works for a company that uses her to gather information, but things get messy when she finds out they’re hiding some dangerous stuff. While she’s dealing with all that, she’s also trying to figure out her feelings for Dell, her super-calm, super-pretty handler, and their slow-burn relationship becomes a big part of the story. Seeing different versions of the people she knows—including Dell—makes Cara rethink who she is and what she really wants. Overall, it blends a sci-fi story with a surprising amount of romantic identity drama.

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  The Sun Is Also a Star

  Nicola Yoon

  The Sun Is Also a Star, by Nicola Yoon, is a vibrant, emotionally rich novel that follows Natasha, a science-driven Jamaican American teenager facing deportation, and Daniel, a Korean American poet torn between family expectations and his own dreams. Their lives collide over the course of a single extraordinary day in New York City. Yoon weaves their perspectives together with the stories of strangers, chance encounters, and small moments that reveal how interconnected lives can be. The blending romance has reflections on fate, identity, immigration, and the power of choice. The book shows how even brief connections can shift the course of a life. This novel creates a space for readers to believe in possibility and change.

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  The Veiled Kingdom

  Holly Renee

  The Veiled Kingdom is a romance novel where the main character, Verena, escapes from the king, her father. Verena was faced with the choice to turn and join the rebels or to stay in the castle, locked up. She was captured by a rebel and was taken to the hidden city, where she would learn to fight. Everyone was born with powers except for Verena, so when the rebels find this out, they thought she was lying and didn’t trust her. Over time, Dacre teaches her what she needs to know to be successful, and they start to fall in love. At the end, Dacre’s father, who is the leader of the rebels, finds out that Verena is the princess, and she must run away.

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  The Wedding Date

  Jasmine Guillory

  The Wedding Date follows Alexa and Drew, two strangers who meet in a stuck elevator. Drew is in town for a wedding, and Alexa decides to impulsively attend as his date. This fake arrangement quickly turns into something real as their chemistry deepens past that weekend. Navigating through the challenges of long-distance love, separate work fields, and each other's respective insecurities, Alexa and Drew find that love can be unexpected and transformative. This book mixes modern relationships with diverse representation. This represents the contemporary romance subgenre.

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  The Worst Best Man

  Mia Sosa

  The Worst Best Man, by Mia Sosa, is a lively, heartfelt romantic comedy that explores second chances, vulnerability, and the messy beauty of love. Through the fiery dynamic between Lina, a determined wedding planner, and Max, the brother of the man who once left her at the altar, the novel blends humor with a deeper story about healing, trust, and choosing joy after disappointment. Sosa’s writing celebrates cultural identity, family bonds, and the courage it takes to open your heart again. The book is warm and an empowering reminder that love often finds us where we least expect it.

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  Things We Never Got Over

  Lucy Score

  Things We Never Got Over follows Naomi, who runs to a small town to help her twin sister but gets abandoned and left with her niece instead. Broke and starting over, she meets Knox, a grumpy local who reluctantly steps in to help. As they navigate chaos, danger, and family issues, the two slowly fall in love and learn to heal together. The book is a mix of humor, drama, and romance that portrays the growth in their emotions as they navigate through drama and learn to love, trust, and accept help.

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  Twisted Love

  Anna Huang

  Twisted Love is the first book in a four-book series with dual points of views. The book is about a young photographer named Ava who suddenly falls for her older brother's best friend, a billionaire named Alex. As the two try to navigate the obstacles of their past while keeping their relationship a secret from her brother, many other secrets come to light. These secrets could bring an ugly and dramatic end to their relationship. This book explores themes of childhood trauma, revenge, betrayal, and redemption.

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  Ugly Love

  Colleen Hoover

  Ugly Love, by Colleen Hoover, is about a woman, Tate Collins, who moves in with her brother to start a new student nursing job. She ends up forming an intense connection with a quiet, guarded, emotionally shut down airline pilot, Miles Archer. They agree to keep things strictly physical involving two clear and important rules with no greater expectations. As their bond deepens, Tate begins to struggle keeping her emotions separate from their relationship while Miles struggles with his past. This novel demonstrates how love can be messy and difficult to navigate; it also explores themes of boundaries, vulnerability, self-worth, and forgiveness.

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  Wild Love

  Elsie Silver

  Wild Love follows the life of "world's sexiest billionaire" Ford Grant as his world changes overnight when a 12-year-old girl shows up at his door claiming to be his daughter. Ford suddenly has to adjust to being a single parent. His best friend's sister, Rosie Belmont, who has just returned home after ending her relationship, steps in to help and finds that the old tension between her and Ford is still there. However, a love story develops in their small hometown as they reignite a childhood spark. This book is a childhood enemies-to-lovers dynamic with a small-town spicy romance.

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  All the Bright Places

  Jennifer Niven

  All the Bright Places features a boy suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts teaching a girl how to live. It illustrates how love can happen even in times of grief and mental struggle. This book touches on the mental struggles that are so common in the world and shows how love persists even through pain. The objective of this novel is to show how mental health can affect relationships. Mental health has come into greater awareness worldwide. This book can allow people to have a better understanding of how people feel with mental health struggles in a relationship.

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  Breaker

  AK Nevermore

  In a dystopian reality, "talents," or those with genetic mutations, are at war with those with pure genetics. A man named Flynn, who exiles himself from the conflict because of his past, is forced to confront his past again as he meets a talent named Kara who must escape from those trying to capture her. A romance is born during their journey, even though they continue to face problems. This book is a good representation of mental health issues from past trauma. We chose this book because it does a great job at connecting traumatic past experiences and how they relate to mental health with the sci-fi and paranormal background that effectively fits the desired topic. Connections can be drawn from these two ideas to adequately fit the desired theme.

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  Cinderella Is Dead

  Kalynn Bayron

  Two teenagers named Sophia and Constance develop a relationship and fall in love. They wanted to fight for their love because everyone gets matched with their future husband at the ball. The main goal of this novel is to take down the patriarchy. Cinderella is Dead represents many groups such as people of color and the LGBTQ+ community and emphasizes the problems in their society, which mirror many of the problems we have today.

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  Fourth Wing

  Rebecca Yarros

  Fourth Wing tells the story of Violet Sorrengail, whose military general mother has forced her to enroll in a school that trains students to be elite dragon riders. There she meets Xaden Riorson, who has reason to loathe her. We chose this book because it is a captivating novel about enemies to lovers that has the thrill of a fantasy.

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  Ice Planet Barbarians

  Ruby Dixon

  Ice Planet Barbarians is the first novel of a series, and it has roots in our topic of sci-fi disability romance. After a spaceship crash landing begins the story, humans interact with humanoid-like creatures on a faraway planet. With an interesting plot line and buildup of a romantic relationship between two unlikely partners, Ice Planet Barbarians would be a great read to include in the growing popular romance collection due to its roots in science fiction romance.

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  Kate in Waiting

  Becky Albertalli

  Kate in Waiting is a unique story of two best friends who become involved in a complicated love triangle. As a contemporary romance, it has elements of LGBTQ+ representation, friendship, and the hardships of high school. Kate in Waiting adds a unique plotline to the collection, along with the indescribable feeling of adolescent romance that is captured beautifully in this novel.

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  Only When It's Us

  Chloe Liese

  This book features an enemies-to-lovers trope. Willa, a star soccer player, hates Ryder, a quiet, burly deaf man, for unknown reasons. When they are paired together for a group project, they quickly become friendly through competitive pranks and practical jokes and then eventually fall for each other. This book is important to include in the collection as it is relatable to young adults but features a protagonist with a disability.

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  Planet Zero

  Lydia Hope

  Planet Zero is a romance novel that features sci-fi elements while also shining a light on disability representation. The book examines trust between a wild nomad, Zoark, who suffers from postwar injuries, and Addie, who arrives on the primitive planet after a spaceship crash. Planet Zero would be of great value to add to the popular romance collection and be an intriguing option for readers.

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  Population

  Elizabeth Stephens

  Abel lives in a post-apocalyptic world with bloodthirsty aliens and violent human scavengers. The last of her family is taken, and she is prepared to fight to get them back. When she loots a dying alien and then puts him in a secret place to allow him to die in peace, she doesn’t expect him to come back from the dead and save her. This will add to the collection because it contains an atypical pairing of a strong, independent heroine and an alien alpha as well, adding more diverse characters.

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  Pride and Prejudice

  Jane Austen

  Pride and Prejudice is a classic enemies-to-lovers story following the heroine Elizabeth Bennet and her family in Regency England. We chose this book because it has been a widely popular book since its publication and continues to be a beloved romance choice, inspiring multiple retellings and adaptations as well as the popular romance genre in general.

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  Red Queen

  Victoria Aveyard

  Envelop yourself in the complexities and twists and turns shown in this tale of betrayal, power, and resistance. Red Queen offers an intriguing plot, full of surprises; you won’t be able to put this book down. Red Queen belongs in the romance collection because it contains elements of teen rebellion, love triangles, and representation of the disabled.

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  Remember Me Tomorrow

  Farah Heron

  Mystery, romance, and time warps—this book has it all. Aleeza Kassam, a freshman in college, moves into the East House, the oldest dorm on campus, where Jay Hoque, the mysterious student who disappeared months ago, used to live. When Aleeza starts receiving texts from Jay, who is living in a timeline five months behind, she realizes he has to tell Jay what happens to him. They begin down a journey of discovering what happened in Aleeza’s timeline in order to save Jay in his, while also slowly falling for one another, knowing there could be no future between them.

  Author Farah Heron does an amazing job of taking romance and mystery elements and blending them to create the perfect YA story. This book allows people who typically enjoy mystery novels to discover romance as well, bringing more to the readers to the genre.

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  The Charm Offensive

  Alison Cochrun

  Experience the charm and challenges of love by joining Dev and Charlie on an emotional journey of love and self-discovery in The Charm Offensive. This beautiful romance follows them as they navigate the highs and lows of reality TV while discovering an unexpected yet genuine connection and offering a take on love and mental health. This unforgettable read will touch your heart and make you feel all the feels. This novel can really contribute diversity to the romance collection. This novel contains LGBTQ+ love representation, personal growth, and self-acceptance. These all need to be seen more in the genre.

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  The Dead Romantics

  Ashley Poston

  Different from the basic contemporary novels like Emily Henry's Beach Read, The Dead Romantics uses paranormal elements including ghosts to provide a more interesting plot while keeping with the Beach Read style of writing. Like most contemporary romance novels, it is an easier read that is simple to understand. This novel is fantastic at blending the plot structure of a contemporary romance novel with the slightest hint of paranormal features to attract a larger audience.

  We chose this book because it is different from basic contemporary novels like Beach Read, using concepts like ghosts to give it a little more of an interesting plot but keeping with the Beach Read style of writing. It is also an easier read like some contemporary novels

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  The Kiss Quotient

  Helen Hoang

  The Kiss Quotient, by Helen Hoang, portrays the story of Stella Lane, an econometrician with autism, and Michael Phan, whom she hired to teach her about love and intimacy. Throughout their professional relationship, they begin to develop a strong emotional connection. With social barriers arising for Stella and Michael as Michael is confronted by his past, their relationship is tested with many challenges. This book is important to include in the collection because of its disability representation yet unique storyline.

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  Verity

  Colleen Hoover

  Lowen, a struggling writer grieving her mother's recent death and wondering where her career is headed, is offered an incredible opportunity: to finish bestselling author Verity Crawford’s series of novels. While staying at the Crawford house to finish the series, Lowen uncovers an unpublished autobiography of Verity that reveals shocking secrets about her life. Lowen gets entangled in a heated relationship with Jeremy, Verity’s husband, and is caught in a dilemma of whether she should tell Jeremy about Verity’s secrets.

  Author Colleen Hoover is incredibly popular in the romance community today for very good reason. Verity is in production to be her second movie adaptation due to its immense popularity. This book takes romance and layers darker and more suspenseful themes, making it extremely engaging.

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  Always Only You

  Chloe Liese

  Always Only You includes two disabilities — autism and rheumatoid arthritis — when most stories do not even include one. This story shows that no matter the disability, it is possible to find love, putting light on the topics of these disabilities and finding love.

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  Archer's Voice

  Mia Sheridan

  The main character, Bree, moves to get away from the trauma she experienced with her father after a brutal crime. She finds herself in a small town, developing feelings for a man with a childhood tragedy that left him mute and emotionally scarred. However, Bree finds out that she can understand him, and they both see something in each other that lets them both begin to heal. However, they both struggle with feelings for each other because of fears of abandonment and never being able to trust someone again.

  This is a good addition to the collection because it may prompt readers to reflect on the way that they treat others and how they want others to treat them. This book makes people feel good because the love seems so pure. Most readers get attached to the characters and appreciate that there is a diverse cast. The story is moving and shows a strong impression of the disability.

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  Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

  Benjamin Alire Saenz

  This book is a must-have for any college student's bookshelf. Its exploration of identity, friendship, and love speaks to the heart of the young adult experience, making it a valuable addition to any collection, especially for its celebration of diversity.

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  Ash

  Malinda Lo

  Ash is a sapphic retelling of the fairy tale Cinderella. This novel is a perfect addition to the Popular Romance Collection because it is a wholesome, gentle transition into the sapphic romance genre. This book is significant because it is frequently banned or challenged.

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  Boyfriend Material

  Alexis Hall

  Boyfriend Material uses one of the standard romance tropes – “pretend relationships.” In this romantic comedy, the fake relationship is between Luc, who is reluctant to participate in the charade, and Oliver, a serious lawyer. Of course, their relationship eventually becomes real as they navigate love and self-acceptance. Chosen for its humor, relatable characters, and heartfelt themes, it's a great addition to any library collection.

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  Change of Plans

  Dylan Newton

  This book features a woman, Bryce Weatherford, who is given custody of her three young nieces. She then meets a retired marine, Ryker Matthews, who lost his leg in service and continues to deal with the pain. They both meet at the perfect time and help each other with their problems. We see how no matter what the obstacle may be, having someone by your side who will always be there is so important.

  Change of Plans is a great addition to the Popular Romance Collection because it follows two people who both have challenges to work through. It shows the reality of people who have bumps in the road that need to be handled before love. The book gives a good sense of comfort and reality to show others it is OK to have stressful obstacles. This book also shows how important it is to have a support system. Having people who believe in you and will always be there allows you to reach your full potential.

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  Click. Date. Repeat.

  KJ Farnham

  This book highlights finding love online — not in 2024, but 21 years earlier in 2003. It focuses on the start of the Internet dating scene, and it finds someone who has gone through many unsuccessful dates and is willing to try something new on their parents' computer. Will this new approach work or end in an even longer unsuccessful dating cycle?

  We chose this book because instead of highlighting more modern online romances it goes back to 2003, when the Internet was on the rise, and provides insight into this experience. It will add a new perspective to online dating as it focuses on the start of it and the struggle that comes with it.

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  Crocodile on the Sandbank

  Elizabeth Peters

  Crocodile on the Sandbank is the first book in the Amelia Peabody series. Published in 1975, it introduces a Amelia, a suffragist and Egyptologist protagonist living in the Victorian era. For Amelia and future generations, romance is only a part of the story; intelligence and character are just as attractive as physical attributes. Clearly, author Elizabeth Peters, who herself earned a doctorate in Egyptology at the University of Chicago, believed female protagonists didn't need to be waiting for rescue.

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  Den of Vipers

  K.A. Knight

  This dark romance was one of the first books to be promoted on BookTok. BookTok greatly influences book sales and what is placed on the bestseller lists, and it should be represented in the collection because it shows the impact of social media in the self-publishing arena. Plus, it’s OK to like sexy books!

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  Destiny's Embrace

  Beverly Jenkins

  This is the first book in the Destiny series by Beverly Jenkins, one of the most popular and prolific writers of Black historical romance. Her books are often set in the American West in the 19th century, a time frame that is often overlooked in Black romance. Jenkins has won multiple awards and is an important voice in the popular romance world.

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  Every Day

  David Levithan

  This book is about a man who lives many different lives each day. However, he is in love with the same woman every single day. The story follows how he navigates the difficulties in pursuing a relationship with her, which is a struggle.

  We chose this book because it seemed like an interesting story with the changing identity of the character. This novel is also a type of novel where we couldn’t imagine living a life like the man in the book.

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  Flowers from the Storm

  Laura Kinsale

  The book focuses on Christian Langland, who suffers from a stroke that causes him to lose the ability to speak. He is taken care of by Maddy Timms, a kind Quaker woman. Their relationship becomes romantic. It is a story of a woman learning to be a strong leader while gaining confidence and personal autonomy. It was marketed simply as a woman caring for a man, but in reality, the story had many important themes.

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  Hacked

  Lucy Lennox and May Archer

  Enter the thrilling world of Hacked, where cybersecurity meets heart-pounding romance. Join Jesse and Ian on a journey of danger and desire as they navigate the treacherous waters of cybercrime and love. Let their story inspire you to embrace the power of trust and passion in the face of adversity.

  We chose this book because this novel presents a contemporary take on romance and how dating apps play a significant role in the characters' lives. This novel dives into the complexities of online dating and how relationships may tend to develop through a screen, yet it also reminds us that behind every profile is a person with their own vulnerabilities, desires, and secrets waiting to be discovered in the real world.

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  Happiness for Beginners

  Katherine Center

  Author Katherine Center explores where the human desire for self-reinvention meets our sometimes weird cultural obsession with wilderness survival skills. The protagonist, who has never shown an inclination to outdoorsy pursuits in the past, believes conquering a three-week survival course will prove that her post-divorce self is more capable than ever. Along the way, Center examines the protagonist and her fellow campers, difficulties and disabilities and all, to question just what being "capable" and "a survivor" means.

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  Hell Followed With Us

  Andrew Joseph Waite

  This book is a wild dystopian novel about a plague unleashed on Earth by a fundamentalist sect dedicated to bringing about Armageddon. Full of LGBTQ+ characters, it is very inclusive; it’s also a compelling story with a likable main character. This one isn’t for people with weak stomachs; there is a lot of body horror interspersed with romance. It’s unique and awful and beautiful.

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  Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute

  Talia Hibbert

  Bradley Graeme is a football player who has obsessive-compulsive disorder but manages to do well in all of his classes — except the ones with his ex-best friend, Celine. Celine Bangura’s social media followers love her opinions on everything, but she’s still not cool enough to sit with the popular kids. In her mind, this is why Brad no longer sits with her. But when they both end up signing up for a survival course, they are forced to work together to win the grand prize. This book immerses readers into a different culture through its British lens. Additionally, it portrays several coping mechanisms that a person can use if they have OCD.

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  Love and Other Disasters

  Anita Kelly

  Love & Other Disasters explores the “enemies-to-lovers” trope in romance, and it will leave you starving for more by the end. The story follows London, a quiet nonbinary person who loves making desserts, and their inevitable falling for Delilah, their competitor on a cooking show. This novel explores themes of desire, competition, and loyalty while also educating the audience on nonbinary and queer experiences without making it center stage.

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  Love from A to Z

  S. K. Ali

  Love from A to Z is about two characters named Adam and Zyneb, Muslim teens who met in Qatar. They bond over shared experiences of love, faith, and discrimination. Adam and Zyneb write journal entries that help them find strength over their struggles and connect. The book focuses on racism and identity in a story of love and friendship.

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  Love Letters for Joy

  Melissa See

  Joy wants to be the first disabled valedictorian at Caldwell Prep, and her only competition is Nathaniel, her academic rival. Everyone starts to pair up, and Joy wonders if she is missing out. Joy is asexual, but that isn’t a reason for her not to have a first love. She gets in touch with Caldwell Cupid and finds herself liking the person behind the letters. This book shows that having a disability doesn’t prevent experiencing the same things as everyone else, and it illustrates that sexuality doesn’t define a person.

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  Love Me Tinder

  Nicola May

  Throughout the past 12 years of her life, Cali Summers has been living a good life with her boyfriend, whom she married. However, after a year of marriage, he decided to give up on her for his trainer. This leaves Cali to settle with online dating, something she is unfamiliar with. Will she continue to deal with her broken relationship or decide to move on with something out of her comfort zone?

  We chose this book because the plot gives a complete look at online dating. It shows a character who has had a traditional relationship for a little over a decade but has to learn how to use online dating apps. Throughout this unique book, readers see the confusion that can go into using these apps and how they connect with romance.

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  Madelon

  Valentina Luellen

  Madelon is a historical romance set in medieval Spain. The main character, Madelon del Rivas y Montevides, was desired by many men; however, she falls in love with Valentin Maratin, who rescued her from being sold into slavery. However, Madelon comes to find out that Valentin is the mortal enemy of her brother. She is stuck between loyalty to her family and choosing to be with the love of her life. This book was chosen because it is a historical romance marketed as a woman being saved by a strong hero, but in reality, the heroine is the strong one. It is a great representation of the romance novels that were written during the mid-20th century.

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  Me Before You

  Jojo Moyes

  This book follows the story of Louisa Clark, a typical girl with a typical life. She has a boyfriend and a close family in a small town. That all changes when Louisa needs a job. The job she finds is working for Will Traynor, Master of the Universe. Will uses a wheelchair after an accident and is unsure what to do with his life since he was very active before the accident. Louisa and Will are stuck with each other, and she finds out that he has an alternative plan for his life. She is on a mission to show him that life is still worth living.

  Me Before You is a great addition to the Popular Romance Collection because it shows the reality of coping with devastating news. It shows the reality of how some characters may handle grief. Both characters, who are complete opposites, try to help each other find what is missing in their lives. This book is known for the controversy around the ending, especially among disability advocates. This is important to add because the ending may not be a traditional romance “happily ever after.”

  Note: This book belongs to the "Is it a romance?" section. It's up to the reader to decide!

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  Playing with Matches

  Hannah Orenstein

  Sasha wants to be a writer but ends up taking a job as a matchmaker for New York’s elite. While her matchmaking skills work for others, her own relationship implodes when her boyfriend, Jonathan, cheats on her. Can she find her own perfect match with one of her clients?

  We chose this book because it represents online dating sites in modern romance novels. This book gives an interesting perspective on dating in the modern world with a fun and engaging storyline. This is a great book to read if you're interested in how dating apps function in modern relationships.

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  Serving Pleasure

  Alisha Rai

  Romance books do not often make best-seller reading lists because they are often thought of as “less than” compared to other genres. The fact that this book made The Washington Post’s Best of the Year list is significant in itself, but more significant is the fact that this book was the first self-published book to make the list.

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  She Gets the Girl

  Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick

  Alex Blackwood is an undeniably courageous flirt. Molly Parker is a socially awkward compassionate soul. The duo strikes a deal that helps Molly explore her flirtatious nature and helps Alex prove to her ex that she is not self-centered. The question is: Do Molly and Alex want other people or each other? Author Alyson Derrick, a No. 1 New York Times best-selling author, depicts a beautiful dichotomy between wants and needs in romance.

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  Silent Melody

  Mary Balogh

  Silent Melody is about Emily Marlowe, who is unable to hear or speak. This book goes through Emily’s life as she dreams about falling in love with the reckless Lord Ashley, who left for India and found a different love. “Seven years and countless dreams later, he returned to her, and love was born with a dance, a minute that stirred her soul, a song so passionate it has no words.”

  This book depicts an nontraditional kind of love. It teaches others that they can find love or love someone in any way they want, and love is different for everyone. Another reason we chose this book is that it is not often that you hear about the main character being completely deaf.

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  Space Raptor Butt Invasion

  Chuck Tingle

  This book is a bit of a doozy. While no one in their right mind would consider this book a flawless masterpiece, anyone could agree it is unconventional. The book outlines the erotic relationship between a human astronaut and a dinosaur astronaut describing how they have “totally-not-gay” sex. The most notable thing about this book is how it doesn’t live up to the wild expectations that the title conveys, though this might be done on purpose. Chuck Tingle is known to be quite the character, and it wouldn’t be unrealistic for someone like him to write something so outlandish simply for the sake of irony.

  Note: This book is notable because it was nominated for a 2016 Hugo Award, a major honor for science fiction and fantasy. It is a typical “monsterotica” story in a large but mostly unknown and misunderstood romance genre. Also, this book belongs to the "Is it a romance?" section. It's up to the reader to decide!

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  Take a Hint, Dani Brown

  Talia Hibbert

  This is the second book of the Brown Sisters series. It follows Dani Brown, a bisexual woman who only wants to focus on her work and grow her career. A workplace accident leads her into faking a relationship that turns into something more. This book is good for flipping gender roles by having a romantic man and a serious woman as its main characters. It also explores themes of anxiety and vulnerability with others.

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  Tara's Song

  Barbara Ferry Johnson

  This is a very important book when talking about marketing in the late “dime novel” era. This book was marketed as an unassuming religious woman falling for a strong Viking warrior, but in reality, she is a strong heroine who had romances in the past. This description was left out on purpose to convince the predominantly male business owners to sell them in their stores. This was a common tactic with romance novels in the mid-20th century.

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  Temptation

  Charlotte Lamb

  Published in the 1970s, this book was ahead of its time. The heroine is a strong woman who uses her wits and brains to get revenge on a man who took advantage of her. While it might not live up to the feminist standards of today, it was progressive for its era. It can help the reader understand more about the feminist movement during its second wave.

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  The Boy Next Door

  Annabel Costa

  The Boy Next Door tells the story of two best friends-turned-lovers. Jason and Tasha had been childhood friends, and they remained so for many years. Jason was the nerd, while Tasha was the hot and clueless teenager. However, Tasha has always been able to count on Jason. When the time for college comes, these friends go their separate ways, then reconnect later in New York. Now, Tasha finds herself single at 32 with a desire to settle down but incapable of finding the right person. She had never considered anything romantic could happen between herself and Jason, having retired him in the friend zone and seeing him as a brother. It takes Jason to declare his love for her to jump-start the love story.

  This book was chosen for the collection because of how it represents disability, and it delivered. Jason is paraplegic, but the author handles this subject well. The hero is portrayed as smart, sexy, and adorable, dealing with his disability with humor and grace. Also, the author tastefully deals with his disability. This book was so much fun because of Tasha’s humorous narration. She also grows so much as a character from a shallow and reckless teen to an intelligent and likable person.

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  The Chai Factor

  Farah Heron

  The Chai Factor is Farah Heron’s debut novel. It features a Muslim heroine and white hero. Her story is a mix of laughter, love, and the challenges of race and cultural shifts in the modern world. It celebrates romance, Muslim culture, and how, despite differences, love can be found anywhere — even in your family’s home with a man in a barbershop quartet.

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  The Hellion’s Waltz

  Olivia Waite

  This book is in the Feminine Pursuits trilogy, books that are all historical lesbian romances. Most people assume that historical novels cannot be inclusive because of social conventions of the time; however, there are some wonderful LGBTQ+ historicals that explore gay relationships and how they function in different time frames. This book also sneaks in a polyamorous relationship if the reader is paying attention.

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  The Host

  Stephenie Meyer

  The Host is set in the future where Earth is being invaded by aliens. These alien parasites eventually start to take over human souls and erase their personalities. Melanie has been taken over but doesn’t want to give it full access to her mind — and they become unlikely allies, looking for Jared, a man still hiding from the aliens. This novel would be great to add because it is sci-fi, romance, and dystopian fiction.

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  The Inmate

  Freida McFadden

  Author Freida McFadden began her career by self-publishing and continues to do so independently. She is a prolific author, having published over 20 well-received books. Self-publishing has become an important part of the romance genre and should be represented in any collection.

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  The Kiss Countdown

  Etta Easton

  Etta Easton knocks this romance debut out of the park. The novel features the “fake relationship” romance trope. As Amerie and Vincent live and work together, they find they want to be more than just roommates or friends and start to explore their relationship. It’s a great read for anyone who enjoys exploring different romance tropes and seeing how these tropes can still lead to a fun and enjoyable story.

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  The Kiss Quotient

  Helen Hoang

  The Kiss Quotient is a refreshing and heartwarming romance narrative that follows a young heroine on the autism spectrum. Through navigating her world of relationships and sex, Stella Lane finds herself in a dilemma when she begins falling for Michael Phan, the male escort she hires to help her understand intimacy and love. To explore their complex feelings, the two embark on a beautiful journey. This novel highlights awareness of disabilities, specifically autism, and how it can impact relationships. The novel also breaks stereotypes; sheds light on struggles individuals with disabilities face; creates an environment of communication, consent, and understanding of each other's needs; and empowers readers to embrace their whole authentic selves to achieve happiness.

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  The Millstone

  Margaret Drabble

  Called "ahead of its time" by many who talk about it, The Millstone tackles a lot of the problems of the 1960s. It comments on the sexual liberation of women, unplanned parenthood, single motherhood, and women in academic settings. It’s a good reminder of why feminism is important. Traditional moralism is back on the rise, and this is a great piece of commentary on it from a time when the debate was at its height.

  Note: This book belongs to the "Is it a romance?" section. It's up to the reader to decide!

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  The Prospects

  K.T. Hoffman

  This book is for people who enjoy the “enemies to friends” romance trope as well as sports-related romance. The story follows an openly trans minor league baseball player whose No. 1 rival joins his team, and they have to find a way to coexist. This leads to something more. This book is a great way for readers to view romance through a trans/gay lens.

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  The Right Swipe

  Alisha Rai

  Rhiannon Hunter is trying to get over an ex, but the ex shows back up in her life as a dating app business rival. She is a hard-working business woman who only has occasional hookups instead of real romantic dating. Running into Samson, with whom she had a prior fling, leads to a romantic physical partnership. Is it too much of a risk to get back together again? And will this new business venture cause other issues?

  We chose this book because it has a unique storyline and revolves around the dating app industry. It will add to the collection by giving a more modern picture of the dating world. We find it intriguing how the woman is the powerful figure and the man is portrayed in a weaker way.

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  The Ritual

  Shantel Tessier

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  They Both Die at the End

  Adam Silvera

  They Both Die at the End is a gripping sci-fi thriller romance in which new technology makes it possible to inform people of the day of their death. After receiving their death notifications, Mateo and Rufus meet on “The Last Friend” app for people looking to make friends on their last day. Embarking on an emotional journey to affirm their lives, they create lifelong memories together.

  Note: This book belongs to the "Is it a romance?" section. It's up to the reader to decide!

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  This is How You Lose the Time War

  Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

  This book depicts a time war within a dying world between two teams, Blue and Red. Two agents from these opposite teams fall in love. They write letters to each other about their experiences and battles that they encounter. The Blue and Red teams are determined to win because winning has become their only purpose.

  We chose this book because it has an interesting story where the main characters are connecting to each other on different timelines through letters. The idea of being in a time war and having two agents from different sides of the war was an interesting dynamic with the characters. This is a very nontraditional romance novel.

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  What I Would Do for You

  Willow Winters

  This novel follows the love triangle between a lawyer, serial killer, and an FBI agent. This dark romance is a story of betrayal and twisted love. We chose this book because it represents a subgenre that may appeal to readers of thrillers, mystery, or horror or to those who just want a twist. This book is not for the faint of heart; proceed with caution!

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  Written in the Stars

  Alexandra Bellefleur

  Written in the Stars is a contemporary romance novel that offers a refreshing take on love and relationships. The story follows Darcy and Elle, whose paths unexpectedly cross when Darcy's brother sets them up on a blind date. As their relationship unfolds, Darcy and Elle navigate misunderstandings, family dynamics, and their own insecurities. The book explores themes of self-discovery, vulnerability, and the power of communication in building meaningful connections. This book is perfect for readers looking for a contemporary romance with well-developed characters and a healthy dose of humor.

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  You

  Caroline Kepnes

  This is a psychological thriller that takes readers into the psyche of Joe Goldberg, a charming yet deeply troubled and desperate man. Through themes of obsession, identity, and the darker aspects of human nature, the novel presents a captivating and thought-provoking narrative. It encourages readers to reassess their moral compass while also serving as a cautionary narrative on the dangers of social media and obsession. The reason it should find a spot in the book collection is because You provides an intriguing examination of human behavior's intricacies. Additionally, this novel is very successful with the Netflix adaptation.

  Note: This book belongs to the "Is it a romance?" section. It's up to the reader to decide!

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  All That’s Left in the World

  Erik J. Brown

  All That’s Left in the World is about two boys, Andrew and Jamie, who are fighting for their lives after a deadly virus has killed off most of the world. With their loved ones gone, the only thing keeping them going is each other. While in search for civilization, Jamie begins to develop feelings for Andrew. This book is not your typical romance novel. It incorporates love between two men and an element of science fiction. This represents an LGBTQ+ subgenre of romance.

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  Bet Me

  Jennifer Crusie

  Jennifer Crusie is an important author to include in any collection because of the quality of her novels as well as her scholarship: She was working on her PhD when she decided to become a romance author. Her high-quality books reflect her deep understanding of romance.