Romance novels, while wildly popular, are often “loathed by literary critics” and denounced as formulaic “hackwork” (Crusie). However, popular romance novels cannot be ignored; these books make up the largest market share of genre fiction, earning a total of $1.44 billion in 2022 (Curcic). In spite of this popularity, most university libraries have few romance novels or related nonfiction scholarly and non-scholarly sources about romance novels on their shelves.
At UD, lecturer Amy Krug and her English composition students set out to change that. In the fall of 2023, they collaborated with University Libraries Director of Collections Strategies & Services Tina Beis to curate a list of novels and nonfiction resources about the genre and build a circulating collection. Browse them here and use the links provided to view them in the library catalog.
This project was supported by a grant from the Experiential Learning Innovation Fund. Logo design by Shahd Salem.
Sources:
Crusie, Jenny. “Defeating the Critics: What We Can Do About the Anti-Romance Bias.” JennyCrusie.com. Accessed May 15, 2023.
Curcic, Dimitrije. “Romance Novel Sales Statistics.” Wordsrated.com. October 9, 2022. Accessed May 10, 2023.
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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, 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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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 Notebook
Nicholas Sparks
The Notebook is a phenomenal story that centers upon the endurance of love and the strength to persevere, no matter the situation. The Notebook is a highly acclaimed romance novel and most certainly deserves to be in the conversation of high-end romance.
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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 Selection
Kiera Cass
We chose this book because it is a very easy read and a great introduction to romance novels. Considering it was the first book in the series, it did not take us long to finish and drew us into the story. It’s a sci-fi/fantasy story about fighting over one’s heart, going out of your comfort zone, and befriending strangers. It was a very heartwarming book, and there were a couple of moments that really surprised us.
This book is a great starter book if you are looking to get into romance. There were very few intimate scenes, and the plot was compelling. It made the book easy to read and really kept you wanting to read more. The interactions between the main character and the love interest are heartwarming, but they keep you on the edge of your seat.
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The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Taylor Jenkins Reid
This novel goes against stereotypical ideas of women in romantic relationships. The book doesn't just explore Evelyn and her seven husbands; it also explores Evelyn’s character in greater depth, which is why it is such a compelling book to read. Choosing this book to be part of this collection relates to the idea that it is not a stereotypical romantic relationship. Adding it to the collection shows a modern take on love, and others need to be exposed to different kinds of love stories.
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The Song of Achilles
Madeline Miller
This book is a beautiful retelling of Homer’s Iliad from the perspective of Patroclus, Achilles’s childhood best friend-turned-lover. It follows Achilles’s journey as a soldier in the Trojan War while reenvisioning Homer’s depiction of a famous war hero. This novel reveals a sensitive and nurturing side of Achilles, which challenges what we know about masculinity, romance, and love.
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The Upper World
Femi Fadugba
This fast-paced book interweaves the themes of violence, family, time travel, and loss. While incorporating those themes in the story, the book also brings a sense of diversity by having the protagonists portrayed as persons of color; the setting is an area with minorities being the main occupants. This brings a refreshing spin to romance that cultivates the reader's engagement in the story.
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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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This Is How You Lose the Time War
Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
We chose this book because its complex story makes it unique compared to other romance novels. Although a more challenging read compared to the other books we selected, it rewards the reader with its elaborate use of wordplay. It tells its story through two time-traveling agents' love letters that create a personal connection not found in other novels. This book is worth reading.
This book is great for representing feminism in romance literature. Both of the protagonists in the book are female, and overall the book seamlessly integrates this into the story. This book does a phenomenal job of breaking gender norms; for example, these two protagonists hold a high-ranking position in the war.
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Twilight
Stephenie Meyer
Love it or hate it, any romance collection has to have Twilight. It ushered in a new era of YA paranormal/fantasy romance so loved that its fanfiction even spawned the erotic series 50 Shades of Grey.
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Variant (book one)
T. C. Edge
Paige Adler is going through a lot ever since her father went missing. She has found ways to keep herself busy ever since by working in the shadows of the city. Paige meets a mysterious, handsome variant that draws her in. While with this mysterious guy, Paige discovers a big secret about the enemy that could lead her to answers about her missing father. “And Paige, her powers, and her past might just be the key to the future” (Amazon Review). This book is interesting for some readers because it has an engaging plot. The book also has great ratings from people, mostly female young adults.
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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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Wed to the Lich
Layla Fae
Virgil is a Lich who is looking for a wife to help save his kind from extinction. May is a human girl who was raised in a foster home where she experienced mental abuse that led to an eating disorder. Virgil and May go to the temple to find someone to marry. Little do they know that they will save each other. We chose this book because it was such a short read that we believe people will like it. Specifically, college students will like it because it is a quick read, and the fact that it is science fiction could attract people to read it.
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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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Where You See Yourself
Claire Forrest
Where You See Yourself explores the life of a girl in a wheelchair who is transitioning from high school to college life. It is relevant to students attending university and is an eye-opener for any reader who has never faced the challenges that people with disabilities face. This book offers readers with disabilities a place to reflect and relate.
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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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Written on the Body
Jeanette Winterson
The author does a careful job to conceal the gender of the main character, which leaves the reader to interpret how we perceive gender and love in our lives. She indicates that they have had both male and female lovers before coming across “the most beautiful creature male or female that I have ever seen.” The story follows their transcendent love story through ups and downs that challenge the reader to view love as magical and complex.
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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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You Had Me at Hola
Alexis Daria
This book was chosen because of its interesting plot and characters. Two simultaneous love stories provide a nice mix to the romance genre along with its characters, who express their emotions in a realistic and adult way. While it does have its romantic moments, it is relatively tame and a good place to start for beginner romance readers.
This book provides value to the collection not only because it is a good book, but also because it provides diversity in the romance genre through its Puerto Rican characters. There are certain areas of the book that are in Spanish, but knowing Spanish is not required because the author provides translation. It also has a strong female character who provides depth and comedy to the story.
