The Bookmark: Romance Reads in time for Valentine’s Day
By SUSAN CRUTCHFIELD, Special to The Paper
It is the season of love! I think the people (Hallmark according to some) who decided Valentine’s Day would be in February were attempting to have something good happen in a very dreary month.
There is nothing I like better than curling up under my heated blanket with a good romance and a hot cup of tea. This month I thought I would share my favorite romances with you.
So, what exactly constitutes a romance book? There are books with romances in them and then there are romance books. In order to be considered a romance it must have a happily ever after ending. There is something warm and familiar about picking up a book knowing that no matter what conflicts occur, they will end up together at the end. There are also different types of romance within the genre: historical, contemporary, fantasy, young adult, etc. There are even differences in “spice” levels, aka sexy times.
The following books I would highly recommend if you are interested in picking up a delightful romance book or series.
Book Lovers by Emily Henry: I highly recommend any of Henry’s books but this is my favorite. Our heroine Nora’s whole life is books and she is a literary agent. Truly there is nothing better than a book about books! Nora and her sister, Libby, travel to a small town for an extended sisters’ trip and there Nora keeps running into brooding editor, Charlie. So, I loved this book for several reasons beyond it being a love letter to a love of books. The relationship between the sisters was absolutely love. I also really enjoyed the small town, cozy atmosphere of this book.
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert: This is the first in the Brown Sisters trilogy. And oh, how I loved this book. Our heroine, Chloe, is chronically ill and she decided it’s time to accomplish some bucket list items. And she finds a handsome handy man, Red, to help her check these items off. I loved watching Chloe and Red have adventures all over town. This book deals with some serious subjects but is also really funny. This book is one of those spicy ones I warned you about above! So, if that’s not your jam skip this. I love all the books in this series.
The Roughest Draft by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka: This delightful romance book was written by a husband/wife writing team. It is about Katrina and Nathan, a one-time writing duo who are now estranged. However, they still owe one book to their publisher so they have to lock themselves away in a house and write. I enjoyed this one because we spent time in both their points of view. I enjoy books written in multiple POV because we get a more rounded look at the characters and the story.
Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan: This is a book about a second chance romance. Yasmen and Josiah are divorced but co-parenting and running a business together. As the story slowly unfolds through flashbacks and current day narrative, we go deep inside their marriage, break-up & divorce and their coming back together. The writing in this book took my breath away and the story tugged at my heartstrings.
If you are interested in more romance picks drop by the Carnegie and ask. We love doing reader recommendations!
Susan Crutchfield is the director of the Carnegie Library in Historic Downtown Newnan. She also is a professional photographer and enjoys volunteering with the Newnan ArtRez and the Newnan Theatre Company.
