Books
11 Books To Read If You're A Sucker For Rom Coms
Sometimes, a rom com is exactly what you're in the mood for. Who cares if they’re often predictable, and prone to melodramatic musical montages? They’re just so upbeat and happy that, once in a while, you can’t help but indulge your cheesy, romantic side so you can enjoy a happy ending.
As cliché as it sounds, you would totally love to bump into an attractive stranger in an elevator and touch hands as you both reach down to pick up the papers you dropped. And then you each look up into each other’s eyes... just before the elevator dings and interrupts your moment. Then, of course, you run into the guy later that night... and, after embarrassing yourself about six more times, you fall in love forever. Oh, and you work at a magazine or an art gallery, obviously. LIFE.
Once you’ve seen the best rom coms that Hollywood has to offer (and reenacted them in your mind whenever you’re daydreaming), you'll need to source even MORE meet cutes, awkward yet entertaining relationships, and of course, wise and quirky gal pals. Movies aren’t the only source for getting your rom com fix; you can pair red wine and chocolate with these books, too.
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
Don Tillman thinks he can find a wife by creating the perfect questionnaire, and then locating a woman who answers all the questions according to his liking. Then he meets Rosie, who answers all the questions wrong, but somehow just seems... right. This book is hilarious and heartwarming, and you'll be able to read it in an evening because it will pull you right in.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
This classic is a coming-of-age story about four sisters. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll probably have strong opinions about the romantic pairings in the book... but above all, you'll feel as if you're the fifth sister and you fit right into the March family.
Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding
Bridget Jones's Diary is the modern rom-com version of one of the most romantic stories of all time (Pride and Prejudice). It's no wonder that the movie based on this book turned out so well, because the book is laugh-out-loud hilarious. Plus, Bridget is so relatable that, after reading it, you might even be motivated to start a diary, too.
Secrets Of My Hollywood Life by Jen Calonita
Teen celebrity Kaitlin Burke just wants to experience life as a normal high schooler — so she goes undercover as one. If you're a sucker for teen rom coms, this book is the perfect pick.
Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare
One of the original romantic comedies, this Shakespeare play centers around a hilarious and perfect couple: Beatrice and Benedick. They bicker, they exchange witty banter, and — obviously — they fall in love.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
In post-World War II London, writer Juliet Ashton is searching for the subject of her next book, when she stumbles upon the story of a peculiarly named literary club in Guernsey. What follows is a tale that's equal parts heartwarming, laughter-inducing, tear-jerking, and, best of all... romantic.
I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter
Cammie Morgan doesn't quite go to a normal school: She goes to Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, which happens to be a school for spies. So, what's she supposed to do when she falls for a local guy who doesn't know anything about her double life? If you like a little bit of intrigue tossed in with your romantic comedies, this is the YA book for you.
Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
Lincoln O'Neill is supposed to be monitoring work emails to make sure employees aren't writing anything inappropriate, but instead of reporting Beth Fremont and Jennifer Scribner-Snyder for their personal emails, he ends up looking forward to reading their notes each day. He feels as if he knows the two women... and he also feels that he may be falling for one of them. Rainbow Rowell is amazing at creating both sweet and funny stories (Eleanor & Park is another great pick for those who enjoy rom coms), and Attachments is no exception. I mean, can you say You've Got Mail?
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
No one knows romance and comedy like the flawless Jane Austen. Northanger Abbey is a great choice if you, like protagonist Catherine Morland, can't always tell what's real and what's fictional. You don't care what your friends tell you. You're in a rom com, OK?!
L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad
The first in a series by the reality TV star follows the story of Jane Roberts, a young girl who moved to L.A. for an internship and ends up... a reality TV star. But fame isn't exactly what she thought it would be. This book is entertaining through and through, and if you're a fan of rom coms and reality TV, you'll love this quick read.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
Maybe rom coms focus on love and romance, but you also know that at the heart of the best ones, they're also about great female friendships. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is the perfect example of a story with a little bit of everything: sadness, sweetness, love, loss, and best of all... friendship. Who needs the love interest in the elevator, when you've got your besties by your side? Well... maybe with the help of your friends, you can all have it all.
Image: TriStar Pictures
