Books
11 Romance Novels For Your Book Club
Let's be honest, picking a book for your book club is a daunting task. You want to please everyone with your book choice, or at least make it a fun experience, but with so many different preferences and genres, it's nearly impossible to do. That being said, I think book clubs are a great way to engage with a group of fellow book-lovers, and try out genres you've maybe ignored before. One of the genres that gets the cold shoulder most often, it seems, is romance.
Whether you're a romance book lover or like to keep the sexiness out of your reading pile, nearly everyone can benefit from the genre in one way or another. And reading a romance book with your book club is a great way to open up conversation about tricky topics, like relationship drama, communication boosters, what not to do in bed, and love, obviously.
If your book club is open to the idea and wants to try out a romantic book choice this month, consider going for a romance book with feminist main characters and realistic issues you or your club mates face on a daily basis. These 11 books will spur some great conversations between you and your friends:
1. Snowed In by Rachel Hawthorne
If your book club is looking for a romance to snuggle up with or get you in the holiday spirit, Snowed In is your best bet. When Ashleigh moves up north to a snowy island, she discovers her new home boasts a lot of fudge shops and hot guys to keep her warm during the winter months. The romance in this story is one to melt over, and one that will surely make you — and your entire book club — smile from ear to ear.
2. Property of a Noblewoman by Danielle Steel
If your book club has yet to take on a romance novel, why not start with one of the best-selling authors of romance? Her most recent, Property of a Noblewoman , will definitely spark some conversations. Jane and Phillip are brought together through their jobs to solve a puzzle from the past — one that'll lead to a romantic and intriguing ending.
3. A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare
The book takes place in a beautiful place known as Spindle Cove, and it features a heroine everyone in your club will be rooting for. And the sex? Well, just prepare to discuss some steamy scenes — or not, if you'd rather just keep your thoughts to yourself.
4. Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
If you want to read a classic, you can't go wrong with Laura Esquirel's romance, Like Water for Chocolate . Taking place in turn-of-the-century Mexico and following the strange history of De La Garza family, this story is charming and irresistible in every sense. Tita, the youngest daughter of the family, is forbidden to marry. But when she falls for a man named Pedro, and he's seduced through her cooking, he marries her sister in order to stay closer. Thus begins their 20 years of agonizing love for one another.
5. One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid
High school sweethearts Emma and Jesse marry, travel the world, and live out their wildest dreams. But when Jesse takes a helicopter ride over the Pacific and goes missing, Emma's life comes to a crashing halt. She moves back home to get her life together, and years after her husband's disappearance, Emma runs into an old friend, Sam, and slowly allows herself to love again. But then Jesse turns up — alive, and in search for his wife. Emma is forced to chose between two men — the man from her past, and the man from her present. It's a novel that'll twist and melt every heart in your book club, and one that'll spark quite a dispute, no doubt.
7. The Danish Girl by David Ebershoff
This novel based loosely on the true story of Lili Elbe, a pioneer in transgender history, and a woman who lived a very unique life. It's also a story about unconditional love. Once your book club finishes this novel, you can all watch the new movie adaptation together.
8. Persuasion by Jane Austen
Jane Austen, a classic romance author, has probably been a part of your book club one way or another. If you've already read the popular Pride and Prejudice together, or even Emma , then it's time to introduce Persuasion to your book pals. Because, let's be honest, who doesn't want to read about a fabulous, mature heroine finally finding her one true love?
9. Destiny's Embrace by Beverly Jenkins
Get ready to saddle up and head back to the American West in Jenkin's heartfelt and steamy romance novel about a ranch owner who falls for his housekeeper. This novel is perfect for the book club ready to take on something daring, something fun, and something risqué. The writing is gorgeous, the historical elements will spark some interesting conversations, and the characters are endlessly intriguing.
10. She Wore Red Trainers by Na'ima B. Robert
If your book club wants to skip the sexy romance novels, this YA romance story will definitely warm your hearts. When Ali meets Amirah, he notices everything about her — from her hijab to her red trainers. Ali is still struggling with his identity and the loss of his mother, and Amirah has sworn off ever getting married. But two can't stop thinking about each other.
11. Crazy Little Thing by Tracy Brogan
Sadie has sworn off men. Desperate to escape her life and spend some time with family, Sadie asks her eccentric aunt and cousins to spend the summer with her at the family cabin. But then Desmond, their next door neighbor, shows up, and Sadie has to decide if her passion for him is worth pursuing.
Images: Pixabay
