After a long week, I often choose to ignore my TBR (to-be-read books) and instead pick up one of my favorite comfort reads. They’re all sweet, heartwarming romances that can cheer you up after a hard day, and since I’ve read them all at least five times, I can fall into the familiar worlds easily.
“The Heartbreak Chronicles,” written by Ali Novak, is a series starring the Heartbreakers, a teenage boy band. Each book follows a different member of the band, and the series includes one of my all-time favorite books. “The Heartbreakers” is Stella and Oliver’s story—Stella, a photographer, insults the Heartbreakers to Oliver’s face, not recognizing him as the lead singer of the band she can’t stand. But sparks fly when she ends up taking pictures for the boys’ tour …
Available on Amazon.
If you’re looking for a book aimed towards an older audience, Ali Hazelwood’s “The Love Hypothesis” is one of my favorite adult romances. PhD student Olive is trying to convince her best friend that she’s in a happy relationship, so she panics and kisses the first guy she sees, aka Adam, the most hated professor on campus. If you’re a fan of forced proximity and fake dating, and you love a good STEM representation, this is the book for you! It’s fun and it’s flirty, but as always, check the content ratings before reading.
Available on Amazon, in Barnes and Noble and at all major resellers.
Another popular romance read that I adore is “Red, White, and Royal Blue,” (RWRB) by Casey McQuiston. Recently turned into a movie, RWRB tells the story of U.S. First Son Alex and British Prince Henry in a fabulously written enemies to lovers romance. A scandalous incident at a royal wedding has Alex and Henry pretending to be best friends, and for a while it’s all clenched teeth and muttered insults. But as Alex gets to know the real Henry, he starts to wonder whether his growing feelings would affect his mother’s reelection, and if it’s even possible to have a relationship with the freaking prince of England.
Available on Amazon, in Barnes and Noble and at all major resellers. Movie available with Amazon Prime.
Sometimes I’m in the mood for a cute young adult (YA) romance, and in that case, I turn to Cookie O’Gorman’s books. She’s published quite a few YA rom-coms, and as one can expect with their favorite author, I own all of them. My favorites include “Cupcake,” a feel-good first love homecoming romance, and “Bookworm,” an opposites attract reader-and-athlete fake dating romance. O’Gorman is one of my auto-buy authors, and I haven’t had a single “miss” with her books.
So whether you’re in the mood for an adorable rom-com or a spicy romance, these comfort reads are the best ways to cheer up after a long day! Bonus points if you read while curled up in blankets, with a scented candle (but not on Brandeis campus!) or a mug of hot chocolate.
