Is there anything better than going to a book club? We don’t think so. A chance to not only read amazing books, but squeal over them with friends? Sign us up for ALL of them. (Or, maybe not. Our TBR pile has gotten a bit alarming!) Here at Frolic, we’re all about romance, but we also know it can be tricky and maybe even a little intimidating to know where to start when looking to add Romance novels to your regular book club rotation. Never fear. Here are six reasons to add Romance into your book club along with six of our favorite books to get you started.
Why you should add Romance into your book club:
- 1. You are guaranteed a happy ending. In today’s crazy world, it’s nice to take a break and relax into a book that you know ends well.
- 2. It can break down pre-conceived notions of what romance is from even the most staunch literary critics.
- 3. Most of them are written by women, and it’s never been a better time to support female storytellers.
- 4. Read it before it becomes a movie! There’s a renewed excitement around RomComs (freaking finally!) and we are here for it. You’re going to want to read them before they hit the big (or little) screen.
- 5. Romance delves into many different genres, from paranormal to historical. There’s something for everyone!
- 6. It reminds you that there’s love in the world. When you’re feeling down, romance is a great reminder that everything gets better with time.
So! Now you’re ready to dive headfirst into the wonderful world of Romance. Below are 6 suggestions for books we love that will spark lively conversations at your next book club. We can’t wait to hear how it goes, please tweet us @onfrolic and let us know!
Historical
Rebel by Beverly Jenkins
If you like your romance with a side of civil war era intrigue, Rebel is perfect for you! Beverly Jenkins’ classic romance follows strong heroine Valinda as she fights for her life—and for love. Here’s the blurb:
Wicked and the Wallflower by Sarah Maclean
If regency romance is more your style, you’ll love Wicked and the Wallflower! Our heroine Felicity Faircloth lives life searching for one thing: passion. She refuses to accept a marriage without it. But when she finds love in a dark place she never expects, she’ll risk everything to hold on to it.
Contemporary
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
Even if you don’t realize it, you LOVE the enemies to lovers trope. That’s when the hero and heroine start off by hating each other and end up falling in love. This trope is full of lust, tension and more. We can’t get enough, which is one of the reasons we love The Hating Game so much! Lucy and Joshua are bitter office rivals who can’t get enough of one-upping each other. But they also can’t get enough of each other, period! This one’s coming to the big screen soon, so you don’t want to miss it.
A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole
We’ve all gotten those spam emails claiming we’re engaged to a prince from a faraway land. But what if that was the truth? That’s the idea behind Alyssa Cole’s adorable Reluctant Royals novel A Princess in Theory. When Naledi keeps getting emails that she’s betrothed to a prince, she deletes them without much thought. But when her betrothed, Prince Thabiso tracks her down, she realizes that it just might be true! Here’s more about it:
YA
Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit by Jaye Robin Brown
When Joanna’s dad moves their family to a conservative, small Georgia town, Joanna finds herself forced back into the closet. But when she meets it-girl Mary Carlson, she find herself falling hard and fast. This adorable YA romance is a great intro to just how fun YA romance can be.
The Potion Diaries by Amy Alward
In a world of both science and magic, teenage alchemist Samantha Kemi finds herself going up against synthetic potion-maker Zain Aster. On the hunt for the cure to the love potion that the Princess of Nova accidentally swallowed, the two find themselves both at odds and tangled together. A very fun romance full of magic and romance The Potion Diaries is a great read for any fantasy book club!
There you have it: Frolic’s top picks for introducing romance into your book club! We could all use a little Happily Ever After in our day.
Frolic is an entertainment media brand that brings together a community of diverse voices including authors, fans, bookstagrammers, and storytellers to deliver feel-good content and commerce to the voracious reader who enjoys escaping into a great love story.