I recently did a journalism assignment called People on the Street (POTS) where I interviewed random people on my college campus. I got to pick my own questions, so naturally I gravitated towards something I would enjoy: books. I asked eight different people, “What is one book you would recommend to everyone and why?”
Oh boy, I was not ready for the responses I got.
Not that they were crazy; they were just really on the opposite spectrum of the type of books I read. I am a romance girly through and through with a little sprinkle of thrillers and fantasy, but everyone I interviewed seems to read more nonfiction and self-improvement books. One person mentioned a book I recognized because I read it too: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros.
This made me realize I don’t have a single book I would just recommend to everyone. I have to ask so many questions before I give someone a book recommendation. Like, do they want romance? If they say no to that, I can’t help you. I might recommend the Harry Potter series, but in the later books, it gets a side plot of romance, so…
If you say yes, I have a lot of follow-ups. Do you want it fluffy, a little spice, full spice, or dark? What kind of tropes are you looking for? Fake dating, friends-to-lovers, enemies-to-lovers, or sports romance? See? I have around one hundred books in my head ready to recommend, depending on what answers I get.
That leads me to this article; here are books I would recommend to you based on tropes and romance spice levels. Don’t worry, this will be multiple parts!
Friends-to-Lovers
Fluffy Friends-to-Lovers Book Rec:
The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams
Two best friends who are in love but think the other is not interested. A classic. It’s a sports romance: he is the quarterback, and she teaches ballet, with a side of fake dating. Their fake dating is the only way to test out if they would work as a couple, all planned out by Nate, our MMC (male main character). Bree and Nate will always be my babies.
Light Spice Friends-to-Lovers Rec:
In Your Dreams by Sarah Adams
Yes, another Sarah Adams book in the same category. She is one of my must-read authors, so sue me. She has been branching out into the open-door romance community, and this book has two spicy chapters (Perfect for beginners). This book also leans into the brother’s best friend trope/childhood friends and is the last book of the When in Rome series, a small-town romance series.
Spicy Friends-to-Lovers Rec:
Powerless by Elsie Silver
Elsie Silver is my queen for cowboy romance; however, this one is a little different. It’s a childhood friend and sports romance (he plays hockey, goalie position, and she is in ballet). She fell first, but he definitely fell harder for her. This is the third book in the Chestnut Springs series, and this whole series is found family.
Dark Friends-to-Lovers Rec:
Skin of a Sinner by Avina St. Graves
I have yet to read this book, but trust me, I will finish it by the end of the year. Don’t fret; I have heard only good things about this book (or as good as it can get, with it being a dark romance book). It is also a second-chance romance since they fall out because of an action Roman took. No spoilers here since it’s too dark to really write about…
Fake Dating
Fluffy Fake Dating Rec:
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
A classic! Please read the book if you love the movie, because I will never get over the Halloween scene not being included in the movie adaptation. But for those new to this book, fake dating done right. A contract of what they can and can’t do, a deadline, and two people who will definitely fall in love with each other.
Light Spice Fake Dating Rec:
The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
This was one of the first 5 books I bought when I became a reader. I love this trope because of Catalina and Aaron. This is also a workplace romance, and he fell first and harder (the way it should be). Aaron offers to be Lina’s fake boyfriend to save face with her family at her sister’s wedding in Spain. Did I mention that he learned some Spanish to be able to communicate with her family better? It made my Latina heart so happy to see that; no more need to explain why it’s one of my favorite books.
Spicy Fake Dating Rec:
Twisted Lies by Ana Huang
Ana Huang is my literal goddess in living form! She is my FAVORITE author ever! She writes the best MMCs, and Christian Harper is no exception. Stella and Christian are fake dating to help her social media grow since she is a content creator with a stagnant account, but the fake dating is great for Christian because he’s been obsessed with her for years. Another victim of he fell first and harder. This is also the fourth and last book of the Twisted series.
Dark Fake Dating Rec:
Game On by Navessa Allen
This is the 3rd book in the Into the Darkness series, and I have yet to finish it. I started it, but I got bored. No, I did not DNF (Did not finish) it; I’m just on a break from it. Anyhow, this book is sort of enemies-to-lovers. Tyler blackmails Stella into fake-dating him to get revenge on his father, and she goes along with it to protect her brother.
Work Place Romance
Fluffy Work Place Rec:
The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
Dating app based on science- what could ever go wrong for our main characters? Oh, nothing- just getting matched with the creator of the app. When the results are the highest ever produced- 98%- they fake-date (yes, this is a theme in most books I read) to promote his app.
Light Spice Work Place Rec:
The Rule Book by Sarah Adams
Football player and agent dating? Is that the best idea? No, but with them accidentally getting married in Vegas, she has to protect his image (for her job, obviously). But when you add that they used to be college sweethearts who have unresolved feelings, it gets a little more complicated.
Spicy Work Place Rec:
The Fine Print by Lauren Asher
How I wish I could go to Dreamland in real life! Rowan, the grumpy man you are with your ball of sunshine, Zahra. They have to be my favorite workplace romance with a side of fake identity trope. He lies about his identity online when texting her to get to know her better, and it makes him fall in love with her more. If you take any of my recs, this would be one I hope you love!
Dark Work Place Rec:
The Risk by S.T. Abby
Now this book is the first of the Mindf*ck series and please read the trigger warning (I mean it). It’s a serial and FBI agent romance. You must be wondering how that would ever work and I promise you the series does a good job making it happen. But let me just tell you Lana is the baddest FMC (Female main character) I have read about.
More recommendations next week!