Quarantine has given a lot of us the opportunity to try new things (I know a lot of us have developed a new passion for baking bread). It has also made it possible for us to make time for old hobbies. I have always used reading to unwind and entangle myself in a fantasy world, but it had always been hard to find the time to do anything leisurely while being committed to so many things. I decided I would use quarantine to get back to the things I loved and so I ordered four romance novels from Indigo. I am going to give you a quick run down and hopefully inspire you to get some romance into your life.
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
Not to be dramatic or anything, but this has got to be my all time favourite book. I am a sucker for a classic romance story. You know the classic tale of a man and woman who never cared much for each other until they were forced to interact and take their blinders off, revealing that they were actually perfect for eachother? Cheesy? Yes, but the absolute best. The Hating Game follows the story of Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman as they navigate their relationship from being annoyed by the littlest thing the other does, only seeing their differences, to actually getting to know each other for who they really are. To top it off, they are fighting for the same promotion at the publishing company they both work at. I laughed and I cried, and I reread. I would definitely recommend this novel, over and over again.
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
I’ve read other books by Helen Hoang and she honestly doesn’t disappoint. The Kiss Quotient follows the story of Stella Lane, a smart and successful career woman, who lacks experience with men and relationships. She decides to hire an escort, Michael Phan, to help her gain more confidence. As their fake relationship keeps taking the next step, Stella begins to wonder how love had ever felt so unnatural to her. I think this book is a great read, it contains a lot of real life issues that will not only help you better understand the characters, but also relate and connect to them on a deeper level.
Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey
Travis Ford is back at home after an injury ended the height of his career. It is here, back at his roots, that he realises the support and love he needed may have been a lot closer than he ever could have thought (His friend’s little sister who’s been in love with him her whole life… eek!). The plot may be a little played out, but if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it! Georgette Castle and her family run a local home renovation business. Georgette’s brother Stephan just happens to be Travis’ best friend. From fake dating to real dating and everything in between, this novel is a must-read.
Faker by Sarah Smith
Sarah Smith introduces the reader to Emmie Echavarre, a tough woman fighting to be respected and taken seriously at her job working for a power tool company. When she is forced to work with Tate Rasmussen, her hostile coworker that does anything but make an effort to get to know her, their relationship is definitely bound to change. As you can probably tell, I love a good work feud turned to a lover situation. I mean a lot of people do say that love and hate are two of the most similar emotions, right? I would for sure recommend reading this novel for a dose of wit and heart, you will definitely be seeing at least a little bit of yourself in Emmie (which is always more enjoyable to read!)
Although I know romance novels are not everybody’s cup of tea, it is so hard to not love love, and if you do then I need you to teach me how. It is so easy to get caught up in a small fantasy world in which the girl always ends up with the boy. I know this isn’t realistic, but it’s a pretty great piece of fiction to read! If you do have the free time to get lost in this fantasy, then I do highly recommend the books above.