In today’s edition of the Tuesday Book Spotlight, I’ll be showcasing two books in one of my new favorite genres: romance. The romance genre can sometimes get a bad rap, but that reputation is so dated! In recent years, the quality of romance writing has gotten better and better. It’s also a genre that is more forward-thinking than most, starring LGBTQIA+ characters and mixed-race relationships long before other genres became so inclusive. If you’ve spurned the romance genre in the past, it’s time to give it another try. Here are two books to get you started!

Book 1: One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

Even though this book was uncharacteristically long for a romance novel, I flew through it in just a few days. The magical element to the story kept me guessing until the very end.

Summary: Loner August is tentatively settling into a new life in New York City when she meets Jane on the Q-train. Jane is beautiful, dazzling, intriguing, and sets August’s heart on fire. The only problem? Jane can’t seem to leave the subway. In fact, she’s been stuck there, frozen in time and space, for a long time. August must band together with her new friends to figure out how to get Jane un-stuck. Along the way, August finally learns to embrace a sense of place and family, falling for her new city as much as she’s fallen for Jane.

Note: this book is very “open-door” (meaning, be prepared to read details of the couple… coupling).

I hadn’t originally planned to read Red, White and Royal Blue (also by McQuiston) but it’s now on my list.

Book 2: The Ex-Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon

From reading the jacket copy, I had thought this book was about two exes forced to do a podcast together to save their careers. That would have been enough drama. But it was way more twisted than that!

Summary: Shay Goldstein has an idea for a podcast series where two exes dissect their relationship failures and give advice to other couples. Her boss thinks it’s a station-saving idea, and Shay’s dying to make it happen. The only problem is, she doesn’t have an ex at work. What she has is Dominic Yun, a young hotshot with whom Shay constantly butts heads. They decide to fabricate a relationship and a breakup so that they can do the podcast, but of course things go awry when they develop real feelings for each other. The podcast is instantly popular, and that causes problems when an inquisitive public begins questioning Shay and Dominic’s story.

The plot is a little predictable, but I didn’t mind because the characters were strong and deep. Side characters were also bright spots– my favorite was Shay’s mother, a concert violinist who finds love after tragedy.

The best thing about romance novels is the “Happily-Ever-After.” You just know that after all the relationship turmoil and hijinks, things are going to work out. It’s the most comforting genre to read, and that’s something I’ve needed a large dose of lately.

What romance books would YOU reccommend?