Book Reviews by Genre: Romance

Joan Goodwin has always dreamed of the stars. In 1980s Houston, NASA is finally willing to begin integrating women astronauts into the program. With her group of fellow astronaut candidates, Joan navigates a world of love, family, and friends in a word slowly beginning to accept diversity.

I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed this novel. Having enjoyed other Reid books, I knew I would have some level of enthusiasm, but I liked it much more than I thought I would. For starters, I have always been intrigued by space and space travel, so I especially enjoyed the whimsical personality Joan obtained throughout the story. I also absolutely adored the relationship between Joan and her niece, Frances. Frances was probably my favorite character by far, as she was so lively and felt so real even as a fictional child. I didn’t care for the love story much, which would be my only complaint, but I was fascinated at how well Reid weaved the intricacies of romance and occupations in the time period of the 1980s.

Carrie Soto had it all. Since training with her father since the age of two, she has become the only women’s tennis player to win 20 grand slams. Her career was shaped by grueling and tireless matches, and now one woman threatens to take it all. The year is 1994 and Nicki Chan has officially matched Carrie’s record of 20 slams. Not willing to let her greatest player title be taken, Carrie makes the shocking decision to come out of retirement at age 37 in order to defend her record.

Wow! This book was really exciting! I originally picked it up because I’m a tennis player and was very interested to read a book about tennis, and Taylor Jenkins Reid did not disappoint. Carrie Soto is not by any means a character I felt compelled to root for, but as she continued to develop and her story evolved, I found myself inexplicably drawn to her passion of the sport. I specifically enjoyed how Reid developed her character through the coaching of her father, Javier. Despite the bumps and complications of their relationship, Reid describes a genuine and emotional connection between the father and daughter, and it was beautiful to read.

The House in the Cerulean Sea is a cozy, heart-warming story about a caseworker who investigates a top secret orphanage filled with magical children. This is not an intense read by any means, and it has a good bit of humor as well as some lovely commentary about the nature of love and chosen family. I thought it had a relatively slow start, but I'm very glad I stuck with it. I think this book is meant to open the hearts and minds of the reader alongside the protagonist. A refreshing, wholesome story that kept me hooked until the very end.

I found Jane Eyre surprisingly emotional and engaging. Jane is such a determined and independent character, especially considering the time period the book was written in. I really appreciated how the story shows her personal growth and moral strength. The gothic elements added some suspense, especially in the Thornfield parts. Some sections were a bit long, but the story and characters made it worth it. It ended up being one of my favorite classics.

This book was interesting, but also a bit frustrating for me. The writing and atmosphere are really powerful, and the setting feels dark and intense. However, a lot of the characters are difficult to like, especially Heathcliff and Catherine, which made it harder for me to connect with the story. I still appreciated the emotional intensity and the way the novel explores obsession and revenge. Even though it wasn’t my favorite, I’m glad I read it because it’s definitely unique among classic novels.

This book felt really atmospheric to me. Fitzgerald’s writing style is beautiful, and the way he describes the setting and the characters made everything feel vivid. Gatsby himself is such a mysterious and tragic character, which made the story more compelling. I also liked how the book explores themes like the American Dream and how people chase illusions. Sometimes the symbolism felt a bit heavy. But overall, it was a really interesting and thoughtful read.

I loved this book more than I expected to. At first, the language felt a little too formal, but after a few chapters I got used to it and started enjoying Austen’s humor. Elizabeth Bennet is such a strong and witty character, and watching her relationship with Darcy develop was really satisfying. The social commentary about class and marriage still feels surprisingly relevant today. Some parts move slowly, but the dialogue and character interactions kept me interested. Overall, it’s one of those classics that actually lives up to the hype.

When Meddelin Chan accidentally kills her blind date, the last thing she needs is to add a 2,000 guest Chinese-Indonesian wedding to the mix. Luckily, her immigrant mother and three meddling aunties are prepared to do whatever it takes to hide the body and successfully cater the wedding. With the aunties dealing with a wedding, a body, and Meddy’s unexpected college sweetheart, nothing could possibly go wrong, right?

I thought this book was really cute! I wasn’t exactly sure what premise I was expecting due to the many different conflicts, but I thought the aunties were hilarious and the plot was executed well. This book was very fast paced and not at all hard to read, and I especially liked the author’s note of how this book was a love letter to her culture and her family. I feel like it made the cultural elements of the novel much more compelling. Overall, the book was very simple and shockingly kept me in suspense the whole time just because I had no idea which way the story was going to go. “Dial A for Aunties” was definitely a fun and easy read.

“I Do?” is a LGBTQIA+ romance featuring the main characters Chad and Raudel. Chad considers himself as a lowlife. He works at a yogurt shop and didn’t go to college. While staying at his sister’s house for her wedding, he realizes that she invited her friend from high school, his long-term crush. Chad tries to avoid Raudel, but it proves hard when they’re staying in the same room with only one bed for a full week.

I didn’t really enjoy this book. The pacing was too fast, the romance between the characters didn’t feel fleshed out, and it was overall too short. I definitely enjoyed the premise, I just think the book should’ve been longer, so the character relationships could’ve actually developed properly. If you like fast paced romances, then I would recommend it. However, I don’t recommend it to fans of slower developed romance.

Sinter is in his mid-twenties, living in London for an acting job. He misses his friend since high school, Andy, who is in Seattle living his own life. While in London, Sinter starts to have different feelings towards his friend. He ends up moving back to Seattle to rekindle his friendship with Andy. But somehow, more than friendship rekindles, despite Sinter’s confusion on his sexuality.

This book is okay. The relationship felt somewhat forced, not enough for me to get invested. I didn’t really feel a form of connection to the main characters. My favorite character was one of the side characters, who I was hoping to get more lines almost throughout the whole book. It didn’t really feel like they had depth. The plotline is decent in the beginning, but then a wrench gets thrown into it. One of the classic but annoying tropes that I don’t like was used. It kind of made me want to drop the book, but I stuck to it. The book didn’t really improve much after that. It was decent enough; it just doesn’t really stick out to me.

“Pride and Prejudice” is a contemporary classic following the life of a young woman in 19th century England. Through the love story between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, the novel tackles themes of gender roles and societal status, reflecting the life of Jane Austen as well. Wow, I was amazed at how much I enjoyed this novel. Despite being a classic novel written in the 1800s, Austen’s writing was so easy to understand, and I even found myself laughing at her sarcastic and witty humor. The love story between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy was not awkward to read or hard to understand in the slightest, and their conflicts really emphasized the themes Austen was trying to convey. I can strongly say that the essay I had to write for this novel was the easiest essay I’ve ever written as I enjoyed dissecting every part of this book! I can see why Jane Austen has such a notable reputation, and in my opinion, it is very much deserved. I believe I will be forever glad to have read this book; despite being centuries apart, Elizabeth remains to be one of the most relatable female protagonists in classic literature, and it amazes me how ahead of her time Austen was while writing her.

Poppy and Alex have been best friends for years. Despite being polar opposites, they’ve always bonded over one thing: traveling. After ten summer vacations, something disastrous happens to potentially split them up forever. But Poppy has one last vacation planned, and one last chance to prove that they may be more perfect for each other than originally thought. This book was an unfortunate disappointment for me. I was very excited to read it due to the movie releasing and my previous enjoyment of Henry’s other novels, but her story just fell flat in this one. Neither of the main characters were very likable to me, and the conflicts felt very predictable and boring. It wasn’t all terrible, and there were some parts that made me smile, but compared to her other works where I was laughing out loud and giggling about it to my friends, I couldn’t help but be a little let down by the execution of the storyline. If you’re an avid romance or Emily Henry reader there may be more enjoyment to find within this book, but unfortunately it wasn’t it for me.

The Song of Achilles is a retelling of the Trojan War through the eyes of Achilles lover, Patroclus. This book has been on my reading list for a couple of years now, but I finally decided to pick it up, and I’m glad I did!
The best part of this book has to be the writing. I’m not usually a fan of the 1st person perspective, but Miller’s writing really makes it feel as though you are seeing everything through Patroclus’s eyes. It’s almost as though you are living through him at times, and it’s because of this that every one of his emotions has such an impact on the reader. Every moment feels like it matters. From the mundane beginnings in Phthia to the more intense clashes during the Trojan War, everything in this story feels like it has meaning.
Another part of this book that I love is the writing of the characters, specifically Achilles. As previously mentioned, the story is in 1st person. We never get to see what Achilles is thinking, but that’s exactly what makes him so interesting. The only things the reader knows about Achilles are through his interactions with Patroclus and other characters in the novel, and it’s through this that Achilles true nature is revealed.
While this book is a romance, I promise you will never read another like it. I have never seen a story where the main leads have such incredible chemistry, not only as lovers, but as friends. You truly get the sense that Achilles and Patroclus care so much about each other. That they know each other better than they know themselves.
Being familiar with the Iliad isn’t necessary to enjoy this book, and even though I was, the ending still shocked me. The last 50 pages or so had me on the edge of my seat, and it wasn’t exactly what happened that surprised me, but how it happened.
This is definitely the best book I have read in years. So, if you’re looking for a book that will absolutely blow you away, this is the book for you!

Jane is trying to get through her internship as a medical student. Yet it seems like she can't do anything right to please her senior resident, who seems determined to make Jane's job impossible. The only thing keeping Jane sane is the surgeon who she finds incredibly attractive, and who has also taken an interest in her. As Jane tries to navigate her new life of being a doctor, she comes to terms with who she is.

"The Devil Wears Scrubs" is a slice of life, which is outside the genre of most of Freida McFadden's books. Although overall the concept was interesting, I found Jane to be a frustrating character and there really not being much of a plot.

"The Wedding People" is a book about a divorced woman named Phoebe who goes to a fancy hotel in Rhode Island. Little does she know, there's a big wedding happening while she's there. She meets the bride, who confides in her whenever something happens. The two become friends quickly, as they bring out different sides in each other. One night, Phoebe goes to relax in the hotel hot tub, and she meets a man there. The two talk, and Phoebe realizes that this stranger brings something out in her that she hasn’t experienced before.

“The Wedding People” is definitely one of my favorite books that I have read. The characters feel so human with all their flaws, feelings, and experiences. Every single character is likable in their own way. Multiple characters have character development that benefits the storyline. Their realizations and discoveries are so poetic that I felt the emotions behind the writing. The author phrases things so well, it feels like you are experiencing what is happening. The book is able to cover heavy topics without being smothering or ridiculous. The plot twists were unpredictable and surprising, but they were realistic and believable. Overall, this book is truly a work of art that I really enjoyed.

If you are looking for the perfect enemies to lovers/romantasy look no further! Fourth Wing is a masterpiece by Yarros who combines master world building skills with an exciting and engaging plot. I really liked Violet's determination, perseverance, and acceptance of her circumstances. Her character was well rounded and a 5-star narrator. Xaden and Violet's chemistry was off the charts, and it really added that final piece to the plot. I would definitely read again and again and again. This is the perfect book for romance and fantasy lovers.

"Guardian Demon" is a romance book set in a world where angels and demons exist. The story follows our two main characters, an angel and a demon. Sunshine, the female angel main character, is assigned a mission to retrieve a book from a demon. The other main character is a male demon named Raum. Sunshine decides to form a contract, forcing Raum to help her on her mission. The two start the mission disliking each other, but as the mission progresses, they begin to grow closer.

I started reading this book without knowing that it was part of a series. Despite this, the book introduced new things, while also explaining stuff from the previous books. The author develops the characters, and they maintain consistent personalities throughout the book. The romance between the two main characters is well fleshed out and gave me butterflies on occasion. Overall, this book is very good and I would definitely recommend it to fans of fantasy and romance books!

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a FANTASTIC read. It traces the life story of movie star, Evelyn Hugo, as told by underground reporter Monique Grant. The plot development throughout this novel is spectacular, and is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. It is not quite a romance, not quite a mystery, but somewhere in between. The reader is led to ponder the value of love, marriage, and storytelling as they discover the hidden connection between Evelyn and Monique.

Hari Shin is desperate for money - so when her friend, Youngseo Jin, offers to pay her to attend a blind date, Hari accepts without thinking. She is confident that she can send the potential suitor packing (and have a little fun in the process!)...until her CEO, Taemu Kang shows up at the date. And for some reason, despite her best efforts, Taemu is determined to marry Hari! "A Business Proposal, Vol. 1" is a hilarious manhwa (Korean manga) that follows the adventures that Hari goes on as she tries her best to conceal her true identity - and navigates her feelings for Taemu.

Before reading "A Business Proposal, Vol. 1," I had actually watched the K-drama adaptation of the story first, and both versions are fun and addictive! There are ten volumes of this manhwa, allowing the reader to enjoy the amusing plot and lovable character across multiple books. "A Business Proposal" is a good choice for both people who are familiar with Korean culture, and for those who are not. The incorporation of cultural context is explained in the back of the book and adds a lot of character to the story. This is a relaxing and entertaining read and I definitely recommend both the manhwa and the K-drama to anyone who likes office rom-coms!

I'm not sure where I picked up this book on Kindle, but it finally took me two years to finish it (I'm excruciatingly slow at reading eBooks). To expand my horizons, I thought reading a romance novel would be good for me. Bring Down the Stars feels like a classic partly due to its heavy resemblance to Cyrano de Bergerac. Its tropes feel solidly planted in the genre, even to the point of being almost timeless. Still, the characters are a little frustrating.

When I finally sat down to focus on reading this book, it hooked me pretty well. The writing is beautifully poetic—which is most often seen from the male point of view (POV). The female POV was a good counterpoint to give the reader both sides of the story while also making the miscommunication between these star-crossed lovers a buildup to either passionate love or a complete destruction of the friendship. That dance between the two is likely what keeps people coming back to this genre. I get it now. It's maddening, but I get it.

I found the modern elements interesting because they could have easily been swapped out for similar situations in centuries past. As I mentioned above, this is basically a Cyrano re-telling, but with two athletic college students in love with the same farmer's girl. Which war the men went off to is irrelevant, as it could have just as easily been the American Revolution or Civil War. It frustrated me that there wasn't a conclusion in this book, as it would have been easy to accomplish without the need for a second book. If I feel up to exploring the genre again, I might pick that sequel up.

A modern take on a classic romance, I give Bring Down the Stars 3.5 stars out of 5.

"Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte is a haunting tale of passion, revenge, and the destructive power of obsession. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of the Yorkshire moors, Bronte creates a narrative that delves deep into the complexities of human nature and the dark corners of the human psyche. Through the relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine, Bronte explores themes of social class, love, and the relentless cycle of vengeance. The novel's richly drawn characters and evocative prose create an immersive reading experience that lingers in the mind long after the final page. "Wuthering Heights" stands as a timeless classic of English literature, captivating readers with its raw emotion and portrayal of the human heart's capacity for both love and cruelty.

Set in 1992, The Great Gatsby encapsulates themes of wealth and society as readers experience the life of Nick Carraway, a man who recently moved to Long Island. He eventually befriends Jay Gatsby, a man known for his money and extravagant parties. As they grow closer, Nick quickly discovers more depth to Gatsby than meets the eye when Jay becomes vulnerable with Nick and exposes the reason behind his lavishness and expenses. This novel is known for its ability to distinguish new money and old money, explore "The American Dream", and expose how shallow and vain humans can be. I enjoyed following Nick's life, as he is a relatable character who reacts to this nonsense like many readers would. He acts as the voice of reason while those around him have significant flaws and characteristics that represent different aspects of society. I believe this book appeals to everyone in one way or another.

Reviewer: Grade 12

Fourth Wing is about twenty-year-old Violent Sorrengail and her time as a first year at Basgiath War College, where she trains to be a dragon rider. I
chose to read the book due to its popularity, and how it appealed with my interests in dragons and fantasy, as well as its relatable romance.
enjoyed the loveable characters and the interesting plot that kept me hooked in and invested. I didn't like some of the side-characters who seemed flat, I feel some of these characters could have been flushed out and developed more.
This is an enjoyable fantasy romance for young adult readers who prefer a more drawn out story and romance.

The Great Gatsby is a really good book that I did not expect to like because I was assigned to read it in school. Set prior to the Great Depression, the book sets the stage for how the wealthy lived on the East Coast, while also portraying some of the nation's struggles at that time through various pieces of text and dialogue. The book was a constant surprise to me, and even when I felt confident something would for sure happen the book took an unexpected turn. It is very hard to find a "good" character in the book, seeing as most of them are more "morally gray", and this creates a very interesting dynamic for the reader. Overall it was a very good book, and that's coming from someone who's hated just about every book they've had to read in school.

11th grade

In the fantastical world of medicine, doctors are galavanting around saving lives in the nick of time… or not. Maybe being a doctor is less glamorous than glorified Medical Dramas may suggest. Perhaps, for the newly initiated, the countless sleepless nights on call or mean residents demanding tasks at a dizzying pace, being a doctor is harder than one could imagine. The Devil Wears Scrubs provides a humorous satirical glimpse into the misadventures of a green intern, Jane McGill, as she attempts to navigate the dizzying pace of hospitals and the profession of saving lives. Jane is metaphorically slapped across the face with reality on her first day at County Hospital; she knows nothing and will do everything wrong. It does not help that Jane was assigned under Dr. Alyssa Morgan, who seems to leave out important instructions and make Jane’s life all the harder. As Jane navigates her new hectic environment, McFadden’s humor and satire make this novel about the grueling nature of the medical field largely entertaining.

To be honest, I was skeptical, somewhat expecting a medical supernatural romance, and based on the summary and title, one could infer worse. I judged the book by the cover. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The book flows seamlessly, fast-paced, witty, and entertaining. It made me laugh a great deal with the subtlety of the humor and satire and the quick remarks of the characters. Jane is a compelling protagonist who makes a lot of mistakes and faces dire consequences.

While I enjoyed this book greatly, don’t expect anything too deep. The characters are shallow, the plot not much to fawn about, and the endless loose ends at the end. All of these reasons may seem to discount the potential of this book, but The Devil Wears Scrubs was never intended to be deep; it is supposed to be lighthearted, witty, and entertaining. So if you go into the book expecting depth, save yourself the time, and set it down, but if you want a good-natured laugh at the misfortune of another, written in a satirical tone, then by all means pick up this book right now.

"Icebreaker" struggles to thaw even the coldest of hearts with its repetitive and uninspired intimate scenes, serving as a glaring distraction from its bland plot and overall spineless narrative. The author's attempt at crafting a compelling story falls flat, as the plot meanders aimlessly without any sense of direction or purpose. Despite the potential for intrigue in its premise, the execution falls short, leaving readers feeling disconnected and unengaged. The intimate scenes, far from adding depth or passion to the story, only serve to highlight its glaring shortcomings, becoming tedious and predictable with each repetition. Overall, "Icebreaker" fails to leave a lasting impression, offering little more than a disappointing reading experience that fails to ignite any sense of excitement or satisfaction.

"Where the Forest Meets the Stars" by Glendy Vanderah is a mesmerizing blend of heart-wrenching reality and whimsical fantasy that left me utterly captivated. Set against the backdrop of a serene forest, the story weaves a tale of grief, healing, and unexpected connections that transcend the ordinary. The characters, Joanna, Ursa, and Gabriel, form an unlikely trio whose interactions are enchanting. As they unravel the mysteries of the stars and confront their own inner demons, the line between reality and fantasy blurs beautifully, inviting readers into a world where anything seems possible. The author's prose is both lyrical and evocative, painting vivid scenes that linger in the mind long after the final page. With its rich narrative and emotionally resonant themes, "Where the Forest Meets the Stars" is a masterpiece that reminds us of the magic inherent in everyday life. It's a book that stays with you, stirring your soul and igniting your imagination with every turn of the page.

Fairies are terrifying, violent creatures; they haunt the humans’ worst nightmares. A wall and a twisted treaty are the only barriers between these terrifying creatures and the vulnerable, weak humans. However, the wall is weakening, fairies are venturing through the cracks, and the humans have long forgotten the treaty's terms.

Ferye’s family relies on her hunts, but over time, she has to venture deeper into the woods toward the wall dividing the fairies and the humans. These hunts are risky and dangerous, and it’s only a matter of time before she might have to confront a fairy. When Ferye accidentally breaks the treaty's terms, she has no choice but to follow Tamlin, a fairy, into his lands, the Spring Court. Ferye can never return to the human world and will live out her days in the fairylands, away from her family and home. She expects cruelty but finds beautiful, stunning lands and kind, generous fairies. As she adapts to her new home and overcomes her original opinions, she falls in love with the mysterious Tamlin and the fairies.

The plot is immaculate, the world-building is absolutely stunning, and the characters are enthralling; A Court of Thorns and Roses is a must-read for anyone who loves high fantasy and romance. It is one hundred percent a page-turner and will keep you enthralled until the last word.

"The Song of Achilles" by Madeline Miller is a stunning and deeply moving retelling of the Iliad that captivates from beginning to end, earning a solid 5 stars. Miller skillfully weaves a tale of love, friendship, and heroism, focusing on the relationship between Patroclus and Achilles. The narrative beautifully explores the complexities of their bond, providing a fresh perspective on the legendary characters. Miller's prose is both lyrical and evocative, effortlessly transporting readers to the ancient world. The emotional depth and nuance she brings to the characters make this retelling a triumph, resonating with readers on a profound level. "The Song of Achilles" is a masterpiece that seamlessly combines rich storytelling with timeless themes, earning its well-deserved 5-star rating.

Lovable characters, an amazing plot, swoon-worthy chemistry, and a captivating writing style, what more could one ask for in a rom-com narrative? Like seriously. And those beautiful ideas are immaculately expressed in The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas. This book stole my heart—a truly well-done teaser love story. From the first page, Armas unfolds every parcel of the story with perfection, leaving just enough time before uncovering another equally interesting idea. The classic enemies-to-lovers trope is perfectly applied as mysterious and stone-cold Aaron meets open and bubby Catalina. At first, the motives are questionable; you’ll find yourself asking, “why would Catalina be soo adamant about finding a fake boyfriend to bring home for a wedding?” and if she hates Aaron with that much ferocity, “why did she put that aside and take him?” But as the plot unfolds, everything makes sense in a kinda sick way, and motives come to life. And through it all, Aaron and Catalina could not be more wholesome. They frankly stole my heart. It is honestly an emotional rollercoaster that I wish would never end. When it finally did, it was perfect.