At the KissCon
Weekend Affaire last month, there was an entire
panel devoted to romantic comedies, or rom-coms, delightfully called “To All the Books I’ve
Loved Before,” a nod to the very successful Netflix movie based on the YA novel
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. Tessa Bailey, Alyssa Cole, Tracey Livesay, Mia Sosa, and Sally
Thorne all sat and chatted about their favorite romantic comedies - both books and movies -
and what made them so special. From When Harry Met Sally to Boomerang to Bridget Jones’
Diary, these contemporary romance authors told us what makes rom-coms so enjoyable, as
well as what they are looking for in new rom-coms.
Rom-coms have the perfect balance of comedy, drama, and
of course, a loveable love story. If the lead characters start out hating each other or know from
the time they're in preschool it’s meant to be, rom-coms have a way of making us all smile.
Some of my all-time favorite books are romantic comedies, and this spring and summer we are
lucky to have a bounty of rom-coms hitting bookshelves, all that I think feel like the blueprints
for movies or TV adaptations!
- Rebekah Weatherspoon -
Rafe (October 2018)
The tagline of this book says everything you need to know:
“A Buff Male Nanny.” This book is low-angst, straightforward, and an all-around delight.
There’s an employer-employee relationship, but it’s happening between two adults who know
they’re attracted to one another and are up front about everything from the start. The heroine
is an accomplished surgeon and has twin daughters. Rafe is an awesome nanny, who just so
happens to be a super hot tattooed ginger who rides a motorcycle. One thing I really loved
about this book is the kids act and sound LIKE KIDS - sometimes in books, children can be a
tad too precocious. Also, among Rafe’s many swoonworthy moments: he watches Youtube
tutorials to learn how to braid the girls’ hair… adorable (and he does a good job, too)!!
The first book in the Let’s Get Mythical series sets things up
fabulously! The heroine is a real-life Cupid, even though she’s been avoiding her calling as a
Descandent of Eros. Her assignd mentor is the guy she’s never gotten over, and they’re forced
to work together to help couples fall in love. There’s a bit of the paranormal and fantasy mixed
into this whimsical and enchanting romance, along with strong Greek mythology influences.
When I think of rom-coms, I often think of present-day set
stories, but who says historicals can’t be hilarious, as well as heartwarming? The final book in
her beloved Playful Brides series, Valerie Bowman takes the matchmaker to task by pairing her
up wth the one man she’s never really thought of as anything than a good friend. In fact, the
heroine spends a decent portion of the book going after a different duke! Throw in a
misunderstanding about a love potion given to the wrong person, and you have a Love Potion
No. 9-esque set up for a lovely friends-to-lovers story, set in the regency.
The entire Reluctant Royals series is begging to be brought
to life, and we may get to see that
at some point! The last book in the series has everything going for it - a strained
homecoming for the heroine who is also shy and likes virtual games, a red-headed step-prince
who’s a notorious playboy with a heart of gold, a fake engagement, an actual royal wedding,
and people figuring out who they truly are… Between the hilarious missteps and hot love
scenes, I’ve found the scenes of genuine connection between characters - the main couple,
siblings and family, and girlfriends - to be super appealing and heartwarming.
This book starts with one of the best meet-cutes/meet-
disasters I’ve ever read. The heroine is on a European vacation and wants nothing more than
to have a fling with an international stranger she’ll never see again. So when she comes across
a hot highlander in a kilt claiming to have traveled through time, she throws caution to the
wind and kisses him. But then she realizes she’s been had, by Scotland’s biggest internet
prankster! The rest of the novel deal with two self-assured adults trying to navigate a
relationship they weren’t looking for and the journey to their HEA is adorable.
The set up of this novel is a little far-fetched, but it has the
mother of all reasons to work - a meddling mother trying to find her stubborn son a wife. Both
the heroine - a mixed-race Vietnamese woman who agrees to this plan to make a better life for
her family - and the hero - a high-functioning autistic man who is convinced he’ll never be
able to love - go along with his mother’s plan, expecting things to fail spectacularly. But when
they start to fall for each other, their differences lead to some very comical moments, as well
as some heartfelt ones. And there’s a laugh out loud worthy scene between the hero, his
brother, and his cousin about the many things they DON’T teach about a woman’s body in
health class!
I love movies and books based around food - Chocolat, Fried
Green Tomatoes, Waitress, Like Water for Chocolate - and this novel is full of some of the
most vivid descriptions of food I’ve ever read. The hero is an up-and-coming chef working
hard to make ends meet to pay for his sister’s expensive brain surgery. In addition to the
amazing food, PP&OF is a flipped Pride and Prejudice - the hero is more like Elizabeth
Bennet and the heroine is based on Mr. Darcy. The result is a class struggle-culture clash and
family drama that results with two different people falling in love. The best part - there are
more Austen-inspired novels to come, following members of the same family!
Is there anything more enticing than a romance where the
set up is a guy trying NOT to fall in love with his best friend’s sister? Additionally, the first
book in Tessa Bailey’s new Hot and Hammered series has a “fixer-upper” theme… both house
renovations and personal. The heroine feelsl like she’s never been taken seriously, which is
hard to do when you’re a birthday clown (and damn good at making kids laugh, thank you very
much). The hero was once major league baseball’s most promising new rookie until an injury
ended his career and he’s trying to move on from his so-called glory days. Throw in a fake
relationship - they both think if they pretend to be dating, she can be seen as a woman with
direction in her life and he can evade tabloid rumors about his love life - and you have comedy
gold.
In this delightful novel, modern dating gets turned on its
head. The lead couple are both involved with dating companies: she created an app that has
changed the way people find what they are looking for, be it relationships or quick hookups,
and he’s the face for the website that made online dating a lucrative business. It just so
happens that they had a super hot, unforgettable one night stand months ago, after which he
ghosted her. They both have their reasons not to trust the other, but they also can’t quite
seem to stay away… When they join forces to make viral videos to promote both of their
businesses, they want to keep things professional, but they also want to relive That Night over
and over again… This is a diverse romance, the side characters are just as fun as the main
characters (so I need their books now, please and thank you), and the storyline feels fresh,
current, and entirely original.
What are some of your favorite rom-coms, either books or
movies? Any you are looking forward to reading/watching this year? Let me know in the
comments!
***
Fresh Fiction Editorial Manager Danielle
Dresser is an avid reader, lackluster-yet-mighty
crafter, and accomplished TV binge-watcher. Once upon a time, she was a publisher publicist
and continues to cultivate her love of books and reading by chatting with the best authors in
the business. She lives in Chicagoland with her very own romance hero husband, darling
daughter, and two tempestuous cats. Follow her on Twitter
and Instagram, @dj_dresser.
***
BOOKS FEATURED IN THIS ARTICLE:
Loose Ends #1
A Buff Male NannyAll Dr. Sloan Copeland needed was someone to watch her kids. What
she found was the man of her dreams…
After a nasty divorce and a thousand mile move, Dr. Sloan Copeland
and her twin daughters are finally getting the hang of their new life in
Los Angeles. When their live-in nanny bails with no warning, Sloan is
left scrambling to find a competent caretaker to wrangle her smart,
sensitive girls. Nothing less will do.
Enter Rafe Whitcomb. He's all of those things, not to mention good-
natured and one heck of a whiz in the kitchen. He's also tall, and
handsome, and bearded, and ripped, and tatted, wrist to neck.
It doesn't take long for the Copelands to invite Rafe into their home.
Just as quickly, both Sloan and Rafe find themselves succumbing to a
heady mutual attraction, neither of them wants to deny. With every
minute they spend under the same roof, this working mom can't help
but wonder if Rafe can handle all her needs...
**This stand-alone romance is fluffy. So fluffy. It’s fluff. Low. Angst.
Fluff. featuring a large tatted, motorcycle riding ginger man, who bakes a mean bacon quiche
and knows exactly how to wrangle clever six year olds while making their mom feel loved,
loved, loved.**
Romance Contemporary [Rebekah
Weatherspoon Presents, On Sale: September 26, 2018, e-Book, ISBN: 978172410650 /
]
***
Let's Get Mythical #1
When a single arrow inspires romance, can you really trust happily ever
after? In this magical rom-com, the descendants of Greek mythology must learn to live
and love in a mundane world where Aphrodite’s blessing can sure feel like a real pain in the
quiver.Eliza Herman (a.k.a. The World’s Worst Cupid) has spent her entire life carefully avoiding her
calling as a Descendant of Eros. After all, happily-ever-afters are nothing but a myth. But
when a family crisis requires her to fill in at the local Cupid-for-hire shop, Eliza finds herself
enchanting couples under the watchful eye of her assigned mentor, Jake Sanders…the one
man she could never get out of her head.
Before long, Eliza is rethinking her stance on romance—until things start going terribly wrong
with her enchantments. Now Eliza and Jake must fight to unravel a conspiracy that could
destroy thousands of relationships, including their own…and spell the end of Love itself.
No pressure, right?
Romance Paranormal [Sourcebooks
Casablanca, On Sale: January 29, 2019, Mass Market Paperback / e-Book, ISBN:
9781492672753 / eISBN: 9781492672760]
When fantasy
meets reality can true love prevail?
***
Playful Brides #11
A lady with a love potion. A Duke who takes it by mistake. Romance and mischief ensues
when plans go awry in No Other Duke But You by Valerie Bowman.SINGLE LADY SEEKS DUKE
Lady Delilah Montebank has her marital sights set on the Duke of Branville. There’s just one
problem: he barely knows she exists. But no matter, she’s got a plan to win him over with her
charm, her wit and perhaps the love potion she has in her possession wouldn’t hurt her
cause...
Lord Thomas Hobbs, Duke of Huntley, thinks his best friend Delilah’s quest to become a
duchess is ridiculous. He’s always said he’d rather give up all the brandy in London than
commit to one person for life. Besides, he knows that Delilah’s love potion can’t possibly win
over Branville…since she accidentally gave it to him instead. But perhaps this is the excuse he
needs to show her he’s always loved her...
Delilah can’t believe she gave the potion to the wrong duke. Then again, Delilah could do a lot
worse than win the hand of her handsome best friend. Could it be that the right duke has been
before her eyes all along?
Romance Historical [St. Martin's Paperbacks,
On Sale: April 30, 2019, Mass Market Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781250121677 / eISBN:
9781250121684]
An energetic and
whimsical friends-to-lovers historical romance!
***
Reluctant Royals #3
The Reluctant Royals series returns with a good girl searching for the life that’s not too
big, and not too small, and the bad boy prince who might be just right for her…Nya Jerami fled Thesolo for the glitz and glamour of NYC but discovered that her Prince
Charming only exists in her virtual dating games. When Nya returns home for a royal wedding,
she accidentally finds herself up close and personal—in bed—with the real-life celebrity
prince who she loves to hate.
For Johan von Braustein, the red-headed step-prince of Liechtienbourg, acting as paparazzi
bait is a ruse that protects his brother—the heir to the throne—and his own heart. When a
royal referendum threatens his brother’s future, a fake engagement is the perfect way to keep
the cameras on him.
Nya and Johan both have good reasons to avoid love, but as desires are laid bare behind
palace doors, they must decide if their fake romance will lead to a happily-ever-after.
Romance Contemporary [Avon, On Sale: April
30, 2019, Mass Market Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780062685582 / eISBN:
9780062685605]
Radiant,
romantic, and of course, royal!
***
Sometimes in Love #1
Cassie Crow, a pop-culture reporter for a TV talk show, is focused on becoming a “serious”
journalist. But when she stumbles into a kilted Highlander with a killer accent, Cassie decides
that taking one night off from work and spending it with a sexy Scot couldn’t hurt. . .
Logan Reid has built a career on his charm, hosting a series of off-the-wall hijinks on the Web.
But when the Scottish prankster meets the all-American, equal parts intelligent and irresistible
Cassie, Logan realizes that one night of fun won’t be enough. Could it be that this career-
focused, commitment-phobic couple is finally ready to take a chance at true and lasting love?
Romance Contemporary [St. Martin's
Paperbacks, On Sale: April 30, 2019, Mass Market Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781250193094
/ eISBN: 9781250193100]
A super sexy,
fun, and flirty debut contemporary romance!
***
From the critically acclaimed author of The Kiss Quotient comes a romantic novel
about love that crosses international borders and all boundaries of the heart...Khai Diep has no feelings. Well, he feels irritation when people move his things or contentment
when ledgers balance down to the penny, but not big, important emotions—like grief. And
love. He thinks he's defective. His family knows better—that his autism means he just
processes emotions differently. When he steadfastly avoids relationships, his mother takes
matters into her own hands and returns to Vietnam to find him the perfect bride.
As a mixed-race girl living in the slums of Ho Chi Minh City, Esme Tran has always felt out of
place. When the opportunity arises to come to America and meet a potential husband, she
can't turn it down, thinking this could be the break her family needs. Seducing Khai, however,
doesn't go as planned. Esme's lessons in love seem to be working...but only on herself. She's
hopelessly smitten with a man who's convinced he can never return her affection.
With Esme's time in the United States dwindling, Khai is forced to understand he's been wrong
all along. And there's more than one way to love.
Multicultural Asian | Romance Contemporary [Berkley, On Sale:
May 7, 2019, Trade Size / e-Book, ISBN: 9780451490827 / eISBN: 9780451490834]
A fresh, cute
love story
An interesting
novel of self-discovery, unexpected romance, and more!
***
Award-winning author Sonali Dev launches a new series about the Rajes, an immigrant
Indian family descended from royalty, who have built their lives in San Francisco...It is a truth universally acknowledged that only in an overachieving Indian American family can
a genius daughter be considered a black sheep.
Dr. Trisha Raje is San Francisco’s most acclaimed neurosurgeon. But that’s not enough for the
Rajes, her influential immigrant family who’s achieved power by making its own non-negotiable
rules:
· Never trust an outsider
· Never do anything to jeopardize your brother’s political aspirations
· And never, ever, defy your family
Trisha is guilty of breaking all three rules. But now she has a chance to redeem herself. So
long as she doesn’t repeat old mistakes.
Up-and-coming chef DJ Caine has known people like Trisha before, people who judge him by
his rough beginnings and place pedigree above character. He needs the lucrative job the Rajes
offer, but he values his pride too much to indulge Trisha’s arrogance. And then he discovers
that she’s the only surgeon who can save his sister’s life.
As the two clash, their assumptions crumble like the spun sugar on one of DJ’s stunning
desserts. But before a future can be savored there’s a past to be reckoned with...
A family trying to build home in a new land.
A man who has never felt at home anywhere.
And a choice to be made between the two.
Multicultural Indian | Romance Contemporary [William Morrow
Paperbacks, On Sale: May 7, 2019, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780062839053 / eISBN:
9780062839060]
A delicious
deconstructed Pride and Prejudice for Austen Fans of all ages!
An engaging
Austen-inspired story to be savored and enjoyed!
***
New York Times bestseller Tessa Bailey delivers a fun, sexy romantic comedy
perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Sally Thorne.
Georgette Castle's family runs the best home renovation business in town, but she picked
balloons instead of blueprints and they haven't taken her seriously since. Frankly, she's over it.
Georgie loves planning children's birthday parties and making people laugh, just not at her
own expense. She's determined to fix herself up into a Woman of the World... whatever that
means.
Phase one: new framework for her business (a website from this
decade, perhaps?)
Phase two: a gut-reno on her wardrobe (fyi, leggings
are pants.)
Phase three: updates to her exterior (do people still wax?)
Phase four: put herself on the market (and stop crushing on Travis
Ford!)
Living her best life means facing the truth: Georgie hasn't been on a date since,
well, ever. Nobody's asking the town clown out for a night of hot sex, that's for
sure. Maybe if people think she's having a steamy love affair, they'll acknowledge she's not
just the "little sister" who paints faces for a living. And who better to help demolish that image
than the resident sports star and tabloid favorite.
Travis Ford was major league baseball's hottest rookie when an injury ended his career. Now
he's flipping houses to keep busy and trying to forget his glory days. But he can't even cross
the street without someone recapping his greatest hits. Or making a joke about his… bat. And
then there's Georgie, his best friend's sister, who is not a kid anymore. When she
proposes a wild scheme—that they pretend to date, to shock her family and help him land a
new job—he agrees. What's the harm? It's not like it's real. But the girl Travis used to tease is
now a funny, full-of-life woman and there's nothing fake about how much he wants her...
Romance Contemporary [Avon, On Sale: June
11, 2019, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780062872838 / eISBN: 9780062872845]
***
Modern Love #1
Alisha Rai returns with the first book in her sizzling new Modern Love series, in which two rival
dating app creators find themselves at odds in the boardroom but in sync in the bedroom.
Rhiannon Hunter may have revolutionized romance in the digital world, but in real life she only
swipes right on her career—and the occasional hookup. The cynical dating app creator
controls her love life with a few key rules:
- Nude pics are by invitation only
- If someone stands you up, block them with extreme prejudice
- Protect your heart
Only there aren't any rules to govern her attraction to her newest match, former pro-football
player Samson Lima. The sexy and seemingly sweet hunk woos her one magical night... and
disappears.
Rhi thought she'd buried her hurt over Samson ghosting her, until he suddenly surfaces
months later, still big, still beautiful—and in league with a business rival. He says he won't
fumble their second chance, but she's wary. A temporary physical partnership is one thing,
but a merger of hearts? Surely that’s too high a risk…
Romance Contemporary [Avon, On Sale: July
2, 2019, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780062878090 / eISBN: 9780062877864]
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