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Off the Shelf: August is National Read a Romance Novel Month

Posted Aug. 14, 2024

By Amanda Murphy
Brookfield Library Manager

Ah, romance.

The most popular book genre (https://bookriot.com/the-most-popular-book-genres), it offers something for nearly every type of reader, whether they like their stories super-sweet, super-spicy, or somewhere in between.

While many books have love stories, such as Nicholas Sparks’ works, a romance novel focuses on the character’s journey through love to their Happily Ever After or Happy for Now. The story’s goal is for the main characters to fall in love.

In celebration of August as National Read a Romance Novel Month, the following are just 10 of my top romance reads published this year, all available at the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library, with a short list of each one’s tropes. Warning: Heat levels may vary!


		Funny Story by Emily Henry Opposites attract, friends to lovers, forced proximity/roommate romance, fake dating
		Happily Never After by Lynn Painter Friends to lovers, fake dating, slow burn, love skeptics
		Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez Time limit, found family
		*Last Call at the Local* by Sarah Grunder Ruiz Time limit, opposites attract, friends to lovers, travel, small town
		Ready or Not by Cara Bastone Friends to lovers, BFF’s sibling, he falls first, slow burn
		Savor It by Tarah Dewitt Small town, time limit, single guardian, forced proximity
		Seven Summers by Paige Toon Time limit, love triangle, multiple timelines, get the tissues
		The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love by India Holton Enemies to lovers, opposites attract, great banter, one bed, forced proximity
		*The Paradise Problem* by Christina Lauren Opposites attract, marriage of convenience, forced proximity
		**Waiting For the Flood by Alexis Hall*** Novella, LGBTQA+, opposites attract *Available as a downloadable ebook from Libby or as an audiobook from hoopla.

Want to read more?

Use the library’s Novelist Plus online research resource and type in a keyword. It will offer up a list of similar books about your topic.