Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

Original poster

Romantic fiction that isn't twee or cheesy?

61 replies

MissAtomicBomb1 · 26/07/2024 21:29

About to go on holiday and would like something light to read around the pool.

The last romantic fiction type book I read was about 15 years ago - p.s I love you by Celia Aherne. Hated it! I just thought it was really cliched and predictable.

Can anyone recommend anything that they've enjoyed? I love bridgerton on Netflix so if all else fails I'll get a couple of those!

OP posts:
PollyannaWhittier · 26/07/2024 22:58

How romancey do you want your romance ? (And do you like historical, or was the Bridgerton suggestion just a last resort ?!)

For non-sexy, historical romance with a sideline of adventure you can't beat Georgette Heyer.

Turophilic · 26/07/2024 22:37

After the first one, the Bridgerton books and series are completely different, @MissAtomicBomb1 . (One of them is literally Cinderella - it's weird)

What do you want from a romance novel? What do you find funny or appealing or engaging? It's a really broad field.

LemonJuiceFromConcentrate · 26/07/2024 22:22

tribpot · 26/07/2024 22:10

Not romance but the S J Bennett series 'Her Majesty the Queen Investigates' might fit the bill.

Seconding Mhairi MacFarlane, she is great. One of my absolute faves is The Bodyguard by Katherine Center.

Oh, I really like the SJ Bennett series too. We must have similar tastes, @tribpot — I’d better check out The Bodyguard

Binglebong · 26/07/2024 22:22

Erica James can be very good.

hazandduck · 26/07/2024 22:15

I just finished Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. Romantic and beautifully written but not a typical love story. I adored it!

Gettingannoyednow · 26/07/2024 22:11

Sally Beauman

tribpot · 26/07/2024 22:10

Not romance but the S J Bennett series 'Her Majesty the Queen Investigates' might fit the bill.

Seconding Mhairi MacFarlane, she is great. One of my absolute faves is The Bodyguard by Katherine Center.

shellyleppard · 26/07/2024 22:09

Op I've just read before I met you by lisa jewell.... really good story

LemonJuiceFromConcentrate · 26/07/2024 22:07

Mhairi McFarlane’s books are good. I read loads in a row during Covid and remember thinking they were a cut above in terms of humour and characterisation.

EveryKneeShallBow · 26/07/2024 22:06

Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander

Polkadottydot · 26/07/2024 22:04

What sort of thing do you fancy? For an interesting read but easy I think the Dawn O Porter books are good. So Lucky was great in my view.
I also enjoyed Dolly Alderton. Hope that helps!