By Morgan Gunther
As we head into the month of romance, here are a few of my favorite romance books from my bookshelf!
“It Ends With Us” and “It Starts With Us”
Colleen Hoover
Made popular by BookTok, Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us tells the experience of Lily Bloom’s passionate romance with Ryle while grappling with the memories of her first love, Atlas. In this heartbreakingly raw novel, Hoover explores the reality of how trauma impacts relationships.
Recently published, It Starts With Us is Hoover’s unplanned sequel to the aforementioned novel. This novel picks up immediately from the ending of the first book and delves further into the relationship between Lily and Atlas, while also discussing the importance of family and relation.
This short series is absolutely astonishing, I didn’t want to put either book down. If you didn’t hop on the train when these books were everywhere, now’s your chance!
“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo”
Taylor Jenkins Reid
Another popular selection, Seven Husbands is about exactly what you would think based on the title. Famous actress Evelyn Hugo finally decides to open up about what the public has been wanting to know for years- the truth behind her romantic relationships. Seemingly out of nowhere, Evelyn reaches out to up-and-coming journalist Monique Grant to report her life’s story, an opportunity sure to make her famous. But it isn’t until the end of her story when Monique realizes why Evelyn chose her. Their lives collide in a heartbreaking and unexpected way leaving the question of how one action, one moment, can leave your world crashing down.
Seven Husbands delves into the beautiful and ugly details of all of Evelyn’s marriages, leaving no questions unanswered by the tragic ending. This book was definitely worth the hype it got and it will be one of my favorites for a long time.
“If We Were Villains”
M. L. Rio
If straight romance is not really your speed, If We Were Villains is the perfect combination of mystery and romance for your next read. Following a group of 7 theatre students at a prestigious arts school, If We Were Villains shows what happens when the lines between performance and reality become blurred.
While this novel falls significantly in the mystery/thriller category, Rio has some points to make about romance. This novel boldly showcases the impacts of abusive relationships and the tough side of love. Rio also shows our protagonist struggling with fluidity in his own sexual identity in an open and candid way. If We Were Villains is an atypical romance novel with a twist that will keep you on your toes until the very last page.
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