February is the month of romance so I thought I’d share some of my favourite romantic reads with you. These are books which have stayed with me, are perhaps not obviously romantic but they do it for me!
In absolutely no order of preference I’ll start with Jessica Hart’s utterly beguiling Mr Not Quite Perfect. The story of journalist Allegra and engineer Max, it’s a classic friends to lovers trope. My favourite. Jessica Hart writes under other names and this is from her Mills & Boon days. Those of you who dismiss Mills & Boon, please read it. Snappy dialogue, wonderful characterisation and page-turning readability. I love it!
Talking of snappy dialogue there’s more in this. Snap Happy, an early romcom by Fiona Walker. Juno and Jay get together for a sizzling one night stand right at the beginning and then gradually fall for one another. Much hilarity ensues! I read it when I want to get nostalgic about my London life in the 90s.
And, if you’re after London life, there’s more in this. One Day by David Nicholls. After the fabulous TV series, it doesn’t need much explanation, however, I still haven’t forgiven the author the ending …
Another old favourite, Flowers of the Field by Sarah Harrison. I read it when it first came out in 1980. It’s about three young women: sisters Thea and Dulcie, and their servant Primmy and how they deal with the changes World War One brings. It’s not a romance as such but, each time I read it, I’m begging the couple to get together and, when they do, it’s supremely satisfying. Read it. It’s the first in a trilogy and the best.
Two classics now. Hard to choose which Jane Austen but Persuasion is arguably the most tender and melancholy. Who can forget that heartfelt declaration of love in Wentworth’s letter? It’s a book where we desperately root for its underdog heroine.
I probably won’t read any Thomas Hardy ever again – far too wordy and too much description for me these days – but when I did read the classics this was my favourite of his. Why? I challenge you to read Far From the Madding Crowd and not fall in love with Gabriel Oak. Silly Bathsheba really doesn’t deserve him!
And I’ll end by cheating and include all of Mary Stewart’s early romantic thrillers: Wildfire at Midnight, Madam, Will You Talk?, The Moonspinners, Touch Not the Cat, The Gabriel Hounds and so many more. I reread This Rough Magic last year and it was as good as I remembered. My favourite? My Brother Michael. If you haven’t read any I heartily recommend them.
Whatever you’re reading for the month of romance, enjoy and don’t forget to comment with your own recommendations.
Love,
Georgia x
