Romance readers, by definition, must also love books. So, what’s a better than a romance novel with a bookish theme? The titles we’re sharing today are all about love, books, and people who love books! Be prepared for warm and fuzzy feelings and some great bookish reads!
Meet Me in the Margins (Melissa Ferguson)
I’m not much of a romance reader myself, but my friend (who works in publishing) personally recommended this title (and the next one) to me. And I was in love! Meet Me in the Margins is actually loosely based on real events that took place in a publishing house. Savannah Cade wants to be a published romance writer. But, the pretentious publishing house she works at hardly considers romance novels to be “writing”. So, Savannah is on cloud-nine when Claire Donovan– the Claire Donovan, editor-in-chief to one of the most successful romance imprints in the country, has agreed to look at her manuscript. But, when she drops said manuscript during a staff meeting and nearly exposes herself to the whole company–including William Pennington, the new publisher and son of her romance-hating CEO, she’s quick to hide her precious story in a secret room in the back of a storage closet. But, when she returns, she finds that not only has someone been reading her book, but has also left really critical edits in the margins. But, when Claire’s criticisms turn out to mirror these same remarks, and Savannah is given six weeks to make adjustments, she finds herself forced to turn to her mystery editor for help.
Authentically, Izzy (Pepper Basham)
This is the second title that came highly recommended to me. And what a cute story it is! What’s not to love about a bookish romance novel featuring a librarian, who has given up on marriage? Sweet Izzy Edgewood is a Lord of the Rings-obsessed librarian who has given up on finding a husband (after her last romance ended most unfortunately). But, when her well-meaning but meddling cousin Josie sets up a dating profile for her, she agrees to give it a go, if only to prove her wrong. That’s when she meets Brodie, a Hobbit-loving man from a small town on a Scottish island. Through their shared love of books, Izzy finds herself falling hard. But, between suspicions that Brodie is secretly cousin Josie playing a prank, and the very real concern that he’s not only real, but an ocean away, the question remains: is the possibility of something wonderful worth putting her heart on the line again? Or will Izzy remain in the quiet comfort of the small life she has built for herself? This sweet epistolary novel is incredibly heartwarming and the first in a series, for those looking for more to enjoy!
Book Lovers (Emily Henry)
This might be the most famous title on this list right now. When you say “bookish romance” I’m pretty sure every librarian instantly jumps to Book Lovers. Nora Stephens’ life is books–she’s read them all–and she’s not that type of heroine. She’s not the plucky one or the laid-back dreamer, and definitely not the sweetheart. In fact, as a cutthroat literary agent, the only people who look upon her as a hero are her clients (and her beloved little sister, Libby). So, when Libby begs for a girls’ trip to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina for the entire month of August, Nora agrees, with the intention of changing her perspectives on life and becoming the heroine of her own story. But, instead of picnics and run-ins with handsome country doctors, Nora keeps running into Charlie Lastra, a brooding editor from the city. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they’ve met many times before, and it has never been cute. Nora knows she’s not the ideal heroine, but Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, and as the two are thrown together again and again–in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow—what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (Mary Ann Shaffer)
1946: London is emerging from the shadow of World War II, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for the subject of her next book. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she’s never met, who happened to come across her name written inside of a book by Charles Lamb? As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, she finds herself drawn into his world. There, she learns of the extraordinary Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society–a spur-of-the-moment ruse to protect the community of Guernsey from their Nazi occupiers when they’re caught breaking curfew. As Juliet’s letter writing soon extends into conversations with other society members, she learns more than she could have possibly expected, about their lives, the war, and about herself. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and her life will never be the same.
