A List Of Romantic Books for the Non-Romantic Reader

Happy Valentines Day!

I like most others that are not self proclaimed cynicals, love love. But....

I usually don't love romance novels.

Which I understand is unlike what many women around my age love. Secondary romance plots are my favorite, I generally don't enjoy a book half as much without romance in it. But romance as the driving force of the story can be hard for me to enjoy. I find they're the most likely genre for me to become troupe-y, telling the same story is told over and over again. However, I wanted to make a list of romance books that I gave a chance and was pleasantly surprised.

As a disclaimer, if you find romance to be the genre you gravitate to that is nothing to be ashamed of. It is a crowd favorite for good reason! Often those are the stories that are the best sellers because we all want to feel loved. This list is meant for people like me who would love to see more variety in the genre and where to find it.

Safe Haven

by Nicholas Sparks

I know. I know. The romance writer of all romance writers made it to the list. But generally, I despise most of Nicholas Sparks plots. This is one of the few times I felt he went a little off script. In my opinion he made the story less gooey and more stark and realistic. Which is what drew me to it. The main character is fleeing from her abusive husband who is also a police officer, leaving her with very little resources to get help. She changes her name and appearance to start a new life and rebuild herself.

There thrill and heavy risks involved with this story which made me root for the characters more. It wasn't about petty hang-ups and dramatic antics. It was about survival and rebuilding yourself after trauma. The last time I read this book was when I was in high school over ten years ago close to the time the movie came out. If I re-read this I am certain I would have different opinions but I would be surprised if I also didn't still have a positive review on it.

This is What Happy Looks like

By: Jennifer E. Smith

I also read this back in high school and to me it read less like a romance and more like a contemporary coming-of-age book and which is a genre I am more interested in.

But it also still had a lot of the romance troupes that I love. When I was a teen I grew up in the One Direction Era where celebrities and normal people fanfics were all the rage. I may or may not have written one myself...

This book introduces that troupe in a more plot line - not making it a fan to girlfriend scenario but her being completely unaware of his status.

From what I can remember it was a sweet tale with no red flags. Just a struggle to get through their own issues and them lifting each other up throughout the book.

The Princess Bride

By: William Goldman

Ok full disclosure this book is still on my to be read list however like most people who have not been living under a rock have seen the film. From what I have heard from people who have read the book is that the movie stays true to many aspects of the story albeit watering down some scenes for time restraints.

Apparently the back and forth between the small henchman and Wesley is much longer and funnier than the movie scene which I can't believe because that scene in of itself is already quite hilarious. This is a love story epic, one that leaves the silly troupes of modern days behind and reminds us of a simpler time when Valor Knight was the object of everyone fancy. And for good reason how can you resist a witty gentleman?

For now yes this list is quite small - but this is where I am going to need your help! What are some romance books that you think are not main stream but have a spectacular plot?