What Are Your Happy Place Romance Recs?

I was inspired by Dahlia Adler’s tweetstream about books that are escapist fun when the news is too much. She’s the author of Under the Lights and several other YA romances.

First, how lovely and kind, and what good recs.

Second, GOOD GRAVY WHEN IS THE NEWS NOT TOO MUCH RIGHT NOW. We need these safe book places twice a day, I should think. So, inspired by Dahlia, I asked the Bitches this question:

What are your recommended “Ok, this is a bit much and I need to check out for awhile” books?

Act Like It
A | BN | K | AB
For me, my top solace reads, with humor and comedy and adorableness and comfort, are (to absolutely no one’s surprise whatsoever) both Lucy Parker books, Pretty Face ( A | BN | K | AB ) and Act Like ItI may have re-read Act Like It a few times since January 2017.

I’ve also visited my literary happy place in the Call of Crows series (again, surprising absolutely no one ever) by Shelly Laurenston. Superpowers driven by rage and a sisterhood of support without question or judgement? Yeah, totally a happy place for me.

Finally, I didn’t expect to re-read this one as much as I have, but Destiny’s Embrace by Beverly Jenkins is another I’ve re-visited when I needed solace. This is particularly true of the scene where the heroine, Mariah, travels from Philadelphia to pre-statehood California to escape her abusive mother.

One more! Speaking of traveling: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins is definitely one of my “happy place” books.

Destiny’s Embrace
A | BN | K | AB
RedHeadedGirl: Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake:  by Sarah MacLean ( A | K | G | AB | Scribd ).

Elyse: Pride & Prejudice.

Sarah: My comfort movie on long plane rides is the Joe Wright version of P&P, or better yet, the soundtrack by Dario Marianelli. Marianelli soundtracks are my auditory happy place.

Amanda: The Wallflowers series by Lisa Kleypas. I remember having so many happy sighs while reading.

Sarah: Oh, gosh, me as well.

What about you? What are your happy place romance recommendations? What books do you turn to again and again when the world is a bit too much and you need a break? 

 

Comments are Closed

  1. Antipodean Shenanigans says:

    Tiffany Reisz’ Her Halloween Treat. Holy shit this book. This is the book equivalent of the Mountain Lodge Yankee Candle.
    It’s almost like the perfect man: funny, cute, sexy, easy to read. If only it was a little longer.
    And don’t worry – it’s decidedly lighter fare than her Original Sinners series.

  2. Heather S says:

    I am right there with Elyse: Pride and Prejudice. Also “Almost Like Being In Love” by Steve Kluger, “Faith & Fidelity” (whole series) by Tere Michaels, and anything else that I find at the moment.

  3. Marci says:

    I absolutely agree about the Wallflower series by Lisa Kleypas. Also her Hathaway series. I also recommend Julie Garwood historicals, especially The Secret and Ransom for historicals with great female friendships and funny, lighter reading. But when I’m enjoying a cranky mood and want a crankier heroine, I love to revisit the first two JD Robb books Naked in Death and Glory in Death. And also Jennifer Crusie’s Agnes and the Hitman. Shelly Laurenston/G.A. Aiken are also great reads or listens when I’m embracing my rage. Plus they are funny as hell. The audiobooks have helped me get through the past year.

  4. Emily C says:

    I second the Lucy Parker books, and also anything by Tessa Dare – Romancing the Duke and Do You Want to Start a Scandal in particular for witty and fun.
    And of course anything Austen either to re-read or re-watch. The movie version of Persuasion with Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds is my favorite, I get a huge smile and happy sigh just thinking about when she meets him in the street and takes his arm at the end.

  5. Empress of Blandings says:

    Georgette Heyer, particularly Frederica, or Cotillion. Mary Stewart (thanks for the recs a few days ago!). Cold Comfort Farm too, (although that’s not quite a romance, it still haa romantic bits and makes me feel warm and fuzzy.). Oh, and Jane Austen of course – Captain Wentworth’s letter at the end of Persuasion is lovely.

    I’m old skool, me.

  6. Mona says:

    The Chalion series by McMaster Bujold, all books have themes of hope and success after setbacks in life as well as romance and action in a fantasy world. (Some triggers for rape etc. but the victims get revenge).

    The Penric novellas (ebook only) are also excellent and set the same universe (young man gets settled with a demon possession and becomes a sorcerer; the demon is made up from the memories of 8 older women with strong opinions and tons of professional knowledge). The novellas are Satan’s stand alone but there is a romance plot over several, and a new one is just out (The prisoner of Limnos).

    Tailchaser’s Song by Tad Williams is also a comfort read for me. Classic fantasy quest with the main characters all being cats – without it being cheesy or the cats being anthropomorphic. It has a romance in it, too.

  7. Lora says:

    When it’s all too much…

    Contemporary: The Hating Game, First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen, The entire Sloppy FIrsts series by Megan McCafferty (especially book five which is lovely and redemptive as well as funny), The Princess Deception by Molly Jameson (whole series is good, but Phillip and friends-to-lovers is my catnip)

    Historical: The Heiress Effect by Courtney Milan, Beauty by Robin McKinley, anything Victorial Holt because comfort read=being a teen again sometimes

  8. Ren Benton says:

    Tessa Dare. I couldn’t tell you one book from another, but it’s a fine property in fluffy pillows of comfort when no edges stick out to poke you.

    Sentiment also makes a cushiony nest. I’ll bust out some Eighties-era Johanna Lindsey that’s problematic af, but I can cut them some slack because they’re old friends. My go-tos are Tender Rebel (“Sure, I’ll help you find a husband, what could go wrong?”), Gentle Rogue (“I know my cabin boy is a girl, but she doesn’t know I know, so if I make my move, she’s gonna think I like boys”), and Angel (mostly because the heroine has a damn panther as a pet, and who doesn’t want a well-behaved personal panther?).

  9. J says:

    Lots of georgette heyer but especially The Grand Sophy.

  10. Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Devereaux. Makes me believe.

  11. SB Sarah says:

    @Mona: I am so curious about the Penric novellas now – thank you!!

  12. DiscoDollyDeb says:

    I usually don’t turn to “humor” when I need a comfort read. In fact, one of the reasons I love romance is the reliable HEA after complications, conflicts, and angst. I don’t like melodrama, but I like well-resolved conflicts where couples use their words, intelligence, maturity, and love for each other to find their happiness. My recent reliable re-reads include Anne Calhoun’s LIBERATING LACEY (I want to live in Lacey’s house and have access to her wardrobe!), Julianna Keyes’s TIME SERVED (really angsty, but really good), and Jackie Ashenden’s two-book set TAKING HIM and HAVING HER.

  13. hng23 says:

    Oldies but goodies, usually displayed in fiction not romance, but still. The late, great, sadly missed Laurie Colwin’s Happy All The Time (1978), and Shine On, Bright and Dangerous Object (1975). I have reread these almost every year since they were first published & they are still perfect. She was also the editor of Gourmet Magazine and her collected food essays & columns, Home Cooking and More Home Cooking, are (dare I say it?) delicious.

  14. kkw says:

    Georgette Heyer and PG Wodehouse are my top tier for the worst times.
    If things are this-is-the-new-normal-bad, I may turn to Suzanne Brockmann, JAK, Nora Roberts and/or Mary Balogh. I hardly ever reread romances, idk why, but theirs I have done.
    I have recently been spacing out the Temeraire novels and the Master and Commander ones as special treats. Not strictly romances, but so soothing.

  15. Jennifer Sue says:

    Georgette Heyer and Jennifer Crusie are my go to authors when I am in a slump

  16. Lil says:

    When I want to curl up in a ball and hide, I take Loretta Chase books with me, particularly the Carsington Brothers series and The Last Hellion. If I’m still in hiding when I finish them, I turn to Amanda Quick’s early books, the ones with single word titles like Ravished or Deception. (I do like a man with an eye patch.)

  17. I have an entire list:

    Historical romance: Georgette Heyer (especially Frederica), Carla Kelly, Lisa Kleypas, Jane Austen, and Loretta Chase (Lord of Scoundels and Mr. Impossible)

    SFF: Ilona Andrews, Gail Carriger, and Meljean Brook’s Iron Seas series

    Contemporary: I recently read “The Hating Game” and that’s topping out the list, but also Sarah Addison Allen

  18. KarenL says:

    My absolute comfort reads include Betty Neels, DADDY LONG LEGS, all of Anne of Green Gables except for the sad parts of ANNE’S HOUSE OF DREAMS, anything Louisa May Alcott, and PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and PERSUASION.

  19. Critterbee says:

    When I need a break from the world and obnoxious patriarchy, I reach for any of Kerry Greenwood’s Phyrne Fisher Mystery Series. There is something so capable about Miss Fisher. The clothes and food descriptions are so glorious, and the pacing is calm and relaxing. And I find them very re-readable.

  20. Hope says:

    Sorcery & Cecelia: or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot (Cecelia and Kate #1)
    by Patricia C. Wrede & Caroline Stevermer is a great one for me

  21. Elva Björk says:

    I second the Lucy Parker books, they are on my “comfort read” shelf. So are Kylie Scott´s Stage Dive series, Kristen Callahan´s VIP series (especially book 2). If I REALLY need an escape from reality, I go for steampunk like Meljean Brook´s The Iron Duke and well written fantasy, like just about anything by Grace Draven. For some reason ´many of Anne Bishops books are also on my comfort shelves even if they often touch upon dark themes like abuse – I still like to visit those worlds when mine seems to be going nuts.

  22. Heather S says:

    I have to also add Cat Sebastian’s books. Her heroes are lovely (even when they are grouchy types) and have sizling chemistry.

    Books with historical and contemp plot combos, like with Susanna Kearsley and Rachel Hore. And historical fiction in general – Mary Renault is forever a fave.

  23. Renae says:

    My happy romances are: THE DUCHESS WAR by Courtney Milan—love Robert’s character :3; AN UNEXPECTED GENTLEMAN by Alissa Johnson (marriage of convenience catnip!), and also DIRTY LAUNDRY by Heidi Cullinan which is a sweet m/m about the most unlikely pairing ever to fall in love (also featuring tender BDSM).

    Mostly marriage of convenience/arranged marriage catnip is my comfort read. I live for that stuff. Also, the “funny” romance authors like Julia Quinn and Tessa Dare really do it for me when I’m feeling down. I love romances that make me laugh.

  24. SusanH says:

    I think most of mine have been mentioned already. Definitely Georgette Heyer and Jennifer Crusie, particularly Agnes and the Hitman. Some of Nora Roberts’ older series, like the Three Sisters Islands or Chesapeake Bay Saga. The Mercy Thompson books (Patricia Briggs) and Kate Daniels (Ilona Andrews) are definite comfort reads.

    Other times, I reach for humor instead of romance. The Bloggess is wonderful, and so is Hyperbole and a Half. I can’t make it through The Year Kenny Loggins Ruined Christmas (without cracking up.

  25. Maire says:

    Happy Place reads for me are my favorite hockey series! The Carolina Cold Fury by Sawyer Bennett and the Brooklyn Bruisers by Sarina Bowen, in particular, but Rachel Gibson’s Seattle Chinooks series (especially See Jane Score) is a favorite as well. Also, my number one book boyfriend, and so my ultimate Happy Place read, will always be Ethan Dexter from Kristen Callihan’s The Game Plan. SWOOOOOOOOOOOON.

  26. Bea says:

    Penric!
    He’s aDORable! And there’s a romance beginning in Penric’s Mission, continuing in Bujold’s latest Penric book Prisoner of Limnos.

    SO EXCITE!

  27. Erin P says:

    Like another commenter, I love Tessa Dare for an escape. My absolute favorite comfort read from her is “Any Duchess Will Do.” It mashes up several tropes from rom coms I grew up loving, and the whole setup of the novel feels so delightfully removed from reality. It’s silly but not TOO ridiculous, which makes it a ton of fun. I can’t wait til it’s been long enough to enjoy a re-read of it when I’m feeling gloomy.

  28. I don’t re-read (no time), but when I’m looking for a comfort read, then I usually turn to contemporary romance authors, like Julie James or Sarah Morgan. I especially like the banter in James’s books.

    And I am all about the Hallmark movies. Those are probably my ultimate go-to, comfort entertainment, not just during the holidays, but all year long. Well, those, and the Marvel superhero movies. 🙂

  29. Holly says:

    Eva Ibbotson writes the perfect tea and toast books. My favorites are A Countess Below Stairs,
    A Song For Summer, and A Company of Swans. Her books for younger readers are great too!

  30. Ellie says:

    I also go to Tessa Dare. Road tripping with Colin and Minerva in “A Week to Be Wicked” is a great way to escape.

  31. DonnaMarie says:

    Wisely opened windows for Amazon & the GBPL before starting the post. Thanks everyone. I think….

    For me, happy place and Julie James go hand in hand. They are EVERYTHING.

  32. jas says:

    RaeAnne Thayne has become such a comfort read author for me and thankfully she has a long backlist for me to get through.

  33. Pam Shropshire says:

    Many of mine have been mentioned as well. Georgette Heyer – The Unknown Ajax, Frederica, or Sylvester, in particular; anything by P.G. Wodehouse, and if it’s been a REALLY bad day, I will break out the Hugh Laurie/Stephen Fry Jeeves & Wooster DVDs.

    Jane Austen is a given; I just reread Persuasion for the umpteenth time. Julie Garwood’s historicals. The Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Pretty much anything by Betty Neels – her books are like, and contain, lots of hot buttered toast and tea, the ultimate in comfort food and comfort reading. The Mrs. Pollifax mysteries by Dorothy Gilman.
    The Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn; Suddenly You or the Wallflowers series by Lisa Kleypas.

    I smile just thinking of these books.

  34. Pamala says:

    I have a whole tab full of comfort reads including:

    Act Like It by Lucy Parker
    The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison
    Him by Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen
    Illegal Contact by Santino Hassell
    ALL THE TESSA DARE!! ALL OF IT
    ASSASSIN’S APPRENTICE by Robin Hobb (The entire Farseer story)
    Looking Inside by Beth Kery
    The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
    The Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
    The Assassin Nun books by Robin LaFevers
    Love on my Mind by Tracey Livesay
    What I did for a Duke by Julie Anne Long
    The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
    The Captive Prince trilogy (especially the second book) by C.S. Pacat
    The Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho
    A Lady Awakened by Cecilia Grant
    ALL of Kate Meader’s Books
    Broken Open by Lauren Dane
    Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins
    KJ Charles (all her books)
    Courtney Milan (same–all of them)
    The Witchfinder by Blythe Gifford
    The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

    I could go on and on but I’ll stop there 🙂

  35. Mona says:

    I need to correct a funny but typo maybe @SB Sarah can fix it, please? The Penticton novels are stand-alone not Satan’s own! In universe it would be the Bastard’s own, so I guess the typo is fitting.

  36. Mona says:

    … Penric not Penticton (Why does autocorrect use the latter?)

  37. SB Sarah says:

    @Mona – I will do the edits, though I figured out that “stand alone” was what was meant by “Satan’s own,” which is also hilarious!

  38. Pat says:

    Rae Anne Thayne, Mary Balogh, Earlier Nora Roberts, julia Quincn and Barbara Delinsky, Julie James, Lisa Klepyas and Mary Stewart ….

  39. EC Spurlock says:

    Anything by Julia Quinn or by Robin McKinley, particularly Spindle’s End by the latter.

  40. Ren Benton says:

    @Mona: It’s your autocorrect’s way of telling me to move to British Columbia. The first thing on Penticton’s tourism website right now is a ghost tour. Home to beaches, hockey, and wineries. Something for everyone! Let’s GO.

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