Ready, Set, Go: Virtual Travel – Fish Out of Water Romances

The Rec League - heart shaped chocolate resting on the edge of a very old bookTime for the most evil recommendation feature we have: READY, SET, GO!

Here are the rules:

We pick a specific sub-genre, trope, or type of romance, and we have to make ONE recommendation for that type.

ONE.

ONLY ONE.

And no more than two sentences as to why.

This month, I was chatting with the crew at Bitchery HQ about which of many options to choose from, and Shana said, “Travel romances, or Fish out of water, since no one can go anywhere?”

HELLO. Yes, please. I am sure many of you have had your travel plans cancelled, altered, or scrapped in the planning stages, so let’s travel virtually through our romances shall we?

What travel or fish out of water romance would you recommend? 

Any genre, but just one rec.

Ready, set, GO!

Sarah: This is one of my favorite sub-genres, as I love to travel and I love romances where a character is immersed in a different world or culture. This summer we were booked to cruise the Mon & Brec canal in Wales, then spend a day in Amsterdam and a week in Beaune, France, but alas, not so much. We remain healthy,  and want everyone else to remain healthy as well, but it’s a bummer. So I am HERE for this topic.

One romance that I love for the low-conflict story and the immersive cultural detail: Just This Once-Escape to New Zealand, Book 1, by Rosalind James

Of course, I have more ideas now that I’ve said that!

Shana: I  love cultural misunderstandings, so travel romances are my jam. I’m going to go with the alien/human romance Strange Love by Ann Aguirre.

Elyse reviewed it, and I adored it. The heroine is a human who the alien hero accidentally kidnaps, and she spends most of the book adapting to life on another planet. I don’t think you can get much more fish out of watery than that.

The Write Escape
A | BN | K | AB
Amanda: Since Shana already picked hers, I’m going with The Write Escape by Charish Read. I grabbed this one after Shana’s lovely review and the quaint Irish village descriptions are so vivid!

Chasing Mindy
A | BN | K | AB
Aarya: Okay, I know that I recommend Carla de Guzman a lot, but I’m recommending her again because Chasing Mindy is lovely. It’s not your usual “visit all the grand tourist spots in Paris” book because they’re both broke and wandering Paris on a very cheap budget. Many folks have Paris as a dream-like destination on bucket lists. The book’s depiction of Paris (a beautiful city, but not dreamlike perfection) is close to my own Parisian adventure in 2017.

Sarah:  I loved the few days we spent in Paris, but the “P” in Paris stands for Poop. Because folks don’t always clean up after their dogs and so every street is an adventure.

Aarya:  People kept telling me, “Oh, you have to go to their Michelin-starred restaurants! The most amazing food in the world!”

Me, a vegetarian: looks at menus and prices of restaurants

The Chocolate Kiss
A | BN | K | AB
Me, a college student with infinite student debt: I shall survive on croissants for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

Sarah: Those croissants are heckin’ good though. And speaking of Paris, and therefore France, I loved the “Amour et Chocolat” series by Laura Florand, especially the second one, The Chocolate Kiss, which takes place on an island in the Seine, and features a LOT of scenery and dessert porn.

OK, what about you? Bring me your one, most excellent-est recommendation for travel or fish out of water romances!

Comments are Closed

  1. I’ve just bought a dress with a print of Provence townscapes in honour of Charity Selborne in Mary Stewart’s romantic suspense novel ‘Madam, Will You Talk?’. It’s romantic suspense. It’s the early 1950s and I’m not quite sure that the hero is all that, but the heroine is magnificently competent, and the landscape of the South of France is beautifully, luminously described.

  2. Emma says:

    On the historical romance side, I quite liked Shelly Thacker’s Escape with a Scoundrel. It’s been a while since I read it, but basically, Nicholas the ex-pirate and Samantha the aristocratic thief wind up in jail and are scheduled for hanging. They manage to escape on the way to the gallows, but are shackled together in the middle of the forest and have to quickly go north for plot reasons. All that while hating each other’s guts, so people who like enemies-to-lovers will definitely enjoy the relationship development.

  3. DiscoDollyDeb says:

    Cara McKenna’s UNBOUND: the American heroine is hiking in rural Scotland when she becomes ill and knocks on the door of an isolated cottage for help—the hero opens the door. Beautiful descriptions of the Scottish countryside, along with some intensely hot sexy-times.

    (I should add there are a couple of triggers in UNBOUND: the heroine has recently lost a lot of weight and thinks quite a bit about food, eating, and her overly-accommodating behavior when she weighed more. Also the hero is a recovering alcoholic and has a very specific, um, sexual focus/fetish. I thought all these elements added interest to the plot, but ymmv.)

  4. Arijo says:

    @Kathleen Jowitt: I agree with you! In Mary Stewart’s book, the places are another character. Delphi in ‘My Brother Michael’ is magic; I’d also love to sleep in a repurposed castle in Austria like the heroine does in ‘Airs Above the Ground’ *heart*

  5. Empress of Blandings says:

    Swordheart by T Kingfisher
    A put-upon widow goes on a roadtrip with a warrior imprisoned in a sword.

  6. Georgina says:

    Seconding DiscoDollyDeb! Unbound is an incredible novel. It’s SUPER angsty, which is not generally my cup of tea, but the characters are so well drawn and the writing is so good that I couldn’t put it down.

  7. TinaNoir says:

    Dancing on the Edge of the Roof by Sheila Williams.

    It features an over 40 black heroine named Jaunita who, after reading a bunch of romance novels, (and being harangued by her thankless grown children) realizes she wants the sort of romance and adventure she’s read about. So she decides to abandon her old boring life and said thankless children and picks up and leaves. She picks a place at random, and ends up in Paper Moon, Montana, a far cry from where she lives in Columbus, Ohio and the the culture shock for her is such that Paper Moon may as well be the real moon.

    Finding a diner that serves only “new-velle” cuisine, Juanita is outraged that she can’t get a simple plate of eggs and bacon for breakfast. So she gets up and cooks her own, much to the delights and secret longing on the other patrons in the diner.

    We get to meet the other quirky members in the town and Jaunita makes a place for herself and finds that romance she’s been looking for.

    This book was also made into a Netflix movie called Juanita.

  8. kkw says:

    There’s that old romance by Susan Wiggs, Charm School, where the heroine is miserable she doesn’t fit in her proper Boston life and (like you do) winds up going off with pirates, getting stoned in Brazil and developing a tan, so then she’s a happy confident iconoclast. That’s maybe not the best summary of how growth works, but it was noteworthy that her hea wasn’t purchased via makeover, but came about through travel and experience. I have no idea how it holds up but it was the first thing that came to mind for this.

  9. Silver James says:

    Thirding Mary Stewart’s gorgeous descriptions. In my case, it’s her “The Moonspinners” and the Greek Islands. It was the first book I checked out of the adult section of my local (small-town) library after my dad added my name to his card so I could do so. I was 10 and a rather precocious reader. And yes, I was influenced by the Disney movie though the book is soooo much more. I still remember the opening line, and it remains one of my favorites: It was the egret, flying out of the lemon grove, that started it.

    *deep, satisfied sigh* I need to reread this book. Now!

  10. Qualisign says:

    “Dancing on the Edge of the Roof” (Sheila Williams), made into a just okay movie on Netflix under the title “Juanita.” So worth reading, especially since books were so pivotal to the journey.

  11. Qualisign says:

    Okay, Tina Noir. I was writing my stupid two sentence recommendation for “Dancing…” at the same time as you were. Your summary is so much better and yet barely hits the highlights or the many levels of fish-out-of-water-dom. It is a wonderful book by a fabulous writer writing about a WOC dropped into a Native American community near Butt[e], Montana.

  12. Vivi12 says:

    A Conspiracy of Whispers. A fantasy set in a genetically modified world with fertile people being relatively rare and especially the women, trapped in constrained roles. She is a city born assassin sent into the neighboring country and takes the hero, a warlord, hostage and they travel through the wilderness together, to her dismay. Also enemies to lovers, obviously. If you have trouble with fated mates this is kind of that, plus I like and admire you, plus real competence, plus consent Consent, CONSENT. I go back and re-read bits all the time.

  13. ReneeG says:

    I just reread the CURSE OF CHALION by Lois McMaster Bujold for the umpteenth time. Our hero travels around the (fantasy) lands of Chalion and Ibra, learning about himself and serving the Gods in an somewhat unknowing fashion (until he figures out just how far his travels have brought him). The focus is on our hero, but it feels like a wonderful ensemble piece to me since the characters are so well drawn.

    I love this book even though the age difference between the hero and heroine is 18 years (I think?) and that is usually a dealbreaker for me. But the power and knowledge is very well balanced between the two of them which seems to help.

  14. Kate K.F. says:

    Seconding Swordheart which I stayed up far too late reading and adding Evvie Drake Starts Over for the hero being a fish out of water. It also made me want to go to Maine. I loved the descriptions of the weather and the feel of the place.

  15. TinaNoir says:

    @Qualisign – LOL. I am glad to see it was the first thought of someone else for this thread. I am usually the only one talking up this book every chance I get.

    Also you are right, the book has so many fish-out-of-water layers what my post was already so wordy!

  16. Fourthing Mary Stewart’s novels here. Since no one has yet mentioned either of these titles, I’ll put in This Rough Magic (set on Corfu) and The Gabriel Hounds (set in Lebanon and Syria.)

    For SFF fans, try Anne McCaffrey’s Restoree, a very fish-out-of-water, human-in-an-alien-culture adventure with more than a touch of romance.

  17. Megan says:

    I love Mists of the Serengeti by Leylah Attar. The main character was definitely not prepared for where she found herself, but it’s always nice to find that they’re made of stronger stuff.

  18. Kelly says:

    Oh, I have a story about Paris and dog poop. My husband an I were in Paris walking down the street when a poodle on a leash stopped and pooped. The man walking him pulled a napkin out and leaned over. I said to my husband, “Look it’s not true that Parisians don’t pick up after their dogs.” Then the man wiped his dog’s bottom and went on his way.

  19. MaryK says:

    @Lark @ The Bookwyrm’s Hoard – “ For SFF fans, try Anne McCaffrey’s Restoree, a very fish-out-of-water, human-in-an-alien-culture adventure with more than a touch of romance.”

    I love that book!

  20. Fiona McGier says:

    I wrote the first book in my Minnesota Romances, For the Love of His Life, because I was crying when we had to leave our favorite vacation destination–Grand Marais, MN. Readers have told me the scenery becomes like another character in the book. You’re so close to Canada up there, you have to bring your passport with you on some lakes, just in case you go over the line. The second book, Only One Man Will Do, is set in Minneapolis and the mid-central MN area. Then the third book, Her Last Resort, is back in Grand Marais. Hey, if I can’t talk the husband into moving up there (he says one word–“winter”)at least I can dream about being up there by writing as if I’m there!

  21. HeatherP says:

    Recommending Jenny Colgan’s newest book, 500 Miles From You as a gentle COVID-era read. Some of her books can be formulaic but that is not the case with this one. Two nurses trade places – one from a small town in Scotland, and one from London. So it’s a double fish-out-of-water situation.

    It’s part of her Kirrinfief series. Characters from previous books show up in the story, but it’s not critical to have read the previous two in the series to enjoy this one.

  22. JenM says:

    One of my favorite road-trip romances is Ride With Me, by Ruthie Knox which features a cross-country bike trip with a grumpy hero who’s initially quite put out when he’s “tricked” into taking on the sweet, sunny heroine as a riding companion.

  23. Emma says:

    @ReneeG: I love LMB! She writes relationships so well that I never feel like there’s a creepy power-imbalance between the younger and older partners. One of my favorite books that you’ve reminded me of now, which conveniently fits this category, is Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance. I don’t think you need to have read the previous books in the Vorkosigan Saga, as long as you know that Ivan Vorpatril is the character that his family members affectionately think of as an idiot (i.e. not as super brilliant as his uncle, aunt, and cousin. But he’s also canny enough to play along as the “idiot,” so as not to attract the wrong kind of attention). His boss sends him on a mission to discover a certain woman’s identity, but he ends up having to marry said woman to protect her from arrest and possible murder. Further shenanigans ensue with Tej and the rest of her family.

    As far as I remember, it was one long “oh god, I hope I know what I’m doing” ride for Ivan and Tej. So good. And funny! Ivan’s always been one of my favorite underdog characters.

  24. Dee says:

    For me, I am going a bit Old School, with the ultimate fish of out water story – Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I can’t imagine going two hundred years in the past and all of the modern amenties we take for granted. Plus it was one of the earliest books a friend had recommended to me that started me on the romance roller coaster.

  25. Kat says:

    I’m loving all of the Mary Stewart nods. I’m currently devouring Juliet by Anne Fortier, which is letting me travel to both modern and medieval Siena!

  26. LisaC says:

    Honeymoon for One by Keira Andrews! One of my favorite books & a comfort read. Ethan & his fiancé break up the day before they are set to be married, so Ethan goes on to their Australian honeymoon alone & falls in love with his tour bus driver, Clay. The descriptions of the locations & the budding romance between the two men is just *chef’s kiss*.

  27. Mag says:

    Road Tripped by Nicole Archer is so funny and tender. The hero and heroine (not friends, not quite enemies) are forced to take an RV road trip around the US as part of an ad campaign for their ad company.

  28. Caroline says:

    It’s somewhat a location fish out of water but more of a different world, but I love Karina Bliss’ Rise. Brainy New Zealand academic agrees to write the biography of a hot rock god trying to renew his career. I loved how the hero recognizes way before she does that they are very alike.

  29. Nicole says:

    My recommendation isn’t really a surprise, because it’s been featured on the site, but it’s The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren! Travel romance, enemies to lovers, very hot and sweet. Honestly, they’re both fish out of water when it comes to building a good relationship with each other.

  30. Kareni says:

    @Emma, I’m reading Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance for the first time as part of my first read through of the Vorkosigan series. It is indeed a fun book!

  31. Kareni says:

    For my one pick, I’ll follow @Shana’s lead and go with an alien/human romance ~ Lyn Gala’s book Claimings, Tails, and Other Alien Artifacts (plus sequels) which I count amongst my favorite books.

  32. Jeannette says:

    Ooh travel books. They are soo my cup of tea. Thirding the recommendations for Dancing on the Edge of the Roof and Restoree – these are both on my keeper shelf. I travel through books ( someday I will visit the Limberlost and Prince Edward Island).

    Two books came immediately to mind:
    PROMISE- by Madelyn Kaye – A road trip romance through the Scottish Highlands. This is a bit dated, so ymmv.

    MURPHY’S LAW – by Lisa Marie Rice – this is a homage to Siena, Italy wrapped in a romantic suspense between a mathematician and a hockey player.

    And then there are the Mrs. Pollifax books. They are adventures all the more wonderful for sharing them with a lady in a flowered hat.

  33. OK says:

    My first thought when I saw the post was Chocolate Thief by Laura Florand, from the same series as The Chocolate Kiss book Sarah mentioned.

    But since that’s already taken, I’ll go with CITY OF THE LOST, the first book in Kelley Armstrong’s Rockton novels. A highly competent young minority female detective, a city girl who’s never even gone camping and never had a pet, ends up relocating to what’s essentially a self-sufficient commune in the middle of the Yukon wilderness and adapts to living with no modern technology while still solving crimes committed by and against its rather “unique” residents. She’s briefly a fish out of water at first, unfamiliar with wilderness survival and animals who live there, but very eager to learn and adapts quickly. She finds romance and works on healing some pretty serious emotional wounds in the process. Plus, the descriptions of the Yukon are breathtaking. It’s sooooo good.

  34. Marja says:

    @Jeannette Oh yes! I love mrs. Pollifax in book form and in audio, even though Barbara Rosenblat makes her sound like she is in her 80’s. Such a fun series, even though some of the later books dropped in quality.

  35. @Jeannette wrote “And then there are the Mrs. Pollifax books. They are adventures all the more wonderful for sharing them with a lady in a flowered hat.”

    Oh, yes — I love those books! Especially the first five or so.

  36. Ellie says:

    Mrs. P. is an all time favorite. I want to be her when I grow up.
    A travel romance I recall really liking was Anthea Lawson’s Fortune’s Flower. Romance onboard a botany expedition boat in Tunisia.

  37. Cecilia says:

    Transcendence by Shay Savage…love story about teen heroine accidentally enters a time machine and goes back to caveman times…was very good actually. Told almost entirely from the point of view of the caveman hero.

  38. MaryK says:

    Fortune’s Flower by Anthea Lawson is currently free on Amazon.

  39. Annie says:

    @Marja I swear that’s my one of my biggest problems with audiobooks, when they hire women who sound like advanced middle-age governesses to voice young female protagonists.

  40. Mag says:

    Fish out of water: The Last Hour of Gann. Our heroine is traveling with a group of people to colonize planet. The ship crashes on a different planet.

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