This Rec League was sent in by Daniela. Thanks, Daniela! I have been reading a lot of Ted Lasso fanfic lately and it spurred a rec league request: can you recommend some books that have a Ted/Rebecca type of pairing? It’s not quite grumpy/sunshine but more like ice queen/extreme sunshine-shaped marshmallow. Ideally, if it’s an MF pairing, the hero is the marshmallow. Amanda: Please be respectful of Ted Lasso spoilers! Catherine: Ok, this is absolutely … Continue reading The Rec League: Ted & Rebecca Energy→
Big thank you to Abby for submitting this fun, and surprisingly tough, request: I’ve also been marathoning cooking Youtube videos (while eating PB&J sandwiches) and especially love the NYT Cooking series featuring Sohla and her husband Ham. I am looking for books featuring couples with the same energy as Sohla and Ham – a little chaotic, very creative, unfailingly kind and deeply competent? Bonus points for recs involving cooking! Here is a clip Abby provided … Continue reading The Rec League: Chaotic, Wholesome Energy→
Editor’s note: Please note that this is not an invitation to debate abortion in the comments. Any attempts to do so will be removed. This request came from S.A. Thanks for submitting this one: Do you have any recommendations for romances where heroines have had or are considering an abortion — sort of the reverse of the “secret baby” trope? I saw your review for Knit, Purl, a Baby and a Girl by Hettie Bell, … Continue reading The Rec League: Abortion in Romance→
This Rec League comes from the comments in our latest Hide Your Wallet. Thanks to Merle for inspiring this one: I’m very wary of “man & woman compete for something and also fall in love” plots, because all the ones I’ve read end up with the man getting the prize and the woman getting the man. Because apparently only a man needs a job, a promotion, etcetera– a woman needs nothing but Mr. Right. If … Continue reading The Rec League: Heroine Wins in Rivalry Romances→
This Rec League comes from Anne. Thanks, Anne! I have an odd request that may be too narrow for a Rec League, but I thought I would ask. I am looking for books that are set or partially set in New York State, outside of NYC/Long Island. I’m originally from Central New York and have family who live or lived throughout “upstate NY” and I enjoy books where I can visit familiar places. I have … Continue reading The Rec League: New York Romances Outside of NYC→
Our latest Rec League was sent in by author Maria Vale: Do you have any recs for romances with enviro/conservation consciousness? Not preachy, just there. There are a lot of niches, but this isn’t one I’ve found and given the current state, I’m kind of surprised. Sarah: Breathe the Sky by Michelle Hazen I interviewed them for a podcast episode, though content warnings for an abusive backstory. Maya: I liked that one too! But also … Continue reading The Rec League: Environmentalists→
This request comes from Eliza. Thanks, Eliza! I’m looking for fiction books that tackle the stage of a relationship after two characters have fallen in love and decided to spend their lives together. Once people are in love, there are still problems that come up, small hurts that each partner accidentally causes the other, and confusions or disagreements that need to be resolved in order to keep a relationship strong. I want to read about … Continue reading The Rec League: Established Couples→
This is request for our very own Shana, who is looking for closed door romances that don’t fall into the inspirational umbrella. I thought we did this before, but I couldn’t find anything so here we go! Sneezy: Loathe at First Sight has no sex at all. Amanda: I know there are a few newer contemporaries that qualify? Guillory or maybe Christina Lauren? Can’t say for certain though! Elyse: If the Shoe Fits by Julie … Continue reading The Rec League: Non-Inspirational Closed Door Romances→
We’re back with another Rec League. This request was sent in by Lisa through our Patreon, I believe: This may be more difficult but do you have any recommendations for romances with a dominant night setting? I can barely find any, but bonus points if they aren’t paranormal or ghost as I’m looking more for people who just live most of their lives at night due to their work, or naturally being night owls. A … Continue reading The Rec League: Night Owls→
We were super tickled by this request sent in by Anna: This might be a vague question, but it’s for a library patron! I am looking for books with a similar relationship dynamic to Howl’s Moving Castle (not necessarily in a fantasy setting!) where the woman is plain, pragmatic, and reserved and the man is flamboyant, charismatic, and more conventionally attractive (same-sex pairings and queer and non-binary characters with similar dynamics welcome, just not straight … Continue reading The Rec League: Pragmatic Meets Flamboyant→
This Rec League well and truly stumped us, which doesn’t happen often. Thank you to Rosemary for sending this one in: What I am looking for are recommendations for books with sexy role play. When I look it up on Goodreads, it’s all Dom/Sub. What I’m looking for are couples pretending to be something they are not (cop, nurse, cheerleader, goth girl etc.). I’ve read modern novels where they play professor and student, historical novels … Continue reading The Rec League: Role Play→
