In the time of this pandemic where nothing is going well, only one thing seems to be keeping us all sane -- books. Meeting, dates, hate to love, friends to lovers -- name a romance trope and it's bringing me comfort right now.
If you're like me and just looking for a gentle romance with a side of humour that you can get lost in, then you've come to the right place. And as an added bonus, they'll leave you feeling like you've just received a big, warm hug, too.
While romantic movies eventually run out, there are practically limitless romantic books. Just as the rom-com is seeing a resurgence on screen, it's also becoming more popular in print.
'Love Story' by Erich Segal
This story has touched almost everyone who has read it. Oliver and Jenny, two bright young college students get into a whirlwind romance and marry against Oliver's parents' wishes. Jenny is diagnosed with leukemia while Oliver tries his best to save her. Jenny and Oliver teach each other more about life and the story is absolutely heart-wrenching.
'The Blind Man's Garden' by Nadeem Aslam
A love story in times of war, this one has the underlying thought of the will to fight for love even when the entire universe conspires against you. A story of love, loss and longing that will make you only yearn more for your loved one.
'Love at First Like' by Hannah Orenstein
A young jewelry shop owner manages to convince her Instagram followers that she's engaged — but instead of coming clean, she keeps up the charade. This novel is a fun romance with a digital twist.
'The Kiss Quotient' by Helen Hoang
A 30-year-old who is living with Asperger's and has limited dating experience hires a male escort to teach her some romance ropes. Quickly, this logic-first millennial starts to realise love might be the only language that makes sense.
'The Right Swipe' by Alisha Rai
Two rival dating-app creators don't see eye-to-eye on anything business, but they understand each other perfectly in the bedroom. This dynamic, as you can imagine, sparks some chaos.
"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one." - George R.R. Martin
All of these novels are available on Amazon, Kindle and Audiobook. Happy reading !!