Romance Roundup: December
Welcome to “Romance Roundup” where I share mini-reviews of 3-4 romance novels that I’ve read recently. This month’s edition includes a marriage of convenience, a love that blooms from a Scrabble game, and a secret romance with a K-Pop star.
The Vow by D. Rose (2021)
Sergio Jones was on the verge of elevating his career from actor to director when a scandal broke out threatening his business and the financing of his film. In desperate need to clean up his image and salvage his career, Sergio considers an opportunity that would change his life forever.
Michaela Robinson was the definition of independent and stubborn. The mere thought of needing help from anyone made her go ten times harder, leaving her burned out, and alone. When Michaela’s roommate abruptly ended their lease, she left Michaela with the task of finding a roommate, while juggling graduate school, an internship, and part-time work. At the risk of losing everything, her beloved uncle, Michael, gave her an ultimatum that would change her life.
Sergio and Michaela promised to help each other rebuild their lives. But what happens when their wedding vows mean more than having job security and financial stability? Will Sergio and Michaela learn how to love, honor and cherish each other? Find out in, The Vow.
Review: The Vow was a romance novel I actually found from searching on Romance Twitter. (And as a side note, Twitter has some awesome indie authors on there if you’re looking for new authors to check out.) This romance has a marriage of convenience trope between a hardworking student and an actor/director. Once connected through Michaela’s uncle she and Sergio hit things off immediately. Even though their relationship starts off backward by getting married first and then having the time to learn about each other their relationship felt more realistic.
They connect on a deeper level and the romance is faced paced but has over the smooth progression of their relationship. Finding each helps to open up new doors and new avenues in their own lives. It’s very steamy and lighthearted (though it deals with some parental death, alcohol abuse =trigger warning) this is an author I’d love to read more from in the future. I love when I find new romance reads on a whim and they are so good!
Final Verdict:
It’s Your Move, Wordfreak! by Falguni Kothari (2021)
When Alisha Menon—divorce lawyer, chronic workaholic, and the Worddiva of word games—meets her online nemesis, Wordfreak, on a blind date at a swanky Mumbai café, she cannot believe he’s the same word nerd she battles tiles with at online Scrabble most nights.
In real life, Wordfreak is Aryan Rajaram Chawla, a green architect, a Page 3 god, and more than three years Alisha’s junior. In other words, he’s totally incompatible with her.
But their instant attraction cannot be denied. And, despite being wary of relationships because of their broken family backgrounds, Alisha and Aryan find themselves falling for each other—hard.
Then, an unthinkable tragedy occurs, and Aryan nearly loses Alisha, just like he lost his mother, and all his fears about relationships and loss resurface.
With the past catching up fast, Alisha and Aryan must decide whether to risk their hearts and trust their feelings, or is the word LOVE a deal-breaker?
Review: This was a recommendation I found through Twitter again. Thank you to the Romance community online that helps me to discover all these new books! The romance is sparked by Aryan and Alisha who meet through playing online scrabble games. The romance blossoms once they meet in person snd they soon fall deeply in live while also navigating through some reckonings in their personal lives and family. Though it’s fluffy for the most part, this romance does deal with mental illness, suicide, and many conversations surrounding grief (trigger warnings).
I appreciated that the novel doesn’t go with the “love heals all” trope but rather the presence of each other in their lives helps to shake things up and see perspectives of ways they need to change and how they can tackle different obstacles. The reader gets to travel from Mumbai to London, and the descriptive writing really helps to not only connect with the character but gives an immersive feeling. I’m going to read more works by Kothari in the future.
Final Verdict:
Comeback: A K-pop Novel by Lyn Ashwood & Rachel Rose (2019)
Emery Jung is living his dream. Known by his stage name M, he is loved by millions of fans around the world as a member of the rising K-pop group NEON, but all fame comes with a cost, especially when one slip up can have viral consequences.
Alana Kim is trying to forget. After a tragic loss sends her spiraling, she escapes to her family in Korea, abandoning her love of music along the way. However, her plans are derailed when she literally runs into M, the famous K-pop idol.
When their paths collide, Emery and Alana must work together to prevent a scandal from ruining NEON’s success, sparking a journey of friendship, love, and healing. Unfortunately, fame and love aren’t easily compatible, especially in the world of K-pop.
Review: Being a fan of K-Pop I love to check out any K-Pop-themed novels. I remember this novel popping up on Instagram and decided to give it a try. I think this is a novel that will not only appeal to fans of the music genre but people who enjoy music-themed Romance novels. I like that it’s written for fans but also people who may be wanting to get into the fandoms. It’s lighthearted for the most part but also deals with multiple discussions around grief, losing a loved one, identity, and societal pressures.
I like that the novel switched back and forth between the perspectives of Alana and Emery and their views on the industry from both sides. Music is what pulls them together but their positions in the industry give the book a more realistic feel and tone. Most of all I really enjoyed the scenes of NEON offstage and how they looked out for each other They had such a strong camaraderie in a competitive industry and were such a strong support system for each other. The romance aspect was super sweet and as a whole, I thought it was an entertaining novel. It’s one of the few K-Pop novels that’s really stood out for me.
Final Verdict:
What romance novels have you read lately? Share your thoughts in the comment section below. If you have any recommendations feel free to share those as well.
I’ve been reading through Beth O’Leary lately, although I think her books are possibly more on the women’s fiction side than romance? Possibly? And then I read The Dating Playbook by Farrah Rochon (oops, it is accidentally the second in a series and I didn’t know). Next on my docket, though, is A Lot Like Adios by Alexis Daria. I’ve read the first little bit of it and am already enjoying it, can’t wait to dive in further.
I have to try Beth O’ Leary’s books. I believe I have some on my TBR. I do have plans to read the Dating Playbook. But I haven’t got to Alxis Daria books yet. I’ve heard such good things about her books. Thanks for the recs!
I have to try Beth O’ Leary’s books. I believe I have some on my TBR. I do have plans to read the Dating Playbook. But I haven’t got to Alexis Daria books yet. I’ve heard such good things about her books. Thanks for the recs!
These K-Pop novels are something I had no idea existed – fascinating! I haven’t read anything romancy this month apart from Tea For Two at the Little Cornish Kitchen which is part of quite a long series … It was good, and nice and substantial in terms of page numbers, but had some strong themes around baby loss and infertility.
Haha, there are too many K-pop romance novels out there. But the few I’ve read so far have been very good. And the title alone for “Tea For Two at the Little Cornish Kitchen” sounds so cozy.