The page of squee
(AKA, a list of my favorite books)
I love a good love story. Even the last Star Wars (Rise of Skywalker) movie which people seemed to hate was my favorite one. Why? Because Adam Driver, that’s why. He and Daisy Ridley finally got to kiss. Seriously, I know he died right after, but he got to go to Jedi heaven so it was ok. HEA, right? Sort of?
I know I’m not a diehard Star Wars fan (hence can’t even remember the characters’ names) and I know there was a lot of disdain towards the movie for whatever reason, but after the sexual tension between these two in the last movie, I was like FINALLY! It’s really all I want to see in a movie, or a book. And yeah, it’s way better if they can get together, but even if they can’t, if the love story is genuine, clever, and true (with bonus points for being funny), I will love it.
So here is my top ten list. And yes, they are all over the place. A little erotica mixed in with some YA fantasy? Uh, yep. We are complicated people, are we not? Enjoy!
Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuinston: I flat out luurve this book about the Prince of England and the “First son” of the US. It’s hilarious and witty and weird and political fantasy escapism and it’s just perfect. Bonus points for being set in Austin!
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne: Another book I love about two rivals in an office that are so adorably cruel to each other you know they’re secretly in love before they get together.
The Idea of You by Robinne Lee: This book is HOT. I never had a thing for Harry Styles but after reading this (and even though it’s not technically about him, you kinda know it is), I do now. You also will. Even if you think boy bands are lame. It’s about a mom who takes her tween to a boy band concert and the lead singer and the mom fall for each other. So good!
Priest: A Love Story by Sierra Simone: Another beyond steamy read. I think we can all blame our priest fetishes on Fleabag, right? And it’s ok now, isn’t it? Tell me it is because I want to feel guilty when I read this but just can’t bring myself to because it’s so beautifully written and super hot.
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi: I probably should have reordered this list, because this book shouldn’t come after Priest, but oh well. I also love this YA fantasy book that feels a little indescribable because it has EVERYTHING in it. It’s got the adventure of Indiana Jones, a teenage girl who's lost everything from an evil ruler, witchy powers, a princess best friend, and a love story rife with tension and conflict (note, do not necessarily expect an HEA with this one!)
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins: Another YA about witches. And vampires and fairies. But it’s sooooo fun! It’s clever and witty, I just love this book. The whole series is good, and if you like the new Sabrina series, I think you’ll like it. I keep thinking of the hero in this book as Nicholas Scratch.
Emergency Contact by Mary HK Choi: Another set in Austin book about a freshman college student and her texts with her “emergency contact” who is a practically homeless, tattooed hottie in a cafe. But again, it’s super funny and witty and sweet and I love how the hero in this book is not some uber Alpha dude.
A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole: The premise of this book is so clever, about a super busy, genius grad student who keeps receiving phishing emails about being betrothed to an African prince. When she marks them as junk mail (of course), he has to show up and pretend he’s someone else. Also I feel like this book made up for what I wish was a stronger love story in Black Panther (if you read the second half of this book you might get what I mean—I needed a great love story set in a magical African landscape).
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins: Another cute YA about a wannabe fashion designer and the boy next door who makes Rube Goldberg contraptions. Need I say more? The whole series is fun, but this one is my favorite.
For Real by Alexis Hall: So let’s finish this list off with the sexiest of sexy books. Get ready for this one about a curmudgeonly bitter 40ish man and the pixie boy (I think he’s 19) who stands up to him at a club. One of the most beautifully written books I’ve ever read. And it is HOT, people!