Romantic books recommendations help urgently needed

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Romantic books recommendations help urgently needed I am not kidding about the urgent part.

#1 Andorion

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Posted 17 July 2017 - 02:52 AM

So, my SO has challenged me to read at least one "love story" or "romantic book". Romance sub plots in fantasy or SF apparently does not count.

I have been looking through a few online lists and I found nothing even remotely appealing. Most of the modern "damaged amd mysterious super beautiful people meet each other" stuff makes me cringe.

I have never been a reader of romance. While I highly appreciate well-done romance within the genres I do like, reading romance only for romance is completely alien to me.

So I need help. Urgently. I have to decide within this week, preferably by Thursday. (She is quite set on this. Probably my fault.)

Recommend some good romance/love story books, hopefully not super long. And please, no Victorian or Regency stuff. I can't stand all that social-manners and decorum thing of that period.

The only two books I have shortlisted are the Night Circus and Time Travellers Wife because they seem to mix romance with another major theme.

Having read GGKay and given my reaction to some of the romantic themes within Malazan, I think I may like epic romance.

Or maybe comedic romance? I don't know.

Please help.

#2 Andorion

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Posted 17 July 2017 - 03:09 AM

Briar King, on 17 July 2017 - 02:56 AM, said:

Why didn't you tell her you already have? Outlander 1-3 lol

Unfortunately past exploits don't count. Posted Image

#3 worry

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Posted 17 July 2017 - 04:11 AM

I have read The Time Traveler's Wife and found it very enjoyable. I didn't think of it as a "romance novel" in the genre sense, but probably that's through my ignorance. It's definitely a love story (albeit a sci-fi love story) and probably will suit your gf's request.

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#4 Aptorian

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Posted 17 July 2017 - 04:44 AM

I got you, fam. Just buy the whole collection.

https://forum.malaza..._1#entry1087651

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Quote

He's out of control

Dougal Kincaid has something to prove. After being injured in a battle with the Malcontents, he's ready for active duty protecting unsuspecting mortals from these villainous vampires who want to rule the world. But first he has to get control of himself . . . because just the sight of a certain lovely doctor has his injured hand doing some peculiar things, not to mention the sizzling sensation that burns along his dragon tattoo . . .

Vampires? Vampires?! As a scientist, Leah is having trouble believing that these immortal creatures exist. But there they are, standing in front of her, asking for help in solving a genetic puzzle that can save mankind. There's even one in a sexy kilt! Just one look into Dougal's gorgeous green eyes sets her pulse racing. But can she trust him—and the overwhelming desire that refuses to be ignored . . . ?

This post has been edited by Seduce Goose: 17 July 2017 - 04:58 AM

#5 Abyss

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Posted 17 July 2017 - 05:01 AM

TWILIGHT, obviously.

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#6 Tsundoku

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Posted 17 July 2017 - 07:39 AM

Just look deep into her eyes and tell her - lovingly and gently - that you admit defeat.

Because you'd rather wash your eyes with lemon juice than taint them with that codswallop.

Just because someone challenges you doesn't mean you have to accept it. Duh.

This post has been edited by Tsundoku: 17 July 2017 - 07:40 AM

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#7 acesn8s

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Posted 17 July 2017 - 12:01 PM

Ask her if the Story of O or Anne Rice's Sleeping Beauty novels qualify...

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#8 amphibian

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Posted 17 July 2017 - 12:19 PM

Shalimar the Clown, Anna Karenina, A Walk To Remember, or perhaps The Remains of The Day should appeal mightily to you.

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#9 QuickTidal

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Posted 17 July 2017 - 12:28 PM

My wife loves romance, and it's pretty much all she reads (her two fave authors are Julie Garwood and Karen Robards).

As such she's read one series she LOVED, which included a supernatural element to it, The Dr. Charlotte Stone series, which begins with THE LAST VICTIM by Karen Robards. She literally could not devour those books fast enough. And they are proper romance (as in found in the romance section of the book store).

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#10 Andorion

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Posted 17 July 2017 - 12:39 PM

worry, on 17 July 2017 - 04:11 AM, said:

This one is a definite candidate as the premise is very unusual.

Seduce Goose, on 17 July 2017 - 04:44 AM, said:

I got you, fam. Just buy the whole collection.

https://forum.malaza..._1#entry1087651

Posted Image

Quote

Ah PNR. Urban fantasy's drunk cousin

Abyss, on 17 July 2017 - 05:01 AM, said:

TWILIGHT, obviously.

It is my eternal regret and shame that I have read that entire series.

Tsundoku, on 17 July 2017 - 07:39 AM, said:

Just look deep into her eyes and tell her - lovingly and gently - that you admit defeat.

Because you'd rather wash your eyes with lemon juice than taint them with that codswallop.

Just because someone challenges you doesn't mean you have to accept it. Duh.

Uh-huh...

That one is not going to work.

Are you familiar with the concept of "voluntold"?

#11 Andorion

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Posted 17 July 2017 - 12:46 PM

acesn8s, on 17 July 2017 - 12:01 PM, said:

Ask her if the Story of O or Anne Rice's Sleeping Beauty novels qualify...

I have no idea about either of these. Will have to look them up. Didn't Anne Rice write strange vampire stuff?

amphibian, on 17 July 2017 - 12:19 PM, said:

Shalimar the Clown, Anna Karenina, A Walk To Remember, or perhaps The Remains of The Day should appeal mightily to you.

Shalimar - this is romantic? Huh, TIL.

Anna Karenina - no way I am touching a fourth Russian novel inside one year.

A Walk to Remember - this is quite promising. And short!

Remains of the Day - this is romantic? This is perfect, its already on my TBR for this year.

QuickTidal, on 17 July 2017 - 12:28 PM, said:

Karen Robard sounds very very promising. Thanks QT!

#12 Maark Abbott

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Posted 17 July 2017 - 01:51 PM

Bakker. The Inchoroi are a race of lovers, after all.

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#13 HoosierDaddy

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Posted 17 July 2017 - 02:03 PM

Les Miserables

Trouble arrives when the opponents to such a system institute its extreme opposite, where individualism becomes godlike and sacrosanct, and no greater service to any other ideal (including community) is possible. In such a system rapacious greed thrives behind the guise of freedom, and the worst aspects of human nature come to the fore....

#14 Aptorian

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Posted 17 July 2017 - 02:12 PM

Stephen King's "Misery".

#15 Vengeance

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very good...;)

Posted 17 July 2017 - 02:41 PM

Karma sutra.. Obvious benefits

How many fucking people do I have to hammer in order to get that across.
Hinter - Vengy - DIE. I trusted you you bastard!!!!!!!
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#16 Vengeance

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very good...;)

Posted 17 July 2017 - 03:43 PM

50 shades of Grey...

How many fucking people do I have to hammer in order to get that across.
Hinter - Vengy - DIE. I trusted you you bastard!!!!!!!
Steven Erikson made drowning in alien cum possible - Obdigore

#17 Abyss

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Posted 17 July 2017 - 03:53 PM

Andorion, on 17 July 2017 - 12:39 PM, said:

...

Abyss, on 17 July 2017 - 05:01 AM, said:

TWILIGHT, obviously.

It is my eternal regret and shame that I have read that entire series.

AS IT SHOULD BE.

Maark Abbott, on 17 July 2017 - 01:51 PM, said:

Bakker. The Inchoroi are a race of lovers, after all.

Extra points for shouting out 'Who are the Dunyain?!?" at intimate moments.

...but be calm Ando, because i am here for you.

Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

Brilliant author, uses language beautifully, incorporates just a hint of the supernatural, books are not overlong, and always feature a love story, sometimes tragic, sometimes wonderful.

You will read THE SHADOW OF THE WIND, you will adore it, you will give it to her to read, and then you will get all the thank you sex.

You're welcome.

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#18 QuickTidal

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Posted 17 July 2017 - 03:54 PM

Zafon is not in the romance section though....it sounds like he has to read a proper romance book...not just literature with romance in it.

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#19 Dolmen 2.0

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Posted 17 July 2017 - 03:56 PM

Andorion, on 17 July 2017 - 12:46 PM, said:

A Walk to Remember - this is quite promising. And short!

Remains of the Day - this is romantic? This is perfect, its already on my TBR for this year.

I found a loop hole...

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#20 Abyss

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Posted 17 July 2017 - 04:08 PM

Abyss, on 17 July 2017 - 03:53 PM, said:

...

...but be calm Ando, because i am here for you.

Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

Brilliant author, uses language beautifully, incorporates just a hint of the supernatural, books are not overlong, and always feature a love story, sometimes tragic, sometimes wonderful.

You will read THE SHADOW OF THE WIND, you will adore it, you will give it to her to read, and then you will get all the thank you sex.

You're welcome.

QuickTidal, on 17 July 2017 - 03:54 PM, said:

Zafon is not in the romance section though....it sounds like he has to read a proper romance book...not just literature with romance in it.

Zafon is all abut the romance, and i've seen him filed there, ridiculous as that may be.

...hey, there's always the ANITA BLAKE VAMPIRE SEXECUTIONER series...

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