Romance

Browse all our articles, featuring books that contain an element of romance, whether that be simmering romantic tension or a full blown love affair — heartwarming, heart breaking or heart racing!

Recent standout reads for us in the romance genre are Ashley Poston’s The Seven Year Slip, Pip Williams’ The Bookbinder and Mhairi McFarlane’s Last Night. And, it would be hard to go wrong with some of our all time top romance reads such as the iconic One Day, The Flatshare and The Time Traveller’s Wife, the quirky under-appreciated gem Resistance Is Futile and the uplifting Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand.

Finally, if you too think romance and humour make the perfect match, then we recommend checking out our most popular Book List: 30 Top Romantic Comedy Novels.

The Matchmaker of Perigord by Julia Stuart, Book Review: Quirky

Julia Stuart’s The Matchmaker of Perigord is a wonderfully quirky mix of opposites – old and new, hilarity and melancholy, mystic fancy and pragmatism.

Of Love and Shadows by Isabel Allende, Review: Courage & passion

Of Love and Shadows Book Review: Isabel Allende’s memorable novel switches from heart-stopping action to magical moments of reflection.

FALL GIRL by Toni Jordan, Book Review

I really enjoyed Australian author Toni Jordan’s debut novel Addition because of its quirkiness and refreshing approach to chick lit (read my review), and so I eagerly awaited the publication of her second novel.

In Fall Girl Toni Jordan has created an interesting premise and quirky characters for the reader to be engaged and surprised by.

Book Review – SKIPPY DIES by Paul Murray

Paul Murray had attempted to explore so many deep concepts in Skippy Dies and I’m just not sure he quite pulls it off. Although undeniably impressive, the goal may perhaps have been a tad lofty?

This novel operates on many levels, many of them in very dark places of the human psyche. Everything is put under the microscope — the themes of ‘coming of age’, differences between men and women, right and wrong (ethics), perception versus reality, love versus dependence….. with an undercurrent of existentialism.

THE TAPESTRY OF LOVE by Rosy Thornton, Book Review

I devoured this novel, more than 400 pages, in a single day. I was mesmerised.

In The Tapestry of Love Rosy Thornton’s evocative descriptions transport readers to the stunning French countryside.

Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson, Review: Heartwarming

Heartwarming, charming and funny – a beautiful love story for all ages.
Helen Simonson’s debut novel Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand is one of the most uplifting and rewarding romance novels I’ve read in years.

RHUBARB by Craig Silvey, Book Review: Strikingly original

Rhubarb is one of the most original novels I have read in some time. As with many debut novels, it is evident this story had percolated in Craig Silvey’s mind for some time before putting pen to paper. It is very ambitious.

Rebecca, Book Review: Daphne Du Maurier’s iconic gothic novel

Rebecca (a Novel) by Daphne du Maurier is the iconic story of a young woman consumed by love and struggling to find her identity, spawning several movie/TV adaptations.

Book Review – IN THE NAME OF HONOR by Richard North Patterson

If you are after a literary masterpiece, this is not the book for you. Bestselling author Richard North Patterson is a crafter of plots rather than prose. If you are in the mood for an edge of your seat courtroom drama with gritty wartime reflections, familial deception and a little romance thrown in, In the Name of Honour ticks all these boxes!

MATCH ME IF YOU CAN by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Book Review

Annabelle is tired of being the lone failure in a family of overachievers. She’s endured dead-end jobs and a broken engagement. But that’s going to change now that she’s taken over her late grandmother’s matchmaking business. All Annabelle has to do is land the Windy City’s hottest bachelor as her client, and she’ll be the most sought-after matchmaker in town.

BELLWETHER by Connie Willis, Book Review: Charm & ingenuity

Connie Willis’s short novel Bellwether is a wonderfully intelligent romantic comedy.

Researchers Dr Sandra Foster and Dr Bennett O’Reilly, with specialties in fad/trend analysis and chaos theory respectively find themselves thrown together in the chaotic and fad driven HiTek Corporation. They are your classic fish out of water. Add to this melting pot an infuriating admin assistant (sorry, interdepartmental communications liaison), a 60+ page simplified grant funding application form and a flock of sheep and you have ample fodder for comedic moments.

ONE DAY by David Nicholls | Book, Movie & TV Series Review: Depth & compassion

One Day by David Nicholls oozes humour, depth and compassion. Why I recommend the audiobook, consider the movie a poor substitute but love the TV series also.

Has a novel ever made you laugh and want to cry at the same time? One Day did that to me.

Nicholls forces us to fall in love with his lead characters, Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew, as we check in with them each year on the anniversary of their first liaison. How can one not feel a connection to these characters when they think the same things we have all thought? How can one not feel empathy for these hapless individuals when we have all made similar mistakes in our own lives?

ALL OUR WORLDLY GOODS by Irene Nemirovsky, Book Review

Irene Nemirovsky’s novel All Our Worldly Goods reminds us that even in the darkest of times, where this is a will there is a way.
There is a very appealing undertone of revolutionary zeal in Nemirovsky’s All Our Worldly Goods.
We follow the characters on their life journey in a tug-of-war between hope and obligation, through shocking loss and moments of joy. This novel explores love in its many forms, and ultimately the inspiration and steely determination that emotion can provide.