Books Like...

A grad student, Naledi Smith, receives mysterious emails claiming she is betrothed to an African prince, Thabiso. As they meet, a romance blossoms, amidst Naledi's scientific pursuits and Thabiso's fantasy of his lost betrothed. The book cleverly plays on the secret prince trope, with Naledi's career remaining a priority throughout. The plot includes themes of identity, romance, and a touch of mystery, with a believable and engaging romance between Naledi and Thabiso. The writing style is described as fun, quirky, and enjoyable to read, with a good mix of geek, science, and knowledge presented in a contemporary international romance setting.

"The Right Swipe" by Alisha Rai follows the story of Rhiannon Hunter, a successful CEO of a tech company specializing in dating apps, and Samson Lima, a former football player representing a more traditional dating service. The plot delves into their personal struggles, including Rhiannon's trust issues stemming from past harassment and Samson's family history of CTE due to football injuries. The writing style is praised for its modern take on romance, diverse and complex characters, and the incorporation of timely issues like online dating, MeToo movement, and CTE in sports.

In "The Worst Best Man" by Mia Sosa, Lina, a wedding planner, finds herself competing for her dream job with Max, the brother of her ex-fiance who left her at the altar. Despite their rocky history, they are forced to work together and as they collaborate, their relationship evolves from animosity to friendship to love. The book is a contemporary romance set in the DC area, filled with humor, Brazilian culture, and a refreshing focus on communication between the characters.

'Get a Life, Chloe Brown' by Talia Hibbert follows the story of Chloe Brown, a quirky web designer living with chronic health issues, who embarks on a journey to break out from her boring life. She creates a list of new experiences to try and enlists the help of Redford Morgan, the building superintendent, to guide her. Despite starting out as adversaries, Chloe and Red's relationship progresses believably, leading to a cute and steamy romance. The book skillfully weaves in themes of chronic pain, abusive relationships, and disability, all while maintaining a balance between humor and meaningful discussions.

The writing style in 'Get a Life, Chloe Brown' is described as charming, funny, and heartwarming. The characters, especially Chloe and Red, are portrayed as real, funny, and troubled individuals rather than perfect romance stereotypes. The novel delves into important topics like chronic pain and abusive relationships with care and emotional intelligence, making it a refreshing and engaging contemporary romance read.

"The Bride Test" by Helen Hoang follows the story of Khai, an autistic man who believes he is incapable of love, and Esme, an immigrant from Vietnam who is determined to make him fall in love with her to provide a better life for her daughter. Khai's mother arranges for Esme to come to California for the summer to see if they are a suitable match. The book explores their relationship dynamics, vulnerabilities, and the challenges they face in understanding and expressing their emotions. The writing style is described as engaging, with a focus on character development and emotional growth, particularly in portraying Khai's journey in recognizing his capacity for love despite his beliefs.

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang follows the story of Stella, an autistic econometrician who hires an escort named Michael to help her learn about dating and intimacy. As their relationship progresses, they both find themselves more involved than they intended, leading to a powerful plotline filled with steamy and tender moments. The book explores how honesty, hope, and courage can help individuals overcome personal challenges and societal expectations, all while navigating the complexities of love and relationships.

'If I Never Met You' by Mhairi McFarlane is a contemporary romance novel that follows Laurie, who is blindsided when her long-time partner ends their relationship and reveals he is seeing someone else who is pregnant. Devastated, Laurie agrees to fake date her colleague Jamie to improve his chances of making partner and to make her ex jealous. As Laurie and Jamie navigate their fake relationship, they unexpectedly develop real feelings for each other. The book explores themes of heartbreak, self-discovery, and the complexities of relationships, all wrapped in a witty and engaging writing style.

'The Wedding Crasher' by Mia Sosa follows the story of Solange and Dean, two complete opposites who find themselves drawn to each other. Through fake dating, humor, and romance, the book explores their dynamic as they navigate their feelings and relationship. The writing style is described as funny, sweet, and engaging, with a focus on dual POV and a rom-com theme that keeps readers laughing and entertained throughout the story.

'The Unhoneymooners' by Christina Lauren is a romantic comedy novel about Olive and Ethan, who are forced to take a honeymoon trip to Hawaii together after everyone else at a wedding reception falls ill except for them. Initially, they dislike each other, but as they spend time together, their feelings start to change. The book features witty banter, funny incidents, and a fake honeymoon scenario that leads to unexpected twists and turns in their relationship. The writing style is engaging, with a mix of humor, romance, and relatable family dynamics that keep the readers entertained and invested in Olive and Ethan's journey.

The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon follows the story of Samiah Brooks, a tech-savvy woman who finds out her boyfriend is cheating on her, leading her to form a strong friendship with two other women, Taylor and London. Together, they decide to focus on themselves for six months rather than on men. However, Samiah's resolve is tested when she meets Daniel Collins, a new co-worker at her tech company, sparking a romance filled with mystery and tension. The book delves into themes of female friendship, empowerment, career success, and the challenges faced by black women in the STEM industry, all set in a contemporary, light rom-com style.