Make America Giggle Again
I hate it here -- romance book recommendations to help you cope with the political climate
Y’all. What a time to be alive. The new POTUS is hell-bent on MAGA (making Americans gag again), so I’m making it my personal mission to Make America Giggle Again! It’s exhausting to simply exist right now.
So here’s another list of romance novel recommendations that will have you giggling, squealing, and kicking your cutesy-tootsie footsies. These can fill your romantic themed desires for Valentine’s day, or serve as escapism for those wanting to take a gander down my favorite avenue of disassociation.
I’m focusing on completed series of inter-connected-standalones as well as some buzzy new releases.
The Bergman Brothers by Chloe Liese
7 endearing (and steamy) heart-felt love stories. Each book follows a different Bergman sibling (5 brothers and 2 sisters) through their love story. The Bergmans are a Swedish-American family based in southern California who spend a lot of time at their family’s A-frame in Washington state. Each sibling finds the love of their life and settles down at a relatively young age, but otherwise no notes!
Chloe Liese’s love stories are special because they’re the perfect cross-section of wholesome and horny. She always centers at least one under-represented identity at the center of her love stories and allows the reader to root for their personal growth journey to a happily ever after.
My personal favorites are If Only You and Only and Forever.
A non-exhaustive list of the representation included across these seven novels are: hard-of-hearing, chronic illnesses (several), autism, bisexual, pansexual, gay, inexperienced hero, midsize heroine, plus size heroine, anxiety, mobility limitations, ADHD, dietary restrictions, fertility challenges, and so much more!
A non-exhaustive list of the tropes included across these seven novels are: forced proximity, marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers, opposites attract, student athletes, professional soccer players, professional hockey players, workplace romance, forbidden love, inexperienced heroes, fake-friending, friends to lovers, pining, sow-burn, roommates
Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon
There are a million of these books now. They’re all short, fated-mates, with no third act break-ups. THE ULTIMATE ESCAPE! I suggest reading (or listening) to the first few to understand the world and then you can really go in any order (whenever your library has them available).
What I love about these is that they’re easy, consent-forward, quick, intense love-stories that do not rely on manufactured drama between the couples to advance the plot but rather developments of the planet’s geography and their growing population size.
In the beginning (or most of the first book) you’re going to be thinking “what the fuck did Katrina get me into…” and then you’ll be hooked. These will not change your life, but they will get you through some dark times. I’d be lying if some of the New York Times push notifications last week didn’t have me wishing I’d be abducted to Not-Hoth to find my soulmate.
Windy City Series by Liz Tomforde
As far as I’m concerned, Liz Tomforde is the reining queen of the sports romance subgenre. Mile High brought Evan “Zee” Zanders into my life, and forced me into the legions of proud readers with hockey-playing book boyfriends. Most people prefer Ryan Shay in The Right Move, but he’s just too perfect for me. TOO PERFECT!
Liz Tomforde prides herself on “writing realistic, healthy romance with a blend of witty banter, found family dynamics, and plenty of steam.”
These characters will live rent-free in your head and heart. Her books are a bit on the longer side, but always worth it for the undeniable chemistry and connection she develops between her love interests. Every lead struggles through a personal-growth journey while falling head-over-heels.
I really enjoy her writing. Caught Up was centered on tropes that I don’t love and had two leads that I struggled to relate with, but her writing is so endearing and fun that I enjoyed the entire ride and was rooting for their happily ever after!
It stood out that Kai and Miller in Caught Up were unrelatable, because after reading Mile High, I swore I’d never read a female lead more relatable than Stevie. Liz really said “hold my beer” and provided Indy’s story in The Right Move that had me screaming “IT’S ME!”
The Ruinous Love Trilogy by Brynne Weaver
If you want unputdownable, steamy escapism, Brynne Weaver is your girl! The thing with sports romance novels is that we (romance readers) are delulu enough to believe that “it could be us.” [WAGS: they’re just like us]
But unless you are a closeted serial killer, (and like you do you baby girl), Brynne’s books are an escape to a fantastic alternate-universe.
These books are unputdownable and so unlike anything I’ve ever read before.
They are laugh-out-loud funny, surprisingly gorey, and undeniably romantic. I’ve found both Leather and Lark and Butcher and Blackbird to be slow burns. It gets under my skin when they’re shelved as erotica, because they’re not. Yes they have graphic scenes, but you won’t get to the spiciest moments for a couple hundred pages…. If you want this vibe and are looking for erotica I strongly recommend Lights Out by Navessa Allen.
The third book in the trilogy Scythe & Sparrow just came out yesterday and I cannot wait to devour this book! We have met the love interests in previous books and I’ve been dying to get a peek into their private time.
I love how Brynne Weaver has woven these stories together. One does not pick up exactly where the last left off. The stories do overlap a bit providing a more organic insight to the relationship developments.
If you need any more convincing, (why don’t you trust me and my recommendation yet?) check out the trigger warnings for Butcher & Blackbird. She has comical, detailed, and accurate trigger warnings for each novel. It was this list that had me ordering the book ASAP.
Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
The day I make a recommendation post that does not include Alice Oseman’s graphic novel series Heartsopper will probably be the day my heart stopped.
These swoony tales of young love can be read in one sitting each and will give you butterflies, 100% guarantee. They’re the perfect palette cleanser between novels (I read them while I was on a Throne of Glass kick last year).
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
Okay this is the top of my TBR. Seriously, releasing Deep End, Scythe & Sparrow, Onyx Storm, and Kiss of the Basilisk within a month of each other should be illegal. Especially when I finally got back into a Windy City kick!
’s latest romance is between two college athletes (a swimmer and a diver) and supposedly her hottest book yet. Ali Hazelwood is one of the all-time greats in my opinion. She writes witty, intelligent, and utterly besotted characters.
If you know me, you know I’m a sucker for Ali’s Sapiosexual romances whether they’re YA/NA and closed door (Check & Mate) or about a mated Vampyre heiress and Were Alpha forced into a marriage of convenience (Bride). She’s come a long way from her “STEMinist” origins (The Love Hypothesis, Love on the Brain, Love, Theoretically) and still serves with every page.
She has a PhD in neuroscience and was a full-time professor before taking a sabbatical to focus on bringing joy to my depressed brain in these trying times. After reading Only and Forever this week, I decided that I’d like to name my future cats after beloved authors. Hazelwood, Henry, and Hildebrand were the first to come to mind. (After Ali, Emily, and Elin respectively.) [Might have to sneak a Moriarty in there for Liane.]
A moment of recognition for this beautiful book Ali has blessed us with. Sprayed edges and light BDSM?! say fucking less my queen.
Kiss of the Basilisk by Lindsay Straube
Finally. Y’all know Split or Swallow was one of my “hyper-fixation du jour”s last month, well after a month, I finally finished the long-ass, erotic novel about sexy snakes. Just in time to obsess over it’s traditionally published release this month under the new name Kiss of the Basilisk. Yes, I’ve already pre-ordered the new version with pretty sprayed edges (but it was on sale from Barnes & Noble AND I got another 25% off through their pre-order sale).
This book reads like a horny, teen girl’s fever dream. I was obsessed. These characters, this world, and all the things are all I can think about these days. It was the perfect self-care balm to he-who-must-not-be-named’s first fortnight back in office.
You literally won’t be able to think about any executive orders or dangerous appointments because
will have you questioning everything you ever thought you knew about erotic intimacy.It’s so weird and original and I just need more people to read it so I can discuss with someone!
long story short, you’re welcome!
I hope you can have the February of your desires, and know we will make it through the next 1,439 days together. I’ll keep the fast-pass-to-escapism recommendations a-rolling.
I really want to know what you’re reading right now! Let me know in the comments.
(I will not stop begging for engagement until it happens ~organically~)
* The books linked to BookShop.org are through my affiliate link. If you purchase a book via that link, I may receive a small commission. *
Hyper-fixation du jour: Butcher & Blackbird
Okay so this was a while ago, but to express to you HOW MUCH I LOVED THIS BOOK, here is a full-length trailer I edited for this book with found footage. (In case you needed further proof of my neurodivergence and tendency to obsess.)
If you want to purchase any of the books mentioned in this article, please consider using my affiliate link with my favorite independent book store, The Ripped Bodice, or using my referral link to libro.fm for an audiobook!