Brothers of the Vine
Forever Evermore
Women of W.A.R.
Netflix dropped their adaptation of David Nicholls’ One Day a few weeks ago and suffice to say I have binged the whole thing… twice.
It’s desperately, anguish-inducingly romantic. The first 13 episodes are like reading the best slow-burn romantic comedy novel (with just the right level of angst). But *spoilers* it has a DEVASTATING ending. ‘I’m on the bathroom floor listening to Taylor Swift music and crying’ levels of sad. I was not prepared (the first time), and honestly, I still don’t feel like I’ve fully processed my feelings about THAT final episode.
If, like me, you need picking up off the bathroom floor after binge-watching One Day here are my fave feel-good rom coms! I promise they’re all light, fluffy, *spicy* HEA, so they’re the perfect balm for the soul…
Fool Me Once by Ashley Winstead
In this fierce and funny battle of the exes, Ashley Winstead’s Fool Me Once explores the chaos of wanting something you used to have.
Lee Stone is a twenty-first-century woman: she kicks butt at her job as a communications director at a women-run electric car company (that’s better than Tesla, thank you), and after work she is ‘Stoner,’ drinking guys under the table and never letting any of them get too comfortable in her bed…
That’s because Lee’s learned one big lesson: never trust love. Four major heartbreaks set her straight, from her father cheating on her mom all the way to Ben Laderman in grad school — who wasn’t actually cheating, but she could have sworn he was, so she reciprocated in kind.
Then Ben shows up five years later, working as a policy expert for the most liberal governor in Texas history, just as Lee is trying to get a clean energy bill rolling. Things get complicated — and competitive — as Lee and Ben are forced to work together. Tension builds just as old sparks reignite, fanning the flames for a romantic dustup the size of Texas.
Frenemy Fix-Up by Yahrah St. John
Free-spirited yoga guru Shay Davis has only ninety days to get her workaholic former classmate, Colin Anderson, from work-all-day to namaste…all they need is a little common ground.
Accountant Colin Anderson is working himself into an early grave.
Shay Davis is finally living her dream of owning a yoga studio.
Sure, they went to high school together — but that’s where their similarities end. He’s Mr Corporate, hustling late into the night so his firm can go public, while she flows through sun salutations and half-moon pose at her own pace.
So when a health scare pushes Colin to make a few life changes, he knows where to turn. If he’s going to get right with his career, he’ll need the right woman — and to get the right woman, he has to prioritise his health. Who better than Shay to help whip his butt into shape so he can win back his high school girlfriend?
The catch is, she only has ninety days to do it.
And they both really, really get on each other’s nerves.
Soon, though, their sessions are heating up the studio. But as Colin gets closer to achieving his goal, he and Shay both move farther away from what they thought they wanted. Before they know it, they’ll have to step out of their comfort zones and rethink their own versions of ‘right’…before their time is up.
Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey
#1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey launches a super sexy sports romance duology with a rom-com about a bad boy professional athlete who falls for his biggest fan…
Wells Whitaker was once golf’s hottest rising star, but lately, all he has to show for his “promising” career is a killer hangover, a collection of broken clubs, and one remaining supporter. No matter how bad he plays, the beautiful, sunny redhead is always on the sidelines. He curses, she cheers. He scowls, she smiles. But when Wells quits in a blaze of glory and his fangirl finally goes home, he knows he made the greatest mistake of his life.
Josephine Doyle believed in the gorgeous, grumpy golfer, even when he didn’t believe in himself. Yet after he throws in the towel, she begins to wonder if her faith was misplaced. Then a determined Wells shows up at her door with a wild proposal: be his new caddy, help him turn his game around, and split the prize money. And considering Josephine’s professional and personal life is in shambles, she could really use the cash…
As they travel together, spending days on the green and nights in neighboring hotel rooms, sparks fly. Before long, they’re inseparable, Wells starts winning again, and Josephine is surprised to find a sweet, thoughtful guy underneath his gruff, growly exterior. This hot man wants to brush her hair, feed her snacks, and take bubble baths together Is this real life But Wells is technically her boss and an athlete falling for his fangirl would be ridiculous… right
The (Fake) Dating Game by Timothy Janovsky
Ready. Set. Faux.
Holden James picked the worst time to have a meltdown. His chance to audition for his favourite game show, Madcap Market, should have been a moment of triumph — a glorious, loving homage to his adored mum, who died six years ago. Instead, he’s destroying the minibar in a grim Los Angeles hotel room…recently dumped, partnerless and sliding into misery.
But at least the hotel service is sublime. It even comes with an unfairly fit and sexy (smart-ass) concierge who arrives at the door with pizza, Monopoly and deliciously distracting forearms.
All Holden knows about Leo Min is that he’s beautiful, unexpectedly sympathetic, and the chemistry between them is beyond. Maybe it’s even enough to convince everyone, including the show’s casting directors, that they’re a real couple. All they’d have to do is crush the competition, win the huge cash prize, and all of Holden’s problems — his broken heart, his buried grief, his complete lack of money and direction — will be fixed.
Of course, reality doesn’t quite work out that way. But love is an entirely different game…
The Bookbinder’s Guide To Love by Katherine Garbera
Bookbinding (verb): the art of creating something magical out of fabric, leather and paper.
As a lonely foster kid, Serafina Conte sought refuge in handmaking journals — and writing her wishes within their pages. Now, in the quirky new age store she shares with her two best friends, Sera’s intentions have paid off. Her journals are in the spotlight — and rumoured to manifest great things. Whether it’s witchy skills, real magic or not, Sera’s finally ready to be the leading lady of her life story…
Until her plot hits a twist.
After the death of her mentor, Ford Sitwell, all the loneliness and insecurity of her past returns. The only balm is the box of antique books he left to her. But Ford’s suspicious brooding grandson, Wes, is ready to think the worst of her — and get his grandfather’s books back! The first part doesn’t bother her. The second? Forget it. Sera won’t give Wes the books so easily. But it’s clear he’s seeking something more, an emotional connection no book can replace. So she offers a deal — work in her store for six weeks, and in return, she’ll help him get closure by sharing memories of his late grandfather.
Yes, Wes seems grumpy, but actually he’s hot…and maybe kind? Deep down? And when desire and vulnerability work their charms, Sera begins to wonder if the best stories aren’t the ones you intend, but the ones that take you where you least expected…
Four Night Stand by Georgia Moore
Two colleagues. One conference. No strings attached?
Two people who’ve been burned by past lovers settle for a conference fling while secretly wanting more.
Jules lives in her comfort zone. Years ago, taking a risk left her dumped and heartbroken, and now the status quo is her safe space. It’s not so bad. She lives with two awesome friends, has a manageable crush on Cameron, a colleague she’s never met in person, and her job … well, she used to love her IT job at a publishing company. Now it feels like ticking a box. So when she’s asked at the last minute to attend a conference, she figures it could be the thing she needs to reinspire her. And then she finds out Cameron is coming too.
Cameron left his last workplace abruptly after a break-up gone wrong. In a new city and a new team, he’s content to keep everyone at arm’s length so there’s no chance of the past repeating. Except for one person in the IT department who always answers his calls for help, and shares his humour and taste in music. But they’ve never met face-to-face, so it doesn’t count. Until they get sent to a conference together and suddenly, Cameron realises it does count. A lot.
Thrown together away from the office and their colleagues, Jules and Cameron decide to have a conference fling. It’s risk-free and has a guaranteed amicable ending. But emotions are never predictable …
‘Four Night Stand is a great read – flirtatious fun becoming hot and spicy and layered with deep, emotional vulnerability.’ – USA Today bestselling author Alyssa J. Montgomery
The Devil In Blue Jeans by Stacey Kennedy
A sharp, emotional novel about a tough-minded bar owner who makes a deal with a devil of a cowboy — and might just get burned…
Moving to Montana to buy a dive bar with her two best friends sounds like a can’t-miss idea to Charly Henwood. The scenery is breathtaking, and the cowboys even more so. Not that Charly’s interested. Her heart is as unmovable as the surrounding mountains, thanks to her cheating ex.
Making her bar, The Naked Moose, a success is Charly’s only priority. But it turns out the regulars don’t take kindly to outsiders swapping their craft beer for an extensive cocktail menu. One regular in particular is not happy — The Naked Moose’s previous owner, Jaxon Reed. The last thing Charly needs is a cocky cowboy telling her how to run her bar, or her life. But maybe she can use Jaxon to her advantage. If he’ll agree to be the prize in a charity auction, Charly will make the bar a little more cowboy-friendly.
When that plan backfires, Charly finds herself doing battle with the biggest temptation in Timber Falls. A man who has made it his mission to win her, using every infernal means at his disposal. And if her resolve goes up in flames, her heart is sure to follow.
Hope these recs helped! If not…