Four Rom-Coms and a Funeral

YWR #136

Inner monologue: I swear on all that is heavenly and holy, why do I insist on amusing myself by developing newsletter themes and then trying to figure out what goes in them? Why can’t I just settle for listing a few books I’ve read recently?

Inner child inner monologue: We don’t settle! We work harder than necessary to prove our value to ourselves! We make jokes other people don’t need!

Outer monologue: But seriously, I’m delighted by this theme and let’s be honest, I probably read more rom-coms in a month than most people read in their entire lives so it’s like I was born for this theme. Plus! After last week’s semi-sober topic, and in light of an American holiday week, we all deserve a nice light set of reading recommendations.

So read on, my rough puff reading pastries, for a few standout rom-com recommendations including possibly one of my top ten reads of the YEAR. [insert party emoji, like, COME ON, Substack engineers, give us emoji capabilities!!]

And yes, one of them does, in fact, contain a funeral, but to avoid spoilers, I shan’t tell you which one. As Truvy says, “laughter through tears is my favorite emotion.” (But if your tender heart really needs to know, then you may message me and I’ll tell you. I’m a full-stack reading recommender over here.)

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ALERT EMOJI ALERT EMOJI Mrs Nash’s Ashes is probably your new favorite rom-com and I need you to read it right away.

Power summary: An optimistic romantic meets a curmudgeonly cynic on a quest to fulfill her elderly neighbor’s last wishes.

Why it’s good: You guys! Road trips! Meet cutes! Country parades! War-time romance! Screwball comedy dialogue! A reasonably realistic male main character! Like your favorite Emily Henry! GAH I WISH I COULD READ THIS AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME.

What do lambs have to do with books? I’m glad you asked, read here.

Yes! Get yourself to reading Honey & Spice, which over-delivers on a bunch of romcom tropes: fake relationship, frenemies, family drama.

Power summary: College student Kiki has made a name for herself with her take-no-prisoners radio show reminding her female peers not to trust men. When she’s thrown together with good-looking, non-committal Malakai, they both find themselves rethinking what they believe.

Why it’s good: This book crams so much into the story and never once feels overwrought. It’s sexy, it’s funny as hell, it feels real, the characters have a ton of chemistry (can you say that about books? but honestly they do!), there is a lot of social commentary that still feels effortless. Really snappy.

Sammy Espinoza’s Last Review is another selection that tackles familiar tropes (going back to small hometown, found family, ‘normal woman attracts famous guy’, relationship under false pretenses) in a fresh way.

Power summary: Sammy Espinoza’s life is in a downward spiral. She’s desperate to save her job as a music columnist when she learns that reclusive pop star - and hometown high school crush - Max Ryan might be recording a new album. How far will she go to save her job, and what will she find when she goes back to a town she thought she’d never see again?

I mean, you get the picture, right? But what made this better than average is - it’s not just found family but it’s her Latina heritage. It’s not just undoing childhood wounds, it’s recognizing that you’re being kind of a jerk in the process. It’s not just love, it’s queer love. In all honesty, this book is not a masterpiece, it is a little uneven, but you will laugh, cry, enjoy. So, it’s worth a read if the description appeals. Better than Romantic Comedy and almost but not quite as good as Nora Goes Off Script.

This is not the first time I’ve talked about KJ Charles or Band Sinister but I’m concerned that you all didn’t heed my advice the first time.

Power summary: Guy and his beloved sister Amanda have been living a quiet life in the country in the shadow of a family scandal. When they find themselves unavoidably thrown together with Sir Philip Rookwood, county rake and disgrace, Guy and Amanda must come to terms with whether they want to protect their reputation or give in to the seductions of Rookwood and his charming friends.

ooooOOOOHH I love KJ Charles (thanks, Eve!) and I especially love Band Sinister (also The Magpie Lord series.) It’s the Regency-era* courtliness of a Lady’s Guide book meets the romping on-page-queer-sexiness of Red, White, and Royal Blue, with the deeply clever/witty/charming characteristics of both and then some.

I don’t actually know if it’s Regency era and I can’t be bothered to look it up but you know. Lords. Ladies. Estates. That kind of thing.

Are there any good romcoms written by straight men? I’m seriously asking. And if not, won’t someone write one?

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End of year lists and awards, a lightning round of reading shame

• National Book Award winners: never heard of them, probably won’t read them

• Washington Post Best Books of 2023: literally only heard of King: A Biography and couldn’t get past the first 20 pages but maybe I should try again?

• Time’s Must Read Books of 2023: There are 100 books here of which I have read 12 and heard of 25. Honestly, should I make 2024 a more serious reading endeavor? Also, who’s read Let Us Descend?

• Washington Post Best Mysteries of 2023: Well, well, well, look what’s made it on the year end list? Way to take my recommendations, WaPo. (Spoiler)

What’s on your year-end “best of 2023” list? Leave your comments here for the class.

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A Few Final Thoughts:

• All links this week go to The Ripped Bodice, a romance-only indie bookstore with locations in LA and New York. Charming!

• If rom-coms are not your thing, you can read Rogues, a book of articles about scoundrels and metaphorical modern-day pirates by the incomparably talented and alluringly charismatic Patrick Radden Keefe. Or you can check the archive for past weeks’ recommendations also!

• Is there any better movie example of a kind of cringingly plodding script absolutely saved by its stellar cast than Steel Magnolias? I don’t think so.

• In honor of Thanksgiving, I am deeply grateful to everyone who opens, reads, likes and shares this newsletter. Especially my friends and family, whom I bully to do so, but truly all of you. (heart emoji)