Wednesday, December 29, 2021

by Emilyn Linden

One new book trend I’ve been enjoying recently is the uptick in romantic comedies that are being published. I’ve always liked it when my romance novels don’t take themselves too seriously since I don’t take them too seriously. They’re escapist reading for me, so I want them to be lighthearted, fun, and funny. The following books check all those boxes for me. Happy New Year!

Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall - Rosaline has always been a rule follower, except when she dropped out of school to raise her daughter. Her paycheck is a joke and the bills are piling up so she takes a risk on entering a popular baking show. While she bakes like her finances depend on it, she also gets to know fellow contestants Alain Pope and Harry Dobson. Love triangle much?

The Dating Playbook by Farrah Rochon - Taylor rocks her job as a personal trainer, but she’s having trouble keeping up on her bills as she tries to build the clientele of her new business. Former NFL player Jamar Dixon wanting to re-enter the game might be the answer to her problems. He doesn’t want his training and his reason for it to get out, though, so when they’re seen together by the press, they pretend to be a couple. Bring on the fake dating romance.

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun - Dev has been working in television producing a successful dating show a là The Bachelor. While he excels at his job, his own love life is…not in good shape. The newest season is not going so well, either, with the stiff, anxious and closed-off newest star failing to make a connection with any of the contestants vying for his affection. As the show progresses, Dev and Charlie start making their own connection, which isn’t really in the script. For our secret dating romance fans.

Battle Royal by Lucy Parker - Another one for romance readers who love to read about baked goods. Sylvie Fairchild and Dominic De Vere have very different baking (and personality) styles. She loves glitter and bright colors, his style is more classic, understated elegance. Sylvie is invited to join Dominic as a judge on the hit British baking show Operation Cake, where they also find out they will be competing to bake the cake for the upcoming royal wedding. A treat of a romance that combines enemies to lovers AND grumpy and sunshine.

Emilyn Linden is a librarian in the FDL Public Library Information and Outreach Services department.