Julia's Top Ten Books Recommended To Non-Romance Readers

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Happy Tuesday Everyone! Julia here with today's topic.

Top Ten Books I'd Recommend To Someone Who Doesn't Read X

Now. A little background for my choice if you will. I love reading romance novels. According to my statistics that I do for myself, last year 42% of the books I read were romance novels. The year before that it was 46%. So I love romance. I have lots of reasons, but that is not for this post. I have reviewed/mentioned romance novels about six times on this blog, and review them a whole lot more over at my own blog.

So I decided to make my list...

Top Ten Books I'd Recommend To Someone Who Doesn't Read Romance Novels
More specifically... historical romance. Because that is really what most of these are.

1. When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James
I love fairytale retellings, and this is a wonderful modernization of the Beauty and the Beast tale. Well modernization meaning it is still set in the past but not in the far distant past of legends. The hero and heroine are both dynamic and is has an interesting story propelling you to the end.
(Add on Goodreads)

2. The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
Oh, the Bridgertons. I love this series. The Duke and I is the first one in that series. It's a family of 8 kids, one kid per book. Trivia! They are named alphabetically. The first one is the Duke and I. It is about the first gil Daphne and Simon. I love this story because it has just the right balance between levity and plot. Other favorite books in the series? The Viscount Who Loved Me, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton and On the Way to the Wedding.
(Add on Goodreads)

3. Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
This is one of those books that most people (meaning the threads I read on Smart Bitches, Trashy Books) recommend to first readers of romance. Dudes in our readership, the Smart Bitches even had a math professor read and review these books, and he even liked it! So its not only the womens who like romance. Trivia! There have been a few men who have written romance under a woman's name. Anyway, I loved both of the main characters, both strong in their own way.
(Add on Goodreads)

4. The Spymaster's Lady by Joanna Bourne
This one was my first review here at TBTB. Oh the days. Let me summarize. This is a spy romance. The spy story is super interesting and because the whole plot isn't a "big misunderstanding" or some other relationship centric thing it may be an easier book to get into over some other romances for a newbie.
(Add on Goodreads)

5. Shanna by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
This was the first romance novel that I fell in love with. I honestly don't know how, at the age of like 13, I plowed through this book. It has it all. Marriage from jail, trans-Atlantic boat trips, pirates, life on an island. It's an older romance, so it may not be as... modern as some of the newer ones. And to be honest I have not read it in years, but it holds a place in my heart. I felt like at least one place on my list should be one of the pioneers.
(Add on Goodreads)

6. The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley
This is the first book in a series about the Mackenzie family. THis one hilights the youngest son whom, though it is never stated I dont think, has a form of autism or something like that. Since this takes place in the 1800s, it is not surprising I dont know which. Regardless, his character and the romance he has with Beth is very believable and a wonderful story.
(Add on Goodreads)

7. Yours Until Dawn by Teresa Medeiros
Teresa Medeiros has written romance across the board. There was contemporary with a hint of magic, historical with a hint of paranormal, and even scottish highlanders. This one is not so out there and takes place mostly the house of a blind ex-soldier. I love the way she writes and this one is one of my favorites.
(Add on Goodreads)

8. Soulless by Gail Carriger
I don't know if I would technically classify this as a romance novel. It's more of a fantasy series... but what a good way to get into a new genre! It's a bridge of sorts. This steampunk novel takes place in alternate history Britain and is chock full of paranormal and mystery.
(Add on Goodreads)

9. The Serpent Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt
This is the third in Elizabeth Hoyt's prince trilogy. I think it would be better read as a series (but then again I MUST read things in order), but this book was my favorite. This may not be the best one to start with if you are squeamish toward sex scenes, but the story was wonderful. I am actually due for a reread!
(Add on Goodreads)

I am going to cheat a little on number 10 as it really isn't a romance novel, but a book about romance novels.

10. Beyond Heaving Bosoms by Sarah Wendel and Candy Tan
This is the guide to romance novels written by those aforementioned Smart Bitches. Why do we love them? What are the rule to romance novels? What are the loved and not so loved cliches? If you are interested in the genre but not quite ready to dive in, this is your book.
(Add on Goodreads)

So that is my list! I am SOOO looking forward to pursuing the list this week. I hope to find some really cool new books to read! Happy Reading!