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Hello again romance readers. I’m PN Hinton, your companion for the world of romance. I hope your spirit is doing well today. If you’re new to the Kissing Books newsletter, welcome and enjoy your stay. If you’re a long-time reader, welcome back; it’s good to see you again.
So, I had a wonderful birthday weekend! It was exactly what I needed. I got to see some of my good friends, got some good food, and ended up buying three new books that I’m eager to read. The books I procured were The Ghost and the Haunted Portrait, Dead Dead Girls, and 14 Ways to Die.
I felt I earned it because it was my birthday and because I finished two books I had been in the middle of over my long weekend. And I started and finished Night of the Mannequins so the reward was warranted.
It tracks logically in my head so that’s what I’m going with.
Around the Web in Romance
The latest episode of the When In Romance podcast is up for your listening pleasure! Among other things, Jess and Trisha discuss how their reading habits have changed over the last year. There is also a survey in the show notes if you want to chime in on how yours may have changed since last year.
Jess also did a nice round-up of contemporary romance novels that feature a visual artist and helped to add even more books to my TBR pile.
I agree with everything that author Harper St. George has on this list about favorite things in historical romances, with the exception of number four. I’ve got hips for days; I don’t need a huge ball gown to embellish them even more. Seriously; small children have bounced off my hip and flown three feet.
Author KJ Charles wrote this blog post about conflict in romance articles and it is a really good read, especially coming from someone who used to edit for Mills & Boon.
Recommendations
Reading KJ’s article got me thinking about how the idea of conflict in romance has evolved since its early days. Nowadays, it’s more of a misunderstanding rather than an outright conflict. More likely, it’s a small omission that comes back later to bite someone in their rear and requires scrambling to resolve and fix.
Personally, I like the misunderstandings that are easily resolved through open communication. Some may feel it’s a bit anticlimactic, but I don’t need a huge dramatic situation followed by an equally dramatic resolution. Conflict resolution is one area where I don’t mind the lack of a huge climax in my romances (wink wink).
We all know that the key factor in all of these is communication. But it’s easier said than done. This is something that couples have been struggling with since the dawn of time. I know a lot of people sneer that romances wouldn’t have as much of a conflict if the two ‘simply communicated’ but that’s hard to do, especially in the newness of a relationship. That kind of cavalier attitude comes after years in a relationship. And yes, when the open communication happens, a simple resolution normally follows.
That leads me to today’s recommendations. I’m going to include some of the romances that I enjoyed for the story as well as how easily the resolution was resolved. In some cases it was communication; in others it’s just a matter of people knowing more than they let on. In any case, they are still good reads and the ‘conflict resolution’ had me smiling with how easy-peasy it ended up being. I will endeavor to not give spoilers on any of the titles listed though, so the synopsis will be super short.
The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan
This is one of the sweetest books I’ve ever read. It’s a slow burn from friends to lovers that is just delightful. Chloe and Jeremy’s interactions were super sweet, even when she was mad at him. However, there is ‘the secret’ that is looming over the story and the build up on that is intense. The actuality of it had me literally bursting out laughing when I read it. It’s a Milan so you’re guaranteed a treat no matter what.
The Secrets of Sir Richard Kentworthy by Julia Quinn
Okay so I know that the ‘secret’ in this one is a bit divisive in Romancelandia, but I appreciated the accuracy of how a situation like this would play out if it were to happen in real life. Plus, I felt that Richard cared about his family and Iris and was trying to make the best of the situation that they found themselves in. And the way it ended was as even keeled as it could be.
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
Everyone has heard of this book by now and for good reason. I loved everything about it so much that when we got to the misunderstanding I actually said, “No, no, no” out loud in my car. Side note: I was listening to the audiobook I wasn’t reading while driving. I don’t do that…much. Anyways, the resolution for that misunderstanding wasn’t as drastic as it needed to be, but it was still sweet and they ended up with their HEA which is always a winner in my book.
I know that there are others out there which have misunderstandings that are easily resolved but here are the few that stand out to me.And that’s all for now. I won’t see you next Monday since Book Riot is off for the Fourth of July holiday in America. If you’re off that day, enjoy your long weekend. Give me a follow over on Twitter @PScribe801. Until next week!