Book Blogger Recs: Bloggers to Follow for Romance Readers #BookBloggers

Hello bookworms!

Today I’m back with my monthly feature: book blogger recs!  What does this feature entail?

Book Blogger Recs is a monthly feature where I highlight book bloggers based on a particular theme.  This will not just be a simple listing of blog recommendations, but a mini Q&A session with each blogger.  This way you can get to know the bloggers a little better before checking out their blogs for yourselves.

This month, I am excited to share a few book blogger recommendations for the romance lovers out there…

» Angela @Reading Frenzy Book Blog

Years blogging?

I’ve been blogging for two years. I was a co-blogger on another blog, but I started my own blog about a year and a half ago.

Describe your blog in 3 words…

Honest, Informative, Romantic

What are your reading goals for 2017?  Are you on track?

I really wanted to challenge myself this year, so my goals are broader than just the number of books to read. I posted a list of my 2017 goals, along explanations for each one: http://readingfrenzyblog.com/2017-reading-goals/

I’m on track for most of them. I update my progress in my monthly That’s a Wrap! feature.

Favorite Romance book(s)?

On the advice of my conscience, I cannot choose one. How about several off the top of my head? Bright Side by Kim Holden, Archer’s Voice by Mia Sheridan, Sustained by Emma Chase, The Will by Kristen Ashley, It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover, Perfect by Judith McNaught, and Full Tilt by Emma Scott.

Favorite Romance author(s)?

Penny Reid, Emma Chase, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Jewel E. Ann, J.D. Robb, and Kate Stewart. Some of these are lesser known independently published authors whose talents may be overlooked. A good portion of my blog features reviews of books written by indie authors.

Which Romance book(s) would you recommend to a non-reader?

Good question. I guess I’d go with books I can imagine being adapted for screen.

Contemporary romance: Full Tilt by Emma Scott
Romantic comedy: Sustained by Emma Chase

How would you respond to the belief that Romance “gives women unrealistic expectations of relationships and/or sex”?

It’s fiction. I doubt readers expect their boyfriends to be drop-dead gorgeous millionaires, have six-pack abs, and be perfect in all areas; although, wouldn’t that be nice? Romantic comedies are a great way to escape from the pressures of reality for awhile. They are intended to be lighthearted fantasies. The best contemporary romance novels, though, depict main characters that are flawed, both personally and in their ability to have successful relationships. Some stories explore failed marriages, relationships impacted by mental illness, abuse, the death of loved ones, and other thought provoking issues. The primary focus is on relatable relationships; sex is a by-product.

Romance readers are often criticized for their reading choices, have you ever felt judged or stereotyped for reading Romance?

Yes, but mostly from people who haven’t read romance and have pre-conceived ideas.

How would you respond to someone who said that Romance is not “real literature”?

I assume by “real literature” you mean classic. I don’t expect the romances I read to win a Pulitzer Prize or become classics such as Pride and Prejudice any more than I expect contemporary mysteries to become classics like The Maltese Falcon.

Romance is just a genre of fiction. The stories contain exposition, plot, conflict, climax, and resolution. As with any book, there are well-developed, amazing novels and also ones that aren’t so great. That’s the reason I write book reviews, even if they are unfavorable. I want to share my honest opinions with others and help them find books they might enjoy.

You can also follow Angela on…

Twitter • Instagram • Facebook

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» Bex @Night Owl Reader

Years blogging?

Just over two and a half years (Since January, 2015)

Describe your blog in 3 words…

Thoughtful, honest, fresh

What are your reading goals for 2017?  Are you on track?

I initially set my goal at 100 books this year, but that felt overambitious so I lowered it to 75.  I am currently on track – maybe even a little ahead – so I may actually pull off my initial goal of 100.  We’ll see how busy this fall turns out to be! 

Favorite Romance book(s)?

That is like asking me to pick a favorite child!  My favorites are somewhat diverse, since I love so many subgenres of Romance.  I love Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay, Archer’s Voice by Mia Sheridan, Making Faces by Amy Harmon, Loving Mr. Daniels by Brittainy Cherry.  Just to name a few.  There are so many more, but these are the books I can read over and over and never tire of the stories.  

Favorite Romance author(s)?

Again, so many!  I love Amy Harmon, Mia Sheridan, Helena Hunting, Penny Reid, Sarina Bowen, Colleen Hoover, Mariana Zapata, Jay Crownover, Elle Kennedy, Emma Chase, Kristen Callihan… I could go on forever.

Which Romance book(s) would you recommend to a non-reader?

I would probably suggest something with excellent storytelling but that is lighter on the romance for a beginner/non-reader.  Books by Colleen Hoover are an excellent choice or something like Making Faces by Amy Harmon.  Once they read those authors, I would hope that they would seek out more.

How would you respond to the belief that Romance “gives women unrealistic expectations of relationships and/or sex”?

I think most women read Romance to escape from the pressures of their daily lives.  It is a hobby for relaxation and stress relief.  I believe we are intelligent enough and reasonable enough to know what is fantasy and what is realistic in stories.

Romance readers are often criticized for their reading choices, have you ever felt judged or stereotyped for reading Romance?

When I tell people that I am a book blogger, they never fail to ask, “what kind of books?”  I usually get one of two responses: either they nod and say something like, “how fun!” or I get the eye roll & snort combination.  Those are the people who judge Romance and believe it is just sexy erotica or flowery prose they wouldn’t enjoy reading.  I try to explain, but I am not sure if I have changed any minds.

How would you respond to someone who said that Romance is not “real literature”?

I would tell them that they have the wrong impression of Romance.  It isn’t all smut and it isn’t all syrupy-sweet either.  If you give Romance a try, you might actually see that it is about more than just sex.  There are books in this genre that provide an escape from our daily lives or make us laugh until we cry or show characters overcoming the odds to get their much-deserved happy ending.  I don’t believe it is fair to pigeon-hole the entire Romance community into the old-fashioned “bodice ripper” mentality. 

You can also follow Bex on…

Twitter • Instagram • Facebook

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» Cátia @The Girl Who Read Too Much

Years blogging?

I’ve been blogging for a little bit over two years. I started in April 2015 a few months after finishing my MSc because I had a lot at free time at that point of my life and couldn’t stop until now.

Describe your blog in 3 words…

This is a difficult question… I would probably say funny, relaxed and full off romance (let’s just pretend this last one is a single word).

What are your reading goals for 2017?  Are you on track?

I have 3 main goals this year. The first one is to try to complete the New Adult Reading Challenge Bingo that I created and I’ve been doing quite well. I also want to read more non-fiction books, which I’ve been doing, and I have my Goodreads Reading Challenge. I started with a goal of 60 books but since I already read 73 I had to up it to 100. I can say that so far I’m on track with all my goals.

Favorite Romance book(s)?

I have so many to count. Some of my favorites are That Thing Between Eli & Gwen by J.J. McAvoy, Him by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy, The Off-Campus series by Elle Kennedy (especially The Score), My Best Friend’s Ex by Meghan Quinn and so on so on. I could go on for a long time.

Favorite Romance author(s)?

Some of my favorite authors are Elle Kennedy, Sarina Bowen, Ginger Scott, Meghan Quinn and Colleen Hoover. These are some of those authors I always go to when I need a book I know I’ll love.

Which Romance book(s) would you recommend to a non-reader?

The Off-Campus series by Elle Kennedy, for sure. Also, The Hard Count by Ginger Scott. It’s a more mature YA but it’s such a good romance and so emotional.

How would you respond to the belief that Romance “gives women unrealistic expectations of relationships and/or sex”?

What if it does? People mostly read books because they want to get away from their lives for a bit. What’s the problem on reading some books where things are a little bit different from real life. It’s not like we think real life will be like that (even if romance readers would love that). Also, not every single book gives you unrealistic expectations. Okay, I understand why people say that but not everything is perfect in romance books, especially in terms of relationships. The main characters always have some problems they need to talk about and solve before their HEA.

Romance readers are often criticized for their reading choices, have you ever felt judged or stereotyped for reading Romance?

Totally. I already had some people judging me for reading mostly romances and telling me I wasn’t a real reader because I only read bullsh*t. To be honest, I don’t care about what people think about my reads. What matters is that I like it and I love my romance books.

How would you respond to someone who said that Romance is not “real literature”?

I’m sorry to disagree but it’s still literature. I don’t care about what people say but the fact a book is romance doesn’t mean it isn’t a real book and that it isn’t deep. There are a lot of romances with some deep subject that make you think about stuff and those are still books and you still read it. There’s also the fact that there are some romances that are beautifully written.

You can also follow Cátia on…

Twitter • Instagram • Facebook

I’d like to thank Angela, Bex, & Cátia for participating in this feature!  If you are a fan of Romance, then I highly encourage you to head over and follow their blogs.

In case you missed it, you can read the other posts in this series here ⇒

» Book Blogger Recs: Bloggers to Follow for YA Readers (Part 1)

» Book Blogger Recs: Bloggers to Follow for Thriller/Suspense/Crime Readers

Do you read Romance?  If so, what are some of your favorite Romance books?

Have you ever felt judged or stereotyped for reading a particular genre?

Comment below and let me know 🙂