Issue 03 — Matinee Idols
alternative title: Mr. Darcy's hand flex
📣FLRRFLRRRFLRRRNRRRR📣 Would you look at that it’s the 3rd issue of wait, have you read this?
I want to tell you that the reason for the extended break between issues was due to a profound mix of unfounded stage fright, creative malaise, and despair over the end of a whole year of a whole pandemic and whatnot, but honestly, I downloaded TikTok in January and that’s the prime suspect of this crime. TikTok is the Vegas of apps and self-control isn’t in my personal brand’s style guide: tell me you love to disassociate without telling me you love to disassociate.
Friends, I have read 33 books in four months (a lot for this ol’ hag!) and about 20 of them were contemporary romance novels. Up until this year, I had at best flirted with this genre solely because I misunderstood it—I bought into the perception that it was all steamy, mass-market paperbacks devoid of anything but horny people in corsets or fairy porn. I’m here to tell you that I really played myself with my own snobbery (just like my delay to TikTok). I’ve gotten ranty before about the shame that can surround the reading experience—the devil works hard but misogynistic marketing and the identity signifiers that books serve as work harder—so I really should have known better. Quantity is a quality of its own and romance novels are the publishing industry’s best-selling genre for many, many reasons.
My official introduction to this genre came through Beach Read by Emily Henry (a truly GREAT book) which I found via the founder of the Bad Bitch Book Club Mackenzie Newcomb’s Instagram. I could not write today’s issue without the romance novel recs from BBB so if you like the books mentioned below you should sign up—their annual romance challenge starts 4/15, what timing! Mackenzie also gave me great reading advice once to get out of a rut: read things that feel like movies or TV! And what does this bitch love more than a rom-com?
What I love most about the contemporary romance novels I’ve read, and really romance in any medium, is best explained by Helena Fitzgerald: “Love is the smallest, most selfish room. [...] Love is a day binge-watching television, going to bed instead of looking at the bad news, a warm room where we can close the door and render the real world fictional and the fictional world real. Love is pretending large things are small and small things are large.” Rom-coms and romance novels’ abilities to take something that can render us so stupid so seriously creates a truly delightful form of escapism.
Below you will find a selection of contemporary romance novels that got me out of reading ruts—I think these books will either introduce or reignite your love of love too. If you’re already familiar with the genre you will see that most, if not all, of these are the enemies-to-lovers trope and to that I will say you now know more about my psyche than I am comfortable with.
Many of these recommendations can also be found in the most recent newsletter from Forty Winks, the world’s cutest lingerie store, who very kindly let me ramble about books to their customers. This issue’s IFYIYFs include some great selections from them because why just read a book when you can also support a women-owned small business?? Aaaand speaking of women-owned small businesses, you can grab a copy of all of this issue’s books from The Ripped Bodice. So honestly between me, BBB, and The Ripped Bodice you are going to find a romance novel you’ll love because there are so many types of romance novels—there really is a book for everyone. And if you still can’t, or if romance is too low-brow for you (boo), then I don’t know I guess you could re-watch Bridgerton for the umpteenth time unironically? No judgment! (Some judgment) (hey, are we still making Bridgerton jokes?)
No. 1
You Had Me At Hola
by Alexis Daria
The drama of telenovelas and the realities of public life serve as the backdrop for a love story about hesitant co-stars turned lovers: two actors work together on a new romantic comedy for a Netflix-adjacent streaming platform while they both try to outrun the secrets of their personal lives and their growing attraction to one another. This book manages to tackle consent, agency, celebrity, and vulnerability all in a swoon-inducing, steamy love story that celebrates what it means to really be the main character of your life.
It’s For You If You’re For...
Silky robes, J.Lo *the actress*, Rachel Syme’s Twitter account, Notting Hill, and the glamour of this TikTok.
No. 2
The Switch
by Beth O’Leary
20-something Leena Cotton is forced to take a sabbatical from her intense London job and decides to home-swap with her newly divorced grandmother Eileen so they both can shake up their lives (two love stories for the price of one!). This book is pure sentiment and saccharine in the best way possible: Eileen Cotton is a character that will stick with you long after you finish The Switch, and the dual settings of London and Eileen’s adorable English country town will have you feeling like you’re drinking the perfect cuppa (sorry) with friends. The Switch is also an unexpected meditation on grief, forgiveness, and friendship in all its forms but especially intergenerational connections.
It’s For You If You’re For...
The Holiday (the Santa Anas!), The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan, English accents, chunky knits, printed pajama sets, and malted milk biscuits.
No. 3
Red, White, and Royal Blue
by Casey McQuiston
Do you love the movie The American President and any and all modern-day-UK-monarchy content?? Do you rewatch You’ve Got Mail monthly? Then do I have the romance novel for you! Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston follows the PR nightmare-turned-love story of American First Son Alex and English Prince Henry. This romance novel combines two classic genre tropes, enemies-to-lovers and forced relationships, to tell a beautiful story about being true to yourself and the legacy you leave behind. This book is a charming escape made up of a variety of early 2000s pop culture references and love letters in the form of modern communications (including Snapchat)—it’s a perfect balance of funny, spicy, and sweet.
It’s For You If You’re For…
The Chasing Liberty/First Daughter Wars of 2004, the Gossip Girl books, The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, floral prints, the When Harry Met Sally remake, and Rowing Blazers.
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