Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is a Valentine’s Day Freebie, so I’m doing 14 Fluffy Contemporary Romances. I limited the books strictly to ones where the romance is at the forefront (eliminating quite a few books that still have cute romances, but they aren’t the point of the book), and chose only one book/series per author.
The To All the Boys trilogy
I love literally everything about this trilogy. It is the absolute best example of fake-dating-to-real-dating that I’ve every consumed, and I’m doubtful that it will be topped at any point in the near future. Everything about these books is excellent; Lara Jean is one of my favorite contemporary YA protagonists, and all of the family dynamics are wonderful. Most importantly for this list, the romance is so cute and sweet.
A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow
I haven’t stopped thinking about this book in the 2 weeks since I read it. I was audibly squealing while reading it, it was that adorable. It follows Lila, who is sent by her family away from her hometown of Miami to visit her aunt in England for the summer after having a breakdown following the death of her grandmother and the loss of her best friend and boyfriend within a couple months of each other. Her love interest is a British guy name Orion, and everything about the romance is completely swoon-worthy. One thing I love about it is that, while it’s first and foremost a romance book, it isn’t afraid to dive into deeper topics, like grief and the idea of what home is.
When Dimple Met Rishi
I made myself the rule of only putting one book (or series in the case of Jenny Han) per author on this list purely because half of it would be Sandhya Menon if I didn’t. Every romance she writes is adorable, and the characters are super loveable and complex. If you somehow haven’t read one of her books yet, you must go do so now. I chose When Dimple Met Rishi for this list out of all of her works because, though all of her works are amazing, I think this one shines above the rest. Dimple and Rishi are both amazing characters, and the slight enemies-to-lovers aspect and the summer program setting all combine to make a truly wonderful book.
10 Blind Dates
This is another book where I definitely audibly squeal during some parts. I’ve read it twice, and it’s just so cute! It follows Sophie, who gets set up on ten blind dates by her extended family after breaking up with her boyfriend right before Christmas. The family dynamics are wonderful and compelling, and the romance is adorable, and I cannot recommend it enough, especially if read around Christmas. There’s a companion book coming out this summer following one of Sophie’s cousins, which I’m very excited for.
Instant Karma
Marissa Meyer is one of my favorite authors, so I already knew I was going to love this book the second I heard about it, and it did not disappoint. This enemies-to-lovers story follows Prudence as she gains the power to exact instant karma on people. Simultaneously, she is volunteering at her lab partner Quint’s family’s sea life rescue center with him to get him to help her redo their final project to improve their grade. It’s adorable and summery and overall very good.
Anna and the French Kiss
This book follows Anna as she transfers to an American boarding school in France in her senior year. It’s adorable and so so shippable (and also takes place in Paris and has all of that added atmosphere).
The Falling in Love Montage
Here, Saoirse and Ruby set out to recreate romcom falling-in-love-montage moments with the agreement that they will break up at the end of the summer. I’m certain that everybody can guess how well that plan goes for them. It’s very cute, and sort of subverts the fake-dating trope in that they aren’t actually fake dating, but still has all of the denial-of-feelings while still carrying out all of the motions of a relationship.
Tweet Cute
I debated over whether to include Tweet Cute or You Have a Match on here, but because the former is more strictly about a romance, I went with that. Pepper and Jack are drawn into a Twitter war between their respective family’s businesses, while simultaneously growing closer in person. Their relationship is completely and utterly adorable, and I definitely recommend checking out this book (as well as You Have a Match, which also has a very cute romance).
Geekerella
I struggled over whether to put this or The Princess and The Fangirl, but eventually went with Geekerella because, although I love one of the relationships in the latter (Jess’s), I absolutely couldn’t stand Imogen or her relationship, so Geekerella made the cut instead! It’s a Cinderella retelling (obviously) revolving around fan culture and a convention, with enemies-to-lover aspects and tons of fandom references. It’s so so fun, and I definitely recommend it.
Be Dazzled
I honestly wasn’t too sure about the main relationship in this at the start of the book, but it definitely grew on me. The overall plot of Raffy trying to win a cosplay competition at a convention is the heart of the story, but his relationship with Luca definitely plays a significant part. It’s very cute, and even though there were parts of the book where I wasn’t too sure about the ship, it still definitely deserved a spot on this list. (see my full review here)
Four Days of You and Me
This follows Lulu and Alex on their class trip on May 7 every year. It covers other events throughout that time span in flashbacks, but it’s primary structure is tracking their relationship on that date. I’m honestly not too sure how to explain it more fully than that. It is very cute and very shippable.
Yes No Maybe So
In this book, Maya and Jamie’s parents make them be canvassing partners for a local special election. They’d been childhood friends, but hadn’t really seen each other since then. During this time they are navigating cultural differences while simultaneously working together towards a common goal. Although I much prefer Maya to Jamie, their relationship is definitely super adorable. (see my full review here)
Always Never Yours
I’m always a sucker for theatre-themed romances. Megan Harper’s a director who needs an acting credit to apply to the college that she wants to go to, and ends up getting Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. She’s always felt like more of a Rosaline, since everybody she’s ever dated has ended up completely in love with somebody else right after they break up. During this time she recruits Owen, who’s playing Friar Lawrence, to help her get together with one of the stagehands, but she and Owen are the one’s who end up attracted to each other. It’s very adorable, and I definitely recommend it.
What if It’s Us
Technically this is another Becky Abertalli book (which is weird, since I’ve never loved any of her solo books), I’m allowing this in addition to Yes No Maybe So since they’re cowritten with different authors. This takes place in New York City, where Ben lives and Arthur’s visiting for the summer. I honestly don’t remember it that well, but following a meet-cute where they fail to get each other’s numbers, they keep redoing their first date to try and get it perfect. The sequel’s coming out this year, which I’m super excited for.
I’ve heard so many good things about When Dimple Met Rishi.
My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-conversation-hearts-on-covers
No Sandhya Menon book has ever failed me; I definitely encourage you to try When Dimple Met Rishi soon!
Becky Albertali is one of my favorites. I’m waiting for my library audiobook hold on Instant Karma.
Lauren @ Always Me
I’ve never liked Becky Abertali’s writing as much as everybody else seems to (with the exception of What If It’s Us and Yes No Maybe So), but I’m glad you like her! I hope you enjoy Instant Karma when you get to check it out; I absolutely adored it.