Books

#Inloveathon TBR

So today is February 9th, which means it’s time for the #inloveathon. I came across this readathon through Hardback Hoarder, who is one of the hosts. The basic concept? A week around Valentine’s Day to read nothing but the best, the most amazing, the most looked forward to romance novels. Now, I’ve been flying through romantic books as is, these past couple of weeks, so naturally I had to participate in this one. And here’s my #InLoveathon TBR!

For each post I’m just going to quickly go through which book (or books, because sometims I just need to have some options!) I’m planning on reading for each challenge! Let’s be real, I’m probably not going to be able to go through all of them. What else is new, right? But, with some luck, this will help me get some extra reading in while life is still fairly calm!

1. Read a book from your favorite romance author.

Realistically, this would have to be either a Cathy Kelly, Jill Mansell or – these days – Kate Perry. The newest Cathy Kelly and Jill Mansells don’t come out until later, so it’s probably going to be Kate Perry. I’ve just finished the Laurel Heights series (such amazing, fluffy romance) and I’m continuing my way through the Summerhill-series right now. Again: all the fluff, all the romance. And London, instead of San Francisco! I mean, I love San Francisco, but London just has its special type of charm as well 🙂

2. Read a book that has your favorite romantic trope.

Quite frankly, I don’t really think I have a favourite trope? I don’t know, is “big gestures to make up for screwing up” a trope? If so, I’m going to have to go for that one. And – lucky for me – that’s just about a guarantee in any Kate Perry book. So more Kate Perry it is!

3. Read a book with a prince/princess.

The Royal We, by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan. Because I’ve reread  and A Princess in Theory  isn’t out yet. Seriously, I love this concept, but I don’t know of enough books that write about it. If you have any recommendations, do leave them below!

4. Read an original fairytale and watch the Disney movie or a film adaptation.

To be determined. Because the Disney Movies are all readily available, so I’ll probably see which movie I’m in the mood for and thèn read the original fairytale. Maybe even in French, I’ve been meaning to do that anyways!

5. Read a book while eating some Valentine treats.

Message to the bf: can you get me one of those delicious forrest fruits-donuts from that little shop we always go to, this Valentine’s day? That should get this one fixed 🙂

6. Read a book that takes place in a location where you would love to spend Valentine’s Day.

London! Definitely. But considering I’ll be having quite a bit of London with these first two prompts already, I figured I should look a bit further. And as you probably gathered from my review for The Wedding that Changed Everything last month, I have a thing for castles. As it so happens – I’ve had The Cosy Teashop in the Castle waiting for me for a while. Sounds perfect, doesn’t it?

7. Read a book with pink or red in the cover.

I figured I’d dive into my physical TBR for this one – which has left me with quite a lot of choice still. So it’ll be either The Little Shop of Happily Ever After or Rosie Hopkin’s Sweet shop of Dreams (both by Jenny Colgan), or Carole Matthews’ The Cake Shop in the Garden or The chocolate lover’s wedding. Or something else that I’ve lying around. I’ll see which one I’m in the mood for as soon as the moment arrives!

8. Read a LGBTQ+ love story.

So I didnt’ have a clue which one I would read for this. I mean, I know there’s a book I read a little while ago featuring an F/F love line that I’ve been meaning to reread. (Two stepsisters, one of them realises she is gay throughout the book ànd has an amazing love interest whom I think was something like a fitness- or yoga-instructor? Does anybody know what this book is?)

Anyways, I looked for best LGBTQ+ romance on Goodreads. Quite frankly, I’m not okay with the fact that the entire first page were just M/M romances. So on principle – and also because that’s what I want to read right now, I’m reading an F/F.

I’m not 100% sure yet, but it’s probably going to end up being either The Gravity Between Us by Kristen Zimmer, Waiting in the Wings by Melissa Brayden, or How Sweet it Is, also by Melissa Brayden. Oh, or Queens of Geek, by Jen Wilde. Have any of you read any of these? If so, which one would you recommend?

9. Read a classic love story.

Either Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, or Persuasion. I basically need to get my Jane Austen-fix in!

10 Read one of the hosts favorite Contemporary/Historical Romance books.

So there’s a total of six options, but some of those don’t quite interest me as much, others I’ve already read and don’t necessarily want to reread. Basically, I have three that I feel like I might want to read. On the one hand: Pride and Prejudice. Of course. This one is Paper Faerie’s choice, and I already had it for the previous challenge anyways. Might as well double up, right?

The two other ones are contemporary romances I’ve been meaning to read for a while as is . So I figured I might as well just get to either The Fill in Boyfriend or The Hating Game this week. And they’re their favourites – so the odds should be bigger that I like those books as well, right?

Anyways, there you have it. That’s my TBR (somewhat) for the inloveathon. If you’re participating as well, be sure to leave your links below. That way I can go check them out! And of course: get even more inspiration and additions to my TBR 🙂

-Saar