What's so interesting to me as a writer of contemporary romance is that when I got my first agent and started querying about 8 years ago, I was getting "too much like women's fiction" and similar comments in my rejections. I'm really glad that Henry and Abby Jimenez (and yes, McFarlane in the UK - though I think the UK angle represents a different facet of the industry) and the like were able to open that crack in the market because otherwise, I would probably not have the book deal I have today. I like to say that my characters might be someone you live next door to and I like that in fiction. The travails of billionaires just don't interest me.
It's true, more books should be set in Michigan. It's a totally unique combination of quirky beach towns, backwoods shenanigans, Midwest casualness, punishingly beautiful landscapes, and beaches 100% guaranteed to be less busy than any similarly sunny white sand beach on either coast.
A British version — who EmHen also has endorsed — is Mhairi McFarlane, whose books are getting better and better. She’s just publishing a sequel to her 4th book, which was SO GOOD and perhaps the start of a really great run (though I love the earlier 3 too).
Bingo! I wouldn't consider myself a romance fan - I don't know why but it gives me secondhand embarrassment reading most of the books in that genre? But not Emily Henry. I swoon over her books!
here to add Emily Henry’s YA novels are wonderful as well- When the Sky Fell on Splendor was the first book I read by her and it had a Stranger Things vibe. I have loved all her books!
At the start of the year, I decided to list each book I finished reading in an iPhone note, and I also put tags with the broad themes / genres I assigned to them. 2024 is apparently, for me, the year of time travel, “sliding doors”, science fiction, and falling in love (not necessarily all four at once). I was talking with a guy friend (who while very cool, is decidedly not a “girlie” in demeanor) about my system. He asked if I would share a copy of my book list. Normally I would have self-consciously removed all of the romance-themed books from the list, especially the spicey ones, before sending it to him. However, I just didn’t want to edit myself! And I realized that he would be missing out if I did.
Our society believes that women’s literature and movies are less serious and less important than so-called masculine themes. There are a lot of people out there who would consider When Harry Met Sally (one of the greatest movies of all time!) to be less watch-worthy than any Michael Bay monstrosity.
As a thirty-seven year old woman and a die-hard romantic who wants nothing more than to fall in love again, sending my full and true reading list to a man and not worrying about what he thinks was The Ultimate expression that my opinion is valid, and that he should pick one of the novels about #fallinginlove for his next read.
Liv, I love this and am here to say that with the 2024 themes you listed, if you haven't read This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone you need to get it on your TBR asap!
EmHen is my fav romance novelist for all these reasons and more. The characters and plot is at the perfect level of contrived, just a smidge above reality so its so cozy and easy to slip into and believe. I want to be friends will all her MCs and supporting characters. So. many. other other romances can be just out of this world contrived, which can have its time and place, but those won't be the classics like EmHen's books are.
Currently, Yulin Kuang is up there after her exquisite "How to End a Love Story", I hope she writes many more. Another fav this year is Shirlene Obuobi's "Between Friends and Lovers" with her terrific characters and sumptuous world.
came here to say this! the MC has such a full life prior to the romantic rendez vous starts. i love that about emhenny. also love that most people are mid 30s (pls dont correct me if im wrong) :)
I’ve read Book Lovers and Funny Story this month. I started Beach Read but I couldn’t get into so I’ll come back to it later. Thanks for putting your thoughts out there!
What's so interesting to me as a writer of contemporary romance is that when I got my first agent and started querying about 8 years ago, I was getting "too much like women's fiction" and similar comments in my rejections. I'm really glad that Henry and Abby Jimenez (and yes, McFarlane in the UK - though I think the UK angle represents a different facet of the industry) and the like were able to open that crack in the market because otherwise, I would probably not have the book deal I have today. I like to say that my characters might be someone you live next door to and I like that in fiction. The travails of billionaires just don't interest me.
Someone you live next door to! I love that!
When I was working with a designer for a logo, I joked that my tagline should be "Real people, only better." They loved it and we ran with that.
That's so smart!
Thank you for giving me the chance to ramble on about why Emily Henry (and Charlie Lastra) reign supreme!
This is a Charlie Lastra stan account!!!
Charlie Lastra is my fav Em Hen guy!
It's true, more books should be set in Michigan. It's a totally unique combination of quirky beach towns, backwoods shenanigans, Midwest casualness, punishingly beautiful landscapes, and beaches 100% guaranteed to be less busy than any similarly sunny white sand beach on either coast.
I am taking *notes*!
A British version — who EmHen also has endorsed — is Mhairi McFarlane, whose books are getting better and better. She’s just publishing a sequel to her 4th book, which was SO GOOD and perhaps the start of a really great run (though I love the earlier 3 too).
yes! her books are on my list!!
I loved Last Night, and I definitely read it because it was on the book list in the back of an Emily Henry book!
I read it because of that too!
Bingo! I wouldn't consider myself a romance fan - I don't know why but it gives me secondhand embarrassment reading most of the books in that genre? But not Emily Henry. I swoon over her books!
Reality: times are bad
Emily Henry: times could be cute
here to add Emily Henry’s YA novels are wonderful as well- When the Sky Fell on Splendor was the first book I read by her and it had a Stranger Things vibe. I have loved all her books!
I love Emily Henry and I've found that Ashley Piston has a very similar style (dead romantics and seven slip) if you're looking into new authors!
Adding AP to my list!!
I also love Ashley Poston, and she has a new one out called "A Novel Love Story."
Holy shit. This was perfect.
Perfect in what ways, Kaitlyn?
At the start of the year, I decided to list each book I finished reading in an iPhone note, and I also put tags with the broad themes / genres I assigned to them. 2024 is apparently, for me, the year of time travel, “sliding doors”, science fiction, and falling in love (not necessarily all four at once). I was talking with a guy friend (who while very cool, is decidedly not a “girlie” in demeanor) about my system. He asked if I would share a copy of my book list. Normally I would have self-consciously removed all of the romance-themed books from the list, especially the spicey ones, before sending it to him. However, I just didn’t want to edit myself! And I realized that he would be missing out if I did.
Our society believes that women’s literature and movies are less serious and less important than so-called masculine themes. There are a lot of people out there who would consider When Harry Met Sally (one of the greatest movies of all time!) to be less watch-worthy than any Michael Bay monstrosity.
As a thirty-seven year old woman and a die-hard romantic who wants nothing more than to fall in love again, sending my full and true reading list to a man and not worrying about what he thinks was The Ultimate expression that my opinion is valid, and that he should pick one of the novels about #fallinginlove for his next read.
Liv, I love this and am here to say that with the 2024 themes you listed, if you haven't read This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone you need to get it on your TBR asap!
I just added it to my list! Thank you, Clara :)
EmHen is my fav romance novelist for all these reasons and more. The characters and plot is at the perfect level of contrived, just a smidge above reality so its so cozy and easy to slip into and believe. I want to be friends will all her MCs and supporting characters. So. many. other other romances can be just out of this world contrived, which can have its time and place, but those won't be the classics like EmHen's books are.
Currently, Yulin Kuang is up there after her exquisite "How to End a Love Story", I hope she writes many more. Another fav this year is Shirlene Obuobi's "Between Friends and Lovers" with her terrific characters and sumptuous world.
Listen, it’s entirely beside the point, but this is how I found out that the Hot Priest is narrating audio erotica and I thank you for your service.
Only barely beside the point tbh!
aaaaaaaaaaaaarghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh thank you!
Throwing my hand up as a fellow “girlie who's been accused of being emotionally repressed” 🤓
Women’s stories matter! They just do!
And the rich friendships/family relationships!!! I’ve shed tears over the nonromantic relationships in her books. They feel so real!
came here to say this! the MC has such a full life prior to the romantic rendez vous starts. i love that about emhenny. also love that most people are mid 30s (pls dont correct me if im wrong) :)
the *friendships*!!!
very much enjoyed reading this! xox
Thank you so much, Emma! x
I’ve read Book Lovers and Funny Story this month. I started Beach Read but I couldn’t get into so I’ll come back to it later. Thanks for putting your thoughts out there!