9 Relaxing Romance Novels to Soothe Your Tired Mind
Photo by Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash
As a college student, there are some days when I feel like another responsibility or serious thought will be the last straw. I can’t say how many times a light read has restored my peace of mind and given me a few hours to relax before being responsible.
All of us have times in our lives when we need something that allows us to decompress and this list is for those times. Whether you’re looking for something carefree to add to your TBR or sweep you away from responsibilities, these lighthearted yet thoughtful romances are just the thing for you.
01 | Spies, Lies, and Alibis by Natalie Walters
Special Agent Ben Bradley’s undercover mission to arrest a criminal mastermind is threatened when his first crush, Cybil, drops into his life and appears to be in the thick of the crime.
Cybil Langford’s instructions to find incriminating evidence for her boss is complicated by Ben’s presence and his shady reasons for working for her mark. A trip to Italy challenges their desire to ignore the past as each sees the other as an asset for their respective cases.
In the underbelly of the criminal world where skepticism is necessary, can Cybil and Ben trust each other and expose the real crooks before it’s too late?
02 | An Unconventional Lady by Sarah E. Ladd
Ella Wilde’s home is haunted by the suspicious death of her mother and the circumstances that led to it. Now Ella’s determined to complete her mother’s legacy and use her journals to renounce the pseudo-science of phrenology. The scientific symposium that her father is hosting provides her with the perfect opportunity, but being a woman sets up obstacles that obstruct her goal.
When she agrees to help her childhood friend Gabriel Rowe with an investigation, the two are drawn into a world of duplicity, secrets, and hidden motives that threaten to bring Ella to the same fate as her mother.
03 | Hearts Overboard by Becky Dean
After her boyfriend, Caleb, publicly breaks up with her because she’s “boring”, Savannah Moore is trapped on a cruise with her lifetime rival and ever-present annoyance, Tanner Woods.
Her straight-laced linear thinking clashes with his spontaneous, playful nature and the vacation promises to be one long headache. Tanner offers to be her fun coach to prove that she isn’t boring and help her get her boyfriend back.
But as she tries new food and activities with Tanner by her side, thoughts of Caleb drift farther away until she’s not sure he’s the one she wants anymore.
04 | A Game of Hearts by Joanna Barker
Tristian Gates and Marigold Cartwell have been like oil and water since the day they met. They agree on only one thing: the local archery society should not exclude women from their membership. Tristin’s victory over her at an archery competition sparks Marigold to start a women’s only archery society.
Both her reputation and her new society are endangered when she and Tristin are caught in a compromising situation. The only way to save both of their reputations and the society is for them to marry — but neither wants to be joined to their worst enemy.
But an upcoming archery competition might be enough for them to see how they are better suited as allies than rivals. The sequel to this is To Charm a Lady.
05 | Edenbrooke by Julianna Davidson
Marianne Daventry is accustomed to stepping back and letting her twin sister Cecily win everything and everyone. This time, it means helping Cecily secure the proposal of the eldest and wealthy Wyndham son.
When she arrives at the Wyndham’s estate, Edenbrooke, Marianne is left to become friends with the flirty second Wyndham son, Phillip, who annoys and intrigues her at the same time.
But then her sister threatens to take what Marianne has come to treasure. Perhaps it is time for Marianne to step out and claim her heart’s desire. The prequel is Heir of Edenbrooke.
06 | Harbor Pointe by Irene Hannon (Hope Harbor #12)
Principal ballerina Devyn Lee drops everything to help her sister Laura after a medical emergency and stays in the small coastal town of Hope Harbor to help during Laura’s recovery. While she’s there, she hopes to mend their fractured relationship.
She jumps at the chance to help put on a production for a local charity, which leads her to meeting Aaron Steele and his daughter. Aaron can’t deny his attraction to the graceful ballerina, but a glamorous woman like her wouldn’t fall for a millworker like him … right?
07 | Never Fall Again by Lynn H. Blackburn (Gossamer Falls #1)
After years of hiding from her past, Landry Hutton finally feels safe enough to fully seize the new life she has attained for herself and her daughter, Eliza. One thing that will not be in her new life is another husband.
The day she puts her long-held plans into action, a fire at her workplace destroys most of her products and brings her a sense of foreboding. Ex-Marine and new friend Callum Shaw offers his help and protection to Landry and Eliza. Their close proximity doesn’t lead to anything because they agree to be nothing more than friends.
But as the antagonism towards Landry and Eliza increases, the promise of a future together tempts them away from being “just friends” and taking a chance on love again. The others books is the series are Downfall, Break My Fall, and Last to Fall.
08 | The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh
Workaholic Kelsey Worthington is put in the hospital after a car accident, which brings her into contact with Georgina Tate, a successful businesswoman who appears to have it all.
But Kelsey sees the empty life behind Georgina’s veneer and impulsively invites her to a summer of yes, where they say yes to new opportunities and the things they’re scared of.
With only months left to live, Georgina agrees and the women set out on an adventure that changes not only their summer but their futures.
09 | Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson
Penelope Mae “Pip” Dupont exerts all her organizing skills to arrange for an exclusive cruise hosted by an author group dubbed “The Magnificent Seven” for their fans.
When mystery writer Hugh Griffin is found murdered in his bedroom on the second day of the cruise, Pip and Western writer Nash are the only ones capable of joining forces and solving the mystery. The clues hint at one of the remaining Seven being the culprit, but solving the clues brings confusion instead of clarity.
Pip and Nash will need all their wits to solve Hugh’s murder and explore the spark between them before the cruise ends.
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