In 2019, I started my romance project to read more from this super popular a growing genre. I've been having so much fun with it that I'm going to continue the project into 2020 (more on that in a few days when I post my reading resolutions). Here's a last update from this year with the books I've been reading.
Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin (Berkley, 2019). This modern-day Muslim retelling of Pride and Prejudice has super great characters that I enjoyed spending time with. Ayesha dreams of being a poet, but has taken a teaching job to pay the bills. Khalid is a conservative Muslim who faces prejudice at work for how he dresses, but he stands up to his convictions. When Khalid and Ayesha's younger sister announce their engagement, Ayesha grows concerned about the gossip she hears about Khalid's family and she also has to confront her own feelings for him.
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (St. Martin's Griffin, 2019). What happens when the First Son of the United States falls in love with a prince of England? Alex can't stand Prince Henry at first. He's always been a smarmy jerk in Alex's opinion. But when his dislike of Henry causes an incident at a royal wedding, Alex's staff insist that he has to make good. It's an election year, after all. So Alex and Henry are forced together to perpetuate the appearance that they're best buds. And along the way... well, you know what the trope is. This was a fun and sexy story, and although I admit that I skimmed some of the more political bits, I really enjoyed it!
The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai (Avon, 2019). Dating app developer Rhiannon Hunter has a few rules for her own dating life. When former pro football player Samson Lima, the guy who ghosted her after one date, suddenly reappears in her life, she's wary. But them working together just might be the best thing for her company. I loved successful, business-savvy Rhiannon and Samson is totally dreamy.
