In 2021, I started to prioritize reading romance books in February. I noticed that when I set aside months out of the year as a theme of what to read, I end up reading more. I love saving my romance books for February because it gives me something to look forward to during winter. My romance “to be read” (TBR) pile is ambitious because I have a lot to read. I wanted to share my Romance TBR, along with keeping myself on track for next month.

All The Feels by Olivia Dade

Alexander Woodroe is an actor on one of the most popular TV shows, God of the Gates. After it’s released to the tabloids that he got into a bar fight, his future on the show is uncertain. Lauren Clegg is an ER therapist who’s assigned to keep Alexander on track after his previous bad behavior. As they spend time together, they start to fall for each other, and Lauren has to decide if dating Alexander is worth it, especially with him being an actor and being followed by paparazzi.

I read the first book in this series, Spoiler Alert, a few years ago, and I remember liking it. I like the God of the Gates show being the background to the series. It’s refreshing to read a romance book with a protagonist who doesn’t have the stereotypical body type. For example, I read Ali Hazelwood’s books, and all her characters are thin women, so it’s nice to read something different.

Well Played by Jen DeLuca

Stacey has been working at the local Renaissance Faire for several years and finds herself wanting more. She has her eyes on Dex MacLean, a performer in the group “The Dueling Kilts”. Throughout the past year, Stacey thinks she has been sending messages to Dex, but maybe it’s actually someone else. Stacey may not be looking for love, but it might catch up to her anyway.

This is the second book in the “Willow Creek Renaissance Faire” book series. I read Well Met last year, and I loved it! I read reviews of Well Played, and a lot of readers didn’t like the catfishing part of the story. I’m not sure how I will feel about that, but I still want to read this book, as the other books that come after Well Played are highly rated.

The Love Con by Seressia Glass

Kenya Davenport is a gamer, cosplayer, and anime fan. She has always wanted to turn her passions into a full career. She auditions and joins the cast of a reality TV show called Cosplay or No Way, which will test her cosplay skills. There’s a specific challenge on the show where Kenya enlists her friend, Cameron Lassiter, to help assist her. While Kenya and Cameron are good friends, they end up pretending to date on the show. Will Kenya’s feelings for Cameron become a reality, even if it means that their friendship will be forever changed?

I had no idea that this book existed until I saw it on a shelf at Barnes & Noble. As a cosplayer, I love the idea of a Project Runway meets cosplay romance book. This book, I believe, is a friend-to-lovers type of romance, which I like to read.

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Nora Stephens is a successful literary agent who thrives in the publishing industry. She’s convinced by her sister, Libby, to travel to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina, to get away for a little bit. As Nora explores the area, she runs into Charlie Lastra, an editor whom Nora isn’t a big fan of. Nora has a carefully constructed view of herself, and maybe Charlie is the perfect person to break down the wall that she’s built.

Everyone has raved about Emily Henry’s books, and I haven’t read a single one. I added this one to my list because I want to see what all the hype is about. I love the setting of this book, as it takes place in North Carolina, which is such a beautiful part of the US.

Lore Olympus Volume #1 by Rachel Smythe

Lore Olympus is a graphic novel centered around the Greek Gods interacting with each other. Most of the story is centered on Persephone and her budding romance with Hades. Lore Olympus was a Webtoon comic that I started reading and ended up falling behind on. Once I realized that there would be graphic novels being released, I decided to hold off getting caught up on Webtoon and instead buy the graphic novels. One of the best things about Lore Olympus is the art. The art is gorgeous, and I love the contrast between Persephone’s bright pink and Hades and the dark blue Underworld that he calls home.

I’m excited to start reading romance this month! I look forward to it every year. Once the month of February is over, I’ll write a recap post that will feature all the reviews for the books I read and whether I read everything on my list. I’ll have that post written and published in the first few days of March.