With the summer season in full swing, I’ve started to tackle The 3rd Annual Ripped Bodice Summer Bingo Reading Challenge. (Head over to their site for the bingo card and full rules!)
Rules of the challenge are pretty flexible. Most of the themes can be interpreted any way you wish, but for the most part, I’m trying to read adult romance (and limiting my YA).
If you’re feeling a little stumped, here are some of the books I have read in the past and plan on reading specifically for the challenge.
Next Door Neighbor Romance Books
The love interest in Mariana Zapata’s Wait for It lives across the street from her. Not strictly a “next” door neighbor.
Check out the Neighbors trope tag for more!
Show Business Romance Books
Each book in the Stage Dive series by Kylie Scott is about a member of the band, Stage Dive.
You can also check out Some Kind of Magic by Mary Ann Marlowe (mistaken identity/rockstar romance) or the London Celebrities series by Lucy Parker.
Find more Actor/Actress/Celebrity romances or Musician/Rockstar romances.
Romance Books with Assassins
Kate Daniels describes herself as an assassin throughout the series by Ilona Andrews. I think it counts.
Eloping Romance Books
In Lick the first book of the Stage Dive series, the main character wakes up after a night of partying in Vegas and finds herself married.
Romance Books That Take Place in Multiple Countries
Slightly Tempted and Slightly Sinful, books in the Bedwyn Saga, takes place both in Belgium and England.
Heroine Smells Like A Flower
In A Daring Arrangementby Joanna Shupe, the main character smells like lavender.
Romance Book Title Includes Character’s Name
Just looking through my to-read list on Goodreads, I discovered a lot of these:
- The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy by Julia Quinn
- Whitney, My Love by Julia McNaught
- Lady Bridget’s Diary by Maya Rodale
- Marrying Winterborne by Lisa Kleypas
Romance Books with Dragons
I have not read it yet, but I’ve been wanting to try Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison for years now. Maybe it’s finally time!
Kilts in Romance Books
It’s been a while since I’ve read When A Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare, but there is a kilt on the cover.
Honestly, I need to read more Highlander romances outside of Outlander.
YA Historical
This genre is my jam! Just listing a few here, but I definitely have A LOT of YA historical recs.
- The Season by Sarah MacLean – I discovered this book after I had already read Nine Rules to Break, but my young self would have loved this as an intro to regency romances.
- A Mad, Wicked Folly by Sharon Biggs Waller – early 20th century England, featuring the suffragette movement and art!
- Luxe series by Anna Godbersen – This is THE series that got me exploring regency romances. I think it’s why I love a good upstairs/downstairs romance.
- The Diviners by Libba Bray – 1920’s New York with spooky paranormal plot.
- The Gold Seer Trilogy by Rae Carson – California gold rush with slight fantasy elements. Plus a great childhood friends to lovers romance. One of my favorite series.
Romance Books with Wine & Spirits
Kylie Scott has a great series about friends who own a dive bar.
Romance Books with Cowboys
Maisey Yates is a great author to check out for the Cowboys theme. Check out her Gold Valley series or her Cooper Ridge series.
Romance Books with Royalty
If you haven’t read it already, Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston is a delightful M/M romantic comedy where a the First Son of the United States falls in love with a British prince.
I would also check out Alyssa Cole’s Reluctant Royals or Emma Chase’s Royally series. And one of my favorites is The Royal We.
Check out the Royalty archetype tag for more recs!
Books About Prom
Prom & Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg is a YA adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.
F/F Contemporary Romance Books
I only have YA suggestions for this theme:
- The Summer of Jordi Perez by Amy Spalding
- Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins
- Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli
I would love to read some F/F adult romance so let me know in the comments! I know there’s Alyssa Cole’s Once Ghosted, Twice Shy, but it’s a novella and I would love something full-length.
What are YOUR suggestions? Leave a comment below or let me know on Twitter or Instagram!
