Love in a Hopeless Place: Modern Romance Writers' Book Picks
Romance novels come in many forms, but all share one defining element: the happily ever after. In difficult times, readers often turn to romance novels and their promise of joy and justice to sustain them. We recently invited some stars of modern romance to Branching Out (our series of online author talks hosted by The New York Public Library neighborhood branches) and, on our community’s behalf, moderator Alyssa Cole asked them each to recommend books reflective of the inherent optimism of romance or just the restorative power of a happy ending. Check out the talk above, and read on for their bios and picks!
Kate Clayborn
Kate Clayborn is the critically acclaimed author of six novels, including Love Lettering and Love at First. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Oprah Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Bookpage, and more. By day she works in education, and by night (and sometimes, by very early morning) she writes contemporary romances about smart, strong, modern heroines who face the world alongside true friends and complicated families.
Kate’s Picks:
You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria
The Uptown Collection by Ruby Lang
The Hathaways series by LisaKleypas
How to Catch a Queen by Alyssa Cole
Alexis Daria
Alexis Daria writes stories about successful Latinx characters and their (occasionally messy) familias. Her debut Take the Lead won the 2018 RITA® Award for “Best First Book” and her latest release, You Had Me at Hola, is a national bestseller, Target Diverse Book Club Pick, and New York Times Editor’s Choice Pick. Alexis is a lifelong New Yorker who loves Broadway musicals and pizza.
Alexis's Picks:
His Perfect Partner by Priscilla Oliveras
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
Chilling Effect by Valerie Valdes
Polaris Rising by Jessie Mihalik
Desperate Measures by Katee Robert
Courtney Milan
Courtney Milan writes books about carriages, corsets, and smartwatches. Some of her titles include Hold Me and The Duchess War. She is a New York Times and a USA Today bestseller, who lives in the Rocky Mountains with her husband and an exceptionally perfect dog.
Courtney's Picks:
Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas
A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare
Cowboys of California by Rebekah Weatherspoon
EE Ottoman
EE Ottoman is a writer of radical trans happily ever afters and has been a published romance author for nine years. He primarily writes historical romance, fantasy romance, and science fiction romance. His titles include Song of the Spring Moon Waning and Documenting Light. He lives in Pennsylvania with his partner and two cats.
EE's Picks:
Waiting for the Flood by Alexis Hall
A Taste of Honey by Rose Lerner
Any Old Diamonds by KJ Charles
Rebekah Weatherspoon
Rebekah Weatherspoon turned to writing romance to get her fix. Raised in Southern New Hampshire, she now lives in Southern California. With over twenty titles under her belt, Rebekah has covered sub-genres from suspenseful paranormal romance to steamy BDSM romantic comedies. Some of her most popular titles are Xeni: A Marriage of Inconvenience and Soul to Keep.
Rebekah's Picks:
The Scandalous Diary of Lily Layton by Stacy Reid
Many Waters by Madeleine L'Engle
Taste For Temptation by Phyllis Bourne
Such a Pretty Face by Gabrielle Goldsby
Alyssa Cole
Alyssa Cole is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical, contemporary, and sci-fi romance, thrillers, and more. Her Civil War-set espionage romance An Extraordinary Union was the American Library Association's RUSA Best Romance for 2018, and her contemporary romance A Princess in Theory was one of the New York Times's 100 Notable Books of 2018. When she's not working, she can usually be found watching anime with her husband or wrangling their pets.