Lately I have been going to my comfort reads, now for many most people like the light and fluffy for comfort reads. However I am not a light and fluffy romance chick in any way. I like them, but I have to be in the mood for them, and I like seeing a romance with depth and human perception and intense emotion at times. There is a list of books, I own where some of them are practically falling apart, because when I need to really retreat from life, they are the books that I go to immediately to escape reality and into a world that is comfortable and easy to relax into. Most of the time historical romances are my go to for comfort reads and I honestly don’t know why, probably because they are my secret love genre. I have adored reading HR from the very beginning, and its been twelve years since I started reading romance novels, and when I need of comfort reads, these are the books I must go to. Now many of these books, aren’t new or recently published. They may seem vintage or old school however I do feel like old school produced some of the best romances and are so highly overlooked its mind blogging. I wanted to share these special books that mean quite a bit to me!! Each person has their own type of comfort reads for some they like the small town setting, or others prefer dystopian YA or some adventures in space. Or it can be a specific author even.
Here I want to share some of my personal favorite comfort reads that are go to especially when life gets too stressful and want to take a break from real life.
Petals On The River by Kathleen Woodiwiss
What a sweet romance that brings a smile to my face. This story is set in the early colonial era. What a beautiful and charming story this is. Both characters are simply wonderful and the romance is endearing. I can’t count the times I have read this book, but each time is just as good as all the previous times. There is some mystery involved here and a killer on the loose so we see the a variety of circumstances happening here, but what a plot but not one that will overwhelm you in any way. That is what I love about this author, but this book is one of her more softer works.
Gentle Rogue By Johanna Lindsey
oh the joys and charms and laughs that James Malory gives us!!! This is a highly entertaining and fun story. It has a pirate theme in it, only our sexy and dangerous pirate, is also a member of the Ton and part of one of the most highly respected families in England. A bit of a oxymoron but that is James Malory for ya. He never really makes sense, far from logical, but that is what makes him so great to read. I love picking this one up and I settle on my coach, with my favorite tea.
This Is All I Ask
Oh what a story this one is, in fact I read this over the weekend!! I was smiling all the way and what a book. Although I think I am in need of a new copy, the pages are starting to fall out of course I have read this countless times and owned it for atleast ten years. What I really like about this book is the romance!! This love story beats most of what I have read over the years and nothing compares to this book in some ways. This is one of those romances where we have two people who need each other in ways they don’t see especially for the first half of it. I adore the way these two become open and honest with one another.
Questions For My Readers:
What Type of Books Are Your Comfort Reads?
What Are Your Top Comfort Reads?
Nice choices! Johanna Lindsey is always a good read. My comfort reads are usually the books that have some humor and lots of heart. Usually stuff from Jill Shalvis, Molly Harper, Jennifer Ashley.
I agree…Johanna Lindsey is so wonderful and not many read her anymore which is sad since she does great. I do love great humor too. Jennifer Ashley is just awesome, I love all of her books.
Historical romances and some contemporary romances are my comfort reads. I usually just go for books I have loved, like any of Lisa Kleypas’ books. For me, a comfort read is one that makes me happy at the end of it.
I haven’t read any from your list, but I love the sound of This is All I Ask, especially the way they get close to each other. 🙂
oh yes Lisa Kleypas is a pretty great pick to have. She does great endings. I would highly recommend This Is All I Ask. Its definitely a book you would love. Its so good, and pretty great humor.
Fun to see what your comfort reads are. I have those, too. Mine aren’t a specific genre. I go to Louis L’Amour, Elizabeth Peters, Victoria Holt, Patricia Briggs, Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, Agatha Christie, and so many more. Most are books from long ago and are like the best comfort for me when I don’t feel good physically or emotionally.
Thanks Sophia!!! Louis L’Amour is simply wonderful!! I haven’t read those since I was a teenager but they were so fun to read.
I’ve never read these, but I do really want to read Gentle Rogue. I think sometimes people struggle with the old school romances because sometimes the heroes are assholes. Not always, of course.
I adore light and fluffy, however I will say that I think light and fluffy romances can and do have depth and emotion. I tend to relate to those romances more because they are so serious, which is a reflection of my life.
oh you so need to read Gentle Rogue as well as the other Malory books—you would enjoy them. Great humor in those.
I tend to go with cowboy reads for some reason when I want comfort. Or small town *nods*
oh yes…cowboys are so delicious. Have you read Lorraine Heath’s cowboys? She does great ones you would like 🙂
Historical romance! They are just sweet and lovely and you get happy at the end
My comfort reads are usually ones written by my favourite authors like Lisa Kleypas and Loretta Chase. I love Lisa Kleypas’s Wallflowers and Hathaways series and Loretta Chase’s Lord of Scoundrels. I love both angsty books and lighter reads depending on my mood.
When I think of comfort reads, I think of The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn and Match Me If You Can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I haven’t read any of the books you list, but I’ll have to check them out. I think I have Gentle Rogue on my e-reader so maybe I need to dig that out. Haha!
Lynn Kurland – <3 Love her romances. Several of her books are comfort reads. For me, a comfort read is not necessarily light but one that is near and dear to me, that speaks to me, and makes me happy.
♥ ♥ ♥ comfort reads and yes I do have some! Whenever I am super stressed, I re-read my favorites, which include:
Dying to Please, After the Night and Kill & Tell by Linda Howard
The Escape to New Zealand series (books 1-5) by Rosalind James
A Political Affair by Mary Whitney
I’ve re-read these all so many times!!
Oh Woodiwiss is one I really need to try. My comfort reads are funny ones that have really great secondary characters surrounding the mains. Usually Jill Shalvis. So easy to fall into and comforting when you’re there. Plus the giggles 😀