The Inner Circle, T. Coraghessan Boyle; Viking

“In 1940, innocent young John Milk accepts a job as an assistant to Dr. Alfred Kinsey, an Indiana University zoologist studying human sexuality, and takes part, along with his wife, in sexual experiments that become ever more uninhibited.”
Robin’s Note: T. Coraghessan Boyle is an author highly recommend as a read-alike for John Irving given his evocative characters, settings, and his treatment of ideas both extraordinary and mundane.  This novel explores many of Irving’s favorite issues: fidelity, sex, and love.

Audrey, Wait!, Robin Benway; Razorbill

“While trying to score a date with her cute co-worker at the Scooper Dooper, sixteen-year-old Audrey gains unwanted fame and celebrity status when her ex-boyfriend, a rock musician, records a breakup song about her that soars to the top of the Billboard charts.”
Robin’s Note: This title has a tiny bit of the fantastic thrown in, as Audrey suddenly becomes famous due to her ex suddenly gaining fame and fortune from writing a song about their break up, but once you get into the actual story, it’s a witty, sharp examination of love, music, commitment, and being true to yourself.  Audrey is far from a doormat, and though her sudden notoriety throws her for a loop, with the help of her best friends and possible new boyfriend, she will take control of her life and story.

Nick And Norah's Infinite Playlist, Rachel Cohn; Knopf, Distributed By Random House

“High school student Nick O’Leary, member of a rock band, meets college-bound Norah Silverberg and asks her to be his girlfriend for five minutes in order to avoid his ex-sweetheart.”
Robin’s Note: You may have heard about this title as it was made into a film, but don’t let that make you think it’s not worth picking up the book.  Written together by two great teen authors, each tackling the voice of one half of our potential romantic couple, it’s funny, sly, sexy, occasionally embarrassing, and above all one energizing trip through one night in New York City.  If you like this one, the authors teamed up again to publish Naomi and Ely’s No Kiss List, which is a different sort of journey but has the same appeal.

Kendra, Coe Booth; PUSH

“High schooler Kendra longs to live with her mother who, unprepared for motherhood at age fourteen, left Kendra in the care of her grandmother.”
Robin’s Note: Coe Booth burst onto the teen novel scene with her first book, Tyrell, which is excellent, and this book follows Kendra’s life as she deals with boys, sex, an overprotective mom, and trying to make her imperfect family be more what she needs.  It can get gritty and is not a fairy-tale type story, but it definitely offers hope by the end.  Booth is another author for those who like Jacqueline Woodson and Sharon Draper.

The Duke And I, Amanda Quick; Avon Books, Inc.

“By all accounts, Simon Basset is on the verge of proposing to his best friend’s sister, the lovely—and almost-on-the-shelf—Daphne Bridgerton. But the two of them know the truth—it’s all an elaborate plan to keep Simon free from marriage-minded society mothers. And as for Daphne, surely she will attract some worthy suitors now that it seems a duke has declared her desirable.

But as Daphne waltzes across ballroom after ballroom with Simon, it’s hard to remember that their courtship is a complete sham.”

Robin’s Note: The Bridgerton series, which starts with this title, is a fan-favorite for Regency romance fans, and Quinn’s novels ensnare readers who are not usually romance readers with their smart dialogue and insight into romance.  This series is known for both the quality and romance among the romance readers I know, and is considered one of the better Regency series.  Lisa Kleypas was another author mentioned, and she may also be a place to look for solid Regency titles.

Beguilement (The Sharing Knife #1), Lois McMaster Bujold; Eos

“Troubled young Fawn Bluefield seeks a life beyond her family’s farm. But en route to the city, she encounters a patrol of Lakewalkers, nomadic soldier–sorcerers from the northern woodlands. Feared necromancers armed with mysterious knives made of human bone, they wage a secret, ongoing war against the scourge of the “malices,” immortal entities that draw the life out of their victims, enslaving human and animal alike.

It is Dag—a Lakewalker patroller weighed down by past sorrows and onerous present responsibilities—who must come to Fawn’s aid when she is taken captive by a malice. They prevail at a devastating cost—unexpectedly binding their fates as they embark upon a remarkable journey into danger and delight, prejudice and partnership . . . and perhaps even love.”

Robin’s Note: Lois McMaster Bujold is renowned for her complex, engaging fantasy series, including the adventuresome Vorkosigan saga, but this series is a new tale for her combining romance and fantasy in equal parts.  She’s a smart, practiced writer, and her deep world-building creates a rich world.  If you want to try a definite romance/fantasy combination, this is one of the many hybrids that were published in testing out the combinations of the fantasy and romance markets, and of all the writers making the attempt, Bujold is the most likely to succeed.

Tam Lin, Pamela Dean; Puffin

“In the ancient Scottish ballad “Tam Lin,” headstrong Janet defies Tam Lin to walk in her own land of Carterhaugh . . . and then must battle the Queen of Faery for possession of her lover’s body and soul. In this version of “Tam Lin,” masterfully crafted by Pamela Dean, Janet is a college student, “Carterhaugh” is Carter Hall at the university where her father teaches, and Tam Lin is a boy named Thomas Lane.”

Robin’s Note: This classic re-telling is as intelligent, witty, and romantic as it was when it was originally published in 1991 as part of the Fairy Tale series.  Janet is dealing with the freedom and academic inspiration of college as much as distinguishing first love from true love.  The elements of the ballad are masterfully woven in throughout, and but the strength of the book is the compelling original story, rather than relying on the plot of its source.  The literary references are frequent, capturing the love of scholarship, but at the same time it’s not necessary to know every connection to enjoy the powerful romance at the heart of the story.  Wordplay and romance are what made me think of this title, as it’s full of both, and is indeed great fun to get lost in.  Pamela Dean’s other novels are quite different, and this one stands out as one of her most engaging.

Crown Duel (Originally Published As The Two Books Crown Duel And Court Duel) (Firebird), Sherwood Smith; Puffin

“To fulfill their father’s dying wish, teenage Countess Meliara and her brother Branaric organize a revolution against a greedy king.”

Robin’s Note: This fantasy tale, originally published as two separate novels Court Duel and Crown Duel, is a wit-driven romance combined with a struggle for control of a kingdom.  Our heroine, opinionated and clever (and a bit naive), is a country royal driven to try to save her own kingdom by confronting the court and ruler in the distant capital city.  The combination of funny dialog, building romance, and an action-packed plot make for a speedy read with great charm and spirit.  This is another teen title, essentially, but one that shares a lot with Austen in terms of the set up of the romance and the highlight of intelligence and clever conversation. 

Sorcery And Cecelia, Or, The Enchanted Chocolate Pot: Being The Correspondence Of Two Young Ladies Of Quality Regarding Various Magical Scandals In London And The Country, Patricia C. Wrede; Harcourt

“In 1817 in England, two young cousins, Cecilia living in the country and Kate in London, write letters to keep each other informed of their exploits, which take a sinister turn when they find themselves confronted by evil wizards.”

Robin’s Note: This Regency fantasy combines the best of Jane Austen with the charm of magical talents.  As with all of Austen’s novels, the romances are witty and compelling, and the added dash of magical adventure makes the tale all the more engaging for both fantasy and Austen fans.  This volume is followed by two sequels The Grand Tour and The Mislaid Magician.

Alphabet Of Thorn, Patricia A. McKillip; Ace Books

“One of the most spectacular fantasists of our time, Patricia A. McKillip creates fairy tale worlds of wonder and magic. Now, she opens the page on a time and place where an orphan girl is haunted by thorns…a reluctant queen rules between sea and sky… and epics never end…”

Robin’s Note: As with all of Patricia McKillip’s fantasies, this title is full of evocative imagery and lush language.  This time around she zeroes in on the force of love, to both save and destroy.  Learning from your own and your culture’s history and the power of language is all important in this tale.  McKillip is talented as weaving together magic with relatable and endearing characters, from a lonely librarian to a skittish new queen, each coming in to their power.  This particular novel is one of her easier titles to get into, if you are not already a fan, and has a stronger romance element than her other titles.