Journey through genres: romance fiction

We're exploring many genres through a year-long book club – Journey Through Genres. Romance fiction is our second stop on this adventure. Romance fiction is as varied as it's readers but a happily ever after is required. No matter the setting, the complications or the type of story, you know love will work out in the end. However, it might not be the couple you thought would be together from the beginning of the story.

Romance fiction has had a huge increase in popularity in the past decade. Romance can be separated in several categories including historical, fantasy (also called romatasy), rom-com, paranormal, dark, sci-fi and suspense. There are also several common story lines or themes including friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, fake dating, forbidden love, and second chance romance. All this variety might be one reason for the popularity of romance. There's a story for just about every reader. 

Check out some of Ashley and Ginger's favorite romance reads below. Don't miss the chance to chat about romance fiction with them and other avid readers Tue, March 4, 2025, 7-8pm in the fiction wing during the Journey Through Genres Club event. We'd love to hear about which books you recommend and which books were a bad date.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Titled as a historical fantasy novel, the books in the Outlander series are the ultimate in swoon-worthy stories, especially if you love history. The book begins right after World War II, when Claire Beauchamp Randall finds herself on an after-war trip with her English husband to Scotland. Claire accidentally travels back in time to the 1700s in Scotland. There she is a “guest” of a Scottish Laird who just so happens to have an unmarried nephew, Jamie Fraser.

With Scotland brimming with pre-war sentiments to the English, Claire not only finds herself in danger as an unaccompanied English lady, but with her knowledge of the future. Time and time again, she and Jamie find themselves thrust together on various adventures. Romance slowly takes over with each passing day the two spend together. However, the book has a love triangle that spans centuries as Claire cannot stop thinking about her first love Frank Randall.

Just the first book in a series of nine, romance and a love that stands the test of time (literally) spans all nine books with an ending that shouldn’t be ruined. Starz picked up the Outlander series in 2014 and is finishing up currently. While the show is good, the books (as always) are better with the sense of history, letters written and of course, the stories of love.

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Gone with the Wind is my favorite book of all time. This is probably because I read it as a 12-year-old. The book romanticized the least attractive part of our American history (Civil War) from the Confederacy viewpoint.

Scarlett O’Hara is the belle of the ball. While she believes she loves a specific man, one she can never have, her life revolves around men coming and going from her world.

An easy, all be it thick, read that shows Scarlett’s flow from a young marriage, to a marriage of convenience to what she ultimately believes is her final marriage of comfort, while also weaving in the story of our country’s internal struggle and conflict.

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

This is the tale of two unlikely teenagers. Noah Calhoun is a poor blue collar worker who loves stories. Allie Nelson is a wealthy city girl who has her life planned out by her white collar parents. They meet during a summer right before World War II and immediately fall in love. However, Allie’s parents ensure that an early summer split from their vacation home breaks up their love, or so Allie thought.

Fast forward to post World War II and Allie is engaged to a Southern socialite when she finds a newspaper article about Noah. True love rings throughout the book. It's told as a story a current man is reading to an elderly woman who has Alzheimer’s. Tears were streaming down my face at the end of this book.

Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan

I love this book! The two main characters are audiobook narrators and it’s written by my favorite book narrator Julia Whelan. So I highly recommend the audiobook version.

In this story former film star Sewanee Chester works as an audiobook narrator, which allows her to care for her ailing grandmother. During a book convention in Vegas she has an unexpected night with a charming stranger.

Back home she learns a renowned romance novelist wanted her to narrate her last book with Brock McNight, the industry's most secretive voice. Despite her skepticism about romance novels, Sewanee takes the job to honor the author and support her grandmother. As she works on the book, she and Brock form a genuine connection, hidden behind anonymity. However, secrets emerge forcing Sewanee to confront her buried desires to find true intimacy and acceptance.

The Burnout by Sophie Kinsella

This is a great read for anyone who’s ever been frustrated at work – so pretty much everyone. Sasha is so burned out she escapes work one day and tries to join a convent even though she’s not Catholic. Sasha goes to a resort she coveted as a kid to find it’s not as glamorous as it once was. However, she has the beach to herself and is enjoying the quiet.

Finn shows up at the same hotel and more importantly the same stretch of beach. Finn’s employer requested he take time off after he lost his cool a couple times at work. At first Sasha and Finn avoid each other to the point hotel staff repeatedly seat them at opposite sides of the almost empty dining room. When circumstances force them to talk, there’s a little spark. Do they ignore this?

I loved the relatable main characters and lots of amusing quirky side characters. There’s also a mystery, which adds to the fun in the book.

Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun

I got emotionally invested in this story right away. While this is a romance, it's also an amazing story about friendship. Logan and Rosemary were childhood best friends until a falling out senior year. Now they are both following in the footsteps of their beloved mentor English teacher Joe Delgado and teaching their old high school.

Joe is dying of cancer and wants the two women to take him on a final roadtrip so he can die in the Maine cabin he loves. This is at least a 6 day trip from Oregon with Joe's mobility and medical issues. Even though they despise each other, they agree to do it for Joe.

Lots of ridiculous, funny and tearful moments happen on this grand adventure. This roadtrip reveals secret loves and second chances for romance.

Article co-authored by Ashley Charest & Ginger Park