Top Ten Tuesday: Emma's Guide to Contemporary Romance

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

I challenged myself to raid my physical shelves for the 10 books for this post, instead of just drawing from my Goodreads shelves.  So that means this may not be my top 10 recommendations per say, but they're all still a great place to start if you don't read much contemporary romance.

1. The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes

This one is a bit polarizing, so you may not want to start directly with it.  But it's cute, there's a cute boy, and there's soccer, a coffee house, and a super cool pancake house.

2. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

TFIOS is, at its core, a love story.  Of course, it's also a cancer book, so if that's something you try to avoid, then this may not be a great one for you to read (hence why I've included a bonus pick that you'll read about momentarily.)

3. The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

Bonus pick: On the Fence by Kasie West

When you say Kasie West, the first thing that comes to mind is squeeworthy romance.  The Distance Between Us and On the Fence are adorable, fairly lighthearted, and contain awesome characters.

4. My Faire Lady by Laura Wettersten

Ok, so there's a bit of a love triangle, and it's kind of typical.  But the Renaissance Faire stuff is AWESOME, and I think everyone will find themselves rooting for one couple and one couple only.

5. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Is love at first sight real?  This book really delves into that trope.

6. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Ask a book blogger for a YA romance rec and chances are high that they'll recommend Anna.  There's a boy you'll want to swoon over, plus it's set in Paris.

7. Open Road Summer by Emery Lord

I can say, without a doubt, this is the best contemporary romance of 2014 so far.  Not only is there a cute boy (Matt Finch is my top book boyfriend), but there's country music and a strong friendship.

8. To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Cute, fun, cookies, love letters, and boys.  That's all I'll say. (But if you need a little more to win you over, this book is a diverse read between the POC author and the Korean-American protagonist.)

9. Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton

This was one of the first contemporary romances I read, and I still adore it.  It's sweet, fun, perhaps a little cheesy and stereotypical, but perfect for a poolside or beach read.

10. Just One Day by Gayle Forman

A little more angsty than my previous recs, but still a solid romance that isn't only that (I will warn you that there is a hint of insta-love).

Honorable Mentions: Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend by Katie Finn, Wish You Were Italian by Kristin Rae, The Break-Up Artist by Philip Siegel, and The Things You Kiss Goodbye by Leslie Connor.

So what contemporary romances would you recommend to someone new to the genre?