Get to Know the Romance Reader Tag

I saw this book tag on a couple of different blogs and even though nobody tagged me to do it, I’m doing it anyway. It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything personal on here so this was the perfect post to throw up today. Sorry, I don’t know where this book tag started and I really don’t even know which blogs I saw it on (it’s been ages) so whoever started it, thank you! Here are my answers…

1. What is your romance origin story? I didn’t start reading romance novels until I was out of high school. The summer after high school, I didn’t have a job so I babysat for my sisters. I used to watch everyone’s kids at my sister Blanche’s house and when she moved into a new house, we went a couple of weeks without cable so I became super bored. I came across a box of books and Something Wonderful by Judith McNaught was at the top of the stack so I picked it up and started reading it. I read that book in an entire day and I read the rest of the books in that box in like a month. And then when I would get paid, I would buy more books. I never turned back.

2. If you could be the heroine in a romance novel, who would be the author and what’s one trope you’d insist be in the story? What a great question. 5 years ago, my answer would have been different but right this minute? I’d want Lauren Layne to write the book I’m in and I’d want a Single Dad trope. I’m trash for Single Dads. Seriously.

3. What is a romance you’ve read this year, that you want more people to read? Hmm, probably Hook Shot (Hoops #3) by Kennedy Ryan. That was such a well written book with characters that just lit up the pages and a romance so steamy, I fanned myself multiple times. This book had everything and not too many people that I know have read it. I love Keenan and Lotus’ story so much and I know that everyone else would if they gave it a shot. At least I hope they would.

4. What is your favorite romance subgenre? Easy. Contemporary romance. I adore modern romances because it’s easy for me to connect with what these characters are going through and they’re really easy to read. Most of the time, I’m eager for stories that are easy to follow along with and not super angsty or heavy on the plot. Contemporary romance is perfect for that, and in turn, perfect for me. What subgenre have you not read much from? I don’t read a lot of urban fantasy or paranormal though I hope to change that this month since it’s the month for scary things.

5. Who is one of your auto-buy romance authors? Lauren Layne. I would read her grocery lists if she let me. She writes my kind of romances. Romances that are character-driven and full of heart. I love her stuff. Even when I get her books for review, I still buy every single book. I can’t help myself. Other authors on my auto-buy lists? Sarina Bowen, Elle Kennedy, and Kennedy Ryan.

6. How do you typically find romance recommendations? Typically, I scour the Goodreads New Releases page every month, I read a lot of book blogs and my book friends. I’m one of those people that can be easily persuaded to try a book out. I’ve bought plenty of books that I would have never chosen to read for myself just because one of my book blogging friends read and wrote a fantastic review of it. My biggest book influencers are my friends though. Mostly Holly and Ames. They’re my people. They know what I like, what I don’t like and they’ve never steered me wrong.

7. What is an upcoming romance release you’re excited for? I can’t just pick one! That’s madness. There are quite a few romances that I’m looking forward to releasing in the coming months. The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang, Chasing Cassandra by Lisa Kleypas, Marriage on Madison Avenue by Lauren Layne, the next Hidden Legacy book by Ilona Andrews, The Bride Bet by Tessa Dare, Daring and the Duke by Sarah MacLean, and a bunch of other books that I can’t think of right now.

8. What is one misconception about romance you would like to lay to rest? That romance novels are mommy porn. There is much more to romance novels than the sex scenes. Sure, there are sex scenes in most romance novels but the stories are about finding your person. Porn is about sex. Romance novels are about love. There’s a big difference.

9. Who is the most recent romance reading content creator you came across that you’d like to shoutout? I can’t remember the latest content creator but one of my favorite Instagrammers is @utcbookblog. Their Instagram feed is the bomb. Full of colors, books out in the world (this is my favorite), pretty books everywhere. They’re like Bookstagram goals and I love their stuff.

10. If someone had never read a romance before and asked you to recommend the first 3 romances that come to mind as places to start, what would those recommendations be? Another easy question for me. Saving Grace by Julie Garwood for historicals, Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie for contemporaries, and Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh for paranormals.