There is a whole world of books out there that many do not know of, and how could you? Social media tends to spotlight the same 30 or so books that cover romance, fantasy, and young adult, and fail to highlight different books. If they ever do switch it up, it is for newly released books or books coming out in a few months. You never get to see the books from a few years ago that may not have gotten the hype they deserved, but do in fact deserve it. In order to diversify your reading and to try something a little new, check out this list of not-so-trendy books. These books are bound to make your reading experience an enjoyable one and start you on a challenge to read a new book.
Storm by Carian Cole
To start off the list of obscure book recommendations, the book Storm by Carian Cole. Storm is a rock star romance with all the tropes that you can ask for. With snow in trope, enemies to lovers, found family, mental health awareness, and strangers to lovers, you are bound to fall in love with Storm and Evalyn. In an accidental meet-cute on a side road during a blizzard, Evalyn gets the fright of her life when a man with long hair and eye makeup comes up to her window. Evalyn doesn’t realize who is saving her, but is reluctant to take the help that she so desperately needs. The more she starts to trust him, the more she starts to fall for him and question what she has always known. Find yourself pulled into the story and welcomed into the family of rock stars. Cole — who is obsessed with all things tattoo, rock stars, and female protagonists that hold their own — writes such a captivating story that will make you wonder why it isn’t trending.
Evermore by Alyson Noel
Looking for something more on the enchanting side of reading? Evermore by Alyson Noel is your book. This book is a part of a six-book series that builds up suspense and romance in a whimsical new world. Evermore is the encapsulating tale full of every nostalgic fantasy and dystopian book that every grew up with. It is a true love story with a plot that thickens and turns more as you read on. Compared to Stephanie Meyer — with her scene-setting details, captivating characters, warm romance, and spellbinding mystery — many find that Noel captures her readers with the same loving nature in her words. Evermore is a must-read for teens and teen-at-heart adults looking for a swooning paranormal high school romance with action and mystery. This book is well worth the read and definitely one of those books that you will stay up all night reading.
Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia
For a magical tale that is a love letter to fandom and friendship, Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia fits the bill. This book is similar to Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl and brings to light the importance of art and the courage to be yourself. Inside the book, you can get pages from Eliza’s webcomic, screenshots from Eliza’s online forums, bonus material, and never-before-seen art from the author. Zappia uses her book to focus on introversion and isolation, panic disorder, and a preferable online existence that offers control in our world. This book is a compelling read of imagination and the simple pleasure of ordinary life online. Eliza and Her Monsters is an engaging and well-written book that tackles mental illness in a relatable way and appeals to any young adult reader. Regardless of the genre you read, this book is perfect for you to read and to learn a little bit more about yourself.
Love, Naturally by Sophie Sullivan
Want to step out of your comfort zone and experience an opposites-attract romance? Love, Naturally by Sophie Sullivan is the perfect book for you. This book proves that opposites really do attract each other and teaches readers to embrace life’s unexpected events. Sullivan, known for heartwarming, wholesome rom-coms, is bound to capture your heart and hold it all the way to the end. Love, Naturally is a delightful escape romance that has the most charming small town that builds the sweetest romance to root for. It is a perfect cozy season must-read that captures the joy of self-discovery and the pride of learning what we’re made of. If you are a fan of the friends-to-lovers trope, you will enjoy this enjoyable light read.
Whirlwind by Kayla Grosse
Are you looking for a new Twister romance with a forbidden love? Then Whirlwind is the book for you. This book is set in a similar world to the movie Twister, which has all the vibes that you want in a good romance story. From the first page of the book, you are welcomed into the world of Ryker and Finley with their forbidden student-professor relationship. This book combines everything in a good book together, making it absolutely irresistible. This book has an especially spicy scene starting from the first couple of chapters that just gets spicier as you read on. Combined with the tension of a forbidden relationship and the chemistry between the two characters, it makes you want to join in on the story. If you are anything like me and love a good romance, this book should be your next read.
Between Wrath and Mercy Jess Wisecup
Become a part of the enchanting Divine Between series in Between Wrath and Mercy by Jess Wisecup. This book is perfect for those who want to dive right into a new fantasy world with magic and a second-chance romance that will have you jumping right in. This book is full of angst, banter, spells, fighting, friendship, and constant conflict that will have you on the edge of your seat. Between Wrath and Mercy will have you wanting to devour all her books and become a part of her world. The characters are relatable, diverse, and fun, making you fall in love instantly. Wisecup is a master of mystery and romance who combines elements from every well-known fantasy book and makes a name for herself by adding her own whimsical storytelling. This book is perfect for anyone who is a die-hard romantasy reader looking for something new.
Ruby Spencer’s Whiskey Year by Rochelle Bilow
Do you want to travel to Scotland and experience a romance of a lifetime? Now you can with Ruby Spencer’s Whiskey Year by Rochelle Bilow. This book will hook you from the very beginning and have you reading all the way to the end without a single break. The main character, Ruby, and her love interest, Brochan, have amazing banter and chemistry that hold the book together. The book is an easy and enjoyable read with a breakup scene different from other romance books. Set in Scotland in the countryside, you get the presence of peace and coziness that will make you feel a part of the story. This book surrounds you with love and a found family that makes you want to visit the fictional town and experience your own romance.
Crimson Highlander by Samantha Whiskey
To end the list in the right way, Crimson Highlander by Samantha Whiskey is one of the best vampire romance books you will ever read. This book is one of those books that feel like a piece of comfort and encapsulates the lure of the vampire romance community. Crimson Highlander is the second book in the series, but beats out the first one with the fiery love of enemies to lovers and a himbo vampire that will do anything for his mate. Lachlan and Valor are two people who are meant to be together and fight against each other at every corner. The banter and chemistry between the two come off the page and have you eating popcorn as you watch everything come together. Sink your teeth into the Onyx Assassins series with Crimson Highlander, which is filled with sexy alpha vampires and the women who perfectly complement them.
Follow what you love and choose a book you may have never seen on social media trending. Challenge yourself to take a leap of faith in reading something new and experience a new world you may never have discovered. Try one of these eight books and fall hopelessly in love with characters that have come to life in my own reading. Choose one of these books that captures the joy of reading a new book and pursue a different reading journey you won’t ever forget.
Want to learn more about Bookstr Team picks? Click here.
Find these books and more on our Bookstr Book Club – Curated Reads from the Bookstr Team on Bookshop.org.
