We all know that BookTok loves a good romance read. So much so that contemporary romance author, Colleen Hoover, has become a true literary sensation through word-of-mouth on the bookish corners of the Internet. This year alone, her novels sold an astounding 7.3 million print copies!
Inspired by the romance book buzz, this week’s Three to Read sports a lineup of novels that are Booktok-approved, including the long-anticipated sequel to Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us. If your fall read needs some swoon-worthy, feel-good fiction, you’ve come to the right place!
Hot Pick
It Starts With Us
by Colleen Hoover
SYNOPSIS:
Lily and her ex-husband, Ryle, have settled into the rhythm of co-parenting after their divorce. However, Lily’s life is shaken up again when she bumps into her first love: Atlas Corrigan. When he asks her out on a date, she happily accepts, hoping that time is finally on their side. Though she is officially separated from Ryle, he is still a significant part of her life – a fact that will swiftly complicate her second chance at true love.
WHY:
The wait is finally over! The long-anticipated follow-up to Colleen Hoover’s resounding bestseller, It Ends With Us, has arrived. It’s a clear response to her loyal readers, who have called for hearing fan-favorite character Atlas’ side of the narrative. Alternating between Lily and Atlas’ POVs, the hype is real for this new release, which will add even more to the clamor surrounding the “Queen of BookTok.”
Coffee Shop Read
When in Rome
by Sarah Adams
SYNOPSIS:
The weight of the pop star lifestyle has Amelia Rose (known as Rae Rose on stage) desperate to escape from the public eye. In a spur-of-the-moment decision, she makes a break for Rome…Kentucky. Her first introduction to the small southern town is Noah Walker, who finds her stranded with a broken-down car. Noah runs a local pie shop passed down through the family and, despite his disdain for the pop star drama, offers Amelia a temporary place to say while her car is fixed. However, the unlikely pair end up growing closer than expected…
WHY:
Utilizing a charming small-town backdrop, Sarah Adams takes inspiration from the 1953 Audrey Hepburn flick Roman Holiday to craft rom-com excellence. For fans of the opposites attract romance trope, this is an entertaining, lighthearted read perfect for the upcoming holiday season. It’s a fantastic continuation of Sarah Adams’ romantic writing success, as her previous read, The Cheat Sheet, was a BookTok favorite of yesteryear.
Dark Horse
Funny You Should Ask
by Elissa Sussman
SYNOPSIS:
Aspiring author, Chani Horowitz, is feeling positively stuck in her life and career, watching her former MFA program peers pick up book deals galore. That is, until she’s hired to write a profile on her long-term celebrity crush, Gabe Parker – a task that has the potential to fast-track her career. Jump forward 10 years, and her groundbreaking Gabe Parker piece is still unflinchingly tied to her name. So much so that his PR team reaches out for a second interview. She reluctantly accepts, forced to relive their first meeting a decade prior and face her long-held feelings for him.
WHY:
For fans of the second-chance romance arc, this buzzworthy new release is a must to check out. It’s received high praise on BookTok in recent weeks, often being compared to Emily Henry’s string of romance hits. Plus, rumor has it, this story is loosely inspired by the 2011 GQ profile of Chris Evans by Edith Zimmerman. If you’re looking for an immersive, in-your-feels story that brilliantly weaves together two timelines, this is just the thing!
Check out last week’s Three to Read here!