# Read Any Good Romances Lately?
August is both Read-a-Romance Month and Romance Awareness Month. So, what better time to explore a little of what this genre has to offer! There are new corners and a lot of creativity popping up in this popular genre. While "contemporary" or "historical" romances are still some the first ones that that come to mind, more and more often, romance is blending with other genres like fantasy and science fiction. And that's just two of the ways romance has become more diverse...
The popularity of books like Red, White, and Royal Blue has paved the way for more books with LGBTQ+ leads and series like Bridgerton have been shaking up the Regency-era romance space for a while now (both on the page and on screen). Romantasy has gained popularity on platforms like BookTok, with authors like Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros leading the trend.
As a result, people are finding their way to "romance" in unexpected ways and shattering some pre-conceived notions in the process. So, whether you're a life-long romance reader or you're a relatively new fan, there are many exciting options to explore.
Looking for more light-hearted fun? Read these Young Adult Retellings of Classic Romance Stories. They take inspiration from literary classics and pop culture favorites like Emma, Twelfth Night, Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and even You've Got Mail.
Got a lovesick tween? They might appreciate these cute Stories About Kid's First Crushes.
Romantic stories, including the kind with fantastical or supernatural elements, aren't limited to adult fiction. Popular examples include Twilight by Stephenie Meyer or Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. For more teen and young adult titles with a mixture of romance and fantasy, check out these YA Romantic Fantasy Reads.
Looking for books featuring and aimed at teens and young adults (YA) that combine sci-fi themes/settings with romantic fiction? Popular books in this genre includes the Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer or The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and the Divergent series by Veronica Roth. Check out our Sci-Fi YA Romance Booklist for similar titles (you might not have heard about).
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