Even if we hate to admit it, there is a small part in each of us that loves the idea of love. We all want a relationship like Nathan and Haley from "One Tree Hill" or to have the same romance story as Jim and Pam from "The Office." We cry, laugh and root right alongside these characters to get their "happy ending" with the person of their dreams. Over spring break, I finally had time to read a book. With doing school work, hanging with friends and talking to my family, I rarely have time to read anymore. It's great to get lost in a book and become the characters for a while. I've read many books over my past 20 or so odd years, and my favorite has always been romance. Looking for a new book to read and indulge your hopeless romantic side? Check these out!
1. "The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight" by Jennifer E. Smith.
Did you know that people who meet at least three different times within twenty-four hour period are ninety-eight percent more likely to meet again?
Set in a 24-hour period, this novel written by Jennifer E. Smith follows two people, Hadley, and Oliver, as they meet in one of the most unexpected places: An airport waiting room. Hadley is running late for her father's second wedding to a woman that she has never even met. Oliver is just trying to get back home to London. They spend the flight talking, and when they land, the two lose track of each other in the chaos of the airport. Will they somehow find each other again?
Review: "A gorgeous, heartwarming reminder of the power of fate... an endearing and lushly written account of how it feels to fall in love." - New York Times Book Review
2. "What Happened to Goodbye" by Sarah Dessen.
I mean, it's not surprising, really. Once you love something, you always love it in some way. You have to. It's, like, part of you for good
One of Sarah Dessen's many young adults follows McClean, a girl who has moved many places since her parents got divorced. In every new town, she becomes someone new, whether it be Eliza or Beth. She doesn't like to form attachments with people, so she keeps everyone at a distance. But everything changes when they arrive in Lakeview and she meets Dave. Slowly, the real McClean comes to the surface, and she begins to make peace with her past.
Review: "Dessen once again offers a substantive, well-crafted exploration of a teen’s life that will deeply satisfy her legions of fans." - Booklist
3. "Who Do You Love" by Jennifer Weiner.
Your first love is important. It's part of your story. The story you'll tell yourself, the one you'll tell about yourself, for the rest of your life
Jennifer Weiner's newest novel touches on the ideas of second chances and first loves. Andy Landis and Rachel Blum meet accidentally one evening in the emergency room. They are only eight years old, but it was just the beginning of their relationship. Over the next three decades, their lives intersect through chance and history. Told in alternating voices, "Who Do You Love" shows us just the power of fate and love.
Review: “A must read... This roller-coaster romance—of two people from two very different sides of the track—proves we can’t choose who we love." - New York Post
4. "The Game of Love and Death" by Martha Brokenbrough.
We do not choose whom we love...We can only choose how well
Set in the 1920's, Brockenbrough's novel uses love and death as pivotal characters. Flora and Henry were born only a few blocks from each other, but they are unaware of the role they play in the game that Love and Death have against them. Only one of them can live if they are unable to fall in love by a certain time. Flora wants to fly just like Amelia Earhart, and Henry loves to play jazz music. As Love and Death take different guises and wreck havoc, you'll be dying (no pun intended) to know if Flora and Henry will choose each other
Review: "Romance fans will find plenty to swoon over here, while aspiring philosophers will find just as much to ponder." - The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
5. "My Life Next Door" by Huntley Fitzpatrick
The Garretts were my bedtime story, long before I ever thought I'd be a part of the story myself
Perfect for summer, Huntley Fitzpatrick's novel reminds us of how sweet first love can be. Samantha Reed has always been fascinated with her neighbors, the Garretts. She's never really spoken to the family, but one night, Jase Garrett climbs up to her terrace. Quickly, they fall in love, and soon, Samantha is spending every second at the Garrett household. But tragedy hits and Samantha is left to make a hard decision. Engrossing and powerful, this novel will make you want to find your own version of the Garretts.
Review: "Fitzpatrick's excellent first novel movingly captures the intensity of first love, the corrupting forces of power, and the losses suffered by innocent victims caught in a web of political deceit. As the lines between villains and heroes shift, [listeners] will be reminded how 'right' and 'wrong' choices are rarely crystal clear." - Publishers Weekly Starred Review
