I have read a lot of romances in the last several months. A lot. And just like romances do, they helped me through a stressful time. They were an escape from the everyday. They gave me something else to concentrate on instead of worrying. They gave me hope.

These stories did have one thing in common, they were all contemporary romances. My favourites had another thing in common, they all entertained me. I read a lot of sports romances. Who am I even? I loved plenty of plus size heroine romances. These body loving heroines were a shining light. Some of them made me laugh out loud, and they all tugged at my heartstrings. But not too forcefully, which was good because my heartstrings were fragile.

And they gifted me with something else, they helped fill my creative well. The authors’ use of dialogue inspired me. As did their way of turning a setting into a colourful character. The way they worked all the emotion they could into a scene. The creative use of secondary characters. Their description of characters’ careers and how they used the work they did to serve the story. Sometimes in big ways and sometimes in small ones.

So, book recommendation time!

Here are four favourites the come to mind, but I had many.

Curves for Days by Laura Moher (Book 1 in the Galway Series)

How is Rose Barnes supposed to build the home (and life) of her dreams when her big, burly contractor keeps scowling at her?

Rose Barnes has got curves for days—and to Angus Drummond, the big, bearded contractor working on her new house, she’s the perfect thorn in his side. Little does she know Angus is perturbed on a daily basis by his attraction to this cheery, smart-ass woman with her sunshiny enthusiasm, her kindness, and her beautiful body.

Angus feels he has a debt to pay to the world and doesn’t deserve love until he pays it. Best to keep his mind on his work and his hands to himself. But the more Rose sees of Angus’s gruff, honorable thoughtfulness, and the more rusty laughter she surprises from him, the more she wants him too.

As their unlikely friendship becomes love, antagonism turns to partnership, and Rose’s house becomes a home. But Rose is keeping a secret that could blow up everything with Angus, and sure enough, it comes to light at the worst possible time…

I love a great plus size heroine. And I mean plus size, and not a size 10. Because, pfff! Also, people of all sizes and body shapes deserve love and adoration. Of course, there is plenty of conflict. Characters will always need to find a better way to navigate the world and improve their circumstances. What’s a book without conflict. Or goals. But they do it without losing weight. Storylines centring around weight loss makeovers are boring.

Curves for Days is far from boring! It’s heartwarming, sexy, and funny, while also tugging on your heartstrings. Rose is keeping a big secret. Because, reasons. So, when she arrives in a new town, Galway, and it strikes a cord with her, she decides to stay and start her life over. Angus would just as soon not have anything to do with Rose. He huffs and he puffs at her but he doesn’t scare her away. Worse, he’s starting to like everything about her.

But what is it Buddha said? Three things can’t remind hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth. Then it’s up to Rose and Angus to decide if their relationship is worth saving.

A steamy read. Definitely recommend! I just finished reading her second book in the series, What She’s Having, and I loved it.

Those Three Little Words by Meghan Quinn (Book 2 in The Vancouver Agitators Series)

I knocked up my best friend’s sister.

Figured I would get straight to the point, because how it happened is a mere snippet of the story I have to tell. The real meat and potatoes is what happened after.

Let’s start with how she decided to inform me and Pacey the news…together. Imagine that nightmare. I was going into what I thought was a hockey marketing meeting, and then bam! I’m going to be a dad and my best friend/teammate is attempting to imprint my face with his fist.

It wasn’t pretty.

Threats were tossed around, friendships were revoked, and then I was marched up to her apartment, suitcases in hand, and forced to live with her so I could take care of her every need. Given how much I’ve pined for the girl, you would think that wouldn’t be a hardship. Wrong.

This is my one shot to win my teammate back. Pacey is the only family I’ve got, so hooking up with his sister isn’t a mistake I can make twice…despite the fact that she’s pregnant with my child.

But with every mood swing, every pair of pants that doesn’t fit right, and every late night run to find the perfect donut, I’m finding it harder and harder not to fall for my best friend’s little sister.

Especially when she kisses me….

This book is ridiculous. In the best way. As is the whole series. I laughed out loud. In the darkest hours of last winter, I laughed. Something I was very grateful for. Those Three Little Words is sooo funny, it’s also emotional and it’s hot. It’s also Eli’s meddling teammates. Love them and their group chats. It’s Penny. Penny is a one of a kind character, and the antics she puts Eli through? Priceless. I actually ended up feeling kind of sorry for him…when I wasn’t laughing.

I would rate this one as Spicy. Also, language warning. Definitely recommend!

Consider Me by Becka Mack (Book 1 in the Playing for Keeps Series)

For a shot at love, he’ll do whatever it takes…

Carter Beckett is the NHL’s best player—both on and off the ice. His career is at its peak, his friends are performing better than ever, and there’s no shortage of women to spend the night with. What more could he want?

Olivia Parker isn’t new to professional hockey players, thanks to her best friend’s boyfriend, but she has no interest in dating one herself—no matter how hot he is. And anyway, she loves working as a teacher and hanging out with her best friend, drama-free. Why would she want to spend her time stroking the ego of an arrogant athlete?

But once Carter meets Olivia, he can’t think of anything else. Too bad for him, Olivia is hellbent on keeping him at arm’s length, with no intention of giving into his charms. Perhaps it’s time for Carter to up his game…after all, nobody said he had to play fair.

Sparks will fly as Carter does whatever it takes for Olivia to consider him.

Consider Me is also ridiculously delicious. And so over the top, especially Carter Beckett’s character. He is…a lot. In a good luck Olivia you’re going to need the patience of saint kind of way. But I loved the heroine, Olivia, a high school PE teacher. She was the perfect foil for Carter as she had experience dealing with horny obnoxious teenagers. Thankfully, Carter’s character grows in a way that has him keeping the charm and losing the swarm. Also, the friend groups in both the hero and heroine’s life are strong and interesting and funny.

Definitely spicy. And definitely recommend giving this first book in the series a try.

The Cock Down the Block by Amy Award (Book 1 in The Cocky Kingmans Series)

Always the nerdy girl, never the girlfriend~

Until her cocky best friend and his *ahem* rooster take charge.

Look, I’ve had it bad for the girl with all the curves next door forever. She turned me down in high school and since I’m not a total douchecanoe, I lusted after her all by myself in my shower, and we stayed just friends for years.

Now she’s the adorkable librarian next door and I’m the star quarterback of the best pro football team in the league. So when she asks me to be her fake date to her all-girls school reunion I am totally down to show her off to the mean girls who bullied her back then so they can see just how incredible she is. I’ll be the best boyfriend they’ve ever seen. The best fake boyfriend that is.

Until I find out from her slightly-stalkery classmates that she still has her v-card. I don’t see how that is even possible. Not with how sexy and sweet she is. Could it be because she knows she belongs with me?

It sounds like porn but it couldn’t be sweeter. Except for the sex which is definitely spicy. This book is excellent example of a hero who is a decent guy and a heroine who is confident and sassy and together they are developing a respectful and loving relationship. A lot of the conflict comes from outside the relationship. Not that The Cock Down the Block doesn’t touch on a some pretty serious topics like bullying and workplace harassment, it does. But in a respectful, lighter and often funny way.

Also, this was an audiobook for me and I LOVED the narrators: Stella Hunter and Christian Fox who did an excellent job!

So there you are, four contemporary romance book recommendations that are worth checking out.

Until next time…

Drop and book recommendations in the comments!