Romance isn’t dead...at least not in-between the pages.
I walk into a library or bookstore overwhelmed like a kid in a candy store. I know what's inside and I know I want whatever’s inside, but there's SO MUCH of what I want that it nearly paralyzes me.
What. a. rush.
As I make my way through the doors to the infinite land of stories I know one thing: I’m without a doubt walking out of here with a new romance book. You see, before the end of last year I never cared to read anything in the romance genre of literature. My go to was non-fiction books. But while reading books like Fear by Thich Nhat Hanh and How To See Yourself As You Really Are by the Dalai Lama helped me look more inward, they did not reveal how to see myself with a hot and humble sea captain in a cute Washington fishing town…
Now you must understand, I do really enjoy reading books that help me question who I am and my perspectives. However, as I turned the last page of my first self bought romance novel I realized a few things:
I cried like a BABY.
I need a rechargeable reading light.
I need to branch out to different literary genres. (you never know what you're going to like until you try it!).
And lastly, I somehow felt less cynical about love.
I mean, all of these self-realizations just scream, “she’s growing”. I was stubborn before. Set in my ways when it came to reading. In a lot of ways my whole attitude about reading directly translated to my attitude in other areas of my life. Ask my closest friends about me. They will tell you I'm stubborn, yet open minded. What a paradox. It’s true. I’m like a sponge when it comes to new ideas and perspectives, but when it comes to what I want to do with my time…stubborn. And being selfish with your own time and happiness shouldn’t be seen in a negative light. We all like what we like. But then one day, you are walking the aisles of the book store for yet another non-fiction book when out of the corner of your eye a book title catches your eye.
THE DEAD ROMANTICS by Ashley Poston
It was in this moment I knew love at first sight was real. Well not necessarily, but it sure felt like it!
I gave the back of the book a quick read through, walked up to the checkout line, and bought the book.
I am quite cynical when it comes to love and relationships. So, seeing the word “DEAD” in front of “ROMANTICS” sounded like the perfect book for me to read. Now you must be thinking, “Woah, who broke her heart?”, but I've always been this way. And while there have been men who have tested my beliefs in love, pushed my heart around, and were emotionally unavailable, I continue to carry on. Just like we all must do. In my experiences with love (or the ever so fleeting feelings of love) I have a hard time seeing how relationships work. And I guess that would be hard to see if you’re both trying to always get on the next train to convenient town.
To my surprise, the book was nothing like I expected. Like at all. The protagonist didn’t believe in love anymore after a nasty breakup, but it was much much more than that narrative. I won’t spoil it because it truly was a jaw dropping book. I remember getting to the middle of the book yelling, “NO, no way!!!”. It was 2 o'clock in the morning.
This book was the gateway into an obsession with romance books. La, la, la.
After reading The Dead Romantics, the only thing that died was my rusty perspective on love (well a little). I am fully aware of the steel wall that shapes my outlook on love. I’m not one to be with someone just because they make me happy. There’s a lot of things that make me happy, rock climbing, snowboarding, hiking with my dog, being silly with my friends. And while being alone sounds like the worst possible scenario for most people, I thrive in it. If I were to peel back the layers of me, I know my outlook comes from a combination of my childhood and adult experiences. Watching love weave in and out. Never really staying for long, but at least showing up from time to time. I recognize the beauty of love, but also know it can be one hell of a storm. In a way, this book loosened me up a bit. To enjoy a sappy romance book and immerse myself in the story, because love can be complicated outside the pages.
Here are the other romance books read after The Dead Romantics:
Beautiful World, Where Are You?, Sally Rooney
Practice Makes Perfect, Sarah Adams
An Irish Wish, Nora Roberts
Need Me, Tessa Bailey
It Happened One Summer, Tessa Bailey
Hook, Line, and Sinker, Tessa Bailey
Hunt On Dark Waters, Katee Robert
The Summer Girl, Elle Kennedy
Welcome to Last Chance, Hope Ramsey
If anyone wants to do a romance book exchange, contact me :)
- Nicole K