2 Fun Romance Novels to Read This Month

by MK French

Happy Valentine's Day! If you are looking to spend the holiday finding love in the pages of a good book, I've got a couple of fun romance novels for you. One you can start reading today, the other you will have to wait until next week for.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Karma Under Fire by Love Hudson-Maggio

July 2022; Sweet Auburn Publishing; 979-8886806854
ebook, print (380 pages); romance

Harlow Kennedy is pressured by her mother to accept the engagement offer of a rich man with political aspirations willing to give her a generous prenuptial settlement. This would allow her to afford to live in Atlanta and make jewelry, her real passion. The decision is put off until she returns from India, where her best friend Lita will get married through a matchmaker. On the same flight is Tej Mayur, Atlanta's hottest chef and only son of high-caste parents who summoned him home in the height of marriage season. They continue to meet in India, and the connection between them is too good to be true.

Tej is a playboy and determined to remain single in the beginning. He is a hard worker and trying to expand his business from a restaurant to frozen food and an app, which I respect. I wasn't impressed by his personal life, and not too surprised at him being the groom that Lita is set to marry. The complications there are neatly solved, and it's at that point that I started to care more about him. Harlow had my sympathy from the start, as she was struggling to make ends meet, had no real relationship with her mother, and was essentially being pressured to be a gold digger. After an extended setup, Tej suggests helping Harlow find a proper husband who could appreciate her and help her reach her dreams, all the while falling in love with her. 

The fun and games portion of the book takes place in India. We learn about what's important in a proper high-caste bride, matchmaking, and how modern families approach marriage. Tej and Harlow spend time together, and we see some of the bad picks for her and how much jealousy that inspires. There are obstacles along the way, and finally a happily ever after for the couple. It was a very fun read, with vivid descriptions and multiple relationships getting a fairy tale ending. 

Buy Karma Under Fire at Amazon

Till There Was You by Lindsay Hameroff

February 2024; Griffin; 978-1250902917
ebook, print (320 pages); romance

Lexi Berman is a student hoping to eventually become an executive chef in a Michelin-star restaurant. Jake Taylor is the dive bar musician whom she meets and has a steamy weekend with. Jake leaves to record a demo in LA, and Lexi never expects to see him again. He's an overnight success, and she is doing well at her new job. When Jake turns up at her home, it derails her plans. The two can't seem to remain just friends, but a relationship with Jake means being in the tabloids as the subject of rumors and cruel comments that could potentially ruin her career. Is it worth keeping hold of?

This romcom stars a chef and a pop star, and both have incredibly busy careers. The two have chemistry and get along well. The demands of their jobs are hectic, as working in a restaurant requires many erratic hours just like recording an album and promoting it. While neither asked the other to drop their career, Jake asking Lexi to accompany him everywhere meant she was requesting time off a lot. She was also subject to paparazzi and staff that didn't want her involved with Jake. It preys on Lexi's self-doubts and fears of being abandoned again, leading to the low point in the relationship. We get our happily ever after on New Year's Eve, in the most dramatic fashion possible. It was such a fun finale, with real emotional stakes for both of them, but especially Lexi. 

Buy Till There Was You at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us. Get even more book news in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter today! Or Follow Girl Who Reads with Bloglovin. Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small commission is earned when purchases are made at Amazon using any Amazon links on this site. Thank you for supporting Girl Who Reads.