Losing myself.....

(in a Romantic Comedy)

When life is challenging, I need to lose myself in stories. Either my own writing or other peoples.

I read all kinds of genres, anything from literary fiction, non-fiction, memoir, crime, historical and fantasy, but when things are really difficult, when my disabled son is having a very hard time, or when I’ve been let down by services or others who are supposed to help us, or if I’m worried about money, or deadlines or any other multitude of things that single parent carers worry about, I turn to Romantic Comedies.

I honestly do not get the sniffiness in the literary world about romantic comedies. For some reason, there are many people who think its ok to love Nora Ephron but not to pick up the newest bestselling romcom at WH Smith.

I think this must be one of the most difficult genres to write in. A badly written one (just like a badly made romantic film) will be so paper thin it could blow away in the breeze. Characters that are cardboard cutouts prancing around on flimsy sets. But a really well written rom com? One that plays with the tropes of the genre but adds a new layer and depth that only that particular writer can bring? Ahhhh, now that is a thing of joy and I would argue as satisfying to read as any award winning literary fiction.

Here a list of romantic comedies that I have been listening to lately (I tend to listen to them, rather than read them) by writers who rule this genre. And you can bet that if you see an author listed below - I have binged their back catalogue

• Yours Truly - Abby Jimenez

  I don’t know how I didn’t know about Abby Jimenez until this year but she is my current queen of the genre. Love letters, divorcees and organ donation. Just trust me on this one.

• Something Wilder - Christina Lauren

  A two woman writing team and a great back catalogue but this is one is probably my favourite - a modern wild west adventure that made me want to ride off into the sunset.

  

• The Dead Romantics - Ashley Poston

  A rom com where one of the couple is a ghost and the other is a burnt out romance writer from a family of undertakers. Yes. Please.

• Love Me Do - Lindsey Kelk

  Lindsey’s latest book is set in LA and it’s so fun she made me want to go hangout there and watch some baseball (which is no mean feat!)

  

• Book Lovers - Emily Henry

  Argh, how to pick my fav Emily Henry. But I think it has to be the one with the steamy tension between the hard nosed literary agent nick named the shark and the grumpy editor who are into each other as much as they are into books

• Thank You For Listening - Julia Whelan

  My fav audio book narrator turned writer. A narrator who can’t stand romance is asked to voice the last book of a world famous romance writer. Yep, it is extremely fun and yes, you have to listen to it (ok, you are allowed to read it on a page but its more fun on audio)

  

• The Bodyguard - Katherine Center

  A female bodyguard and a reclusive Hollywood star. What could possibly go wrong?! This one is as fun as it sounds. Kind of made me want to take self defence classes.

And now of course - I need to know, who are your favourite rom com writers because I need some more titles lined up for when I’m feeling blue.