WeBuzz

Reader discussion: A Love Story

Public reader discussion about A Love Story in the WeRead Catalog by William Harvey Christie.

I want to read a good romance, but everything people recommend me I absolutely hate.

By pages-badger3954

I wouldn’t mind an actual more grown-up romance now and then, but stuff like A Court of Thorns and Roses, Lights Out, and Haunting Adeline all felt pretty weird and/or cringy to me. I can’t really take them seriously. I just want a romance book—fantasy or not—with normal-ish characters, decent writing, and no weird rape-y stuff. I’m fine with tropes, but I don’t want to get hit with literally every trope at once just to hook readers.

What is an actually well-written romance book?

By blue_tiger

Can someone suggest a romance book that’s actually good and not just a mess? Please no Colleen Hoover, JoJo Moyes, or Sarah J Maas. I’m a big fan of the classics—Jane Austen, the Brontë sisters, that kind of vibe—but I want something modern too. Any ideas?

Suggest me a book: well written love story, any genre

By tenderharbor

I’m trying to hit a reading goal every year that pushes me toward books I wouldn’t normally grab, and this time it’s all about really well-written love stories. I’m not picky about genre or length—just hoping for great prose and characters that feel real. The love can be a big plot point or more of a background thing, romantic or not, any kind of connection is good. So, what’s the best love story you’ve read? Any author, any vibe. Only real caveat: I’m not looking for Colleen Hoover (no shade to anyone who likes her, just not for me). Also, I’m still not super into the more current romantasy trend, even though I’m trying. For reference, some books I’ve already loved in this lane: - Left Hand of Darkness (I know I’m that person, but yes) - Persuasion (weirdly fun and silly) - Intermezzo (grief gets everywhere, right…?) - The Time Traveler’s Wife? (no, kidding—) How to Lose the Time War (I actually cried, like) Any suggestions would be really appreciated. 😊

Book club suggestions please!

By CloverKey58536

Me and a few of my girl friends tried to get a book club going last year and it just didn’t really work out lol. This time we’re going smaller and starting over, and they want me to pick the first book. But now I’m stuck in total decision paralysis and I’d rather ask real people than AI. Last time we did The Silent Patient and it was actually a really good read and pretty short, so I’m hoping for something similar length-wise that we can all finish within a month (even with our other stuff we’re reading). I’m into fantasy most of the time (Sanderson, Pierce Brown etc) and I’ll read romantasy sometimes too. I also like books that make you think, especially around women’s issues and what women go through (I Who Have Never Known Men, The Power, Handmaid’s Tale). Dark academia is a decent option for me as well. Between my two friends: one is reading Red Rising right now and she’s obsessed—she seems to like stuff like Dune. The other has read a handful of romantasy books and is pretty chill about whatever I pick. She also recently read The Tattooist of Auschwitz and said it really got to her, so that one’s more open to heavier emotional reads. So yeah… any ideas for a first pick? Ideally fiction only. TIA!!

A love story, NOT a romance.

By WarmCup

I’ve never been into romance in books at all. I’m aro/ace, so a lot of the usual stuff just doesn’t feel relatable to me. But I *do* like when a story is really powered by love—just not in the fluffy, “oops we have butterflies” way. Basically, I don’t want slow-burn feelings, jealousy-as-a-personality, blushing, awkward flirting, or that whole “sweet” romance vibe. And please don’t make it all about how hot the characters think each other is. That’s a hard no for me. What I’m looking for instead is more like: - Love that’s a big part of why the plot happens, but the relationship isn’t the entire story - Characters who genuinely care about each other and would go to hell and back - Love that’s messy and complicated—tangled up with grief, fear, horror even, and sometimes making people do terrible things - That kind of love so intense it’s basically the only reason someone keeps going, especially if they’re struggling or dying Some stuff that matches for me: - *The Locked Tomb* (not romance, but the messed-up love in it changes everything) - *Book of the Ancestor* (Nona is basically running on love and loyalty) - *The Last of Us* (Joel’s love leads to some awful choices, and later it turns into revenge) - *Fleabag* season 2 (it’s literally “this is a love story,” but it doesn’t feel romantic) - *Arcane* (so much love that isn’t romantic—family stuff really drives it) - And kinda the poem *The Highwayman*—their love ends up dooming them both Any recommendations for books that are love stories, but not romances?

Suggest me a book that has the greatest love story you've ever read.

By lazyYarn66

Thanks in advance. Edit: thanks a ton, everyone—you’re all the best.

Suggest me a book that has the greatest love story you've ever read.

By Crimson-Hare

Thanks in advance, if that’s okay.

Is Anna Karenina just a love story?

By spoon_raven

Hope this is okay to ask here—I’m not really looking for book picks, just trying to get a few different takes on *Anna Karenina*. Also, please no spoilers. I usually make a little summer reading list for myself and I’m excited to use the extra time, and I really want to include some Russian lit, especially this one since I’ve heard so much good about it. But I’m nervous it’s going to end up feeling like one of those dramatic, cheesy romance stories. If it’s a love story, I’d rather there be something more there than just romance for romance’s sake. I think I’m a bit cautious because my own interest in romance sort of died off when I was younger—like, I liked *Twilight* when I was a kid, but it never really made me care about that kind of story in a bigger, life-altering way. So yeah… I’m worried this might be more of a “sit back and watch” read than something that really pulls you in. Any thoughts on what the book is more like, or any general themes people notice?

Any good realistic romance novels?

By teacup_couplet

I’m trying to find a romance that’s not just complete fluff. I want it to actually have some depth, not something written only to be a cute, light love story. Ideally it wouldn’t be only about the romance, but also stuff like sacrifice, compromise, and figuring out how to be okay with yourself and with the person you’re with. If anyone has recommendations, I’d really love to hear them—thanks!

Suggest a romance book for my book club!

By trail-pale

I’m up to choose the next book for our group, and I’m finally trying romance. We usually stick to thrillers/mysteries, so I’m a little out of my comfort zone. I’ve only really read stuff like Beach Read and Twilight, so I don’t have many recommendations on my end. We’re hoping for something light and fun—does anyone have suggestions?