From picnic dates to golden sunsets, these rom-coms are to swoon over
By IQRA AHMAD — arts@theaggie.org
Flowers are blooming, birds are chirping and a soft breeze is drifting through the air — spring has officially arrived. So why not fall head over heels this season…into a good book (and maybe a little bit of romance)? These fun, feel-good reads are perfect for soaking up the sunshine in the afternoon at the Memorial Union hammocks or lounging around in the courtyard at Shields Library. So, let’s leave winter behind and get lost in love.
“Better Than the Movies” by Lynn Painter
Liz and Wes are the heart of this quintessential (and ultra cliche) young adult rom-com, packed with all the tropes we secretly (or not so secretly) love: fake dating, enemies to lovers and childhood neighbors turned into something more. The story kicks off when Liz sets her sights on capturing the attention of her childhood crush, Michael. She strikes a deal with her infuriating (but annoyingly cute) neighbor Wes in exchange for a prime parking spot, negotiation at its finest. It’s sweet, funny and effortlessly charming. With Wes’ witty remarks and Liz’s quick comebacks, it’s impossible not to fall for their dynamic and maybe even miss the chaos and drama of high school. It’s a sweet read that hits all the right beats, leaving you smiling long after the last page.
“Betting on You” by Lynn Painter
“Guys and girls can’t be friends.” That’s the notorious claim made by Charlie Sampson, or as Bailey Mitchell likes to call him, Mr. Nothing. Charlie is cynical, Bailey is genuine and their personalities couldn’t be any more different. But when Bailey schemes a plan to sabotage her mom’s relationship, she ropes Charlie into a fake-dating scheme that’s as chaotic as it is entertaining. But what about when you throw in some high-stake bets, clashing egos and a surprising spark? You’ve got a story that captures the funky, whimsical messiness of falling in love when you least expect it.
“Check & Mate” by Ali Hazelwood
Mallory Greenleaf is officially done with chess. Like, burn-the-board-and-walk-away done. After the game tore her family apart four years ago, her priorities remain steadfast on staying afloat. But one reluctant move at a charity tournament changes everything, because Mallory accidentally destroys the world champ, Nolan Sawyer, the so-called “Kingkiller.” Brooding, brilliant and definitely not used to losing. Suddenly, the girl who swore off chess is getting offers she cannot ignore and attention she definitely didn’t ask for. Weirdly, Nolan seems very interested in a rematch…and maybe even something more. Mallory’s back in a world she tried to leave behind. Turns out, the real games might not just be on the board.
“I Hope This Doesn’t Find You” by Ann Liang
Ever write a hate email to your group project partner, listing every single petty complaint ranging from their lack of work ethic to the way they breathe — but then you never send it? Yeah, same. That’s basically Sadie Wen in a nutshell. The archetypal teacher’s pet, with her roles as school captain and valedictorian. But behind that polished smile? A drafts folder full of brutally honest emails she’d never send. And her not-so-secret coping mechanism? Venting about her clueless groupmates, power-tripping teachers and most importantly, her infuriating co-captain, Julius Gong. No one was ever supposed to read them…until someone does. As her carefully curated image crumbles, one person starts to see (and maybe even likes?) the unfiltered version of her: Julius, the boy she was basically born to loathe. Let’s just say it’s the “read” receipt she never expected.
“Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute” by Talia Hibbert
Bradley Graeme is nothing short of flawless: star football player, academic overachiever and managing his obsessive compulsive disorder like a pro. Life is smooth, except in the classes he shares with his ex-best friend, Celine Bangura. Thriving in her own weird little corner of the internet, Celine is all about aliens, conspiracy theories and calling out capitalism. And while her followers love it, the popular kids? Not so much. Especially not Bradley, who ditched her years ago for the cool crowd (or at least, that’s the version Celine is sticking to). Now, they’re academic rivals who trade more barbs than smiles. But then they both end up in the same survival course in the literal woods and their only way out is working together. Between mud, forced teamwork and unresolved history, the tension starts to shift. From bitter to banter, from petty to maybe something else. Something like, “Are you flirting with me?” “You never asked me to stop.” It’s like enemies to lovers, but make it outdoorsy.
“The Seven Year Slip” by Ashley Poston
Falling for your roommate is awkward. Falling for your time-traveling roommate who lives seven years in the past? That’s a whole new level of emotionally inconvenient. Clementine’s life is meticulously planned, because heartbreak taught her that chaos is not cute. She’s got a solid career as an overworked book publicist, a decently predictable future and one metaphorical mission from her late aunt: chase the moon. Everything is mostly going to plan…until she walks into her aunt’s apartment and finds a stranger in the kitchen. He’s sweet, with a southern accent and somehow makes lemon pie even more irresistible. But there’s always a catch right? He’s also very much not from this timeline. Turns out, the apartment Clementine inherited is less of a home and more of a time glitch. A place where the past and present brush shoulders like two strangers at a bookstore. And now Clementine has a choice to either protect her carefully guarded heart or risk it all for a love story that may already be history, one that might be seven years too late.
“First-Time Caller” by B.K. Borrison
Aiden Valentine talks about love for a living…which is kind of awkward, considering he’s completely over it. He doles out dating advice like candy, as the voice behind Baltimore’s beloved romance hotline “Heartstrings,” while secretly wanting to ghost Cupid altogether. But then a precocious kid calls into the show, asking for help setting up her mom and the Internet does what it does best: spirals. Overnight, Aiden is viral, “Heartstrings” is trending and everyone suddenly wants a front-row seat to this would-be love story. Lucie Stone is that mom, successful, independent and content (or so she thought). But now her love life is a public spectacle, courtesy of her pint-sized matchmaker and a radio host with a broody voice and questionable boundaries. Now all of Baltimore’s tuned in to Lucie’s quest for romance. The chemistry? Undeniable. The microphone? On. And the line between scripted happily-ever-after and real feelings is getting fuzzier by the day. She might be on air, but this time, the final call is hers.
So whether you’re into swoony slow burns, sarcastic banter or falling in love somewhere between a chessboard and a time warp, there’s something here to make your heart do a happy little somersault. Spring is short and love is messy, so grab a blanket, claim your hammock and let these stories do what they do best — sweep you right off your feet (no dating app required).
Written by: Iqra Ahmad — arts@theaggie.org
