The Struggle Is Real // Kelly's List of Love Stories

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The second stop on my love path is *gasp* The Forbidden Romances! I don't know why but as painful as they are to read, I love me a good forbidden romance. The struggle, the temptation, the angst, the STRESS while reading all is horribly awful but oh, so satisfying because the payoff and even a single kiss is so much better. They earn every touch, every glimpse, every kiss. *le sigh*

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor // I have a soul deep love for these books and this world and the first book especially is so beautiful. There are forbidden romances on a few different levels and how it's done is just...poetic. I cannot do it justice, you need to read these! {Review}

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski // Another example of just beautiful writing, The Winner's Curse is gorgeous in its prose and even more gorgeous in the love story. This book discusses and crosses the bridge of racism and slavery and is as intelligent as it is swoony. {Review}

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas // I love this series as a whole but Crown of Midnight might forever be one of the most romantic books I've ever read. Addison has my heart but holy hell, nothing beats the broody Captain of the Guard letting his guard down--see what I did there?--for the beautiful King's Champion and former Adarlan's Assassin. *swoon* {Review}

Love, in English by Karina Halle // One of my more controversial favorites because it deals with infidelity BUT if you know me you know I HATE cheating in books but this...it works for this story. It might not work for you but it oh, so works for me. Vera and Mateo's story is difficult but worth it. {Review}

Crown of Embers by Rae Carson // The second book in the Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy, this book has a major focus on our Queen Elisa and her Captain of the Guard, Hector. This book makes sewers romantic, you guys!!! It is a thing and it is possible! {Review}

The Virgin's Daughter by Laura Andersen // The first book in a spinoff series from The Boleyn King series, this romance focuses on Julien and Lucette, French and English, possible traitor and spy. This relationship is tight with suspicion but at it's core we have first true love and it is AMAZING! One of my favorite books, I've read it just a few times. {Review}

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead // Quite possibly my first forbidden romance, Rose and Dimitri are on another level of sexual tension. Teacher and student--she is of age, don't worry--dance around each other and if you think you're gonna start this book and get a happy ending, well...this is the first of six books but I read them all in a week, so hop to it! You can do it! {Review}

The Secret by Julie Garwood // THIS was my first historical romance ever and it is still one of my favorite romances of all time. British and Scottish unite in this hilarious and sensual battle of wits. Their shared stubbornness is hilarious and I haven't met anyone who doesn't like to read about a huge, sexy Scotsman brought to his knees by a woman. It's amazing. {Review}

The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas // This book has so many amazing elements and genres and gender benders that it is just fantastic. A mix of historical fiction and fantasy, a young man is trying to save his kingdom and to do so he needs the next great elemental mage. He wants to hide her at his 1800s all boys school...but surprise! He is a she and things get complicated--and amazing and hilarious and swoony--from there. {Review}

Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory // A forbidden romance that really happened! A Duchess and a former squire...and that's all I'll say. I will also say that Richard Woodville is my ultimate historical crush and I swoon hard when I read about him. *le sigh* {Review}

Do you have some forbidden romances that you love?
Did you see my favorite Epic Romances?