Why Have One When You Can Have Two? Or Four?

I've got a little bit of a hot topic issue today I wanted to talk about. My previous rant of a discussion book dealt with book shaming and today's topic peripherally deals with this. That topic? Love triangles/ship switching/multiple love interests. Listen. I get it. To an extent. I'm sure there are numerous books out there with love triangles gone wrong or brought about solely for drama and not legitimate character development. I'm not here to talk about those books. What I'm here to talk about is the rabid reaction and proverbial pitchforks that are enacted when *gasp* a character's feelings or circumstances change and she starts to become romantically involved with a man different from the one that was initially introduced. This...is a...bad thing...?

Tale As Old As Time // Kelly's List of Love Stories

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I believe in fairy tales. Call me crazy. You do you. I love fairy tales. I love fairy tale re-tellings and re-imaginings almost as much. Beauty and the Beast--duh--will forever be my favorite love story. If a book is inspired by Beauty and the Beast, chances are I'm going to read it. Looking beyond appearances to the person underneath resonates with me so deeply that when I read a good re-telling, it makes me happy down to the very bottom of my heart. Here are my favorite Beauty and the Beast inspired stories and *cough* one you might already recognize from a different post...

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas // Masked, cursed Fae and a strong-willed, independent human? Hell to the yes! The magic in this story is very BatB inspired and I loooooove the relationship Tamlin and Feyre grow to have. It is slow and then so hot you think you're going to burn your fingers on the pages. Read. This. {Review}

A Lady by Midnight by Tessa Dare // A gruff and broody military man longs for the sweet and smart tavern girl. There's a few secrets in their midst but I loved watching Kate poke the bear that is Thorne and how he reacts. Oh, and the ending is one of the best ever! *swoon!* {Review}

Heart's Blood by Juliet Marlier // One of the more quiet and slow-moving romances, this slow burn is incredible. It is wonderfully romantic how Anluan opens up to Caitrain and the love they share. OH, it's just SO SO good, you guys!! Fainting couch at the ready! {Review}

Son of Shadows by Juliet Marllier // An wild outlaw who plays by his own rules finds himself taking captive the daughter of the Lord of Sevenwaters. Their relationship is somewhat scandalous but how they get together and the struggles they go through are epic. One of the best loves stories ever! {Review}

Making Faces by Amy Harmon // A scarred and wounded young man comes back to his hometown after fighting overseas and he falls for a young woman who has been in love with him before he left. This. Book. Has. Feels. Warning. It is so beautiful and, as the other books do, call into question physical beauty and how it really is in the eye of the beholder and who you are inside is what matters most. *sigh* {Review}

Lover Awakened by JR Ward // Sue me! I'm putting in here again because it's my favorite, favorite, favorite ever! {Review}

Do you have a favorite fairy tale?
What's your favorite re-telling to read?
Don't forget to see what my favorite Epic Romances are, which forbidden romances make my heart beat faster in The Struggle Is Real, and which books put the hot in hotachacha in Sexy Times for the Win!

Don't forget...whether you're single or alone Valentine's Day is about celebrating love.
And love is beautiful in all forms. Especially self-love 

Sexy Times For The Win // Kelly's List of Love Stories

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This may or may not be the post you've been waiting for from me. True to form, this post is about the sexy times. While there is still romance and tender moments, these are my favorite contemporary romances and what a lot of these books have in common is their ability to make you sweat...and fan yourself...and if look around if you're reading in public. Don't be fooled by their sex appeal though, if I'm recommending these books it also means they have a lot of emotional meat in them as well. I need more in my romances than just sexy time, I need heart as well. These have both. 

Changing His Game & Playing For Her Heart by Megan Ericsson // Megan Erickson is not only one of my newest friends but an AMAZING author as well. Her romance novels strike me on such a deep level EVERY time I read one of them. There is always something I connect with and her Gamers series is no exception. First of all, hot nerds. YES, I said that right. Super nerdy, intelligent, slightly socially awkward in the most endearing way, nerds. Male and female. It is AMAZING! Cosplay sex, you guys. COSPLAY SEX! *hearts in eyes* *drool on floor* {Changing HIs Game Review and Playing For Her Heart Review}

Rule by Jay Crownover // The first book in the Marked Men series brings us Rule and Shaw who are my favorite OG couple. Their hate to love long standing relationship is ripe with banter and sexual tension. I don't even need to go into detail about their tattoos and pierced appendages...you get my drift *smirk face* {Review}

Dark Lover by JR Ward // Another OG couple, the Black Dagger Brotherhood series is family to me. Zsadist and Bella may be my favorite but Beth and Wrath hold a special place in my heart. Their devotion to one another and their hotter than hot sexual chemistry is amazing. The entire BDB series is one I recommend for romance lovers everywhere.  {Review}

The Deal & The Mistake & The Score by Elle Kennedy // The Off-Campus series has quickly and immediately become one of my favorite series EVER! The dialogue and chemistry that Elle Kennedy gives us with each couples is so amazing. I can't even describe how good these books are. The Deal is about Garrett and Hannah who start off as unwilling allies as he needs a tutor and she needs help getting the attention of another guy and you can imagine the hilarity that ensues from there. The Mistake is an amazing story about Logan and Grace who get off to a ridiculously adorable and romantic as fuck start only to have things derailed. Watching Logan get his way back into her good graces--see what I did there?--is so funny and heartfelt I read it in one sitting. Well, okay I read all of these in one sitting, whatever. The Score is the newest and might be overall my favorite but it's kinda like picking favorite children because I love them all. Dean and Allie are on another level of hot. They are sexually adventurous and I love how openly they talked about sex and what they wanted. It is brilliant. This series is a MUST read if you love sexy and swoony stories. OH and hot hockey platers. It's a win for everyone involved, really. {The Deal Review & The Mistake Review & The Score Review}

Midnight Action by Elle Kennedy // One author. Two words. Elle Kennedy. Hate sex. Hate sex in ABUNDANCE! This is the fifth book of her romantic suspense series and the slow burn between Jim and Noelle is on.another.level. Really, the entire series is phenomenal, this is just a particular favorite. First book is Midnight Rescue because you HAVE to check out this series. Female assassins meet male mercenaries. Huzzah! 

Sustained by Emma Chase // The hilarity of this novel knows no bounds. Jake's POV is selfish but hilarious as he tries to wade thought the McQuaid Monsters after Chelsea assumes guardianship of her six nieces and nephews. This book is hilarious and heartfelt and I love this entire series but Sustained holds a special place in my heart. {Review}

Make It Count by Megan Ericsson //  This book, you guys. THIS BOOK has the SEXIEST dance scene and acute sexual tension I have read in a long time. I could feel the sexual chemistry between Alec and Kat. So much so that I had to message Megan while reading fangirl'ing the shit out of that scene. It is just so funny, so witty, so banter-y, and so, so SEXY.  

Beyond Shame & Beyond Control by Kit Rocha // These books are not for the faint of heart. They are dystopian erotica and are dirty as all hell. So they are some of my favorites. The first two books of the series are my favorite. Noelle enters Sector 4 in Beyond Shame as an exile from the posh Eden and this world of sex and debauchery is brand new to her. How to adapts and opens her mind to sexual freedom is fan-fucking-tastic. Beyond Control focuses on the King and Queen of Sector 4, Dallas and Lex. My FAVORITES! They are so hot and cold that the hate and love they share leaps off the page! If you can handle the sexy, you need to read these. {Beyond Shame Review & Beyond Control Review}

The Professional by Kresley Cole // Hot Russian mafiyoso meets hot unknown daughter of the head of the mafiyoso. There is hot as fuck BDSM lifestyle involvement not to mention a sauna scene that I still think about today. Hotachacha. {Review}

Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren // One of my first sexy reads, this is an OG favorite. The snark, banter, and continuous hate sex that Chloe and Bennett is on another level. {Review}

Reasonable Doubt by Whitney G // This book is as hilarious as it is hot. In a twist of misdirection identity, the hero and heroine start off to a rocky start. Aubrey takes zero shit from the cocky son of a bitch that is Andrew and it is a wild and hilarious ride the whole way through. 

Asking For It by Lilah Pace // One of my absolute FAVORITE books of last year, this book will not be for everyone. It deals with rape fantasy and is so well done. More than that, it is one of the hottest books I have ever read. Have a cold shower or a glass of ice water to douse yourself with...you're gonna need it. {Review}

Claimed by Elle Kennedy // As we continue on our hot journey, Claimed was a surprise read of last year that blew me away. Adult dystopian erotica, the free love and open sexuality these characters love to flaunt is something I am all about. This first book is filthy as all hell in the best ways. I can see this being a favorite series of mine and Elle Kennedy can do no wrong. {Review}

Racing the Sun by Karina Halle // Few authors can combine love and travel as well as Karina Halle. She is the master. Amber runs out of money on her world tour and ends up in Capri as a nanny to a hermit man who is the sole guardian to his two younger siblings. The tension is tight but the payoff is worth ever second of it. And who doesn't wanna daydream about falling in love in Italy? {Review}

Stir Me Up by Sabrina Elkins // A fantastic mix of feelings, personal discovery, and the sexiest of times. A wounded Marine comes home down a leg and down in the dumps. His new stepsister is having none of his shitty attitude and from there sparks fly. It's a great combination of sweet and sexy. {Review}

Unraveled by Jen Frederick // If you love dirty talk, this book needs to be on your radar. A Marine on leave and an Army widow make for a very compelling read. Emotional and sexy, this book is hot as hell but there is a lot of personal healing involved, too. {Review}

That's all she wrote!

What books are you excited to swoon over?

In case you missed...my choices for infamous Epic Romances & my favorite forbidden romances in The Struggle Is Real!

Happy Valentine's Day, lovers!

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?

Epic Love // Kelly's List of Love Stories

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In case you're looking to start reading a book immediately, I'm starting with the big guns, The Epic Romances. These are the stories that stayed with me long after I turned the final page. The stories I come back to time and again to relive the magic. While I sincerely love all the books and stories I'm going to talk about this week, these stories just have a little extra something that makes my heart beat a little faster. Without further ado...

The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons // This might be the most epic of epic love stories. Chance meeting, sacrifice, war, horrific circumstances keeping them apart, and true love. True, pure, deep love. *le sigh* {Review}

Lover Awakened by JR Ward // This book is my lifeblood. Zsadist will forever be my number one book boyfriend of all time. Nobody will ever dethrone him. He is my hellren. His love story with Bella is EVERYTHING to me. {Review}

The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay // Hands down one of the best endings of a book I have ever read. This book has angst in the best way and is a beautiful story about two somewhat broken people finding each other. {Review}

Nash by Jay Crownover // If ever there was a character who is me in book form, Saint is it. We have some contrasting personality qualities but overall, she is me, I am she and Nash is somebody I would love to meet in real life. Their love story is full of redemption and self-acceptance and I love it. {Review}

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare // Will Herondale is the OG of book boyfriends and he and Tessa re OG lifeblood. Their banter, their connection, it is everything right in romantic tension. {Review}

Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas // Don't let the title fool you, this book has one of my favorite hero and heroines of all time. My love for Liberty as a heroine knows no bounds so we have a little platonic love fest going on here, too. {Review}

The Mistress by Tiffany Reisz // These books are my family. Soren and Nora are one of my ultimate ULTIMATE couples. The beauty of The Mistress is on another level that I cannot even begin to talk about because I will start sobbing and need to be in the fetal position. Feels. Are. Real. Note: this is the fourth book in the series but it is THE book destroys me. {Review}

The Boleyn Reckoning by Dawn Ius // This is the third book in the Boleyn King series BUT it is by far the most emotional for me. It is EPIC in all its definition of selfless love, sacrifice, EVERYTHING! I cannot even talk about this book without wanting to cry it's so heartbreaking and emotional. Love every heart-wrenching second of it {Review}

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E Pearson // I can give away hardly any information about this book because of how amazingly unique it is written but this is one of my favorite romances ever! It is so crazy unique and unlike any book I have ever read but I can't even tell you why it's epic to me...read the book and you'll know. {Review}

Anne & Henry by Dawn Ius // The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn by Robin Maxwell // Tarnish by Katherine Longshore

Listen. Not every epic love story will have a happy ending. It can still be epic, regardless. I feel this way about Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. As much as I despise that bastard for what he unjustly did to her, their romance was one for the history books. Henry changed his entire country's religion and breaking with the Catholic church in order to be with her. I mean, C'MON that's pretty fucking crazy...and swoony...that bastard. OK, anyways. I chose a few books that represent their love story. Anne & Henry is a modern day interpretation and it is FANTASTIC. The parallels are spot on and the representation Anne is beautiful. The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn best highlights the real Anne and Henry as it's her thoughts and feelings as the courtship and betrayal happens. Lastly, Tarnish is the love story for Anne that could have been. The friendship her and Wyatt share is seriously ALL the hearts in eyes, it is beautiful and charming and so pure, which sounds weird but compared to what happens to her later there's something in the innocence of it that makes it beautiful. 

{Anne & Henry Review // The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn Review // Tarnish Review}

Any of these book sound epic to you?

What are some of YOUR epic love stories?