Peanut butter and jelly, Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell, wine and… well, anything. I love a perfect pair, and there’s not a whole lot I adore more than books and music. I love when my two passions can merge together, so I’ve created a book scavenger hunt. This week I’m celebrating one of my favorite artists, Beyoncé. I love what she stands for, her empowering messages and her overall badassness (yes, I totally made up that word). So, in honor of Queen B — and the surprise album her and hubby Jaz Z just dropped, Everything is Love, I’ve decided to take some of my favorite songs (you can listen in the playlist below) and find books from my bookshelf that can relate to them.
1. “Crazy in Love” = Pick a book that you will gush to anyone about to anyone who listens
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
I recently read Love and Other Words. This is their first time writing women’s fiction, and I am IN LOVE. The hero, Elliot, was kind, caring, and so understanding. This is told in a “then” and “now” timeline, which really helps to understand the intimacy between the two characters.
2. “Apes**t (The Carters)” = Pick a book that has a killer concept that you went crazy for
A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole
When I first heard this book was about an African prince emailing a sassy American scientist to tell her she’s his long-lost betrothed, I knew I had to pick this one up. We all get those spam emails, so it’s brilliant that the love of your life could be a click away! In true Alyssa Cole fashion, this book was a delicious read that I quickly devoured.
3. “Daddy Lessons” = Pick a book in which a single dad who goes above and beyond for his kid
Reckless Hearts by Heather Van Fleet
A hot capable marine who has a soft spot for his daughter? There’s a great bromance as well and the Three Men and a Baby aspect really made my heart swell.
4. “Fighting Temptation” = Pick a forbidden romance
Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins
Beverly Jenkins is a romance legend. All her books are gorgeously written and unputdownable. Jenkins skillfully navigates the racial and societal tensions of forbidden love in this late 1800s romance. Rhine was A++ in the swoon department!
5. “Flawless” = Pick a hero too perfect for this world (flaws and all)
The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
Daniel is a hero that will always hold a special place in my heart. He embraces his Korean heritage (all the food descriptions made me SO hungry while reading the book) and is the kind of guy who would risk his life to save a total stranger from getting run over in a crosswalk—which is how he meets Natasha in TSIAAS. Even though Daniel struggles with balancing his desires with his family’s expectations, he is one of the rare gems who embraces love at first sight and beautiful poetry.
6. “Irreplaceable” = Pick a signed book that you’d be devastated if lost
Loving You Easy by Roni Loren
For anyone who follows my social media, they know I am a Roni Loren fanatic. This book holds a special place in my heart with a kickass IT specialist heroine and two of the sexiest heroes out there. Loving You Easy was a classic Loren book full of wit, angst, and sexy times that require a fan.
7. “Jealous” = Pick an ARC you’re dying to get your hands on!
Good Luck Charm by Helena Hunting
I’m all about the second-chance romances. Add in a hockey player, a sassy heroine, and a small town and I’m ready to read when this baby hits my Kindle in August!
8. “Me Myself and I” = Pick a book that focuses on the main character exploring themselves/ their heritage
Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton
This lush, gorgeous women’s fiction novel is a dual timeline between Marisol and her grandmother, Elisa. Cleeton does an amazing job exploring Cuban heritage and the political climate of current day and 1950’s Cuba. The epic love story will have you grabbing for tissues and hugging your Kindle.
9.”Freedom” = Pick a book where outside forces keep the couple apart
A Gentleman’s Position by K.J. Charles
This book had me breathless. A lord who pines after his valet who would literally do anything to get him out of trouble? I knew from the first time David helped Lord Richard undress that this would be a scintillating read. It’s full of angst and swoons. To see these two fight for their happily ever after amid societal expectations was truly a treat.
10. “Single Ladies” = Pick a heroine so awesome that the hero needs to put a ring on it
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
Gah. What do I even say about this book? Laini Taylor did a phenomenal job creating a heroine that is both kickass and complex. Karou might be other-worldly, but she is a woman that we can all relate to with a hero she’s torn between wanting to destroy and love forever.
11. “Suga Mama” = Pick a heroine making the big bucks
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
How many times have we seen billionaire heroes? It was a breath of fresh air to read Hoang’s heroine, Stella, who was the sugar mama in the relationship. She is a kickass woman with Asperger’s who works in the STEM field. She drives a Tesla, has all her clothes custom-made, and basically I want to be her when I grow up.
