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LGBTQ Romances: One Week to Win the Chocolate Maker and Delilah Green Doesn’t Care

28 Jan

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Here are two romances perfect for some Valentine’s Day reading.

One Week to Win the Chocolate Maker
by Timothy Janovsky
One Week to Win the Chocolate Maker is a sweet grownup romance twist on the Willy Wonka story. In this version Charlie is an adult and aspiring tattoo artist though his blue collar family is still poor and desperately in need of cash. His version of a golden ticket comes when he finds an advertisement for a match making contest to win the heart of the scion of a famous Italian chocolatier family, Dario Cotogna. He is one of five contestants (representing a range of genders since Dario is pansexual) who slowly drop off as in the book (and movies) that the story takes its inspiration from. Dario suffers from agoraphobia and his late grandfather set the competition in motion as a way to push him out of his comfort zone and hopefully find a partner. What at first was simply a way for each man to meet their transactional goals becomes much more. It was fun seeing how Janovsky took the material from one of my early childhood favorites and shaped it into something though recognizable was still new and infused with added depth. The story is very much written in Janovsky’s own voice rather than mimicking Dahl’s quirky, but occasionally a bit dark and cynical literary style. Whether you are a fan of the original story or just like a fun romance this should be a treat; you can also check out Janovsky’s other romance novels Never Been Kissed and You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince and New Adult.

Delilah Green Doesn’t Care
by Ashley Herring Blake
Delilah Green Doesn’t Care is a fun romance between Delilah, a former high school misfit and now successful photographer, and Claire, a single mom who was also one of her step sister’s cool clique. The two meet again during the wedding prep for Delilah’s step sister, Astrid’s wedding. Their meeting brings up some old hurts from their high school days, but also sparks of attraction. The story does a nice job of depicting individuals working through complex family and friendship dynamics. Besides the romance between Claire and Delilah there is also a un-romance plot where they and Astrid’s other friends try and break up the wedding which they are sure will doom Astrid to unhappiness due to her truly horrible fiancé. I thought Kristen DiMercurio did a nice job narrating the audiobook that I enjoyed listening to. If you enjoy this story, you can also borrow several other sapphic romances by Ashley Herring Blake including Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail, Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date, and Dream On, Ramona Riley.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager

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For those Who Love Enemies to Lovers: Like in Love with You and A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon

14 Jan

Like in Love with You
by Emma R. Alban
Like in Love with You is a charming Regency Romance set in Bath, England in 1817 about two Queen Bees who start as rivals for the same gentleman and then realize that they are actually falling for each other. The first half of the novel was a page turner waiting to see if the two would ever announce their feelings for each other or continue their battle for a man they don’t have feelings for. Of course even when/if they do there is still the issue of the prejudices of the time period for them to overcome. I liked that Alban is able to depict Catherine and Rosalie’s scheming while keeping the two likeable. This book will have you rooting for the couple. Make sure you have plenty of time before starting this story, you won’t want to put it down. You can also borrow her Victorian romances Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend (about two debutantes who try and setup their widowed parents, but fall in love with each other instead) and You’re the Problem, It’s You (about a Lord and a Second Son who are rivals, but fall for one another).

A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon
by Sarah Hawley
A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon is a cozy contemporary romance/fantasy about a witch, Mariel, who accidentally conjures up a demon, Ozroth and is bound to him until she completes a deal for her soul. When her demanding mother catches them together she lies that he is her boyfriend and shenanigans ensue. What Mariel doesn’t know is that Ozroth has been secretly cursed to have a soul during another bargain. He struggles with atypical feelings for a demon including burgeoning feelings of attraction and possibly even love for her. Besides the romance story additional drama comes from Mariel and her friends attempts to block the building of a spa that threatens the magical forest that surrounds their town. If you enjoyed Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villian Anymore, then you will also want to check out this story. You can also borrow Hawley’s other two novels in her Glimmer Falls Series: Book 2, A Demon’s Guide to Wooing a Witch, about her best friend, Calladia, and Book 3, A Werewolf’s Guide to Seducing a Vampire about her boss, Ben.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager

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