The best romantic comedies with career-driven heroines who make a love connection on the job

Why am I passionate about this?

As an author, I run my own business and have a hand in all aspects of my product, from creation to promotion. My work is my passion, so I love to write (and read!) books about women who have that same dedication to their careers. I enjoy seeing these ladies strive for success and how they handle challenges along the way. And, of course, since RomComs are my genre, those challenges often involve a man because where else is a workaholic going to find her soulmate? The witty banter, sizzling sexual tension, snort-laugh moments, and surprising plot twists on the pages of all these books, including mine, are guaranteed to entertain you.


I wrote...

Straight from the Hart

By Tracie Banister,

Book cover of Straight from the Hart

What is my book about?

Romance concierge Vanessa Hart helps couples keep the spark alive but playing Cupid doesn’t leave this boss lady much time to lock down her own happily ever after. When Vanessa’s ex, celebrity publicist Alex Farr, reappears in her life with an intriguing proposition, she’d like to tell him where to stuff it. Unfortunately, her business is under attack and Vanessa needs the endorsement of Alex’s A-list client to keep it afloat.

All she has to do is save the marriage of Hollywood’s “It Couple” while working side-by-side with the man she once adored. Second chances may be the order of the day, but not for Alex and Vanessa. They’re done. Finished. Kaput. Vanessa just has to keep telling herself that until she believes it.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of By Any Other Name

Tracie Banister Why did I love this book?

This charming, deeply romantic tale about an editor whose big promotion is contingent on her helping a popular author overcome a terrible case of writer’s block reminded me of all the reasons I adore reading and writing love stories.

Working with this author leads Lanie to question her long-cherished beliefs about what she wants (and needs) in a romantic partner. She opens her heart to new ideas and experiences as well as to love, and her journey, both personally and professionally, culminates in such an epically swoon-inducing way that you will be hard-pressed not to shed happy tears (I did!).

Like the book’s heroine, Lauren Kate clearly reveres the written word, and this story is a beautifully composed valentine to all bibliophiles.

By Lauren Kate,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked By Any Other Name as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

From # 1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Kate comes an enemies-to-lovers romance about an editor, her bestselling author, and one life-changing secret.

What she doesn't know about love could fill a book.
 
With a successful career as a romance editor, and an engagement to a man who checks off all ninety-nine boxes on her carefully curated list, Lanie's more than good. She's killing it. Then she’s given the opportunity of a lifetime: to work with world-renowned author and her biggest inspiration in love and life—the Noa Callaway. All Lanie has to do is cure Noa's writer's block and…


Book cover of The Marriage Code

Tracie Banister Why did I love this book?

An office rivalry between software developer Emma and app developer Rishi takes an interesting turn when they’re sent to Bangalore to work on a project together.

Back in his home country, Rishi’s family pressures him to get married to a woman of the right caste/religion. Emma offers to create an algorithm to help Rishi find the perfect wife who might be a lot closer than he thinks!

This book does a wonderful job of delving into the challenges of an American woman dating an Indian man as well as the dynamics and relationships within an Indian family. Brooke Burroughs brings India to vibrant life on the page, and I felt as though I was falling in love with the country (and Rishi!) along with Emma.

By Brooke Burroughs,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Marriage Code as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In Brooke Burroughs's endearing debut novel set in vibrant India, enemies turned allies encounter obstacles in an unexpected multicultural romance only to discover that in the end, love is love.

Emma has always lived her life according to a plan. But after turning down her boyfriend's proposal, everything starts to crumble. In an effort to save the one thing she cares about-her job-she must recruit her colleague, Rishi, to be on her development team...only she may or may not have received the position he was promised. (She did.)

Rishi cannot believe that he got passed over for promotion. To make…


Book cover of Whisked Away

Tracie Banister Why did I love this book?

I can always count on Melanie Summers to make me laugh, and she did that repeatedly with this delightful story about a newly minted chef who gets stuck cooking for an author on a private Caribbean island.

There’s friction between Emma and Pierce from the get-go as he’s on a deadline and doesn’t appreciate her high-end cuisine. When he has a comical accident that renders his typing hand unusable, Emma steps in to help Pierce complete the final installment of his fantasy series (an affectionate spoof of Game of Thrones with expert world-building!).

I thoroughly enjoyed the organic development of Emma and Pierce’s relationship and was on the edge of my seat waiting to see how they’d overcome the obstacles in their path and achieve their happily ever after!

By Melanie Summers,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Whisked Away as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

***All books in the Paradise Bay Series are Stand-alone novels.***

From best-selling author Melanie Summers comes an irresistibly romantic, delightfully funny tale of love, passion, books, and food…

I’m Emma Banks and I have big plans. I just graduated from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, and I’m ready to take my place as head chef at one of my family’s resort restaurants.

But upon arrival at Paradise Bay, I’m immediately shuffled off to the resort’s new private island getaway, where I’ll be stuck catering to the rich and shameless. My first soul-sucking assignment is to serve Pierce Davenport, an…


Book cover of The Ex Talk

Tracie Banister Why did I love this book?

One of my favorite things about this book was its setting in the workplace environment of public radio and how much I learned about what goes on behind the scenes of their call-in shows!

Heroine Shay is a producer who dreams of being a host. She gets her chance when her boss likes her idea about doing a show with two exes who talk about relationships. Too bad the co-host assigned to Shay is her booth-hogging co-worker, Dominic, and they have to pretend like they used to date.

Shay and Dominic’s on-air repartee is so much fun I wished The Ex Talk was a real show I could listen to! The progression of their relationship from enemies to friends to more and how it affects their jobs makes for a real page-turner.

By Rachel Lynn Solomon,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Ex Talk as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

An Instant Indie Bestseller

Public radio co-hosts navigate mixed signals in Rachel Lynn Solomon's sparkling romantic comedy debut.
 
Shay Goldstein has been a producer at her Seattle public radio station for nearly a decade, and she can't imagine working anywhere else. But lately it's been a constant clash between her and her newest colleague, Dominic Yun, who's fresh off a journalism master's program and convinced he knows everything about public radio. 
 
When the struggling station needs a new concept, Shay proposes a show that her boss green-lights with excitement. On The Ex Talk, two exes will deliver relationship advice live,…


Book cover of Shipped

Tracie Banister Why did I love this book?

The author's breezy writing style and snarky sense of humor were a winning combination for me in this book. Shipped revolves around the antagonistic relationship of marketing maven Henley and her remote colleague, Graeme, whom she spars with via e-mails. When the two of them are pitted against each other for a promotion, they come face-to-face for the first time on a cruise to the Galápagos.

I love it when a book transports me to an exotic locale and Shipped serves up glorious descriptions of the islands and the characters’ experiences there. Reading it is like taking a vacation!

Henley and Graeme are a couple worth rooting for, and their romance is a real roller coaster. So, hold on tight and enjoy the ride!

By Angie Hockman,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Shipped as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Named a Best Romance Book of 2021 by Entertainment Weekly * Goodreads * PopSugar * Marie Claire * Real Simple * Insider * Vulture * CNN * Bookreporter * BookBub * and more!​

The Unhoneymooners meets The Hating Game in this witty, clever, and swoonworthy novel following a workaholic marketing manager who is forced to go on a cruise with her arch-nemesis when they’re up for the same promotion.

Between taking night classes for her MBA and her demanding day job at a cruise line, marketing manager Henley Evans barely has time for herself, let alone family, friends, or dating.…


You might also like...

Kanazawa

By David Joiner,

Book cover of Kanazawa

David Joiner Author Of Kanazawa

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

My book recommendations reflect an abiding passion for Japanese literature, which has unquestionably influenced my own writing. My latest literary interest involves Japanese poetry—I’ve recently started a project that combines haiku and prose narration to describe my experiences as a part-time resident in a 1300-year-old Japanese hot spring town that Bashō helped make famous in The Narrow Road to the Deep North. But as a writer, my main focus remains novels. In late 2023 the second in a planned series of novels set in Ishikawa prefecture will be published. I currently live in Kanazawa, but have also been lucky to call Sapporo, Akita, Tokyo, and Fukui home at different times.

David's book list on Japanese settings not named Tokyo or Kyoto

What is my book about?

Emmitt’s plans collapse when his wife, Mirai, suddenly backs out of purchasing their dream home. Disappointed, he’s surprised to discover her subtle pursuit of a life and career in Tokyo.

In his search for a meaningful life in Japan, and after quitting his job, he finds himself helping his mother-in-law translate Kanazawa’s most famous author, Izumi Kyoka, into English. He becomes drawn into the mysterious death of a friend of Mirai’s parents, leading him and his father-in-law to climb the mountain where the man died. There, he learns the somber truth and discovers what the future holds for him and his wife.

Packed with subtle literary allusion and closely observed nuance, Kanazawa reflects the mood of Japanese fiction in a fresh, modern incarnation.

Kanazawa

By David Joiner,

What is this book about?

In Kanazawa, the first literary novel in English to be set in this storied Japanese city, Emmitt's future plans collapse when his wife, Mirai, suddenly backs out of negotiations to purchase their dream home. Disappointed, he's surprised to discover Mirai's subtle pursuit of a life and career in Tokyo, a city he dislikes.

Harmony is further disrupted when Emmitt's search for a more meaningful life in Japan leads him to quit an unsatisfying job at a local university. In the fallout, he finds himself helping his mother-in-law translate Kanazawa's most famous author, Izumi Kyoka, into English.

While continually resisting Mirai's…


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