The best books for a bad day - guaranteed laughs, swoony heroes, and sweet happy-ever-afters

Sara Jane Woodley Author Of The Next Worst Thing: A Sweet, Small Town Romantic Comedy
By Sara Jane Woodley

Who am I?

I started writing sweet romance during the COVID pandemic. At the time, it was the perfect antidote to all of the heaviness, grief, and sadness that everyone was experiencing around the world. When I began publishing my stories, and eventually moved into the sweet romcom genre, I was beyond happy to learn that my books were bringing smiles to peoples’ faces during these challenging times. I’ve always loved romcom movies, and discovering romcom books–not to mention beginning to write these stories myself–opened an entirely new world of possibilities. I pretty much only read romcoms now, and I hope you enjoy the books I’ve recommended here as much as I have!


I wrote...

The Next Worst Thing: A Sweet, Small Town Romantic Comedy

By Sara Jane Woodley,

Book cover of The Next Worst Thing: A Sweet, Small Town Romantic Comedy

What is my book about?

I didn’t ask to organize this wedding. And I certainly didn’t ask for the world’s worst best man as an assistant. But my brother is marrying the love of his life, and I’ll stop at nothing to give him a perfect wedding day. Which means playing nice with James Weston. My brother’s best friend and I have been feuding for as long as I can remember. But is it possible that James isn’t the monster I’ve always thought him to be? And why does he keep showing up to save me right when I need it? 

Falling for James is not on my carefully color-coordinated agenda. Too bad nothing seems to go according to plan when James Weston is around…

Shepherd is reader supported.
We may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through links on our website. This is how we fund the project for readers and authors. Please join our membership program to support our endeavor.

The books I picked & why

Book cover of So That Happened: A Romantic Comedy

Why this book?

This book sucked me in from the start, as do all of Katie Bailey’s books.

Liam and Annie are such an opposites attract couple, with the perfect amount of grumpy/sunshine chemistry… not to mention the exciting boss/employee trope. This story actually inspired the second book in my own romcom series, which ended up featuring the grumpy/sunshine trope.

Katie does an amazing job weaving heavier subjects with humor, and it put such a positive spin on my day whenever I picked it up. I love reading low spice romcom or chick lit stories with a heart, and this checked all those boxes for me!

So That Happened: A Romantic Comedy

By Katie Bailey,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked So That Happened as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

I spent the night with a hot, grumpy stranger in an airport hotel.

No, not like that. Get your mind out of the gutter. It was just sleeping. And… maybe a little cuddling.

Long story short, I embarrassed the heck out of myself. But at least I never have to see him again.

Except the universe is clearly out to get me, because Monday morning, I arrive at my new job and who’s the first person I see?

Hot stranger himself: Liam Donovan.

AKA my new boss.

AKA Annie, you are so freaking screwed.

While the HR rulebook doesn’t explicitly…


My Own Best Enemy

By Julie Christianson,

Book cover of My Own Best Enemy

Why this book?

Where to start with this one. This is one of the first romcoms I read, and is one of the reasons I decided to move into writing romcoms.

The Apple Valley love stories are all such a joy to read, but I am a sucker for Emy and Nash’s story. To be fair, I do love a good enemies-to-lovers romance, and this one totally delivered.

From the super relatable female character, to the funny mishaps with her “nemesis” that had me laughing out loud, to the sweet ending, this light-hearted read is sure to put a smile on your face. I also loved how the wedding between Emy and Nash’s friends kind of drove the story, and this actually inspired the wedding in the first book in my series.

My Own Best Enemy

By Julie Christianson,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked My Own Best Enemy as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.


Compared

By Kortney Keisel,

Book cover of Compared

Why this book?

I’m always excited when a new Kortney Keisel book comes out.

Compared is the first in her closed-door romcom series, and it’s a brilliant debut. This book follows Meg and Tyler in a single dad, teacher/parent romance that is completely swoon-worthy and hilarious.

Kortney does a fantastic job dealing with some harder subjects while keeping the material light-hearted and fun. I always turn back to this book if I want to read something deep and meaningful, but woven with funny scenes and banter.

I also love this book for the close connection between Meg’s siblings and dad. They’re exactly what a family should be.

Compared

By Kortney Keisel,

Why should I read it?

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


Maid of Dishonor

By Gracie Ruth Mitchell,

Book cover of Maid of Dishonor

Why this book?

I adore a good best friends to lovers story, and this one totally delivered.

Samantha and Carter’s sweet love story drew me in from the start, and I saw so much of myself in the female character, especially. Not to mention I literally laughed out loud more than a few times.

The quirky side characters, the sweet-but-sizzling chemistry and tension, and the deeper, more loaded moments gives this story so much complexity while still keeping things light. The perfect escape I would recommend to anyone!

Maid of Dishonor

By Gracie Ruth Mitchell,

Why should I read it?

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


Eloise and the Grump Next Door

By Emma St Clair, Jenny Proctor,

Book cover of Eloise and the Grump Next Door

Why this book?

I love both of these authors so much, and so I was thrilled when I discovered that they’re co-writing a romcom series together.

This was such a fun, light-hearted read with a grumpy/sunshine twist that was full of laughs and tension. The small-town island setting is also so perfect for the story; I only wish I could visit!

I’ve always loved small-town love stories for the hilarious side characters, the meaningful sense of community, and the whole “everyone knows everything about everyone” that can be such a drive to the story. 

Eloise and the Grump Next Door

By Emma St Clair, Jenny Proctor,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Eloise and the Grump Next Door as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in coming out, Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland?

8,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about coming out, Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland.

Coming Out Explore 31 books about coming out
Ireland Explore 192 books about Ireland
The Republic Of Ireland Explore 26 books about the Republic of Ireland

And, 3 books we think you will enjoy!

We think you will like The Gay Teen's Guide to Defeating a Siren, Book 1, I Am Purpose, and Gender Queer if you like this list.