The best romance books that give the best Mr. Darcy hand-flex vibe

Why am I passionate about this?

I exclusively read and write romance. I have since I was a teenager. If there is no love story with a happy ending, you can definitely count me out. I was first introduced to Pride and Prejudice in 11th-grade English. Maybe the first assigned book I read cover to cover and let me tell you—when Mr. Darcy expressed how ardently he admired and loved Elizabeth, I was a Darcy fangirl for life. I see Darcy everywhere. He's a romantic archetype who loves fiercely but struggles to express himself. He makes mistakes. He’s capable of changing his mind. To date, I’ve published ten romance novels across three pen names, and I have no plans to stop.


I wrote...

The Stage Kiss

By Amelia Jones,

Book cover of The Stage Kiss

What is my book about?

A modern Pride and Prejudice set in the fast-moving world of a touring Broadway Musical. Broadway legend Brennon Thorne is set to play Mr. Darcy for the summer, and understudy Eden Blake is called up to take the lead after the star of Liz & Darcy: The Musical takes a sudden leave of absence. Bad first impressions lead to a contentious working relationship between the two new lead performers. Now, Brennon and Eden must sell their character’s love to audiences with one kiss per night. But it’s just a stage kiss. And they’re both professionals. What could possibly go wrong? 

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Yours Truly

Amelia Jones Why did I love this book?

This is Abby’s best book yet in my opinion.

I laughed out loud and cried real tears. Bad first impressions, secrets, and So. Much. Pining. I loved Brianna and Jacob’s love story fiercely through all its ups and downs. The audiobook is chef’s kiss good. As to Jacob’s hand-flex vibe—it reverberates throughout.

He woos her with letters, y’all! I mean… He goes even further with the Darcy vibe by performing a service (no spoilers) for her family that literally can’t be repaid, and he doesn’t want anyone to know about it. This book was my top read of 2023.

By Abby Jimenez,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Yours Truly as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A novel of terrible first impressions, hilarious second chances, and the joy in finding your perfect match from "a true talent" (Emily Henry, #1 New York Times bestselling author).

Dr. Briana Ortiz’s life is seriously flatlining. Her divorce is just about finalized, her brother’s running out of time to find a kidney donor, and that promotion she wants? Oh, that’s probably going to the new man-doctor who’s already registering eighty-friggin’-seven on Briana’s “pain in my ass” scale. But just when all systems are set to hate, Dr. Jacob Maddox completely flips the game . . . by sending Briana a…


Book cover of The Hating Game

Amelia Jones Why did I love this book?

This book is hilarious. Like uproariously funny. The movie doesn’t even being to capture the on page wit.

The workplace romance piece sets the stage for a contentious rivalry, but little does our heroine know, her nemesis has been pining for her all along. He’s been rooting for her! He nurses her through the flu, and wouldn’t you know it—she’s been crushing on him, too.

The hero’s self-sacrifice for the heroine is all hand flex and tension, leaving the heroine to wonder why she ever hated him in the first place, if she ever even did. A new classic and a must-read.

By Sally Thorne,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked The Hating Game as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Debut author Sally Thorne bursts on the scene with a hilarious and sexy workplace comedy all about that thin, fine line between hate and love. Nemesis (n.) 1) An opponent or rival whom a person cannot best or overcome. 2) A person's undoing 3) Joshua Templeman Lucy Hutton has always been certain that the nice girl can get the corner office. She's charming and accommodating and prides herself on being loved by everyone at Bexley & Gamin. Everyone except for coldly efficient, impeccably attired, physically intimidating Joshua Templeman. And the feeling is mutual. Trapped in a shared office together forty…


Book cover of Love at First

Amelia Jones Why did I love this book?

I adore Kate’s writing. She’s brilliant at it. This romance starts with Will making quick enemies with Nora when he moves into her treasured apartment building with plans to rent out a room as an AirBnB.

The tight-knit building community is up in arms over the stranger (Will) and they expect Nora to solve the problem. Meanwhile, Will has been pining over a girl he saw on a balcony for years—Nora as a child.

When I tell you I melted the first time he called her baby (also a classic sick-bed scene) I am not lying. Will loves Nora with his whole chest and he’ll move heaven and earth to win her hand. Poetry is involved.

By Kate Clayborn,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

“The most delightful cast of characters I've met in ages…a modern romance masterpiece.“ —New York Times bestseller Christina Lauren
 
“Constantly revealing new layers of lyricism…Love at First is poetry, then — sometimes an artful sonnet, other times halting free verse. But it's never anything short of miraculous.” —Entertainment Weekly, Grade A
 
“At the end I was left with that warm, glowing love for humanity that is always what I’m chasing when I read this genre: the sense of togetherness, of hope, of even unsolvable problems feeling less impossible. Because a good romance lets you forgive the people on the page.…


Book cover of Beach Read

Amelia Jones Why did I love this book?

Ah…January and Gus. They are not fans of each other, and they’ll be neighbors all summer.

Little does January know, Gus is still carrying a major torch for her ever since college. Funny, engaging, and achingly romantic, this book is a go-to recommendation for everyone I know who gets a little squirrely about reading a romance.

But I’m telling you—the little touches, the lingering looks delivered by a very tightly wound hand-flexer—our Gus—brought me to my knees with how I swooned. If you’ve never checked out one of Emily Henry’s books, this is the one to start with. 

By Emily Henry,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked Beach Read as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

FROM THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION AND BOOK LOVERS!

A romance writer who no longer believes in love and a literary writer stuck in a rut engage in a summer-long challenge that may just upend everything they believe about happily ever afters.

Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction. January Andrews writes bestselling romance. When she pens a happily ever after, he kills off his entire cast.

They’re polar opposites.

In fact, the only thing they have in common is that for the next three months, they're living in neighboring…


Book cover of Fourth Wing

Amelia Jones Why did I love this book?

A romantasy, you say? Sure! Why not! We’re talking hand flex vibes here and no one brings it like Xaden Riorson.

I love this book so much I’ve read it twice already, and I’ll do it again. It’s meant for adult readers so there are some very sexy times, but what I love so much about this book, once again, is the tension. The pining. The I-will-burn-the-world-for-you and as long as you’re safe you don’t ever need to know it was me behind the scenes loving you.

Also, there are dragons. And challenges. And it’s basically Twilight meets The Hunger Games with open door scenes, so jump on the bandwagon and read this book as soon as possible.

By Rebecca Yarros,

Why should I read it?

10 authors picked Fourth Wing as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

An Instant New York Times Bestseller
A Goodreads Most Anticipated Book

"Suspenseful, sexy, and with incredibly entertaining storytelling, the first in Yarros' Empyrean series will delight fans of romantic, adventure-filled fantasy." --Booklist, starred review

"Fourth Wing will have your heart pounding from beginning to end... A fantasy like you've never read before." #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout

Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders from New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Yarros

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history.…


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A Darling Handyman

By Lark Holiday,

Book cover of A Darling Handyman

Lark Holiday Author Of A Darling Handyman

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Christmas market lover Friend to all croissants

Lark's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

She’s hiding from pain. He’s lost everything but his dog. When fresh air and second chances bring them together, can they rediscover true love?

If you enjoy kind-hearted heroes, small towns, and more humor than heat, you’ll adore this contemporary Alaskan romance! A Darling Handyman is the feel-good first book in the Darling Men series. All books in the series can be read alone and in any order.

A Darling Handyman

By Lark Holiday,


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