2 Romantic Novels For Those Looking for Love

by MK French

Are you looking for love in the pages of a book? If you want a fun love story, then go with the first book - it's a ridiculously fun romantic comedy. If you want more danger and adventure, check out the romantic fantasy.

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Here For A Good Time by Pyae Moe Thet War

August 2025; St. Martin's Griffin; 978-1250330550
audio, ebook, print (320 pages); romantic comedy

Poe Myat Sabei reached the dream any author wants: her first novel sold at auction, became an international number one bestseller, and is being turned into a Netflix film. With the deadline for her second book approaching, she has massive writer’s block. She's hoping a two-week getaway to an exclusive island resort with her best friend Zwe will be inspiring. The vacation quickly turns south when angry and armed masked women take over the resort. Poe and Zwe manage to escape, and now are trying to escape the island. They now face the same conflicts that appear in novels or movies whenever trapped on a remote island with their (hot) best friend.

Poe is anxious about her novel, the follow-up to a successful debut. She wants to make the trip to get inspiration and give her best friend and roommate something nice for dealing with her anxiety and absence while dealing with publishing issues. The gorgeous island resort is all fun and games at first, so we see the pair go from tense to relaxed. Then comes the takeover, and our fun and games. Each of the characters falls back on their strengths, which for Poe is writing and plotting. Something is off about the entire situation, and she's determined to figure it out. When she does, it devolves quickly, and the risk to all of them gets worse. It's ultimately a romance novel, with a happily ever after that rapidly follows the threat posed. The tone at the end is different from the beginning, but overall, it's a ridiculous and fun novel. 

Buy Here For A Good Time at Amazon

House of Dusk by Deva Fagan

August 2025; DAW; 978-0756420109
audio, ebook, print (448 pages); romantic fantasy

Former war hero Sephre took holy vows to atone for her actions ten years ago, but must draw on her deadly past when the dead begin to rise. Yeneris trained as a spy after being orphaned in the war Sephre helped win. She is working as a bodyguard to Sinoe, a princess whose tears unleash prophecy, while searching for the stolen bones of a saint. She must balance her feelings for Sinoe with her duty to her people. The world is in danger as the real enemy makes their bid for power. Sephre must decide if she will renounce her vows to take on new power, and Yeneris must find a way to save both her mission and her heart.

The story grabbed me from the start. The House of Dusk is an order of those able to manipulate fire, a gift from the Phoenix hundreds of years before to fight the Serpent, or God of Death, and the undead servants that would rise up to kill the living. Both women are introduced in their normal, just before it's obvious that the dead are starting to rise again, and gradually we learn about the different versions of stories that different nations have about the war that sought to take holy bones from one country to another. Yeneris and Seffre have their individual goals, but believe in a good larger than themselves as well. Even Sinoe could have been a silly, spoiled princess, but there's surprising depth and caring for the ordinary people around her. From the different halves of their story, we see the driving forces in this world. 

The threat to the world isn't an immediately obvious one, but the characters gradually learn bits and pieces that the reader is able to put together. The myths of the world matter, and the fragments of them have distorted over time, a neat touch that shows the history and passage of time. Characters either believe in the lies baked into this history or work to fight it, and it was realistic and believable. In a world where reincarnation is expected and taken for granted, handling the risks of destroying that reality has intense consequences. I stayed up way later than I should have to finish the book because I had to know how it ended, and it was absolutely worth it.

Buy House of Dusk at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

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