I’ve read many romance novels over the years because I find the genre so intriguing. While I still haven’t figured out why it captivates me, I’ve discovered several books that are truly worth your time. Just a heads-up—these recommendations are for mature audiences only.

The Jessica Brodie Diaries Series by K.F. Breene

This series includes "Back in the Saddle", "Hanging On", and "A Wild Ride". It follows Jessica’s journey through life, relationships, and self-discovery, with each book picking up right where the previous one left off.

- Back in the Saddle introduces Jessica as she moves to a new town and embarrassingly meets a mysterious man she can’t stop thinking about. The story explores her friendships, personal growth, and challenges that test her confidence.

- Hanging On continues Jessica’s story as she enters a new relationship and faces unexpected dangers. This installment expands on her friendships and brings more drama into her life.

- A Wild Ride concludes Jessica’s journey with emotional depth and a tragedy that will stay with readers. The series is well-written and packed with memorable characters and life lessons that will have you wishing for more.

Books by Kris Bryant

- Home: Sheriff Natalie Strand reconnects with Sarah Eastman, her high school crush, when Sarah returns to town with her daughter after a divorce. As their bond grows, the drama unfolds when Sarah’s daughter gets lost in the woods, intensifying their connection. "Home" is a heartfelt tale of love, family, and rediscovery.

- Temptation: Cassie Miller takes a nanny job working for the successful Brook Wellington. Though she tries to stay professional, her growing feelings for Brook—and her son—lead to challenges. This story combines passion with themes of navigating boundaries and self-discovery.

Both books showcase strong characters and emotional depth, making them a great addition to your reading list.

The Soho Loft Series by Melissa Brayden

This series features "Kiss the Girl", "Just Three Words", and "Ready or Not", centering around three friends and their journeys in love.

- Kiss the Girl: Brooklyn, an advertising executive, balances working with her friends at their agency while navigating a complicated romance with the head of a rival firm.

- Just Three Words: Sam and Hunter, two best friends, develop unexpected feelings for each other while living together. Their journey is filled with miscommunications, heartbreak, and redemption.

- Ready or Not: Mallory, the poised head of the agency, falls for a bartender named Hope. Their story explores vulnerability, love, and overcoming challenges.

Melissa Brayden weaves engaging plots and relatable characters that will leave you eager for more.

Standalone Novels by Melissa Brayden

- Firework: Lucy runs a Fortune 500 company, but when a journalist named Kristin investigates a scandal, sparks fly. Their attraction creates complications that test their relationship.

- Heartblock: Sarah works for her family’s cleaning business and falls for Emory, a wealthy woman. As Sarah’s daughter faces health challenges and Emory struggles with stubbornness, they must overcome obstacles to be together.

- Beautiful Dreamer: Devyn returns to her hometown for a family emergency and unexpectedly falls for Elizabeth, someone from her past. The story explores the push-and-pull between Devyn’s city life and her feelings for Elizabeth.

Each of these standalone novels combines heartfelt emotions with engaging narratives that will keep you hooked.

Conclusion

Here’s a playlist I made inspired by Melissa Brayden’s First Position. 

Let Me Be Your Star - Katharine McPhee and Megan Hilty 

Scene: Ana convinces Bill that she’s ready to be promoted to principal

B.F.G. - Eprom

“...as the music rose and pulsed around her, the techno beat vivid and all encompassing. Once the light hit, Natalie was off. The choreography was slow at first, by design, but the tempo picked up and the projected images behind her were timed to the beat. Robotic lighting followed every move.”

Scene: Opening number for Wheels

I love the beats on this one and can imagine how cool it would be with the projections on the drops. 

Cheap and Cheerful - The Kills 

Scene: Wheels after-party at Mustang Mike’s 

Slow Tendu 3/4 Improvisation - Nina Miller

Scene: The City Ballet dancers take class when Natalie arrives late for the class

Etude No. 2 - Philip Glass

Scene: Auditions for Aftermath

This is how I imagine the music for Aftermath would be. Slow, strong, and full of passion. It picks up in the middle, which could signify the turn of events described in the book. 

What Is This Feeling? - Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel from the musical Wicked 

Scene: Any scene that involved Ana getting annoyed at Natalie and vice versa

Suddenly I See - KT Tunstall

Scene: Ana watches Natalie sleeping on her couch and finds her extremely attractive

Bolero M. 81 - Maurice Revel, performed by Semyon Bychkov and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra 

Scene: Ana and Natalie rehearse the pas de deux, with Ana taking Jason’s place

Sexy classical music for this passion-filled scene that’s basically an entire paragraph of tease.

Weak - Wet

Scene: Ana and Natalie watch TV in Ana’s apartment. Natalie falls asleep and finds Ana asleep on her shoulder. 

Shower - Becky G

Scene: With Natalie’s help, Ana starts opening up to others. 

Can’t Stop Dancing - Becky G

Scene: Natalie convinces Ana to freestyle to help her loosen up. 

Please You - Angus and Julia Stone

Scene: Natalie and Ana’s first kiss

You Don’t Get Me High Anymore - Phantogram

Scene: Natalie and Morgan break up.

Closer - Tegan and Sara

Scene: Natalie and Ana finally get together.

Creep - Radiohead

Scene: Jason asks out Ana, but she rejects him

A song that I think Jason would’ve probably listened to after that eventful lunch with Ana. 

Tenerife Sea - Ed Sheeran

Scene: Ana’s opening night...and that damn gown. 

Wrapped Up - Olly Murs

Scene: Natalie’s opening night, which she killed, according to Ana. 

Rude - MAGIC!

Scene: Natalie meets Klaus Mikhelson, who basically shoots her down. 

Souvenirs - The Province

Scene: After the accident, Ana shuts out everyone. 

It Never Changes - The Province

Scene: Natalie confesses to Ana that she misses her. 

Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield

Scene: Ana finds a new purpose in teaching. 

Let’s Stay Together - Al Green

Scene: Ana confesses to Natalie that she loves her and they agree to stay together. 

Moonlight Sonata (Remastered Dubstep Remix) - Blue Claw Philharmonic

Scene: Epilogue

This is my idea for the music used in Ana and Natalie’s retelling of Romeo and Juliet. It’s classic with a modern twist, something that will probably suit both their styles. 

BONUS: Here’s a video of an actual ballet set to Etude No. 2 by Philip Glass. Choreographed by Benjamin Millepied and performed by New York City Ballet dancers Janie Taylor and Jared Angle, though we can pretend they’re Ana and Jason dancing Aftermath. ;) 

I made a Spotify playlist of songs that remind me of certain scenes from Melissa Brayden’s Waiting in the Wings:

What If? - Idina Menzel, from the musical If/Then

Scene: Jenna watches Adrienne for the first time

“The character, Evan, sang quietly, asking herself how and when her life had taken a turn.” (p. 22)

Clean Slate is a fictional musical (although I wish it really existed), but this is my idea of how Adrienne’s opening number might sound like, minus the other characters singing because it was described in the book as a solo.

Sugar - Robin Schulz feat Francesco Yates

Scene: Jenna’s first meeting with Adrienne, who’s in a towel. 

Adrienne looked so hot that Jenna’s sapphic desires just leaped off the page. 

Hungry Eyes - Eric Carmen

Scene: At the bar, Georgette pulls Jenna to the dance floor when this song comes on. 

Crazy For You - Madonna

Scene: When this song plays, Georgette asks Jenna to dance, but Ben cuts in, so Jenna and Adrienne are left to dance with each other. 

I hear this song until the scene when Adrienne goes in to kiss Jenna. 

Rather Be -  Clean Bandit feat Jess Glynne

Scene: Jenna and Adrienne’s day at the pier.

Marvin Gaye - Charlie Puth feat Meghan Trainor 

Scene: Adrienne and Jenna get it on for the first time. 

Explosions - Ellie Goulding

Scene: The breakup (Adrienne’s perspective)

Like I’m Gonna Lose You - Meghan Trainor feat John Legend

Scene: The breakup (Jenna’s perspective)

The breakup was so abrupt, a large part of it due to Adrienne shutting off Jenna immediately. I dunno, but this song gives me a glimpse of what was probably going through Jenna’s head after Adrienne left. 

Ho Hey - The Lumineers 

Scene: Basically any scene that involved Jenna getting jealous of Kim

Latch - Sam Smith

Scene: Jenna and Adrienne finally confess their true feelings for each other.  

I Love You Always Forever - Betty Who

Scene: Epilogue

BONUS: Life of the Party by Idina Menzel, from the musical The Wild Party

Scene: Jenna’s audition song for Clean Slate  

It wasn’t explicitly mentioned in the book, but the title of Jenna’s audition song is Life of the Party, so I just had a hunch that it must be this song...