First Date x Indie Bookshop Week: Beth O'Leary

Independent Bookshop Week has arrived and this year it finds us gearing up for Scotland's inaugural festival for romance writing: First Date  takes place at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on June 25th.

If you're not in Edinburgh for it, fear not. The panels will not only be livestreamed, but we've also invited some of our favourite authors of romance fiction from further afield to take part in the celebrations virtually by recommending their favourite romance reads!

Today, we're joined by Beth O'Leary, recommending five must-read romance novels.

Beth O’Leary is a Sunday Times bestselling author whose books have been translated into more than 30 languages. She wrote her debut novel, The Flatshare, on her train journey to and from her job at a children’s publisher. She now lives in the Hampshire countryside and writes full time.

These are Beth's recommendations!

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

Sexy and sensitive in equal measure, this is one of my all-time favourite romance novels.

The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren

A heart-stealer of a novel from this incredible writing duo. They never let me down.

The Undomestic Godess by Sophie Kinsella

A classic noughties rom-com by one of the reigning queens of the genre.

Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore

Smart, feminist, sexy historical romance. I am obsessed with the League of Extraordinary Women series.

Wild Things by Laura Kay

This gorgeous, heart-warming queer romance immediately secured a spot as one of my top reads of 2023.

Follow #FirstDateFestival on our social media and keep an eye out for more recommended romance reads through Independent Bookshop Week. Info about First Date Festival can be found HERE.

Author photo credit: Holly Bobbins