Kait Mae

I’m no stranger to watching romantic comedies on my off days, just as pick-me-ups. I just love how they’re a fresh breath of air among the science fiction and action movies we’ve been getting nonstop every month. So, here are some romances I think would be great romantic comedies or romance movies that you could watch when you need a good cry or laugh.

‘Braiding Roses’ by Elise Stoltenbreck

I had this book for over a year before I finally decided to pick it up – and I regret not picking it up sooner. The characters were so well thought out, and I loved so many of the side characters. We always see small-town romances, but I haven’t seen small-town doctor romances.

It’s also Australian, and I’m a sucker for Australian shows and movies. If this was adapted, I would probably watch it more often than any other comfort movie. The only downside is we’d have to deal with Kevin several times – but Gareth’s scenes make up for it.

‘Lease on Love’ by Falon Ballard

I didn’t know what to expect when I picked up this book without reading the summary. But I fell in love with every character so easily. They were hilarious at just the right times, supportive of their friends when they needed to be, and all-around amazing.

We don’t see a lot of florist love stories on screen, and that needs to change. What’s more beautiful than the couple in the movie finally kissing, surrounded by a bunch of flowers? A lot of things – but my point still stands.

‘Count Your Lucky Stars’ by Alexandria Bellefleur

I never thought combining one of my “meh” tropes and one of my favorite tropes would result in a book I loved, but Alexandria did it. Count Your Lucky Stars is a second-chance romance meets friends-to-lovers story that I – and so many others – love.

This could do well as a romance movie that could become a comfort film to so many – including myself. The characters are great – some more so than others – and the story just touched my heart, which keeps me thinking about this book.

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‘The Ex Hex’ by Erin Sterling

I haven’t read this book yet, so please take this with a grain of salt. Every time someone brings up this book to me, they’re raving about it. And when I pick up this book, I know I’ll love it because I love this specific author’s writing.

Anyway, I think this could work well, based on what I know, as a Practical Magic-style movie. We need more witchy romances that have their light moments because every time I see witches nowadays, it’s dark, dark, dark – and I want light, light, light!

‘The Love Con’ by Seressia Glass

Cosplay, gaming, and fake dating? Count me in. I can’t wait to get my hands on this book because just hearing about it from three people so far has me itching to break my book-buying-ban.

This book is about friends who compete in a couples’ cosplay competition – but they’re just friends. Or are they? I really, really, really want to see the will they, won’t they on screen while cosplayers run around in the background.

‘If the Shoe Fits’ by Julie Murphy

Cinderella retelling! Sorry, I got a little excited – but yeah, If the Shoe Fits is a loose Cinderella retelling that captured my heart. The entire premise had me hooked – and the characters had me turning page after page until I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

In this book, Cindy’s life doesn’t go the way she ever expected – but it’s going better than she could have thought. But being in the spotlight isn’t as easy as it seems onscreen. Seeing this retelling might finally get us better Cinderella Story movies one day.

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‘Get a Life, Chloe Brown’ by Talia Hibbert

When Chloe decided to change her life, I don’t think she meant to fall in love with the person teaching her to be who she wanted to be. Chloe and Red’s relationship was so fun to read, and it’s already captured so many hearts.

If this was made into a romcom, then Chloe’s sisters might even get their own movies. I’d love to see Eve’s Bed and Breakfast romance, as well as Danika’s fake dating romcom, come to screens – and it’s about time since so many have loved the books.

‘The Love Match’ by Priyanka Taslim

We’re seeing more and more POC romance leads in both books and movies, but it’s still not enough. It’s even less for the young adult audience.

So, that’s where The Love Match comes in because the protagonist is a Bengali teenager living in New Jersey who just wants to be with the guy who gets her. But her family has other ideas – setting her up with a match – too bad, neither teen wants the match.

‘Boyfriend Material’ by Alexis Hall

As far as I can tell, everyone has loved the Red, White & Royal Blue adaptation, so let’s keep it going! Boyfriend Material follows a fake relationship between Luc (who wants to fix his reputation) and Oliver (who might just be the perfect person to fix it).

And what makes it even better? There is already a sequel following their relationship with a third book on the way. I love these characters, and I’d love to see them brought to life onscreen one day.

‘The Accidental Pinup’ by Danielle Jackson

Rivals to lovers, professional photographers, and body-positive lingerie lines? Sign me up. Cassie is usually behind the camera, but when plans go awry, she finds herself in front of the camera with her rival behind it. It’s such a fun read that many will find themselves loving.

There’s also a second novel, Accidentally in Love, that has a grumpy female protagonist who just so happens to be putting together a Photobus for a festival. And despite trying to avoid her love interest, the upcoming festival has other plans. I can’t wait to read this!

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‘Emergency Contact’ by Mary H.K. Choi

I’ll be honest – I was drawn to this because of the beautifully designed cover. But the story is just as beautiful.

Penny and Sam’s love story is one that many college students and teenagers can relate to. It’s a modern love story that sees relationships form through technology and texts. I’ve had a few friendships form in similar ways, so I’d love to see this story onscreen.

‘The Ex Talk’ by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Despite never having dated, Shay and Dominic host a show as “exes” since they obviously can’t stand each other. But as the show grows its audience, they get closer, and that hate turns to love.

If you loved The Hating Game, you might like this book because the two protagonists had a similar working relationship to Lucy and Josh. As is their journey from hate to love. We don’t see enough radio host love stories onscreen, so this would be amazing to see adapted.

‘Anne of Manhattan’ by Brina Starler

This Anne of Green Gables retelling set in modern-day New York captured my heart immediately. I’m still swooning over Gilbert Blythe – when will I not? Every character was modernized but kept their original personalities pretty well.

After the cancellation of Anne with an E several years ago, fans are still yearning for more from the cast and crew of the show. This could not only capitalize on those fans’ love of the characters but also bring the love story of Anne and Gilbert to a new audience who wasn’t interested in the books before.

‘Blackout’ Anthology by Several Authors

Call me a romantic, but Valentine’s Day is a movie I loved for several years. And when I find movies or books with the same plot format – everyone story is somehow linked together without realizing it – I eat them up.

So, imagine my happiness when I found Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon. There are six stories where all characters end up at the same block party during a New York City blackout. It was so cute and fun to read, and I’d love for this to become a movie.