As someone who has never fallen in love, I have always found solace within the comforting pages of a book. Love seems like a strange feeling, something that only movies and books can capture, something that the audience and readers can never get enough of. Over the years, books have changed my idea about love. They have made me fall for the idea of it, and believe in it. At the same time, they have also skyrocketed my expectations, as I shall always try to find a glimpse of the romances I read about, waiting for a meet-cute to happen. Here are some of my favourite romances which are worth a re-read.

The Fault In Our Stars (Dutton Books, 2012)
John Green

No matter how cheesy it sounds, TFIOS is a book very close to my heart. Augustus and Hazel are both brilliant as characters, with their own flaws and flairs. I loved the way they attempt to complete a story that is expected to remain incomplete, the way they fight against their challenges and stay in love. The book talks about a very sensitive topic without dehumanising it. The story is not perfect, much like the love stories we see around us. For me, TFIOS shall always be a story about Augustus, his hundred attempts of making Hazel live, and the grief of incomplete love.   

When Dimple Met Rishi (Simon Pulse, 2017)
Sandhya Menon

While Augustus from The Fault In Our Stars made me fall in love, Rishi from When Dimple Met Rishi made me believe in it. The book being the Netflix TV show, Mismatched, for me, this book was as rare as first love and I could feel the warmth while reading it. At times it felt magical to experience what the protagonists are going through. With all the coffee splashes and non-dates, this redefined the conventional classic love story for me. Whether it was his innocence or his indispensable charms, Rishi single-handedly makes the story better. And just like that, a silly boy in love, makes you want to fall in love. 

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‘Mismatched’: Stories of youth and love

Five Feet Apart (Simon and Schuster, 2018)
Rachael Lippincott, Mikki Daughtry, Tobias Iaconis

There is something oddly fascinating about reading romance stories that are never meant to be. When I first read Five Feet Apart, it felt like a warm hug in the form of a book. It portrays how pure and pristine first love could be, and how the emotion matters more than physical touch. Having read this book more times than any average reader, I can attest to how beautiful their story is, and how the dual narratives add a personal touch to the plot. 

Words in Deep Blue (Knopf, 2016)
Cath Crowley

This book is like a hidden gem amidst hundreds of young-adult titles. Truth be told, I was merely fascinated by the cover when I picked this book. Just like one finds love in the most unexpected of places, I found a perfect love story in this impromptu purchase. It taught me how love lies between the lines, in the words we speak and the feelings we hold. It explores the stories of two estranged lovers who are perfect for each other, and intertwines it within a letter library and second hand books. For fans of handwritten notes, and old school love, this book is a must read.

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The teenage life of a Bangladeshi-American in Tashie Bhuiyan’s ‘Counting Down with You’

Counting Down With You (Inkyard Press, 2021)
Tashie Bhuiyan

Lastly, most of the romance books I read feature characters I could not exactly relate to. The cultural differences were so stark that it seemed like a fairytale from distant lands. Counting Down With You features a Bangladeshi-American protagonist and it almost feels like a personal story, where I could be the lead. It is a story of two people falling in love while embracing their differences. The contemporary romance has several cute moments, from Ace creating a Spotify playlist for Karina, to him buying her candles to help combat anxiety. It is a short and sweet read that makes you feel in love. 

Maisha Islam Monamee is a student of IBA, DU, and a freelance journalist who likes reading, scribbling, and blogging. Follow @monameereads on Instagram.