Sometimes I want to pick up something light, humorous, and romantic. I don’t equate that with fluff, which these books certainly are not. Some of these contemporary clean or Christian five-star romantic comedies have more depth than others, but none at the expense of a good story and likable characters.

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The Great Date Experiment by Ashley Mays
The Great Date Experiment is the most un-put-downable book I’ve read in a long time! Smart, hilarious, real, and positive – I can’t wait for my teenage daughter to read this one.

Minor characters are interesting and Callie and Egan are adorable. Callie is strong but vulnerable, and I felt every ache of her tender heart while marveling at her capacity to devour large quantities of junk food.

Egan is wonderfully flawed yet attractive in his obvious affection for and devotion to Callie. But what really makes him special is his heartfelt desire to be better.

All those things are great, but the icing on the cake (or maybe the top layer of the cookie bar) is the truth so many of us – teens or not – need to hear. And that’s that we need to be discerning in our use of technology, using it to lift others up and create real relationships, not fall prey to the superficial, sometimes damaging interactions that are so commonplace.

Kudos to Ashley Mays! I can’t wait to read whatever she writes next.

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Husband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong
I wouldn’t have thought a romantic comedy largely about a guy stepping up his game for marriage (growing in maturity and resolve) could work, but then there’s Husband Auditions.

Funny (sometimes laugh-out-loud funny) and oh-so relevant, I found this Christian novel a real treat! On the surface, Kai Kamaka is simply a slacker. While Meri Newberg grows to love him while filming their YouTube show, he’s clearly not husband material.

But there’s more to Kai than Meri sees. There’s disappointment, heartbreak, and loads of potential. Of course, Meri’s not perfect either. She’s pretty much made marriage an idol, hence her cooperation with the Meri Me show and working through a dated list of ways to “catch” a husband.

There is lots to consider about marriage tucked in between Kai and Meri’s amusing adventures in this nearly perfect novel. I listened on audio, and the dual perspective narration was spot-on. Loved it!

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Perfect After All by Cece Louise
Perfect After All was pretty perfect, after all. (I couldn’t resist.) Light, fun, sweet, and swoony, with all the delicious angst you’d expect from a nice guy who’s been in love with his best friend’s sister since forever. You’ll be rooting for Kelsey and Rob to finally ‘fess up to their feelings and get together already.

The writing is crisp and clean, and the dialogue witty. It was the sweet, light read I was looking for.

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First to Fall by Jenny B. Jones
First to Fall is an enemies-to-lovers story with a marriage of convenience that begins with the couple being drugged in Vegas. Roofies aside, this is a Hallmark-esque story given new life by Jones’s smart, wry wit; some of the best-written banter you’ll find; zany minor characters, and beaucoup chemistry. I’m not quite sure if I like the zany minor characters, but they do make me grin, and Jenny B. Jones is at the top of her game here.

Lachlan Hayes, a successful tech entrepreneur, is lovable as a nerdy gamer at heart. Too bad Olivia Sutton, still smarting from a bad breakup, has totally and persistently misjudged him. Until their fake marriage allows her to see his softer side and gives her a window into his wounded past while he gets a glimpse of her softer side.

Their ending isn’t unexpected, but the journey is delicious fun!

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My Phony Valentine by Courtney Walsh
Having grown up an ice hockey fan in Pittsburgh during the pinnacle of Mario Lemieux’s career, I have a soft spot for professional hockey players. I may have had pictures of a few hanging on my bedroom walls as a teenager.

That being the case, I was predisposed to like Dallas Burke, the considerate and misunderstood hero of My Phony Valentine. Dallas enters a contractual fake relationship with small-town chef Poppy Hart, an earnest, guileless woman who can’t help falling for Dallas from the start.

Through their arrangement, Poppy gains exposure for her business and Dallas’s bad boy image gets an update. But these two have more in common than they expected, both having lived with the consequences of bad decisions and people’s unjust judgments.

A sweet, fun, romantic ride that will leave you smiling!

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