Favorite Friday: ☕ First vs Favorite: My Top 4 Romance Authors Edition

-

 ☕ First vs Favorite: My Top 4 Romance Authors Edition

From first flutters to forever favorites — these are the authors who captured my heart and From first flutters to forever favorites — these are the authors who captured my heart and never let go.


There’s something special about reading an author for the very first time — the anticipation, the unknown, the swoony moments that pull you in. But then there’s the one…the book that feels like home on the shelf. Today, I’m sharing my First vs Favorite reads (plus cozy coffee pairings!) from four of my all-time favorite romance authors. Let’s take a warm stroll down memory lane...

💞 Elsie Silver

📖 First Read: Wild Love

In Wild Love, music producer Ford Grant returns to Rose Hill with emotional baggage and zero plans to reconnect with Rosie — or the daughter he didn’t know he had. But fate (and small-town proximity) has other plans. A tender, emotional slow burn that started it all.

☁️ Trope vibes: second chances, surprise baby, small-town romance

☕ Coffee pairing: Americano with oat milk – strong, deep, and a little bittersweet.




💗 Favorite: Off to the Races

Billie Black is a horse trainer who doesn’t have time for distractions — especially not Vaughn, the sexy, brooding ranch owner who makes everything complicated (and steamy). Between sarcastic banter and stolen moments, this book galloped away with my heart.

🌶️ Trope vibes: grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, enemies to lovers

💬 “You make it impossible not to fall for you.”

☕ Coffee pairing: Iced Caramel Macchiato – bold, sweet, and full of layered chemistry.


💞 Meghan Quinn

📖 First Read: A Not So Meet Cute

Lottie and Huxley’s fake relationship starts as a scheme, but quickly spirals into hilarity, chaos, and undeniable sparks. This rom-com is full of outrageous moments and big heart.

🎬 Trope vibes: fake dating, billionaire romance, opposites attract

☕ Coffee pairing: Vanilla Latte with whipped cream – playful, sweet, and a little dramatic (in the best way).



💗 Favorite: Bridesmaid for Hire

Maggie’s tropical getaway gets a plot twist when she runs into Brody—her brother’s best friend, her longtime crush, and now her fake boyfriend? Sparks fly, emotions stir, and I couldn’t put it down.

🌸 Trope vibes: best friend’s brother, vacation romance, fake dating

💬 “If being with you is a mistake, I’ll make it again and again.”

☕ Coffee pairing: Strawberry Cold Foam Cold Brew – flirty, refreshing, and full of tension.


💞 Elle Kennedy

📖 First Read: The Deal

Hannah tutors cocky hockey captain Garrett Graham in exchange for a little popularity help—what could go wrong? Everything. And I loved every minute of it.

🎓 Trope vibes: tutoring tension, fake dating, college sports romance

☕ Coffee pairing: Mocha Latte – a comforting classic with just the right amount of kick.



💗 Favorite: Girl Abroad

Abbey heads to London for a fresh start and ends up living with three hot roommates—each with secrets and rules. This book is full of self-discovery, flirtation, and unexpected depth.

🌍 Trope vibes: study abroad, love triangle, forbidden romance

💬 “Sometimes the best stories are the ones you never saw coming.”

☕ Coffee pairing: London Fog (Earl Grey tea latte with vanilla) – cozy, dreamy, and oh-so-British.


💞 Lauren Asher

📖 First Read: The Fine Print

Rowan, the grumpy theme park CEO, meets Zahra, the sunshine creative with dreams of magic and meaning. Their workplace tension and unexpected romance lit the spark of my Lauren Asher obsession.

🎢 Trope vibes: grumpy/sunshine, workplace romance, billionaire

☕ Coffee pairing: Cinnamon cappuccino – warm, dreamy, and a little spicy.



💗 Favorite: Lauren Redesigned

When a guarded Formula 1 team principal and a high-powered designer collide, it’s all slow burn, unresolved tension, and emotional breakthroughs. I lived for the vulnerability in this one.

🏘 Trope vibes: workplace rivals, forced proximity, hidden softness

💬 “I didn’t want to love you. But here I am.”

☕ Coffee pairing: Espresso with brown sugar and oat milk – bold, intense, and unexpectedly smooth.


💌 Final Thoughts

From first reads that opened the door to romance, to favorite books I now reach for on cloudy days with a warm drink in hand — these authors continue to shape my reading heart. I’ll always remember the firsts... but it’s the favorites that feel like home.


👉 What’s your First vs Favorite read by your top author? Let me know in the comments or pop into the Discord to chat! 💬

☕ Blog post live now — go grab your drink of choice and dive in.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

📖 Favorite Friday: My Top 5 Romance Reads (So Far This Year)

-
Image
📖 Favorite Friday: My Top 5 Romance Reads: (So Far This Year) 💘 1. Betting on You by Lynn Painter Why I loved it:  I loved how this book felt like a full-on rom-com, it was funny, heartfelt, and impossible to put down. Bailey and Charlie’s relationship completely won me over, especially the way he truly saw her & her little nickname for her "Glasses" . With so many twists and turns, I devoured it in just a few hours! Favorite Quote:  “When you’re in the room, every single cell in my body – every nerve, every muscle, every breath – is lost in you.”  💘 2. Throttled by Lauren Asher (One of My Favorite Authors! Also #1 in Series) Why I loved it: This was my first Formula 1 romance, and I know there probably aren’t many out there! Noah is kind of a mess, but he’s got such a good heart. He’s also Maya’s brother’s teammate (and not exactly his biggest fan), which makes things very complicated. Everyone warns her to stay far away, but of course, she can’t. Watching their r...
Read more

📚☕ Two for Tuesday: Tropes That Bring the Heat

-
Image
Let’s talk about two romances that bring enemies, lies, and longing to a whole new level. If you’re into emotional chaos (with a happy ending, of course), these two belong on your TBR: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 💘 Enemies with Benefits / Forbidden Romance 📖 Twisted Hate by Ana Huang Rating : 5/5 ⭐ 💭 I read Twisted Hate in one sitting—couldn't put it down. Josh Chen is pure chaos and I loved every second. Jules and Josh can’t stand each other—but they also can’t stay away. She’s a fiery law student. He’s a cocky future doctor (and her best friend’s brother 😬). When they agree to a no-strings “enemies with benefits” arrangement, things get messy fast . Sharp banter, sizzling tension, and surprising emotional depth make this one totally unputdownable. Favorite Quote: "You drive me crazy, Red." He cupped my face, his voice low and rough. "But I'd go insane wi...
Read more

A Second Chance at Love: Love and Other Words Review

-
Image
  This book made me cry in public. Twice. If you believe in second chances and soulmates, Love and Other Words will leave a mark. Title: Love and Other Words Author: Christina Lauren Genre: Contemporary Romance Pages: 450 Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Some books don’t just tell a love story — they take your heart, break it, and carefully stitch it back together. Love and Other Words did exactly that. If you’ve ever had a first love you couldn’t forget, or wondered what might’ve happened if things had gone differently... this one’s for you.  After more than a decade apart, childhood sweethearts Macy and Elliot reconnect by chance. As they slowly rebuild trust, they’re forced to revisit the heartbreak that tore them apart — and the love that never really went away. Told in a dual timeline style, this story explores the power of words, memory, and unfinished love. I adored how strong Macy and Elliot's feelings for eachother were. Their connection from friendship to young love was be...
Read more