The very first writing conference I ever went to was the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writing Conference. It was this huge, sort of overwhelming thing to me. So many authors! So many class options!
Since I had, clutched in my hands, the finished draft of the book that would come to be Wisdom to Know, I went all-in on the romance oriented classes.
One of those classes was taught by Yvonne Lehman. She was also the conference director and the brains behind the conference in the first place. I hadn’t actually read any books by her, but she was an incredibly prolific writer.
I will never forget her standing at the front of the room describing how she came up with her plots. Get an idea, pit the hero and heroine against each other, and then raise the stakes. Make a little progress on the problem? Raise the stakes again.
It felt like she spent the entirety of that hour telling us to keep raising the stakes.
Honestly, I had a lot of anxiety leaving that class. Not because I questioned my ability to write. No. I was severely anxious for her characters.
Yvonne had described all the horrible things she put her hero and heroine through on their path to a happy ending and it made me want to cry.
It’s not to say that there isn’t a place for those high-drama, high-stakes romances. There obviously is.
But I’m finding, especially with the morass of stress that my own personal life is these days, I am really struggling with books that leave me biting my nails. (And it’s worse with an e-reader. When I used to read paperbacks, I could at least flip to the last chapter to read it and make sure things would be okay. That’s a lot messier on the Kindle.) The other day, I was sitting and reading beside my husband and I turned off my Kindle and set it aside. He looked over at me and asked, “You okay?”
“Yeah,” I said. “I just need a minute. It’s too tense.”
He smirked at me.
I picked up and tried to read again. But nope. It was too much. I ended up setting that book aside and maybe I’ll get back to it another day. (And it isn’t as if it’s a thriller or even romantic suspense. It was just a very high-angst sweet romance.)
It got me to thinking that maybe I wasn’t alone in needing some lower drama, lower angst recommendations. I think the current trend toward romcoms might be an attempt to provide this, but I’m offering books that don’t necessarily fit that description just in case you, like me, struggle to find books that fall in line with your sense of humor.
So here are some books (or series) that give you all the swoony, romantic feels without the nail-biting, stomach-twisting angst.
The Sweet Home Billionaires by Hannah Jo Abbott — small, southern town meets billionaires with big hearts.
The Billionaire’s Secret by Meghann Whistler — a sweet, faith-filled story here, don’t let the billionaire scare you.
Destination: Romance by Amy R. Anguish — what’s better than a road trip with friends and some romance along the way?
Nowhere for Christmas by Heather Gray — hands down my favorite Christmas romance. Laugh out loud funny (to me, at least) with strong faith. Generally, I’d say Heather’s books are low angst so you really can’t go wrong.
The Love in Store series by Autumn Macarthur – Delightful, faith-filled romances set in London (so bonus travel abroad here).
Most of the Bloom Sisters series by Tara Grace Ericson — I say most, because Longing for Lily probably edges into medium to high drama from subject matter alone.
I could go on, but I should probably stop there. I’d love to hear from you! Who’s your go-to author when you need those sappy, swoony romances without the high drama mixed in? (Or maybe you love all the angst? Tell us your favorite, high-angst author!)
Elizabeth Maddrey is a semi-reformed computer geek and homeschooling mother of two who lives in the suburbs of Washington D.C. When she isn’t writing, Elizabeth is a voracious consumer of books. She loves to write about Christians who struggle through their lives, dealing with sin and receiving God’s grace on their way to their own romantic happily ever after.
I definitely don’t like the angst. I used to read a lot of Yvonne Lehman’s books and then I discovered books like yours and Jessie Gussman ‘s that just allow me to relax and get lost in the moment for a short while. Definitely my type of book.
Hey! Thanks for this. I’m relieved to hear (read) that it’s okay to have “low drama” in some stories. There are times when I do feel I just need to escape somewhere else where there isn’t also so much stress and angst. Life can be too much as is, and that gets emotionally tiring. :-) It’s great when you can bounce along and enjoy reading someone else’s ride to an HEA or HFN. ❤️😊
I very rarely read a high angst author but I’d say Karen Kingsbury is the one that I go back to every once in a while. Her books are so good but I can only read them on a rare occasion.
Relax and get lost in the story is exactly it! I’m glad I’m not alone.
Yes, indeed! It’s rare for me to want a book that’s the other way around these days.
Is it horrible if I admit I haven’t read anything by Karen Kingsbury? Mostly because of seeing conversations about how anxious people were getting when they read.
I so agree with everything you say Elizabeth! I think it’s why I enjoy re-reading my favourite books, for the ultimate low drama as I know how things turn out lol.
My long term favourite is Betty Neels, but I’m enjoying Jessie Gussman at the moment and have just got a boxed set so lots to keep me going.
Thanks for the recommendations, I will look them up and add to my wish list.
Ooh, I’ll have to look up Betty. I’ve read several by Jessie and agree that hers are relaxing reads.
I love your billionaire series, and Liwen’s Spark brothers. I don’t read much of the RomCom books, as some of what the author’s think are funny I don’t. I grew up reading Betty Neels books, and I’ve now read quite a few of Winnie Griggs’ and love them!! Winnie’s The Proper Wife reminds me of Betty’s books, just with the added faith element, though Betty did have couples going to church. I don’t mind the angst as long as it’s not too dramatic, though I prefer it in my suspense books. I really love Autumn’s Love in Store books, also the Chapel Cove series. Jo Grafford is also a favorite of mine, along with Heather Blanton. Alexa Verde’s books are great, too!
Jo and Heather and Alexa are fabulous! I need to look for Winnie’s books – that sounds fun. And I adore the Spark brothers, I think I’ve probably waxed on for too long about them here and there :)
I love rom coms because sometimes I just want to laugh and forget about life’s troubles. I do have my favorite authors I know will give me a fun read without angst and drama. Sometimes I have to psyche myself up if I know angst is coming to get through it. 2020 made me stop reading a lot of authors I used to love but couldn’t handle the twists and turns. My brain just wanted humor.
2020 definitely did not help, lol.
I have finally figured out that one of the reasons I love re-reading is because I know what’s happening (or going to happen) and so the book is safe. Even a more angsty book can be a friend if it’s one I’ve read before.
Thanks for including The Billionaire’s Secret on your list :) I have to say that I like angst! But I’m glad my book wasn’t too angsty for you!
Hi, Elizabeth! I’m with you on the lower angst thing. I’m currently reading a story by Crystal Walton (whose work I really enjoy) and I had to step back because her characters are feeling helpless in caring for a parent dealing with dementia. I even gave my sister a call and said thank you, once again, for all she did in helping my parents (both of whom suffered from dementia in their final years).
In the same way that the murder mystery genre has the sub-genre of cozy mysteries, perhaps romances need a toned down version as well, something without absolutely *all* the feels :). We could call it “Gentle Romance” maybe. I’m in favor.
Let the full bore angsty stories be there for the folks who think watching the Die Hard movies is a genuine Christmas tradition ;).
Thank you for the low drama recommendations. I find there is enough drama in “real life” and don’t want to experience it in books as well!
Oh yes, I’m with you on the low angst! I also don’t like books that start in tense and there’s no breaks until the very end. Certain authors I tried in the past one time, and have never gone back to :-)
When I need to relax, I often go back to some really old authors – I love Elizabeth Goudge, and have read her Scent of Water about 10 times over the years. Do I need to stick to CCR? Donna Fletcher Crow has a lot of good historical romances that I enjoy re-reading.
I could go on and on. :-)
It was really well balanced! Tension but not over the top :)
Well now, it’s not Christmas until Hans falls from the tower, so we part ways there, but I can get behind the rest :)
Yes! I hope you get a chance to enjoy some of them.
My mom adored Elizabeth Goudge – i got started on her early. :)
I know many readers also love historical.
I am not a high angst reader. This is why I never started to read mysteries, thrillers etc.
a few years ago I tried a cozy mystery from Amanda Flower and I just loved it. I started with the first book of the series “Amish Candy Shop” I especially love Jethro the pot bellied pig. With western sweet christian romances or history romances again I dont do well with high angst. I love sweet comedy and history
I enjoy cozies a lot – I think because they tend to be lower stakes :)
Wow, this post was definitely for me. I’ve been over here thinking what is WRONG with me the past two years that I much prefer the low-angst stories now. Life has enough angst. Any of Denise Hunter’s books are my go-to for all the feels of a good, old-fashioned romance without the stress. Thank you for this post, Elizabeth!
I have read a few by Denise Hunter and have enjoyed them quite a bit. One was on the edge angst-wise for me but I think that was the trope more than anything.
Yes, I agree, way too much drama can be very sad. With so many not so good things happening around the world we need more peaceful books where we can bet lost in.
It’s good to see I’m not alone!
Thank you so much for the shout-out! I’m glad to know my novel didn’t give you angst. ;) Especially since the second is about to release and it’s giving ME angst right now. Ha!
Ha. The writing process is definitely angst ridden
no go-to
I have to say that when it comes to sappy romance, Debbie Macomber has it down to a science. I just finished her new book, The Christmas Spirit. I laughed through a lot of the scenes. I enjoy romantic suspense. I would have to say some of my go to authors would be Darlene L. Turner, Sami A. Abrams, and Elizabeth Goddard. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
I have read a lot of Yvonne Lehman books mainly ones for barbour but don’t remember the angst (they were either novalla size or 175ish pages).
But now I don’t need it as much. Often the books full of angst are the ones I struggle most with. I remember one this year where every time it looked like the book had dealt with the angsts and could have ended it started again to the point I was really disliking the heroine who just annoyed me with the insecurity and the Hero was too good for her as he kept putting up with all the issues she kept having.
I like a little drama but not the constant angsts.
Hopefully you got some ideas from here!
Debbie Macomber is fantastic!
So funny! Maybe she thought they were higher angst than they really were :)
It’s definitely tough when it feels like a character is making drama simply for the sake of drama.
This was interesting to ponder. I’m not a fan of melodrama, but I do like everything to go wrong in a funny way. Have you read Secret Life of Book Club by Heather Woodhaven? It’s one of my faves.
I totally agree, I still enjoy books with more drama or more intense but only when I’m on holiday or feeling really relaxed already!
I have definately been reading more light/low drama books the last couple of years. I now read to relax not just enjoyment, there is enough drama in real life!
I really enjoy your books Elizabeth, definately a relax read for me even if there is drama. Rachel John, Angela Ruth Strong and Pepper Besham would also be relax reads. I think if there is humor with the drama it lightens it somehow.