Heidi here, dreaming out loud of my favorite page-turners gracing the silver screen. In case you aren’t aware (or you are ignoring pop culture completely) it’s awards season. Also known as the time of year when I skim the headlines or catch a few snippets of the morning news and variety shows and wonder, “Who are these people nominated for these Academy awards and how have I not seen a single movie on this list?”
Yet I always tune in. High fashion isn’t my thing but I love a glimpse of the red carpet. From the stunning to the what-was-she-thinking, the parade of rich and famous dressed in their elegant gowns captures my attention. I’m also enamored with the acceptance speeches. Sort of like my fascination with reading acknowledgements in novels by my favorite authors. I just love to hear artists giving a shout out to the people who make creative endeavors possible.
While this post is a bit tongue-in-cheek, because I’m well-aware of The Martian (originally a self-published novel, by the way) and I did watch and thoroughly enjoy Inside Out, the hopeless romantic in me longs for more films like You’ve Got Mail and While You Were Sleeping or Return to Me. Don’t even get me started on how much I adore Sweet Home Alabama…
I know absolutely nothing about adapting a novel into a screenplay. But it doesn’t stop me from dreaming about it. If I ruled the entertainment world, here are ten romance novels I’d love to see become movies.
- Anything written by Denise Hunter. It looks like my wish might come true based on a recent announcement via her Facebook page. Fans of her novels might be interested to know The Convenient Groom will become a Hallmark movie. Hooray! I hope it’s the first of many for her.
- The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin. He’s mentioned via social media this is optioned for film, but I haven’t seen any additional announcements other than updates on casting. I’d love it if any of his novels became movies. He’s one of my all-time favorites authors.
- The Mailbox by Mary Beth Whalen. Maybe it’s my affection for the Carolina coast or the mystique of a mailbox where you can leave a letter and receive advice back, but there’s something about this story that touched my heart and I think it’s a recipe for a great movie.
- Made to Last by Melissa Tagg. Fans of Melissa’s work might know that she loves both classic movies and a great rom-com. It would be awesome if her book became a movie. Given our culture’s obsession with home improvement and DIY projects, this novel offers a great premise for the big screen. What are you waiting for, Hollywood?
- You’re the One That I Want by Susan May Warren. I enjoyed every book in the Christiansen Family series and I’d love to see any of them become movies. However, the fishing boat adventure in the opening chapters adds the perfect element of action that I think translates well to movies.
- A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade. A handsome yet emotionally scarred Veteran who trains horse + a sweet, optimistic children’s book author determined to win his heart for good = swoon!
- True Devotion (Uncommon Heroes series) by Dee Henderson. Is there a novel by this author that wouldn’t make a good movie? I think not. This is one of my favorites. I’d watch it for sure.
- Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay. An orphan struggling to make her way into adulthood, a handsome and eligible hero, confessions via letter-writing…such a delightful read with nods to great literary works. I can only imagine how enjoyable it would be to watch, as well.
- Dining with Joy by Rachel Hauck. Another author with a collection of novels that would make compelling movies, in my opinion. This particular story remains one of my favorites and the premise (a star of a syndicated cooking show who secretly can’t cook) combined with the handsome new co-host would be so fun to watch, wouldn’t it?
- Falling Home by Karen White. This author has gone on to write much deeper, more complex novels than this sweet poignant reunion romance, yet Falling Home remains a fixture on my keeper shelf. I {heart} Sam Parker. I’m certain any number of Karen White’s novels would make excellent movies as she explores themes which resonate with many of us. But I still say this one would appeal to fans of swoon-worthy romance and the classic second chance at love trope.
There you have it. I’d love to hear your thoughts so feel free to leave a comment below. What’s your favorite book-turned-film adaptation? Which novel would you love to see become a movie?
photo credit: Noom Peerapong via Unsplash
A Pacific Northwest girl at heart, Heidi was blessed to spend her formative years in Alaska. Her unique upbringing, coupled with Alaska's breathtaking scenery, fueled her active imagination and loosely inspired her debut novel, Unraveled. Heidi graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Sports Medicine from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington and a Master's Degree in Athletic Training from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. After a brief career as a Certified Athletic Trainer, Heidi married her husband, Steve. They live in North Carolina with their three active little boys. When Heidi isn't stepping on Legos, chauffeuring the boys around suburbia or watching one of their many sporting events, she loves to read and write heartwarming romance.
I think I would love to see any of the above books made into movies, but especially Dear Mr. Knightley. I get all swoony thinking about that book again. Definitely a huge favorite of mine. I, also think that any of Charles Martin’s books would be amazing as movies. I think many of his, if made right, could be major motion pictures.
I would love it if all of Denise Hunter and Becky Wade’s books were turned into movies!
Isle of Hope by Julie Lessman is another fantastic book that I can see making a great movie!
This is a great list and I will be picking up the ones I don’t have! I love the Guardians of Justice series by Irene Hannon, and the Lewis Legacy by Joann Durgin. And there are so many others, if they wouldn’t be ruined by re-writing into a screenplay. I don’t like when a favorite book is changed completely!
Like yourself, I haven’t seen any of the movies up for an Oscar this year, Heidi. Boy, our taste in romantic comedies and books are almost identical. I’ve probably seen You’ve Got Mail at least 30+ times. :)
As for a book I’d love to see made into a movie, I agree, You’re the One That I Want by Susan May Warren, would be terrific on the big screen. Great topic!
Besides reading romances, I enjoy an suspenseful cozy mystery. Therefore I enjoy reading romances that solve a mystery. Two books I think would make intriguing movies are: Susan Mary Warren’s romance From Russia With Love and Rachel Hauck’s The Wedding Dress.
You can kind of see a movie of Dear Mr. Knightley if you watch Daddy Long Legs (Fred Astaire and Leslie Car on), based on the book of the same name and the story on which I believe Knightley was based (otherwise they both stumbled across exactly the same plot completely on accident). It’s a great book and movie. And, we’ll, Fred Astaire! :)
Definitely Dear Mr. Knightley!
I’m more of a women’s fiction reader, so my choices–if I thought long and hard about them–would probably include many of that genre. The Scarlet Thread by Francine Rivers is one I’d love to see turned into a movie. God’s Daughter by Heather Day Gilbert would be another fun one. Thinking, thinking…
I agree any book by Denise Hunter, Rachel Hauk, and Melissa Tagg would make great movies! You’ve Got Mail, Sweet Home Alabama, and While You Were Sleeping are some of my favorite movies too!
I’ve said over and over that Erica Vetsch’s book Cactus Creek Challenge should be made into a movie. It would make a great humerous western. A female school teacher and a male sheriff change jobs for a month. Picture the sheriff’s first day teaching and two mischievous twin boys blow up the outhouse behind the school. That’s just one of the many funny scenes I can picture.
I’m also a big fan of Sheila Roberts. She’s had a couple of her books made into movies.
Thanks for the mention of my Lewis Legacy Series! Made my day. Blessings. :)
Hi Terrill, thanks for stopping by. Did you happen to see Elizabeth Maddrey’s comment below about how a Fred Astaire movie is quite similar to Dear Mr. Knightley? It’s called Daddy Long Legs. I don’t watch a lot of classic movies, but I’ll have to check that one out. I hope you’re having a great weekend so far.
Great suggestions, Sally. Any Francine Rivers novel would make for a compelling film, in my opinion. Thanks for commenting.
I am going to download Isle of Hope today, Lientjie. Every where I go online, someone is giving that novel a shout out. Thanks for the suggestion and for stopping by Inspy Romance today.
Good to know, Elizabeth. Thank you! As I mentioned in my comment to Terrill, I don’t watch a lot of classic movies, but I think I’d like to give that one a shot. Have a great day!
Hi, Beth. You have great taste. ;-) Thanks for taking the time to comment. Blessings!
Hi Gail. I’m not familiar with Cactus Creek Challenge but it sounds like a fun premise for a movie. That’s quite a job switch. Thank you for visiting today. Your comments are much appreciated.
Wasn’t The Wedding Dress amazing? That novel firmly cemented my admiration for Rachel as an author. She took her writing to a whole new level with that story. Yep, any of her work would make for enjoyable movies. Thanks again for faithfully visiting Inspy Romance, Renate. We are grateful for you.
We are kindred spirits indeed, Jill. Thanks for chiming in.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed my list. I don’t like it when the movie is different than the novel, either. Two thumbs up for Irene Hannon … her work is phenomenal, as well.
I find that the movie is rarely as good as the book.
How about anything by Julie Klassen? I just adore her books :-) I also agree with Merrillee, it seems the movie is never as good as the book!
Ooh, several of the books you mentioned I also think would make good movies! I think there are several books by T.I. Lowe that would make good movies and some of Shanna Hatfield’s as well. BUT they’d have to stick close to the books. I really hate when movies stray too far from the book. Most movies made out of books are not nearly as good as the books in my opinions. Although, I do love Jane Austen books and just about all of the many movie adaptions/mini series versions of her books.