I’m halfway through Johanna Porter is Not Sorry, and I like it a lot. There’s more substance than I expected (art, sailing, parenting, shifting adult priorities/identities, middle-aged nostalgia for our youth) in addition to the romance, but it’s not at all heavy. I think it might be a great fit!

https://www.amazon.com/Johanna-Porter-Not-Sorry-Novel/dp/1525899988?nodl=1&dplnkId=fa1aafcd-75b9-4437-9fab-f53c1dfe1f3b

High Fidelity

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Married young, bad abusive marriage, long divorce, dated a little, decided to work on being happy in my own life first.

I'm ready to dip my toe back in the dating pool, but I'm feeling doubtful that good exists, or what does good even look like day to day.

I'm hoping for some book recs that have healthy inspiring romantic relationships central to the story. I hope to rekindle my hope. TIA!

loved this one...

"Evvie Drake Starts Over"
by Linda Holmes

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Read with Jenna Book Club Pick as Featured on Today • “Everything a romantic comedy should be: witty, relatable, and a little complicated.”—People

A heartfelt debut about the unlikely relationship between a young woman who’s lost her husband and a major league pitcher who’s lost his game.

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR

I liked Evie Drake, too!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Married young, bad abusive marriage, long divorce, dated a little, decided to work on being happy in my own life first.

I'm ready to dip my toe back in the dating pool, but I'm feeling doubtful that good exists, or what does good even look like day to day.

I'm hoping for some book recs that have healthy inspiring romantic relationships central to the story. I hope to rekindle my hope. TIA!

loved this one...

"Evvie Drake Starts Over"
by Linda Holmes

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Read with Jenna Book Club Pick as Featured on Today • “Everything a romantic comedy should be: witty, relatable, and a little complicated.”—People

A heartfelt debut about the unlikely relationship between a young woman who’s lost her husband and a major league pitcher who’s lost his game.

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR

Oh yes! I read Evie Drake Starts Over. I read it a couple years back. I think that is a good suggestion.

Thank you very much everyone, I'm enjoying looking these up and have found a few that seem to fit just right for what I'm looking for 😊

I have really enjoyed everything by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Her books explore complicated, but loving relationships and the things that can get in the way of love. Try Maybe in Another Life or The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo or After I Do for starters.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is also excellent. It has a relationship in it, but the focus is really more on her own mental health and personal growth making her ready to be in a healthy relationship.

And my perennial favorite: The Princess Bride.

Anonymous wrote:Married young, bad abusive marriage, long divorce, dated a little, decided to work on being happy in my own life first.

I'm ready to dip my toe back in the dating pool, but I'm feeling doubtful that good exists, or what does good even look like day to day.

I'm hoping for some book recs that have healthy inspiring romantic relationships central to the story. I hope to rekindle my hope. TIA!

loved this one...

"Evvie Drake Starts Over"
by Linda Holmes

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Read with Jenna Book Club Pick as Featured on Today • “Everything a romantic comedy should be: witty, relatable, and a little complicated.”—People

A heartfelt debut about the unlikely relationship between a young woman who’s lost her husband and a major league pitcher who’s lost his game.

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR

Anonymous wrote:It’s not a romance per se— it’s detective fiction— but the Peter Wimsey/Harriet Vane relationship is my favorite in literature because, unlike in many books, they show that it’s really. Really. Hard.

Oh my goodness yes, this is such a good rec. It’s such a good look at how much absolute work it takes to pursue a relationship after serious trauma even if everyone is trying their best to be open and honest and communicate well.

It’s not a romance per se— it’s detective fiction— but the Peter Wimsey/Harriet Vane relationship is my favorite in literature because, unlike in many books, they show that it’s really. Really. Hard.