By Cardyn Brooks
Galentine’s Day is February 13th, and this year we need this Gal Pal love fest holiday more than ever. So treat yo'self to one or more of the following literally entertaining reads, then after a few mimosas and some waffles during a virtual friendship feast with your favorite gal pals, grab a calzone while listening to some MouseRat tunes. Jam to the music and read some exceptional tales, without getting jammed, unless you enjoy that. No judgment here.
Bridgerton-adjacent
A Stitch in Time by Kelley Armstrong
Time Travel romance
K.L.A. Fricke, Inc., 2020
The Lady's Guide to Celestial Pursuits (Feminine Pursuits #1) by Olivia Waite
Historical romance
Avon Impulse, 2019
One-Eyed Dukes Are Wild (Dukes Behaving Badly #3) by Megan Frampton
Historical romance
Avon, 2015
More Historical Romance
Wild Rain (Women Who Dare #2) by Beverly Jenkins
Avon, February 9, 2021
Two Dukes and a Lady by Lorna James
Entangled: Scorched, 2017
The Hidden Blade by Sherry Thomas, author & publisher
2014
The Ultimate Amish Romance book set (Kaufman Family 1 – 7) by Becca Fisher, author & publisher
Generational religious romance
Multiple years
Contemporary Romance & Women's Lit
Grump-Aholic: A Grumpy Boss Romance by Jagger Cole, author & publisher
January 18, 2021
It's Not All Downhill From Here by Terry McMillan
Ballantine Books, 2020
Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
Avon, 2020
Code of Conduct (Cipher Security #1) by April White
Smarty Pants Romance, 2019
Sweet Talkin’ Lover (Girls' Trip #1) by Tracey Livesay
Avon, 2019
Black Girls Must Die Exhausted: A Novel for Grown Ups by Jayne Allen
Quality Black Books, 2018
And Then There Was Me by Sadeqa Johnson
Thomas Dunne Books, 2017
Confessions of a Librarian: A Memoir of Loves by Barbara Foster
Riverdale Avenue Books, 2015
The Chocolate Temptation (Amour et Chocolat #6) by Laura Florand
AOS Publishing, 2014
Between Friends by Sandra Kitt
Open Road Media Romance, reissued 2013
Getting Rid of Bradley by Jennifer Crusie
HQN, reissued 2012
Sunday Brunch by Norma Jarrett
Crown, 2009
The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank
Penguin Books, reissued 2000
Non-Fiction
Rethink: Smashing the Myths of Women in Business by Andi Simon, Ph.D.
Fast Company Press, January 2021
Modern HERstory: Stories of Women and Nonbinary People Rewriting History by Blair Imani, Monique Le, Tegan and Sara
Ten Speed Press, 2018
Bad Girls Throughout History: 100 Remarkable Women Who Changed the World by Ann Shen
Chronicle Books, 2016
Hollywood Lesbians: From Garbo to Foster by Boze Hadleigh
Riverdale Avenue Books, 2016
Comix
One Dollar Debuts from Valiant Entertainment
Women in Comics Collective International
Bonus Movie Recommendation
Crave more Rege-Jean Page sightings?
Try the Civil Rights-era drama “Sylvie's Love” on Amazon Prime.
He's not the star, but he shines Brighter Than the Sun [wink to J.Q.] in all scenes (sadly, none involving eating utensils or a raised eyebrow) among a truly stellar cast led by Tessa Thompson and Nnamdi Asomugha, with cameos by Eva Longoria, Wendi McLendon-Covey and many other notable actors, some more Shondaland favorites included.
Shameless Self-Promotion
When She's on Top by C. X Brooks
Contemporary erotic fiction
Black Opal Books, 2018