#kelsie stelting

[gothgleek]

Books I Read in 2024:

Curvy Girls Can’t Date Bullies by Kelsie Stelting

His head lowered, and his eyes flicked from mine to my mouth. My stomach swooped in response, then my lips curled in disgust at him and myself.

Ryker might have been attractive, but he was ugly inside.

[meeghanreads]

Top 5 books with baked goods

Hello friends!! Welcome to Top 5 Tuesday!! This week’s topic is top 5 books with baked goods!! This Thursday, 14 March is International Pi Day. Something about 3.14… maths, circles, other math/sciency things. Look, I read a lot of fantasy and romance. I don’t need to understand how to calculate a circumference. So, instead of picking 5 books that have something to do with math or STEM (let’s be…

[randonauticrap]

"That was what you were trained to do as a plus-size girl - cover up. Turn around. Hide. Don't expose anyone to your body in case it made them uncomfortable. Never mind how that secretly made you feel like your body was something to be ashamed of. According to our society, your body wasn't for you. It was for you to show everyone else."

- Curvy Girls Can't Date Quarterbacks by Kelsie Stelting

[more-than-a-princess]

Hi! Love your sonia characterisation and from your ooc posting, I see your tastes are great~ Can I ask the mun: do you have any recommendations for books or TV series? c:

Hi anon! Thank you so much for your kind words regarding my IC content and OOC ramblings, that's really nice of you to say. I'm happy to recommend some things (I admit I did a 'Stitch laughing maniacally on a pile of wreckage' when I got this ask because anon, I am not sure you know what you have asked to unleash!).

However, I wasn't sure if you were asking for recommendations for books/TV series that have directly inspired my Sonia portrayal, or recommendations of things I enjoy in general. With that in mind, I'm going to be sharing a long list of books, TV series, manga/webtoons, and story-based video games that I just happen to like.

If you're looking for media that has directly inspired my portrayal though, please send another ask and I'd be happy to narrow it down for you!

In order not to keep the dash tidy, everything is under a cut, with notes (some important, some just me making jokes) beside a few of them. I hope you find a new favorite book/series to enjoy!

Books: 

General Notes: For book series where the first book title isn't the series name, I've indicated which book to start with, save for the historical romances because that's easier to find online and there's a lot of them. I hope that helps! Additionally, for all romance series, assume that there is some mention of sexual content in various degrees of description, aka. "spice." Depending on your comfort level of literary sex, I highly recommend checking out each title on https://www.romance.io/ for their spice level rating, at the very least. The site will also show you tropes found in each book as well as reviews.

Contemporary Romance:

The Time-Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

American Royals series by Katharine McGee

Crazy Rich Asians series by Kevin Kwan (way, way better than the movie! It's a trilogy, followed by China Rich Girlfriend and Rich People Problems. I'd highly recommend this if you are writing a modern wealthy character of East Asian descent. Yes it's romance, humor, and contemporary family drama, but it gives what's apparently a very accurate look at high society)

Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade (if you are looking for contemporary romance with plus size heroines, you want to check out Olivia Dade! Also Mary Warren and for young adult romance, Kelsie Stelting)

Modern Royals series by Aven Ellis (start with A Royal Shade of Blue)

The Royal Runaway by Lindsay Emory

The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan (and its sequel, The Heir Affair)

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston (this was better than Red, White, and Royal Blue, IMO)

Fantasy Romance:

Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas

Crescent City series by Sarah J. Maas

A note about SJM series: I highly suggest reading TOG or ACOTAR first, with the understanding the first three or so TOG books and the first ACOTAR books have a slower pace and are more about worldbuilding than anything else. Read Crescent City after these two (CC 1 is also a big, long worldbuilding book). You must read ACOTAR to read CC, but you do not need to read TOG to read CC (though you'll miss some of the references/easter eggs!). 

The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros (Start with Fourth Wing)

The Shepherd King duology by Rachel Gillig (Start with One Dark Window)

The All-Souls Trilogy/series by Deborah Harkness (Start with A Discovery of Witches)

Historical Romance:

Don't Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma Alban

Love by Numbers series by Sarah MacLean (start with Nine Rules to Break While Romancing a Rake. If you finish this series and like her writing, move on to the Bareknuckle Bastards series and the Rules of Scoundrels series)

Spindle Cove series by Tessa Dare (start with A Night to Surrender. If you liked this series, move on to the Castles Ever After series and the Girl Meets Duke series)

pretty much anything by Lisa Kleypas (Bridgerton fans? This is how you get over your hangover/wait between finishing the books and/or Season 3. start with the Wallflowers or the Hathaways series, then move onto the Ravenels and the Bow Street Runners series. This is mostly historically the chronological order with crossover characters between the Wallflowers and Hathaways. Bow Street Runners is chronologically before Wallflowers but it's disappointing if you read it first, trust me!)

everything by Jane Austen. Just everything. 

Series/books I'm in the middle of/currently on my TBR list so I can't recommend them fully yet but I'm actively reading them:

The Folk of the Air series by Holly Black (start with The Cruel Prince)

Letters of Enchantment duology by Rebecca Ross (start with Divine Rivals)

Crowns of Nyaxia series by Carissa Broadbent (Start with The Serpent and the Wings of Night)

Hades x Persephone saga by Scarlett St. Clair (Start with A Touch of Darkness)

The Shadow and Bone trilogy by Leigh Bardugo (and Six of Crows. And everything else: I've yet to dive into Bardugo's series) 

A League of Extraordinary Women series by Evie Dunmore (Start with Bringing Down the Duke)

Royals series by Rachel Hawkins (start with Prince Charming)

Infamous by Lex Croucher

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

Deliciously Dark Fairytales series by K.F. Greene (Start with A Ruin of Roses)

TV series:

Downton Abbey (my love for this show runs deep. It changed my life!)

The Gilded Age (Carrie Coon deserves an Emmy for this at some point I s2g)

The Crown (Claire Foy is the best QEII, Elizabeth Debicki is the best Diana, Josh O'Connor is the best Charles)

Gossip Girl (original 2007 series, not the remake)

The Royals (the E! show)

Succession (Come for Brian Cox emotionally and verbally harass his children, stay for Kieran Culkin, Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook, Matthew MacFayden, Conheads, and a Ludicrously Capacious Bag.)

The White Lotus (Tanya is ICONIC.)

Miss Scarlet and the Duke

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (If you like Miss Scarlet, I can almost guarantee you will like Miss Fisher. And vice-versa.)

All Creatures Great and Small (the remake)

Sanditon

Black Mirror

Skins (UK series only)

Sex Education

The IT Crowd (the creator is an ass. The show is eternal.)

The Great

The Sopranos

The Empress

The Fall of the House of Usher

Midnight Mass (arguably the best Flanagan series. Fight me.)

Marie Antoinette (2022 TV series)

Dickinson

Euphoria

Stranger Things

The Tudors

Versailles

Unforgotten

Endeavour (you don't need to have seen Inspector Morse beforehand but it helps contextualize where some of this cast ends up in the future! Endeavour is the best murder mystery show ever written, IMO. Unforgotten is a close contender for second place.)

Outlander

Sherlock

Mad Men

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

American Horror Story (earlier seasons are way better than the later ones)

Gentleman Jack

Ted Lasso

Emily in Paris

Pride and Prejudice (the 1995 miniseries with Colin Firth)

Books and TV (that is, read and watch both!):

Bridgerton (books by Julia Quinn)

Magpie Murders (books by Anthony Horowitz. One of my few book recs that isn't a romance! Horowitz is a wonderful contemporary mystery writer)

Webtoons/manga:

(Because some people prefer manga/webtoons to novels! I have read all of these on MangaKatana. Mostly fantasy romance and contemporary romance, several have been made into J or K-dramas)

Under The Oak Tree

See You In My 19th Life

What's Wrong With Secretary Kim?

Like Wind on a Dry Branch

Marriage of Convenience

Father, I Don't Want to Get Married!

We Are Not Ourselves Today

An Hour of Romance

Innocent (The sole historical drama over here. Every sex and violence trigger warning you can imagine applies to this manga. It is also one of the most beautifully-drawn and intriguing stories I've ever read. Rose of Versailles fans, this is for you: this is your fave but darker.)

Marry My Husband

Video games with excellent storytelling:

(mostly. These are primarily otome games, mystery visual novels, and horror visual novels):

Zero Escape: The Nonary Games (there are three games in this series: 999, Virtue's Last Reward, and Zero Time Dilemma)

AI: The Somnium Files (There are currently two games in this series, AITSF and AITSF: Nirvana Initiative. Zero Escape and Somnium Files are basically required to play after Danganronpa. I said what I said: the storytelling is better)

Code: Realize (The best storytelling of all otome games, hands down. Do not watch the anime: it sucks. The first game is the best and really the only one you need to play. The other two games have okay side stories and are mostly romantic continuations of the first game's routes)

Collar x Malice

Cupid Parasite (mostly for the last two routes, though: if you're using a walkthrough guide. Generally much lighter than your usual otome...save for the last two routes that serve to break you.)

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (you could watch both seasons of the original anime if you really want to, but the games are better)

Umineko no Naku Koro ni (Note: please keep in mind this was written 10+ years ago in Japan, especially when you get to the Big Reveals in the final game. There are Some Takes that would go over poorly today. Like Code: Realize, do not watch the anime: IT SUCKS.)

Spirit Hunter: Death Mark

Spirit Hunter: NG (You don't technically have to play Death Mark first but it makes one of the endings far more impactful if you do!)

Honorable mentions:

Hakuoki (so many routes, so very long! But if you like Japanese history around this time, you may like this)

Olympia Soiree (good on the more mature content, bad on some of the LIs giving me pause like 'this is not a good romance idea')

Amnesia: Memories (I'm not a fan of the female main character or two of the LIs. At all.)

Piofiore (Similar complaints as Amnesia.)

[purpleparrot]

thinking about how kelsie stelting started another curvy girls series but ended it with only two books when the others all had 5

[reading-writing-rebellion]

The Curvy Girls Club

I am so behind on posting book reviews. I’m even behind on updating storygraph, Some book blogger I am. Before I get caught up I want to talk about Kelsie Stelting’s Curvy Girls Club books. I’ve only read the first 5 and The Curvy Girls Club All Grown Up. I’ve not moved on from the OG group. At least not yet. Adds for these books kept popping up on my Instagram feed so I decided to check out the…

[lemaki]

Curvy Girls Can't Date Quarterbacks by Kelsie Stelting

No one has the right to say who belongs with who, no matter how people look. That’s what Merritt did to Rory. Merritt’s constant bullying to Rory turned into a bet: Rory had to get the school’s quarterback Beckett to fall in love with her. In your face Merritt!!! 12/5/2022-12/10/2022

[sapphicmsmarvel]

2022 reading log

total of 189 books this year!

💜queer

🤍reread

💧school 

January 

curvy girls can’t date best friends by kelsie stelting 

home game by odette stone 

the penalty box by odette stone 

the prison healer by lynette noni 

the gilded cage by lynette noni 

horror hotel by victoria fulton 

February: 

room service by maren stoffels 

contract bound by elle mae 💜

hot vampire next door 1 by nikki st crowe

hot vampire next door 2 by nikki st crowe

tempt me with forever by maria luis 

the crown of gilded bones by JLA 🤍

this is how you lose a time war by amal el-mohtar & max gladstone 

March: 

terms and conditions by lauren asher 

house of sky and breath by sarah j maas 

curvy girls can’t date bullies by kelsie stelting 

faking with benefits by lily gold 

unlock your storybook heart by amanda lovelace 

the ravenous dead by darcy coates

my hero academia vol 1 by kohei horikoshi 

my hero academia vol 2 by kohei horikoshi 

April: 

a shadow in the ember by JLA 

a flicker in the dark by stacy willingham 

the book of cold cases by simone st james 

the sundown motel by simone st james 

the shadows by alex north 

the push by ashley audrain

rock paper scissors by alice feeney 

not a happy family by shari lapena 

no exit by taylor adams

my hero academia vol 3 by kohei horikoshi 

heartstopper vol 1 by alice oseman💜🤍

heartstopper vol 2 by alice oseman 💜🤍

heartstopper vol 3 by alice oseman 💜🤍

May: 

the husband sitter by jessa kane 

heartstopper vol 4 by alice oseman 💜🤍

my hero academia vol 4 by kohei horikoshi 

the roommate by rosie danan 

birthday girl by penelope douglas 

three swedish mountain men by lily gold 

triple-duty bodyguards by lily gold 

hot vampire next door 3 by nikki st crowe 

my hero academia by kohei horikoshi 

the never king by nikki st crowe 

the dark one by nikki st crowe

beach read by emily henry 

nanny for the neighbors by lily gold 

book lovers by emily henry 

June: 

heartstopper: the mini comics by alice oseman 💜🤍

heartstopper: become human by alice oseman 💜🤍

layover by emily henry 

station 332 by darcy coates 

station 333 by darcy coates 

station 334 by darcy coates 

parasite by darcy coates

the blood traitor by lynette noni 

neon gods by katee robert 

king of battle and blood by scarlett st clair 

theirs for the night by katee robert 

forever theirs by katee robert 

theirs ever after by katee robert 

from below by darcy coates 

a not so meet cute by meghan quinn 

July: 

throttled by lauren asher 

from lukov with love by mariana zapata 

city of dusk by tara sim 

the wife upstairs by rachel hawkins 

the wall of winnipeg and me by mariana zapata 

shared by her trainers by tori chase 

all i want for christmas is them by adora crooks 

the night swim by megan goldin 

August: 

hide by kiersten white 

my hero academia 6 by kohei horikoshi 

my hero academia 7 by kohei horikoshi 

blade of secrets by tricia levenseller 

master of iron by tricia levenseller 

the darkening by sunya mara  

this vicious grace by emily thiede 

twin crowns by catherine doyle and katherine webber 

violet made of thorns by gina chen 

September 

my hero academia vol 8 by kohei horikoshi 

my hero academia vol 9 by kohei horikoshi 

my hero academia vol 10 by kohei horikoshi 

my hero academia vol 11 by kohei horikoshi 

my hero academia vol 12 by kohei horikoshi 

my hero academia vol 13 by kohei horikoshi 

my hero academia vol 14 by kohei horikoshi 

my hero academia vol 15 by kohei horikoshi

my hero academia vol 16 by kohei horikoshi

my hero academia vol 17  by kohei horikoshi

my hero academia vol 18 by kohei horikoshi

my hero academia vol 19  by kohei horikoshi

my hero academia vol 20  by kohei horikoshi

my hero academia vol 21 by kohei horikoshi

my hero academia vol 22 by kohei horikoshi

my hero academia vol 23 by kohei horikoshi

my hero academia vol 24 by kohei horikoshi

my hero academia vol 25 by kohei horikoshi

my hero academia vol 26 by kohei horikoshi

my hero academia vol 27 by kohei horikoshi

my hero academia vol 28 by kohei horikoshi

my hero academia vol 29 by kohei horikoshi

my hero academia vol 30 by kohei horikoshi

my hero academia vol 31 by kohei horikoshi

my hero academia vol 32 by kohei horikoshi

my hero academia vol 33 by kohei horikoshi

my hero academia vol 34 by kohei horikoshi

my hero academia vol 35  by kohei horikoshi

love on the brain by ali hazelwood 

little thieves by margaret owen 

their vicious darling by nikki st crowe

lore by alexandra bracken

new kid by jerry craft 💧

the ballad of never after by stephanie garber

October: 

gallows hill by darcy coates

bellamy by darcy coates 🤍

kingdom of the feared by kerri maniscalco 

seven floors by dino buzzall 💧

belladonna by adalyn grace 

lore olympus vol 2 by rachel smythe 

a dowry of blood by st gibson 💜

riding the headless horseman by molly likovich 

uzumaki by junji ito 

scream for us by molly doyle 

clown in a cornfield 2: friendo lives by adam cesare 

bloodshed by molly doyle 

November: 

my first book of feminism (for boys) by julie merberg and brummer everett 💧

hattie harmony: worry detective by elizabeth olsen, robbie arnett and marisssa valdez 💧

how to catch a dragon by adam wallace and andy elkerton 💧

love makes a family by sophie beer 💧

just like me by vanessa brantley newton 💧

c is for consent by eleanor morrison and faye orlove 💧

lizzie demands a seat!: elizabeth jennings fights for streetcar rights by beth anderson and e.b. lewis 💧

reading beauty by deborah underwood and meg hunt 

the not so friendly friend by christina furnival and katie dwyer 💧

if you were a kid aboard the titanic by josh gregory and sebastia serra 💧

don’t call me princess by bari wald and tsebahat fiseha 💧

what’s my superpower by delanda coleman, terrence coleman and bowen jiang 💧

rosa parks: a kids book about standing up for what’s right by mary nhin and yuliia zolotova 💧

jane goodall: a kids book about conserving the natural world we all share by mary nhin and yuliia zolotova 💧

amazing affirmations by kiara wilson 💧

pink is not a color by lindsay ward 💧

the traveling book by charissa bates and nadja bullis 💧

bertie the very blind bat by joanne moore and michelle gemmel 💧

i choose to reduce, resus and recycle by elizabeth estrada 💧

i choose to speak up by elizabeth estrada 💧

jujutsu kaisen vol 1 by gege akutami 

the lottery by shriley jackson 💧

jujutsu kaisen vol 2 by gege akutami 

jujutsu kaisen vol 3 by gege akutami 

jujutsu kaisen vol 4 by gege akutami

jujutsu kaisen vol 5 by gege akutami

jujutsu kaisen vol 6 by gege akutami

jujutsu kaisen vol 7  by gege akutami

jujutsu kaisen vol 8  by gege akutami

jujutsu kaisen vol 9  by gege akutami

jujutsu kaisen vol 10  by gege akutami

jujutsu kaisen vol 11  by gege akutami

jujutsu kaisen vol 12  by gege akutami

my hero academia vol 36 by koehi horikoshi 

jujutsu kaisen vol 13 by gege akutami

jujutsu kaisen vol 14 by gege akutami

lore olympus vol 3 by rachel smythe  

jujutsu kaisen vol 15 by gege akutami

jujutsu kaisen vol 16  by gege akutami

jujutsu kaisen vol 17 by gege akutami

defend the dawn by bridgid kemmerer 

menage place by tatum dixon

menage place 2 by tatum dixon 

menage place 3 by tatum dixon 

menage place 4 by tatum dixon 

menage place 5 by tatum dixon 

menage place 6 by tatum dixon 

jujutsu kaisen vol 18 by gege akutami

jujutsu kaisen vol 19  by gege akutami

jujutsu kaisen vol 20  by gege akutami

princess of souls by alexandra christo 

december 

the prison healer by lynette noni🤍

the gilded cage by lynette noni 🤍

the blood traitor by lynette noni 🤍

the sun will rise and so will you by jennae cecelia 

defy the night by brigid kemmerer 🤍

the merciful crow by margaret owen 🤍

the faithless hawk by margaret owen 🤍

the night circus by erin morgenstern 

the deal by elle kennedy 🤍

the mistake by elle kennedy 🤍

the score by elle kennedy 🤍

the goal by elle kennedy 🤍

[myplussizebookshelf]

F/F romance

Doesn't care by Deliah Green

D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins

The Seafarer's Kiss by Julia Ember

Season of love by Helena Gree

Soft on soft by Em Ali

Mrs. Martin's Incomparable Adventure by Courtney Milan

Knit one, girl two by Shira Glassman

Get it right by Skye Kilaen

Eight kinky nights by Xan West

Curvy Girls Can't Date Curvy Girls by Kelsie Stelting

[hoffkk]

Attention Polin lovers! Check this out…

I just listened to this book on audible (also comes in paperback and kindle forms though) and it gave me major Polin feels. If you love Colin and Penelope like I do and need something to fill the void until season 3, I highly recommend this book as it feels very much like a modern au for Bridgerton’s Colin and Penelope. The personalities and personal struggles of the main characters are actually quite similar to Colin and Penelope,and it is pretty well written. The overall conflict created by an impromptu bet was kind of annoying and predictable but the feels made up for it in the long run. Also the main girl has PCOS which I feel is both interesting and important to note. The best part is that it is the first in a series. I can’t wait to read the rest and figured since I did enjoy it so much that I would pass it along. Feel free to check it out, try the sample, and judge for yourself. :)

[aw-my-books]

Other guys gave their girls the world. Maverick gave me the universe.

All the Things He Left Behind by Kelsie Stelting

Review here!

The one about a broken heart ♥

[gouldnavy]

BOOKS I’VE READ IN 2021

sincerely enemies by kelsie stelting read: jan 24 rating: two stars 6/?

[samgoesdownhill]

Dear Adam by Kelsie Stelting

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What happens when the bad boy takes over the school advice column?

The last thing Emerick should be doing is giving anyone advice. His dad’s in prison. His mom’s buried under credit card debt. And he’s one step from failing. After everything his mom’s been through, she can’t take another disappointment. So when the guidance counselor gives him a choice, anonymously write the school’s advice column or drop out, what choice does he really have? Student body president Nora Wilson has the perfect life. At least, that’s what everyone thinks. And with her dad running for governor . . . reputation is everything. She can’t let anyone know she’s drowning under the pressure. Except for an anonymous advice columnist. Nora and Emerick can’t stand each other in real life. But online? They may have more in common than they ever thought possible.

I must state before the review, that I received a digital ARC of this book to be able to read and review for all of you.

This story was ultimately very adorable for those that like Simon VS the Homo-sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli, Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum and P.S I Like You by Kasie West, you will love this story. The diversity and glances into the life of a young black kid will touch the hearts of many. 

Kelsie Stelting is a YA contemporary writer and from what I can tell, creates cute easy reads that could potentially have your heart fluttering and hurting by the end of each book. I’ve only had the pleasure of reading this one story by her, but I’m now interested in reading more of her works. 

Dear Adam touches on the subjects of teen depression, the lives of black families in Oklahoma surrounded by privileged whites, and the troubled up bringing of girls and boys in the eye of the public because of parental politicians. 

Now, I’ve read quite a few books about kids growing up in the shadows of politicians. They were works of fiction but everyone has the same signs of corrupt parenting; the issue of never living up to your parents expectations or having to dress and act a certain way for the press. Not all of us understand the hardships these teens or children face, but most of us understand the whole not living up to the expectations of others.

The story of Nora & Emerick will be beneficial for young teens who are trying to find themselves and learning how to cope with family issues. 

I hope to see more of Kelsie Stelting in the book community in the future.

[more-than-a-princess]

@tricksheart asked - Who is an author that inspires you?

Belated Munday Meme - Accepting even though it is Tuesday because writing replies = that's a no from me tonight

The best answer for this?

Anyone I've read and enjoyed, or are currently reading. I could say someone classic and profound, and I certainly do like classic literature. But I will say: Kevin Kwan made me feel the gamut of emotions in all three Crazy Rich Asians books. And the footnotes used are excellent: exactly what those types of people think. Sex and Vanity, while it wasn't as good, nailed a lot of the East Coast upperclass traditions and snobbery, too.

Otherwise, going by my kindle, this is who I'm currently into. I barely buy physical copies these days (though I did just treat myself to a boxset of something I already read and loved/aka. yes I bought ACOTAR in hardback don't judge me, and want to make sure other offline friends and family read):

Sarah J. Maas

Julia Quinn

Tessa Dare

Lisa Kleypas

Kelsie Stelting - I wish she was around when I was a teenager because I absolutely needed curvy/fat/plus sized teen heroines in my life with great love stories

Anthony Horowitz

Sarah MacLean

Evie Dunmore

Deborah Harkness

Diana Gabaldon - though I prefer the earlier Out.lander books to the later ones

Katharine McGee

Aven Ellis - Look her royalty series isn't good but it gives me plot inspo

And I haven't read full books of these, just excerpts from these authors, but they'll be next after I finish Thr.one of G.lass and Cres.cent Ci.ty:

Jennifer L. Armentrout

Kerri Maniscalco

Mary Balogh

Molly Fitz

Elizabeth Hoyt

Rick Yancey

I could've given a highbrow answer to this and I know it...but this is what's currently on my to-read or recently read list. I like historical romances, some mystery, and some horror. I've now added fantasy romance in varying degrees of steam. I also try to read a lot of royalty-based fiction and non-fiction, and novels with plus-sized main characters, as I love seeing people who look like me live fabulous, amazing lives (and not have their weight be a constant plot point).

My shameful secret is this: I've realized I like romance in novels way more than visual novels/otome games. I still play a few but the dynamics are just so much more engaging in books. At least for me.

Where are my fellow mutuals who are also book nerds like me

[kelsiestelting]

WLW Romance Books for Teens

There is nothing better than young adult romance books. You get all the butterflies and excitement of your first love, plenty of angst, and usually a dose of drama that keeps you turning the pages late into the night. I’m also loving how diverse the genre has grown, and I want to share some of my favorite WLW (women loving women) romance books featuring teen main characters! (Because let’s be honest, you’re never too old to relive your first love!)

The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth

Seventeen-year-old cynic Saoirse Clarke isn’t looking for a relationship. But when she meets mischievous Ruby, that rule goes right out the window. Sort of.

Because Ruby has a loophole in mind: a summer of all the best cliché movie montage dates, with a definite ending come fall—no broken hearts, no messy breakup. It would be the perfect plan, if they weren’t forgetting one thing about the Falling in Love Montage: when it’s over, the characters have fallen in love...for real.

Curvy Girls Can’t Date Curvy Girls by Kelsie Stelting

Ever since coming out, Xi’s parents have been her biggest cheerleaders, pushing her to join the Emerson Pride Association and making the community a better place for people like her. Now, she’s got the huge responsibility of planning Emerson Academy’s first ever inclusive prom to take place after the town’s very first pride parade, even though she’s never had a girlfriend or even a date of her own. Kiyana’s hidden her orientation long as she can remember. The only person who knows is her secretly gay best friend/fake boyfriend, Stefon. Their relationship has kept judgmental family and public scrutiny off their backs throughout high school. But with their senior year behind them, everything is about to change. When Stefon convinces Kiyana to come to the Pride Celebration, she immediately recognizes Xi, the cute edgy girl at school who’s always on the outside but seems secure in who she is. Can the Pride Celebration show Kiyana it's safe to go with Xi to the prom? Or will Xi's first prom go down as another dateless night in history?

Some Girls Do by Jennifer Dugan

Morgan, an elite track athlete, is forced to transfer high schools late in her senior year after it turns out being queer is against her private Catholic school's code of conduct.

There, she meets Ruby, who has two hobbies: tinkering with her baby blue 1970 Ford Torino and competing in local beauty pageants, the latter to live out the dreams of her overbearing mother.

The two are drawn to each other and can't deny their growing feelings. But while Morgan--out and proud, and determined to have a fresh start--doesn't want to have to keep their budding relationship a secret, Ruby isn't ready to come out yet. With each girl on a different path toward living her truth, can they go the distance together?

She Gets the Girl by Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick

Alex and Molly don’t belong on the same planet, let alone the same college campus. But when Alex, fresh off a bad (but hopefully not permanent) breakup, discovers Molly’s hidden crush as their paths cross the night before classes start, they realize they might have a common interest after all. Because maybe if Alex volunteers to help Molly learn how to get her dream girl to fall for her, she can prove to her ex that she’s not a selfish flirt. That she’s ready for an actual commitment. And while Alex is the last person Molly would ever think she could trust, she can’t deny Alex knows what she’s doing with girls, unlike her. As the two embark on their five-step plans to get their girls to fall for them, though, they both begin to wonder if maybe they’re the ones falling…for each other.

Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit by Jaye Robin Brown

Joanna meets the perfect girl for her and must decide whether to break a promise that could change everything for her and her family or lose out on love in this charming young adult romance that’s perfect for fans of Julie Murphy’s Dumplin’ and Becky Albertalli’s Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda.

Joanna Gordon has been out and proud for years, but when her popular radio evangelist father remarries and decides to move all three of them from Atlanta to the more conservative Rome, Georgia, he asks Jo to do the impossible: to lie low for the rest of her senior year. And Jo reluctantly agrees.

Although it is (mostly) much easier for Jo to fit in as a straight girl, things get complicated when she meets Mary Carlson, the oh-so-tempting sister of her new friend at school. But Jo couldn’t possibly think of breaking her promise to her dad.

Even if she’s starting to fall for the girl. Even if there’s a chance Mary Carlson might be interested in her, too. Right?

She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen

After an embarrassing loss to her ex-girlfriend in their first basketball game of the season, seventeen-year-old Scottie Zajac gets into a fender bender with the worst possible person: her nemesis, Irene Abraham, head cheerleader for the Fighting Reindeer. Irene is as mean as she is beautiful, so Scottie makes a point to keep her distance. When the accident sends Irene’s car to the shop for weeks’ worth of repairs and the girls are forced to carpool, their rocky start only gets bumpier. But when an opportunity arises for Scottie to get back at her toxic ex—and climb her school’s social ladder—she bribes Irene into an elaborate fake- dating scheme that threatens to reveal some very real feelings.

Keeping You a Secret by Julie Anne Peters

With a steady boyfriend, the position of Student Council President, and a chance to go to an Ivy League college, high school life is just fine for Holland Jaeger. At least, it seems to be. But when Cece Goddard comes to school, everything changes. Cece and Holland have undeniable feelings for each other, but how will others react to their developing relationship? This moving love story between two girls is for fans of Nancy Garden's classic young adult coming out novel, Annie on My Mind. With her characteristic humor and breezy style, Peters has captured the compelling emotions of young love.

Have you read any of these WLW romance books? If not, which one is at the top of your TBR? I would love to hear from you!

[authorunpublished]

Book Review: Unfair Catch

Book Review: Unfair Catch

Title: Unfair Catch

Author: Kelsie Stelting

Genre: Contemporary, Romance

Rating: 3 Stars

Description/Synopsis:

After losing her dream job in Austin, Savannah Dondi has to do the unthinkable—move back to her small hometown. Living minutes from her parents and working in her aunt’s beauty parlor isn’t exactly the glamorous life she had planned.

When she sees Hudson McAllister at the local rodeo,…