ROMANCE NOVELS 🌹 | the reading vlog where i'm reminded of how single i am

Hello friends! I delved into the genre of romance for the very first time, and it was super fun and exciting! Join me as I discover some books that I love, and one read which didn't tickle my fancy whatsoever.
With love,
Joel ☀️
Prince of Stories & Scion of the Sun
BLACK LIVES MATTER
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✊🏽 black booktubers list | • Black Booktubers
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HELP LEBANON
🇱🇧 invaluable resources (information + donations) | helplebanon.carrd.co
BOOKTUBERS MENTIONED
✨ noelle | / noellegallagher
✨ fadwa | / @wordwonders
✨ sil | / @thebookvoyagers
✨ mina | / minareads
BLOGGERS MENTIONED
💻 maha | sunshinenbooks.wordpress.com/
💻 shealea | shutupshealea.com/
💻 kate | readingthroughinfinity.com/
BOOKSTAGRAMMERS MENTIONED
📸 lea | / that_bookdragon
📸 ruby | / rubyraereads
WEBTOONS MENTIONED
📒 Heartstopper | tapas.io/series/Heartstopper
BOOKS MENTIONED
📖 Get a Life, Chloe Brown | / 43884209
📖 Take a Hint, Dani Brown | / 49976087
📖 Heartstopper | / 236821
📖 Her Royal Highness | / 41734205
📖 Red, White & Royal Blue | / 41150487
📖 The Kiss Quotient | / 36199084
📖 The Bride Test | / 39338454
📖 The Hating Game | / 25883848
📖 A Princess in Theory | / 35271238
📖 Witches Steeped in Gold | / 51813582
📖 The House in the Cerulean Sea | / 45047384
💛 Contribute Captioning! | kzbin.info_cs_p...
LET'S CONNECT
✍🏽 blog | fictionalfates.com
🐦 twitter | / joelrochesterr
📷 instagram | / joelrochesterr
📸 bookstagram | / fictionalfates
📚 goodreads | / joelrochesterr
📌 pinterest | pinterest.co.uk/joelrochesterr
OTHER LINKS
☕ ko-fi | ko-fi.com/joelrochesterr
🛒 amazon wishlist | www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/...
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OWLCRATE REP
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MUSIC CREDITS
🎼 Clueless Kit - Come To A Stop (feat. køra) - thmatc.co/?l=40B85A9E
🎵 hana - insomnia - thmatc.co/?l=B2B68487
🎵 Mark Generous - Meganne - thmatc.co/?l=C31EE7B4
🎼 Jennifer Chung - Better Today Than Yesterday - thmatc.co/?l=43A12211
BUSINESS INQUIRIES
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DISCLAIMER
🌻 This video is not sponsored.

[@heyimsasa]

joel drops his book at 0:12, 24:59, and 30:11 😂😂

[@alybrynjohnson2495]

I read this comment right as he was reaching for the drink on his shelf and I got REALLY nervous. Even though you probably would have put the in the comment. And then everything was fine!

[@mabumarnauen7318]

@Ezequiel Cason no actually nobody cares

[@HeliaNaderi]

The last one was PERFECTION X))

[@achilleanmafia]

since you're reading romance now im kind of dying to know what you would think of Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe...

[@fictionalfates]

that’s going on my TBR perhaps!

[@achilleanmafia]

​@@fictionalfates OHMYGODGSKHGLAHSLGAKLGAHGAHLG PLEASE YOU WON'T REGRET I PROMISE it's my all time favorite novel, it made me feel seen the way dani brown likely made you feel seen

[@musicalnerds101]

fictionalfates yes yes yes yes!!! That is my favorite book and I think you would love it!!

[@callista4401]

Omg that’s on my tbr for so long too and y’all also making me curious 😭

[@madelyntumbleson]

I literally was going to comment this!! It’s my all time favorite book and I think he’ll LOVE IT!! And the sequel is coming out soon too!

[@ElianalaDivina]

Every time Joel drops a book and looks in the camera he’s like 👁👄👁

[@halliehurst4847]

Fucking finally on the Her Royal Highness front. I’ve been seeing it recommended everywhere and my god, ignoring everything else wrong with it, the author had clearly never even been to Scotland - hell, never even bothered to google it. The characters had big ‘American goes on Outlander Tour and spends one day in Edinburgh and is now an Expert on Scotland TM’ vibes to them, which is bad when one of the characters I’m talking about it supposed to be the princess of Scotland. Seriously authors, if you want an obscure European country to set your story in, just make one up. Don’t shit on one that already exists.

[@mayallyourbaconburn7133]

Hallie Hurst that weren’t the specific points that bothered me but I totally agree. I didn’t have any trouble reading through it but it was just bad...

[@celiananaze]

I binge-read the three volumes of heartstopper last week and my bisexual ass was LIVING, it was so good!

[@dreamingofthemoon]

ME

[@jasminewestover7068]

I am actually so excited to get some good recommendations. This intro is also very iconic, I feel the same! 💕💚

[@fictionalfates]

ahahah i’m glad i’m not alone!

[@leannenewman2415]

I find it so interesting how everyone prefers Dani Browns book to Chloe Brown! They were both 5* for me, but I just adored the concept of Chloe Brown and connected with her as a character more than Dani... BUT THEY WERE BOTH PHENOMENAL I LOVE TALIA HIBERT

[@bebella9005]

The way Nick discovered his bisexuality was so similar to how I discovered my pansexuality too (although for me it was later on in life). So glad you enjoyed reading romance! Can't wait to hear your thoughts on the rest of the books!

[@user-rz6mf6iv6o]

Yooooo I didn't realise you were Welsh, your accent sounds really English. So excited to have some Cymru rep in the booktube community

[@aislynnclav]

U FINISHED ALL THESE BOOKS SO QUICKLY AND THESE R ALL ON MY TBR HOW

[@chloepoudrier9309]

Red, White & Royal Blue made me cry seriously about 20 times, I adored it so so much 💘

[@fictionalfates]

it’s SO GOOD!

[@mariaantoniatoffoli2470]

I would really recomend The Gentlemans Gude To Vice and Virtue the main charecter is Bi, and also it is a LGBT story set in the past, it is not purely romance since it has some touches of adventure. The author is a historian so she tried to bring a realistic aspect to some parts of the story, it also deals with chronical ilness and how it was treated at the time. Would really recomend Sorry if there are any mistakes english is not my first language

[@valentinac.6126]

YES and the sequel, The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy deals more with friendship, which he said he wanted to read more of later

[@CocoRegardless]

Yess! I just finished that book and I'm very excited to read the sequel too! It was so fun and it got me out of my reading slump. It also touches on the way society saw people of colour in that time

[@Jess-yk5hi]

This was such a good book, loved it a lot! Also one of the books i've laughed out loud a lot during

[@lucysapphire443]

yessss

[@JustJosh]

whoever you are, wherever you are, hope something amazing happens within your life very soon - From a vlogger who loves to spread positivity!

[@joellesoumis8041]

TW: suicide just want to say that the rate of suicide for men is higher because their attempts work more than women’s so be careful with saying that ! With that said, I really think that it is important to talk about men’s mental health because we don’t do it enough !!

[@Jess-yk5hi]

Was going to make this comment, too. Men typically use more violent methods that are less likely to fail than the methods women choose, but women actually attempt suicide 3 to 4 times more often. Sad truths, but agree it's important to discuss, as men are much less likely to seek treatment for depression when they need it.

[@jam-yh3bl]

loveless by alice oseman does fit the bill of "romance isn't necessary" - while there is a romantic subplot, there's also so much about how wonderful platonic relationships can be so would recommend, made me feel better about being single

[@peterking5906]

Gone wind d oooold

[@nataliesoutlet]

this title lol

[@littlemusic4x]

Just wanted to let you know that I got an ad of a big German company with two gay men on this video. Including a sweet good morning kiss and all. The branding is strong!

[@BethVlogs_]

I swear I'm a Heartstopper Stan Account!

[@fictionalfates]

LMAO MOOD

[@lidahdh9183]

I'm so glad you did this recommendations since i am myself a hopeless single romantic who finds refuge in romances😅

[@FromJessToYou]

I appreciate your mention of Book Bloggers. As I have been in that "field" since 2008 it really means a lot.

[@katrielsdiary]

why is the intro such a mood

[@lauragouveia4526]

This is way too cheesy but his and Ellias videos feel like home

[@margaritakholopova4826]

yeees

[@everythingfictional777]

They are endgame.. I know it.. I hope it.. .. 😈😈

[@pucksandpaperbacks]

Romance is not a genre I gravitate toward which is weird because I generally read contemporary novels where romance is involved but you just convinced me to pick up Talia Hibert's books! You sold me when you mentioned Chloe playing Sims and Take a Hint, Dani Brown having a great portrayal of men's mental health.

[@maxiem7322]

if you do a vlog reading books with platonic relationships, I recommend Radio Silence by Alice Oseman. I absolutely loved the friendship in it, and the 2nd main character is Aled from Heartstopper!(it also made me cry a shit ton lol)

[@Kirgaby]

Wow, I can't believe I'm this stupid and that I didn't notice that. What the hell?

[@mayallyourbaconburn7133]

Maxie M wait seriously I did not know that

[@mayallyourbaconburn7133]

Maxie M I am afraid to continue radio silence cuss I fear that it’s gonna break me😟 I should continue but I’m not great with emotions. If a book makes me cry I can feel sad for weeks so I try to avoid it. That said I have the saddest books in ya and contemporary history on my tbr....

[@Kirgaby]

@@mayallyourbaconburn7133 Nah, I don't think you'll cry (well, just a little bit) . If you are a sensitive person you may feel everything a bit too much, if you start feeling sad try to leave the book for a couple of hours. (It happened to me LOL, I was feeling sad even when I shouldn't and it kinda drained me so I left the book for a couple of hours and when I came back I got a totally different feeling, and I read the saddest part with no problems) With that said, your heart will be restored by the end I think. It's pretty worth it, it really is.

[@mayallyourbaconburn7133]

Gabbs _Giss I quess Im gonna pick it up soon again then. Thank you😊 .

[@OperationAdventure]

Red, White, and Royal Blue messed me up! It’s so good, even made me cry. 🤷🏼‍♂️🤣

[@alybrynjohnson2495]

Rereading it makes me sad as an American- reflecting on how the 2016 election actually went 🤮

[@OperationAdventure]

Right there with you!

[@mori7956]

I kept forgetting to say that I really like your editing style! Sometimes the cuts in other videos really throw me off but your videos just have a really nice feeling and they always make my day better💛

[@fictionalfates]

thank you so much!! 🥺♥️

[@peggingmothman]

Although not just romance I'd recommend Tillie Walden's graphic novels for some good sapphic romance they are so soft and beautifully illustrated! Also for a book that's not just about romance Alice Oseman's newest book Loveless is about a girl called Georgia who is aro/ace and her coming to accept that about herself and how platonic relationships are just as important as romantic ones!

[@aenyxeas6435]

I died when I saw the "Stan Red Velvet" at the back!

[@celia390]

I just realized this is 42 minutes long omg ...still gonna watch the whole thing though (thanks x2 speed)

[@fictionalfates]

LOVE X2 SPEED

[@ava_lavender]

I always watch everything on x2 speed lol

[@OneMillion444]

samee lol

[@avsambart]

Same!

[@ilovealotofstuff1624]

Same I watch everything on 2X speed

[@lauragouveia4526]

As someone who has struggled with anxiety for a couple years now, I also get emotional anytime i read or watch situations related to it. And hell yeah, men's mental health needs to start being more talked about and less seen as a stigma. Stay strong yall wonderful men, cry the fuck out when you need to ❤️

[@jolintoh]

KNIVES OUT IS SUCH A GOOD MOVIE OMG THE TASTE

[@cosmoquail_reads4218]

honestly ive been watching booktube since 2014 and your vlogs are the best I’ve ever watched. you’re amazing and i love hearing your thoughts

[@ananditaagarwal1190]

His imitation of kdramas 😂😂 so on point

[@GriffReads]

I'm so glad you enjoyed Red, White and Royal Blue, I've had it on my tbr for ages but I finally got my hands on a copy recently and I can't wait to read it!

[@JayGTheAwkwardBookworm]

omg I feel you on the active role of being in charge in the relationship NO THANK YOU

[@Lina-vs2ei]

you’re such an amazing person and precious human being and i love your channel so much! thank you for the content ❤️

[@ferventfei]

her royal highness sort of has a soft spot on me because it was the first sapphic book i read and especially when i was discovering that i'm bi, but i totally agree with what you said. looking back on it, a lot of the plot and characters are very undeveloped. (also i just recently reread red white and royal blue and fell in love all over again, so i was so excited to see what you thought of it)

[@bellecanread]

loved hearing your thoughts on these books - especially take a hint, dani brown! zaf is easily one of my favorite romance book characters 😄

[@lev.lately]

Also, your vlogs are so comforting and homey! I always feel so welcome and happy, especially as a safe space to be myself!

[@RockMusicIsPerfect]

Love the idea of themed reading vlogs! This vlog was amazing! 💜

[@amandamaisel2611]

You are my favorite booktuber!! I love how you explore all different kinds of genres and have such an open mind about books ☺️💖

[@akdnrhenalalfb]

I love the idea of doing themed reading vlogs!! Sounds so fun and a great way to explore new genres

[@isabellagualtieri5441]

i just found your channel a couple days ago and i’m literally obsessed! you’re absolutely amazing!

[@loveyourself0828]

I LOVE the idea of themed vlogs! This vlog gave me life :) Also, The Hating Game is AMAZING! Cannot wait until you read it!

[@sofiadavid8380]

You are such a wonderful and joyful person. I could listen to you all day long. I just wanted to say that I appreaciate you so much and the idea of the vlogs while reading different genres is such a perfect idea. ❤️sending love from romania

[@TheMamaMoments]

Absolutely LOVED everything about this vlog! Watching you giggle while reading dani brown really got me.

[@sunshinehobi8954]

I have been so excited for this vlog!!!💕

[@fictionalfates]

ahhh i’ve been so excited to post it!!

[@dashacastillo1377]

the soft colors in the book covers, here for it!!

[@madireads4413]

LOVE! I'm so excited to read the Chloe Brown book! I totally loved your review of it and now I'm even more keen!!

[@andrea3592]

I love how willing you are to try new genres! You picked some great books- I still need to pick up Dani Brown but am so excited to! The Kiss Quotient and Bride Test are wonderful and I hope you get to them soon- before the third book is released next year! Also completely agree that kdramas prepare you for romance- if you can survive second lead syndrome you can survive a romance novel while single!

[@charmilliriano8385]

Im so happy I found you like ahhh I can't wait to watch all ur videos

[@teresarosereads]

So happy to hear that you loved Red White and Royal Blue!! It's one of my favorites!

[@analeasejac4703]

I loved this vlog! I love the idea of genre themed vlogs

[@GeekyC]

Just found you in my recommendation and I cannot wait to binge watch all your vids !! Nice to meet you lovely ❤️

[@boopsieeee]

This is my first time watching you. 15 seconds in and I already know I'm gonna love this haha❤

[@starrytiiina]

I love this, Talia Hibbert is indeed AMAZING and Heartstopper is so lovely too! I read them on Tapas.

[@TheBookVoyagers]

JOEL WTF ISIKJSS i didn't expect that shout out. thank you

[@rileyherbert4462]

I cannot wait to see what we have read! Yay Romance!

[@tiaraleightaikato]

I just found your channel and all I can say is that I LOVED THIS VIDEO, so I will definitely be sticking around!! Thank youu 💞❣️

[@dear._sky]

i’m definitely a romance fanatic so glad to get some recommendations from this video!! ☺️

[@ava_lavender]

I've actually read almost all these books (I haven't picked up the second or third volume of Heartstopper yet), and my least favorite was also Her Royal Highness. I'm glad you enjoyed the rest of them, though!

[@elliafabia]

First video I'm ever watching from you, 2 minutes in and you already convinced me to subscribe...I don't even read romances myself - I'm more of a thriller and fantasy girl :D I'm excited to put on you channel on whenever I'm sitting at my desk, doing things that doesn't need my whole attention :D

[@gb8269]

Your channel has gotten me back into reading regularly! You take such a methodical but relaxed approach to books that I really enjoy. Hope to pick up Evelyn Hugo by September to read with you!

[@hollylandlibrary6604]

I just finished Take a Hint, Dani Brown and I absolutely loved it! Also, hearing you talk about it makes me really want to reread Red White and Royal Blue

[@AikiraBeats]

The t-shirt looks amazing on you. Love watching your videos your voice is so calming and relaxing

[@zoeomalley2117]

the introduction called me out so hard i literally had to pause the video and regather myself. love you!

[@sunshinelorena]

I haven't read get a life Chloe Brown or take a hint Dani Brown but I have seen it all over booktube so I will need to read it soon. I had assumed that it was America but so excited that it is actually British! 🙂

[@ewaldkostergunnsisko3491]

I love the idea of themed reading months, definitely something I would be interested in(even if I am not necessarily into the genre itself)

[@Areinhardt19]

Loved every second of this!

[@CoffeeandBookswithAli]

I love a good romance novel! I loved red white and royal blue so much! It’s one of my fave romances for sure!

[@pottschloe]

Eve is my favourite Brown sister too!! Loved Take A Hint Dani Brown, can’t wait for the next one.

[@StephLoves]

New subscriber here. I loved this video so much. I've read all of these except the Hating Game but I'm sooooo glad you enjoyed Talia Hibbert, she's become one of my favourite authors this year 😍 fab vlog Joel 😁

[@c223]

The bromance book club is also a really fun read! Started the second book yesterday and love it so much already!

[@charlotte1686]

ok im now excited to read all of these books!! 🥰

[@nicolec6570]

Quickly adding Talia Hibbert books to my TBR. Thank you! Your analysis on them has me looking forward to them!

[@josetieneoro]

Dude you're so awesome! Glad this was in my recommendations

[@silviac.1554]

nothing makes my day more than joel uploading 🥺🥺

[@kiraaa9506]

Even more amazing book recs? good sir ur gonna make my pockets hurt😭💕

[@fictionalfates]

skdkskdk i’m sorry

[@RaetheSaint]

This was such a great video, I absolutely love the way you edit these videos. It’s so aesthetically pleasing! I’ve started getting into romance more recently too ☺️ I really enjoyed Get a Life, Chloe Brown but I agree that the issue that came up towards the end was kind of weirdly set up. I’m starting Take a Hint, Dani Brown today!

[@GirlMadeofWords]

LOVE THIS VLOG!!

[@matteahayn]

UGHHHHHH what a line-up!! I want to read Heartstopper so so badly (I’m just waiting for my library to get it) and Red, White, and Royal Blue was one of my favorite books of this year! It was so freaking cute 🥰 I’ve been debating reading Get a Life Chloe Brown cause I don’t read adult romance but I think I might have to try it out now. ❤️ Your reviews are always so spot-on and I trust them so much! Your vlogs are my favorite part of the week

[@randomlyverbose7478]

You could always read heartstopper on tappas though!

[@enna1347]

I'm sooo glad to have found your channel!! You're a breath of fresh air! More power to you and your channel. I hope you're doing well. Stay safe xo

[@ZzZivaReads]

Yes, Red white and royal blue! lol I only just started watching but I'm so excited to see your reactions to that book 😂

[@ZzZivaReads]

Yay I'm so happy you liked it xD honestly, this entire vlog was so incredible and alll the cozy vibes

[@joa2919]

This blog definitely put me in a mood to read some romance! I'm gonna start red white & Royal Blue :) Also thank you for mentioning the webcomic version oh heartstopper, I'm gonna pretend it's thanks to my tweet and be real proud Your enthusiasm is really contagious!!

[@fictionalfates]

no need to pretend, it was because of your tweet!

[@jennalakes6334]

I was trying to not spend money on new books but I’ve been wanting to read the Brown sister books and NOW I MUST BUY THEM

[@anookishexception7234]

"I am now reading romance books because of the dreadful fact that I am single, and all I want is for someone to ask me out" WOW WHAT A MOOD! Just found your channel but after that opening I'm definitely subscribing.

[@awkward-duck-777]

the fact that you are single is a crime, cause you are so lovely and fascinating, I'm very new to your channel, and im already hooked from how amazing you are

[@jxlene111]

the hating game is my favorite I could live inside tht book forever, I also read it bc of noelle! I hope u luv it !!

[@shannondiaz3811]

You're so likeable! I can see why everyone encouraged you to create a KZbin channel! Love your pants btw!

[@schoolofgold834]

Thank you so much for sharing your books. Big fan of your channel. One of the best books I read in 2021 was KEYS TO MY HEART written by Tania Gold. Such a beautiful story. The shop assistant has said that Keys to My Heart book was selling world wide and selling like hotcakes. Have you read it yet? I bought it from EBAY but it's on Kindle too.

[@marjar.5978]

I loved both Helen Hoang’s books ❤️. Can’t wait for the third one ❤️❤️❤️

[@avsambart]

So glad you read Heartstopper! I'm so glad you enjoyed it as much as I did ☺️ even in the three volumes I was crying at times tehe Omg yes please do Classics! I recommend The Picture of Dorian Grey, Dracula, Frankenstein, Alice in Wonderland, and Pride & Prejudice.

[@whalesbooks9986]

This vid is so raw, and I love it so much. Also I just started reading Red White and Royal Blue on audio book and it is so far, SO GOOD!

[@jessie3758]

I just finished it 30 minutes ago! I really enjoyed it.

[@tashachamberlain9764]

2 seconds in & I love you already

[@themedicinalhomestead3337]

Love your reasoning! Haha ☺ been trying to expand my reading genres too!

[@peterking5906]

Okkkk. Midnitr runer. If 1 can find

[@bookswithmills7295]

so happy you loved Red White & Royal Blue it's one of my new fav books!!! really rate almost all of the romances you read in this video they're all so wholesome and lovely, you should try Call Me by Your Name as well it's something a bit different but in such a good way it's so so beautiful! x

[@Alea_uncharted]

This was so fun to watch! You just happened to pick up some of my favorite romances so I loved seeing you read and love them too :) That's such a bummer about Her Royal Highness, that's one I've really been looking forward to, but an author not doing their research can get super annoying and distracting so I get it

[@alenasmolemoreader3584]

I'm so happy that you loved Red, White and Royal Blue! 💕

[@dino0o744]

Noelle puts out a video and you do on the same day!!!! I never clicked so fast on both of those videos

[@katherinebruten3996]

:0 am I sensing a Welsh accent??? First Welsh booktuber I've found and it's EXCITING!!!! Loved your reviews, subscribed!