Our top audiobook picks for Valentine’s Day 2022
Why is romantic fiction popular today?
At xigxag, we serve customers the broadest possible selection of brilliant titles and authors. And when it comes to choosing the most popular genres, romantic fiction is always a strong contender. Last year, our customers couldn’t get enough of the heart-warming escapism that romance books offer.
Picking your next book can be a daunting task. There’s so much out there to choose from, but how can you know if you’re really going to love it? After all, there’s no better feeling than getting stuck into a good page-turner or should we say page-swiper or binge-listener in the immersive world of xigxag. We want to save you time by sharing some of our best picks and help you avoid slogging through something you don’t truly enjoy.
For some reason, many of us are hesitant to proclaim our love for romance novels in the way we might if we were into science-fiction or spy stories. We’re not going to dig into the possible psychology behind that theory, but we will present you with a fact: not only is romance fiction our fastest-growing genre but it’s seen a 49% increase in sales throughout the entire publishing industry.
So why is it that we love romantic fiction so much (even if we aren’t willing to admit it)? Well, in stressful times (need we remind you there’s been a pandemic happening?) it’s no real surprise that readers like to escape into warm, comforting worlds where people live normal lives and enjoy one another’s company. Romance novels remove us from the anxiety of everyday life and provide a cushion of security. And they’re almost guaranteed to have a happy ending. What’s not to love?
Our award-winning UK audiobook app offers great prices, no subscriptions and exclusive access to the listen-and-read x-book®. At xigxag, we put listeners at the heart of everything we do: great prices, no subscriptions and the best-ever user experience.
So if you want to find your perfect romantic (book) match check out our top romance picks below, download our app and experience 21st-century audiobooks today.
Romantic and modern love:
Here is what we would consider the traditional “romance” fiction titles.
“The Love Hypothesis“ by Ali Hazelwood (read by Callie Dalton) on xigxag. When a fake relationship between scientists meets the irresistible force of attraction, it throws one woman’s carefully calculated theories on love into chaos.
“Beautiful World, Where Are You“ by Sally Rooney (read by Aoife McMahon) on xigxag. Sally Rooney was one of the most anticipated titles last year, internationally bestselling author of “Normal People”.
“On a Night Like This“ by Lindsey Kelk (read by Carrie Hope Fletcher) on xigxag. It only takes one night to fall in love. Within days of wishing she could change her life, Fran Cooper is acting assistant to a celebrity, on a yacht in the Mediterranean.
“Meet Me in Tahiti“ by Georgia Toffolo (read by Carly Houston) on xigxag. Zoe has spent her life facing battles: fighting her parents for independence, struggling with her feelings for local bad boy Finn and, after a car accident at eighteen, adjusting to the fact she would not walk again. She remained strong until the day Finn, the person she thought she could trust, broke her heart… Now a successful travel writer, Zoe is excited to review a new luxury hotel in the beautiful South Pacific – until she meets its owner.
“Love Stories” by Trent Dalton on xigxag. Trent Dalton, Australia’s best-loved writer, asked the world a simple, direct question: Can you please tell me a love story? A blind man yearns to see the face of his wife of 30 years. A divorced mother has a secret affair with a travelling priest. Endless stories. Human stories. Love stories.
“Love in Lockdown“ by Chloe James (read by Sid Sagar, Harrie Dobby) on xigxag. A joyful love story set against the backdrop of lockdown – perfect for fans of “The Flatshare”. Do you believe in love before first sight?
“Millennial Love“ by Olivia Petter on xigxag. In “Millennial Love”, journalist Olivia Petter explores the questions, quirks and anxieties that consume the contemporary dating landscape.
“Modern Love” by Daniel Jones (read by various) on xigxag. A joyful collection of the most popular, provocative, and unforgettable essays from the New York Times “Modern Love” column, featuring stories from the upcoming anthology series starring Tina Fey, Andy Garcia, Anne Hathaway, Catherine Keener, Dev Patel, and John Slattery.
“Fault Lines“ by Emily Itami (read by Lydia Wilson) on xigxag. A brilliant love story, an exploration of love, family and identity. Mizuki is a Japanese housewife. She has a hardworking husband, two adorable children and a beautiful Tokyo apartment. One rainy night, she meets Kiyoshi, a successful restaurateur and rediscovers freedom, friendship and a voice. Alluring, compelling, startlingly honest and darkly funny.
If all this talk of love is the opposite of what you’re looking for at this time of year, check out our alternative Valentine’s Dat recommendations here.
Photo credit: Ben Kerckx on Pixabay
