Romance

"The course of true love never did run smooth," wrote William Shakespeare in A Midsummer Night's Dream—and he knew what he was talking about. A text from this study guide collection might be just the thing to remind you of the bliss and pain of love.

The Astonishing Color of After

by Emily X. R. Pan

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Memory

Tags Mental Illness, Modern Classic Fiction, Magical Realism, Romance, Fantasy

The Astonishing Color of After, published in 2018, is Emily X.R. Pan’s APALA Honor Award and Walter Honor Award-winning debut young adult fantasy novel. Pan was raised in Illinois by her Taiwanese and Chinese American parents, and closely collaborated with her extended family in Taiwan while researching and writing the novel. Although the novel is not explicitly autobiographical, certain details like Leigh being the only child of a professor and a piano teacher echo the... Read The Astonishing Color of After Summary

The Bar Code Tattoo

by Suzanne Weyn

Publication year 2004

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Environment, Social Class, Politics & Government, Art, Equality, Justice, Safety & Danger, Science & Technology

Tags Science Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Futurism

white... Read The Bar Code Tattoo Summary

The Beginning of Everything

by Robyn Schneider

Publication year 2013

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Grief, Guilt, Love, Disability, Sexual Identity, Fear, Coming of Age, Self Discovery, Truth & Lies

Tags Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age, Bullying, Disability, Education, Grief & Death, Love & Sexuality, Relationships, Trauma & Abuse, Modern Classic Fiction, Romance

The Beginning of Everything is a young adult coming-of-age novel by the accomplished American author Robyn Schneider. First published in 2013, it is Schneider’s debut novel and has been nominated for numerous YA book awards. It is published in multiple countries, in the UK under the title Severed Heads, Broken Hearts.Schneider, who lives in Los Angeles, is the author of several other bestselling YA books: Extraordinary Means; Invisible Ghosts; You Don’t Live Here. Her newest... Read The Beginning of Everything Summary

The Best of Me

by Nicholas Sparks

Publication year 2011

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Love, Guilt, Fate, Social Class

Tags Romance, Southern Literature, Love & Sexuality, Modern Classic Fiction, Dramatic Literature

The Best of Me (2010) is a love story by the best-selling American author Nicholas Sparks. It was adapted into a feature film by the same name in 2014. The novel is about the conflict-ridden love story between Dawson Cole and Amanda Colliers, high school lovers who were separated by social circumstances. Twenty-five years later, they get together to honor the memory of Tuck Hostetler, a father-figure who was their silent supporter and well-wisher. Once... Read The Best of Me Summary

The Betrothed

by Alessandro Manzoni

Publication year 1827

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Forgiveness, Grief, Hope, Love, Revenge, Shame & Pride, Coming of Age, Death, Marriage, Social Class, Community, Politics & Government, War, Justice

Tags Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction, Romance, Italian Literature, World History

The Betrothed (I Promessi Sposi), published in 1827 and revised in 1842, is a historical novel by Italian author Alessandro Manzoni. The novel follows two young lovers, Renzo and Lucia, in 1600s Lombardy; their courtship is derailed by a jealous plot to prevent their marriage, ultimately leading them to the plague-stricken city of Milan, where they face many struggles. The Betrothed is heralded as one of the most important and widely read Italian novels. This... Read The Betrothed Summary

The Blue Sword

by Robin McKinley

Publication year 1982

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Femininity, Self Discovery, Colonialism, Community, War

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Action & Adventure

The Blue Sword (1982) is a young adult fantasy novel by American author Robin McKinley. Set in the mythical kingdom of Damar, the story follows Angharad “Harry” Crewe, a young orphaned woman from a colonizing nation known as the Homeland. After being sent to live in a remote desert outpost, Harry is unexpectedly kidnapped by Corlath, the king of the native Hillfolk, who senses ancient magic in her. As Harry is drawn deeper into the... Read The Blue Sword Summary

The Bond That Burns

by Briar Boleyn

Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed

Tags Romance, Fantasy

Briar Boleyn’s 2024 novel, The Bond That Burns, is the second installment in The Bloodwing Academy dark fantasy-romance series. Set at a deadly magical university, the novel continues the journey of Medra Pendragon, a student with a secret lineage who awakens a powerful dragon named Nyxaris. Now a prisoner at Bloodwing Academy, Medra must grapple vicious power politics, her destiny as a dragon rider, and her troubling attraction to her consort, the arrogant and dominating... Read The Bond That Burns Summary