Books like No Strings — picked by fans

I listened to this book, so it helped that it had a great narrator in Melissa Moran. Since I usually listen to books before bed, you can understand that finding a good book that makes me laugh probably wouldn’t help me get much sleep, and this is one of those books. The story is a fake romance, which is a trope in this genre that everyone seems to love. Lacey is dry and sarcastic, which is my favorite kind of character, and it takes place on a TV show set, so if you’re into celebrities and Hollywood romances like my Celebrities Series, this one is for you. I’ve probably listened to this book at least 5 times already. 

This book is one of the first I read in the genre, and it’s not overtly funny, which is why it’s here. I love books that are dramatic and show character growth while adding in humor. It doesn’t have to be over the top and should play to what the characters are going through. The main character talking to her fish isn’t something I expected to find in a book about finding love after loss, but it’s there along with some hilarious side characters that work in a bakery with Molly. The levity in those moments helps separate from some of the harder moments as our main character, Molly falls for the love of her life’s little sister in a small town where everyone knows everyone else’s business.

This was my first Haley Cass novel, and what I liked about it is that because it’s a longer book, which some authors shy away from writing to hit that reader attention sweet spot, Haley uses the length to tell the whole story of a friends with benefits relationship between two women that if often lighthearted and funny with one of them having no clue how to be with a woman romantically and the other who’s sort of an expert. You’ll also find heart in this story of them growing together and realizing their perfect for one another. The side characters help bring the funny to this book. So, come for the main character and stay for the side characters too.

About a single mom with a little boy that’s finally looking to put herself back out there and the babysitter she falls for, there’s a lot to love about this book. I’ve reread it at least 3 times and will do so again soon. There are jokes about the blind dates that Elena’s best friend sets her up on and nearly all of those dates don’t go well. There’s popcorn with candy mixed in, accidents with flying perfume bottles, and more to laugh at while the poor college student who isn’t sure she’s worthy of Elena Vega's character and Elena herself fall in love. 

Flora Calhoun—sixteen-year-old, self-appointed sleuth—is hot on the trail of a series of brutal attacks on young women. Ostracized by the in-crowd at her school for her unruly tongue (and for the secrets she uncovers about everyone)—reprimanded by those who love her for putting herself (and them) in constant danger—she ploughs determinedly ahead into increasingly dark and perilous territory. You’re Next is a quintessential YA book—full of the angst, the parental problems, and the acute social commentary of its snarky young protagonist. But does it dwell on the fact that Flora is bisexual? Not for a moment. It seems that in the world of contemporary YA literature we have finally reached the point at which that aspect of Flora’s life is no biggie. Amen.

Venture capitalist Claire Pressley is done with the New York rat race and moves to small-town Oregon. She buys a rundown homestead with the dream of renovating and turning it into a women-only B&B. But hometown sweetheart, Ruby, has had her eye on the Pruitt homestead for years with the aim of turning it into an animal sanctuary. 

The book is billed as an enemies to lovers romance, and that’s spot on. Claire is icy, Ruby is adorable, but as Claire’s renovation proceeds at a cracking pace, the women talk and find common ground. The slow burn development is beautiful, and the sex scenes, when they occur are cracking hot. Kudos for the inclusion of a safe sex scene. 

Side characters add to the story, particularly Ruby’s grandfather. As if this wasn’t warm and fuzzy enough, the animals will melt your heart and make you smile—shout out to Ninja the… show more.

Breaking Character is a lesbian celebrity romance, but it’s also so much more than that. The main character, icy British actress Elizabeth, is in the closet for fear of risking her career. When she meets her younger colleague Summer, she starts letting someone close for the first time—and the result is a romance that is sizzling and sweet at the same time. 

If you like age-gap romances with a fake relationship and well-written characters, this is a great introduction to Lee Winter’s books.

For a more romance-driven option, Safety Protocols for Human Holidays is a sweet winter holiday-themed novella, wherein Raskli, an alien security officer, is asked to check in on human Jen, who is exhibiting odd behavior. Jen is the only human on the ship and is depressed, and it is up to Raskli and the rest of the ragtag crew to sort out how to cheer her up. Perhaps a holiday! But what human holiday to pick? 

This book is straight-up joyful fluff. Yes, it’s in space, and yes, the pairing is sapphic, but it’s also a cute human/alien romance. No stress on this read, and no heavy thinking. Just, well, kissing. And antics. And Christmas.

Finally, a sapphic space book with a humanly complex protagonist. Alana Quick lives in poverty, barely making ends meet as a spaceship mechanic. Her chronic illness takes whatever money she can come by, for her meds. She finally takes life by the wolf-paws (read the book, you’ll get it) and stows away on a ship, determined to find a better life. Of course then chaos ensues, there’s a hot captain to fall in love with (yes, fight authority, Alana. It makes it that much more fun when you two eventually kiss), and Alana must continually navigate her disease, save her sister, and negotiate for a position on the spaceship Tangled Axon.

This book is a coming of age, thriller book that blew me away. I had no idea what the book was about when I read it and I did not even know which genre it was.

The storyline flicks between the past and present with the present chapters giving you a sneak peek into a troubled relationship between a lesbian couple. The past chapters are full of unanswered questions, heartache, and some truly shocking experiences.

The book is gripping and deep, it feels like you are inside the MCs mind. The traumatic life experiences she is forced to go through alongside becoming an adult is probably fascinating to others. I felt I could identify with many of the experiences so I enjoyed reading it for a comforting reason. The shocking ending is truly beautiful and satisfying.