Not-So-Guilty Pleasures because I read them with complete peace in my heart.
On Tuesday I posted about what it means to have ‘bad taste’ and all the debates and feelings that encompass that. As I was writing I was thinking about all the books I love that aren’t conventionally good. The ones that are so entertaining they disregard all the rules that make up good literary work. The ones that are so far fetched and far beyond behaviours that I would associate with. The ones that are pure escapism. So I had a think and have put together a list of ’guilty pleasures’. Now I don’t really believe in the term guilty pleasure. Nothing that can make me feel good should simultaneously make me feel bad as well. So I consume these books and series with all the enjoyment and peace in my heart. I might know that they are not high literature but that does not mean they are not entertaining and enjoyable and effective! So here are some book recommendations.
The Domino Effect and Berkeley Bred by Grey Huffington
Now I love me some Grey Huffington and have for years! She is one of those authors that I discovered when I was 18 and proceeded to read just about anything by. She specialises in black romance, urban romance and writes a wide range of stores and lifestyles featuring the black experience. I think she is a wonderful winter, very emotional and evocative and really captures the essence of love and yearning.
However…… Her books, especially these two tend to feature characters, especially male characters, that I simply could not associate with in my everyday life. There are a lot of behaviours in Grey’s books that I accept, and sometimes even swoon over, but if a man ever spoke to me like that in real life, it simply wouldn’t run. I call her books guilty pleasures, not because her writing is bad, but because I can’t believe I let myself enjoy and accept some of these dynamics.
Not every story is like this, of course, but many of her urban romances showcase similar patterns. That said, she’s built an entire interconnected universe, and many of the series are linked, which I absolutely love.
Fallen Crest Series by Tijan
I’m not entirely sure how I first discovered Tijan, maybe through a friend when I was around 12 or 13. She was very much Wattpad-adjacent at the time, which lined up with a lot of what I was reading back then. I ended up finishing the series when I was around 20/21, and honestly, I’d still go back and read it all again, in fact, I have. Every time Tijan releases a new book or spin-off, I’m there, soaking it all up.
The toxicity, the romance, the intimacy, she does it all so well. These books definitely prioritize drama over literary finesse, but I’m not mad at that. The story centers on two brothers and a girl I’m pretty sure is technically their stepsister, set against the chaos of high school. There are exes, family issues, mental health struggles – basically, all kinds of mess. And I soaked up every second.
These days, I don’t typically read high school-based stories; I’m much more into books about adults doing adult things so these books feel like guilty pleasures. It doesn’t exactly align with my current reading vibe, but it’s a story I’ll always say I loved, and one I’d happily pick up again.
Breaking Old Habits by Melissa Bender
This book is dumb as hell. Absolute nonsense. The premise, the heroine, the male lead—every bit of it is ridiculous… and yet, I devoured every second. Melissa Bender is another author I discovered on Wattpad and adored in my younger years. I’ve read so many of her stories, second-chance lovers, surprise pregnancies you name it, and I ate them all up with equal enthusiasm.
But this book? I’ve read it countless times and still love it. It’s definitely one of those stories I have to switch my brain off for, because 25-year-old me is way too clued-up to accept half of the behavior in it without screaming. Still, it’s got everything: age gaps, messy exes, a stepmom, a frustratingly foolish FMC and her equally idiotic boyfriend,
This is usually all the theme and tropes that i would usually heavily side eye and steer clear odd. some way somehow I was gripped by this book and i cant even explain it. trust me reading it as an adult I definitely can identify the issues but but it’s somehow still loving and heart-warming at the same time.
I’m sure you’re starting to see a pattern in the kind of books I love.
There are many other kinds of books in this recommendations list, The BIKER romances (ugh those use to make me swoon). The cushy fluffy romances that are 100 pages of just love and filth. I think for me I can only have ‘guilty pleasures’ with romance as it’s the genre that has my heart so I can enjoy these kinds of stories very easily but when it comes to other genres I just don’t have the patience or capacity for it. Especially thriller, I’ve read so many rubbish ones that just frustrate me, I think it’s a genre that’s supposed to be clever and intriguing so it just ends up feeling stupid
When I think about my guilty pleasures, I’m usually talking about urban romances, specifically Black urban romances. I discovered the genre when I was 16, and while I don’t read them as often now, they’re still my go-to when I’m feeling low and need a comforting return to my reading roots.
I’ve included a link to a Goodreads shelf for Black Urban Romances. That said, a quick note: these days, urban is often used as shorthand for Black, which it definitely shouldn’t be. The term originally referred to stories centred around illegal or underground activity – think gang culture, biker clubs, street life, etc. , not just Black characters or authors. So, take the list with a grain of salt.
There are some truly great book recommendations on there. Demon’s Dream, in particular, stands out. It’s a phenomenal read that I’d recommend to anyone, and honestly, I wouldn’t even call that one a guilty pleasure. It’s just good.
Like I said this is a judgement free zone. Pleas enjoy what you enjoy and do it freely! Don’t feel guilty about it!
Signed,
