Isabelle Popp has written all sorts of things, ranging from astrophysics research articles and math tests to crossword puzzles and poetry. These days she's writing romance. When she's not reading or writing, she's probably knitting or scouring used book stores for vintage gothic romance paperbacks. Originally from New York, she's as surprised as anyone that she lives in Bloomington, Indiana.
Bestselling author Jesse Q. Sutanto reimagines Disney's Mulan as a contemporary romance about family expectations, mistaken identity, and high stakes mergers—of both business and the heart.
Romance and retellings go together, and it’s easy to see why. Romance is essentially telling the same story over and over: people fall in love, there are some obstacles, but ultimately love wins the day. Predictability is the point. Although the familiar story structure provides some guardrails for the narrative, every car on the road is different. Retelling a familiar story allows authors and readers to explore a relationship from a fresh perspective, to see how time and place inform a story, and to keep stories alive across generations.
There are three most common sources for romance retellings. The first is Shakespeare. We all learned in high school that Shakespeare’s comedies ended in marriage, so they are a natural fit for that happily ever after. Speaking of the HEA, the fairy tales that gave us the phrase “happily ever after” are another rich source of romance. I’ve written before about how almost every romance can be boiled down to a Cinderella story or a Beauty and the Beast story. Last is perhaps the foremother of the romance novel as we know it, Jane Austen. Her keenly observed characters are remarkably adaptable to a number of settings.
The retellings keep coming, and I keep reading them. I’ve rounded up a bunch from the past couple of years that I think you ought to be reading. Indeed, all but one of these comes from Austen, Shakespeare, or a fairy tale. And that outlier is a doozy!
Sex, Lies and Sensibility by Nikki Payne
As you might guess from the title, this one’s a spin on Sense and Sensibility, though you do not need familiarity with the source material to have a great time with this book. Nora’s fallen on hard times due to viral leaked adult videos and a dad with a second family. She ends up at a house in rural Maine that she has a claim to, where she meets Ennis, aka Bear. He’s been using her house as an unofficial headquarters for his tour business. Their connection is sending off SPARKS, and the way they come together for their families and communities is deeply heartening.
The Unlikely Pursuit of Mary Bennet by Lindz McLeod
I’ve read plenty of Austen retellings in my day, and this one is near the tippy top of my list. This book is more a spinoff than a retelling, but this is my list, and I’m counting it. The story takes place after the events of Pride and Prejudice, when Mr. Collins (who compliments the excellent boiled potatoes) has died. Charlotte, his wife, reconnects with Mary Bennet (the dour and nerdy Bennet sister, which I say as a compliment). Their romance feels so true to the characters as established in the books, and it’s overall affirming and lovely. Don’t miss this one.
Ramón and Julieta by Alana Quintana Albertson
Romeo and Juliet romances, apart from having a different ending, typically involve family feuds. In the case of Ramón and Julieta, the feud goes back to when Ramón’s father stole Julieta’s mother’s taco recipe. Now Ramón is the heir to a growing fast food empire, and Julieta’s trying to keep her taqueria afloat. When they are forced to work together, they also must reckon with the one magical Day of the Dead when they first kissed. If you love both love and tacos (you and me both, friend!), this book is a treat.
Wake Me Most Wickedly by Felicia Grossman
There aren’t a lot of Snow White retellings! This one plays cleverly with the premise, starting with Hannah, who gets by with questionably legal jobs because her parents’ crimes tanked her reputation. She sees herself as a villain (in the mirror, mirror on the wall, get it?). Meanwhile, Solomon is looking for an upstanding wife, but he meets Hannah, and his plans get derailed because the two are a perfect match. This historical romance also considers what life was like for Jewish people in Regency England.
Good Fortune by C.K. Chau
This Pride and Prejudice retelling is set in New York City’s Chinatown, where the five Chen sisters live with their parents. Brendan Lee and his friend Darcy Wong swoop in from out of town to “clean up the neighborhood” with their purchase of a rundown community center. This puts Elizabeth, fierce protector of her community, on high alert. You know how the story goes. Darcy and Elizabeth break down each other’s walls slowly and delightfully. Jane Austen herself would no doubt love a book that cleverly analyzes familial duties alongside a tale of neighborhood gentrification. And P&P fans will absolutely love this book’s version of Mr. Collins.
Keep This Off the Record by Arden Joy
Here’s a queer retelling of Much Ado About Nothing! Abigail and Freya hated each other in high school, and it doesn’t go much better when they meet up ten years later. But they have friends who are falling for each other, forcing them to cross paths again and again. And clash again and again. Their friends see this for what it is: true love. If you want more hijinks in your romances, this is the one for you. Also, if you like romances that have a backdrop of reality television, you will appreciate this story.
Marriage & Masti by Nisha Sharma
Another Shakespeare retelling, this one tackles Twelfth Night. Deepak needs to fix his public image after his wife announces their separation in a “get ready with me” video. Veera’s life is a total mess. Due to a wild set of circumstances—including a shipwreck in an homage to the source material—they accidentally get married. But that accident may be the best thing that’s ever happened to them, both for practical reasons and because they’re truly meant to be. This is the third in Nisha Sharma’s If Shakespeare Was an Auntie series, and it’s a real gem.
The Favorites by Layne Fargo
Here’s what’s up. This book is a Wuthering Heights retelling. Is Wuthering Heights a genre romance? Not really. Is this? I’m going to say yes, but the ending may not be optimistic enough for everyone. It is, however, probably my favorite book I’ve read thus far this year. Katarina and Heath are ice dancers whose lives are intertwined from a very young age. They’re toxic, the world of ice dancing is toxic, everything’s toxic. But you can’t spell intoxicating without toxic! Their story is RIVETING. If audiobooks are an option, this one is a must, if for no other reason than to hear Olympic medalist figure skater Johnny Weir narrate the part of a catty ice dancing blogger.
I never get tired of new spins on classic stories. We’ve got even more for you with some diverse romance retellings. Between these lists, I hope you find something here that tackles some of your favorite source material and makes you love it even more.
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