Listen up, Hollywood: Romance novel adaptations we need NOW

So, after Bridgerton and Virgin River became a huge successes for Netflix, romance readers started wondering what other books and series would be adapted for the big and little screens. Hollywood's answer? Well, they picked a book from 2012 that has...let's just call them "problematic" themes from an equally problematic author. I won't go into all the details here, but The Mary Sue did pretty informative article about it here if you wanted to check out the response this movie is getting. Of course, my big fear is that if this movie flops, Hollywood will throw up their hands and say, "Whelp, audiences don't want romance novel adaptations. Let's give them another Batman prequel and a few more Fast and Furious films." That's not the case, Hollywood! We DO want romance novel adaptations. In fact, here are a few that I'd hock a kidney for:  

Women Who Dare series by Beverly Jenkins

Literally ANYTHING from this author would be a treat to see on tv or in theatres. This is just the one I picked because it's the one I read most recently. (And I'll read it again and again. It's that good.) 

Caped and Dangerous by Isabel Jordan

A grumpy, 46-year-old superhero with a bad knee who'd sometimes rather stay home and binge-watch Supernatural than go out and save her city? Yes, please! Listen up, Marvel: Greer Glennane is the next superhero I need to see on the big screen.  

Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh

I could've just as easily listed the Psy-Changling series, or the Rock Kiss series. They're all pretty spectacular, and I'd be thrilled to see any of them adapted for film or tv. This was my first Nalini Singh series, though, and it'll always be special to me for that reason. So...here it...

The Brown Sisters series by Talia Hibbert

This series is hilarious and sexy, but also somehow super emotional and sweet. It's EVERYTHING. And if some Hollywood exec doesn't snap it quick, they're making a HUGE mistake. 

Marrying Winterbourne by Lisa Kleypas

Rhys Winterbourne. *dreamy sigh* That's all anyone needs to know.  

Runaway Royals series by Alyssa Cole

This is another author where everything she writes is magic. I could've mentioned the Reluctant Royals series, or The Loyal League. It's all phenomenal stuff. But this was the most recent bit of awesomeness I read from Alyssa Cole, so...here it is...

Spoiler Alert series by Olivia Dade

Publishing, and Hollywood, has forgotten what a good rom com is. They need to be reminded that the "com" in rom com stands for "comedy." Nothing deep and dark, no grim endings, just good old fashioned funny and romantic. That's what Olivia Dade delivers. 

Someday, Someday

I'm an Emma Scott super fan. Seriously--I did a whole "why you need to read Emma Scott" post and everything. I adore all her books. They're the kind of books that break your heart and reduce you to a quivering puddle of snotty tears before building you back up again and repairing the damage. Any of her books would make fantastic movies, but this one hit me extra hard for some reason. (And, I feel like there's a severe lack of great M/M romance in Hollywood, so they NEED this one.)  

The I-Team series by Pamela Clare 

To me, this series  is the gold standard by which all romantic suspense should be judged. The stakes are life and death, the pace is lightning-fast, the romance is intense and believable, the heroes are alpha but not alpha-holes, and the heroines are NEVER TSTL (too stupid to live). A series that hits all of these elements perfectly in every book DESERVES to be made into a big-budget, splashy, Netflix series or something. (To whom it may concern: I'm available to help out with casting, FYI)  

The Ones Who Got Away series by Roni Loren

This series doesn't get nearly enough love as far as I'm concerned. Is it because of the sensitive and painful subject matter of school shootings? I don't know. But the subject matter shouldn't chase anyone off. This is a beautifully done, emotional, romantic, sexy series that I think everyone would enjoy.  

The Harper Hall Investigations series by Isabel Jordan

I think there's a sad lack of paranormal romance in the movies and on TV these days. The Originals is done, I can't bring myself to care about Legacies, and The Vampire Diaries let me down more times than I can count, (But not you, Damon) and Supernatural completely blew it in that last season (But not you, Dean).  And at some point, Hollywood got the idea that only young adult/new adult stuff like Twilight go butts in seats. Well, I'm here to tell you that there are plenty of adults out there who are SO ready for a paranormal romance movie/series with high stakes, interesting characters, and LAUGHS. So, I nominate THIS one to buck that trend:  

The Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones

So, I nominate this one for all the reasons stated above for the Harper Hall series, but also...Reyes Farrow. *dreamy sigh* And again, I'm available if the casting department needs any help choosing the perfect Reyes. I have thoughts and opinions on the matter. Many, many thoughts and opinions. 

Rush by Emma Scott

Yes, I've added a second Emma Scott book to the list. What of it? This book was all kinds of fabulous and Noah is one of my all-time favorite book boyfriends. This book is grumpy/sunshine romance at its finest. Besides, this is my list, no one is the boss of me, and I'll add as many books by the same authors as I want to. *sticks tongue out brattily*

Agnes and the Hitman by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer 

So, Jennier Crusie is a rom com GODDESS. Any of her books would be amazing on the big screen or TV. But for some reason, while I was reading this one, I kept thinking it was absolutely MADE for a Hollywood adaptation.

The Mindf*ck series by ST Abby

Now, don't get me wrong. This one would have to be VERY carefully handled on the big screen, because some horrific stuff happened in the heroine's past and I wouldn't want to see any of it played out. BUT, this story of a woman who trains to brutally exact deadly revenge on the men who hurt her and her family, then falls for the FBI agent investigating her case...well, it's unputdownable. I was very sad to learn that the author recently passed away in a tragic accident, but I can't think of a better way to honor her memory than to put her story and her brilliant characters onscreen.  

The Stagedive series by Kylie Scott

One of my all-time favorite romance series, this one sets the bar VERY high for all rock star romances. Check it out. You won't be disappointed.  

The Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost

Yes, I've added another PNR series to my list because I adore PNR, and this one is top notch. And also because no matter what Noddle the Pug decides, it's ALWAYS a Bones day in this series. Ahem. 

​But those are just a few of MY picks. What about you? What awesome romances would YOU like to see onscreen? Let's discuss!