The top 5 reasons why I read Emma Scott novels (and you should, too)

I've read a lot of romance novels. Like, a lot. I've read countless books in every sub category of romance by more authors than I can name. I've FORGOTTEN more about romance books and authors than most folks will ever know. So, when I say that you should be reading a particular author, you can trust me. I know whereof I speak. And here I am, saying loud and proud, that I adore Emma Scott, and if you're not reading her work, you're missing out. Here's why I adore her (and you will, too): 

Angst done right

I normally don't like a lot of angst in my romance reads. I tend to heavily favor action-oriented stuff (like paranormal romance), and romantic comedies that I don't have to think about very hard. I like the escapism, you know? I mean, real life is horrible. Why should I want to read about angsty stuff that happens in real life? But Emma Scott writes rip-your-guts-out, angsty, emotional romances that make me cry until I'm afraid I'm going to puke, and I still devour every last one of her books. So, why do I--a self-proclaimed hater of angst--love her books so much? Because she does angst right.  Her characters are so believable and lovable that I get totally invested in their happily ever after. And when she's done making me cry until I almost puke, when I'm broken down and thinking I can't finish the book, she builds me back up and ends everything on the most hopeful, joyous notes I can imagine.  It's a gift that I think very few authors possess, and I won't stop promoting this author until EVERYONE is crying and almost puking with me. :)         

The tropes...oh, the tropes

Artists and broken, damaged heroes, "the grumpy one is soft for the sunshine one", heroines with surprising inner strength...Emma Scott pretty much writes the tropes that are my personal catnip. If you favor any of these tropes even HALF as much as I do, you'll want to check out her books ASAP. (See below for my recommendations about where to start.)   

The heroes...sigh... 

Emma Scott has written some of my all-time favorite book boyfriends. Even if they start off grumpy and brooding, by the end of the book, they're so ass-over-elbow in love with the heroine that they morph into the sexiest, alpha cinnamon-roll heroes you've ever seen. If you don't fall in love with at least one of her heroes...well, maybe have your heart checked out, because there's probably something wrong in there.    

Sexy, but emotion-packed

Sure, her books include sexy times. And those sexy times are extremely well-written and super HOT. But that's not why I love them. By the time her characters fall into bed together, they've developed such an intense connection that as a reader, it's an incredible emotional release when you see them finally giving in to their attraction and coming together. It's sexy, but more importantly, it's...spiritual, almost. I know that sounds kind of lame, but...yeah...there it is... #SorryNotSorry    

Poetry

Some of Emma Scott's writing is so lyrical and gorgeous and has such a lovely flow to it that's poetic. You fall into her writing. There's no other way I can describe it. And sometimes, especially in her books about songwriters and poets, there is ACTUAL poetry that is beyond moving. (I'm not even a fan of poetry, y'all, but she makes me love hers. It's sorcery, I tell you!)   

What now? 

So, now that you're totally convinced to pick up her books, I'm sure you want to know where to start, right? Well, I'm here for you. As the foremost authority on Emma Scott books (other than Ms. Scott herself, of course), here are my recommendations:   

This one is technically a young adult read, as it follows the main characters through junior high, up through high school, and ends right after high school. But even though I don't normally read young adult stuff (and recently even broke up with new adult romance), this one had me hooked right from the start. It's a beautiful coming of age story. I recommend starting your Emma Scott journey with this one because while it is really angsty and emotional, it didn't completely wreck me. I teared up a little at the end (happy tears), but it didn't put me into a book coma afterwards. It's a nice way to ease into the Emma Scott experience.  

If you're not into young adult reads, Rush is probably the second easiest way to ease into the Emma Scott experience. It's super emotional, but it only made me cry a little (no puke). It'll wreck you emotional maybe for a day or two. It features the "grumpy one is soft for the sunshine one" trope, and a musically-gifted heroine who has been through a lot, but survived thanks to her inner strength. And Noah Lake is ridiculously hot and sexy and broken and scarred and everything you could ever want in a book boyfriend. (There's a lot of "ands" in that sentence, and Noah earns every last one of them. Trust me.) Enjoy!    

Another gloriously grumpy hero (a single dad, this time) with a sweet, gifted dancer heroine. They're both broken and damaged, but somehow, all their twisted, mangled pieces fit together beautifully. It's a three out of five on the tear scale. (1 being no tears at all, and 5 being tears and snot streaming down your face until you can't breathe at all)

This one features an artist heroine who has the second worst case of amnesia (due to brain trauma) in the world. Her memory resets every 5 minutes. At her rehabilitation center, she meets Jim, a sweet, sexy, musician (with a stutter and a tragic past) who works as an orderly. Jim is one of the most selfless and patient heroes I've ever read about, and when he gets his happily ever after, it was a 4 on the tears scale for me. (Lots of tears and snot, but I was still able to breathe...a little) The book coma I fell into after reading this one only lasted for a day or so. An Emma Scott newbie can handle this one if he/she is properly prepared (and hydrated).      

WARNING: Hydrate before you read this one. It's a 5 out of 5 on the tears scale. And PLEASE remember that it is part one of a duet. This one DOES NOT end happily. You WILL be a snotty, tearful disaster after reading about rock star Kacey and artist Jonah. Their love is as beautiful and innocent as it is ill fated. But you need to survive this one before you can get to Kacey's happily ever after in book 2 of the duet. You'll just have to trust me on this one...it's worth the pain.  Just don't attempt to dive into this book as your first Emma Scott read, OK? Try some of the less emotionally devastating ones first. This one's for advanced readers only.    

And this is it. My all-time favorite Emma Scott read, with my all-time favorite book boyfriend, Theo. He's patient and sweet and tattooed and hot (yes, he earns ALL of those "ands," too). All the emotional trauma you suffer after reading Full Tilt is totally worth it when you finally see Kacey get her PERFECT happily ever after. The tears of joy...well, I still tear up a little just thinking about this book. I envy those of you who haven't read this book, because I'd love unread it just so that I can read it again for the first time. It's that good.    

Closing thoughts

So, there you have it. The top reasons why I read Emma Scott books, and why you should, too. Once you're done with my recommendations, report back and we'll talk about next steps (like a support group, you know? 'Cause you'll need one. Your reading life will forever change once you pick up one of these books!)  

Anything you'd like to add? Let's discuss!