Warm up with a feel-good rom-com

The last two years have been anything but soothing, so reset the tone for a more whimsical 2022.

Mix a little romance with a little comedy, and indulge in the ideal feel-good read: the rom-com. Perfect for book clubs or solo self-indulging with a hot cup of cocoa, the increasingly popular literary genre hits just the right spot.

In this month’s roundup, USA TODAY staff review books that include a modern take on “My Fair Lady,” a memorable souvenir from a trip in the form of a brand-new husband, and a highly educated and successful professional 30something woman whose mother and aunties just want to save her from singledom.

Here are January’s most exciting rom-com reads:

‘Love at First Spite’

By Anna E. Collins. eeeg. Out now. Ever dream of taking revenge on an ex? You’ll enjoy “Love at First Spite,” a fun read that indulges that deep-seated desire for vengeance – and also asks how necessary it truly is. Collins’ debut novel follows Dani as she enacts an exhaustive ( and expensive) scheme against her exfiance Sam, who seemed to care more about his dream home – and its Realtor – than he did about Dani’s desires. Along with her scene-stealing landlord Iris and cousin Mia, Dani plans to buy the plot of land next to Sam’s home and build a gaudy Spite House, a vacation rental where scorned partners can celebrate their newfound single life. But there’s one more thing Dani needs to make her plan work: Wyatt, a muscleclad, mysterious architect who’s carrying his own ex damage. “Love at First

Spite” is a page-turning, lighthearted read. Its twists are predictable and its convoluted revenge plot just stretches the limits of believability, but it’s a comforting and engaging ride nonetheless. – Kate Ellsworth

‘Weather Girl’

By Rachel Lynn Solomon. eeee. Out Tuesday.

This humorous, captivating and delightful rom-com tells the story of TV meteorologist Ari Abrams and sports reporter Russell Barringer, who try to get their divorced bosses back together in hopes of making their lives easier at work. The characters’ personalities make the novel intriguing, and I especially felt a connection to Abrams, a dedicated and ambitious reporter who wants to move up the career ladder. What makes this rom-com stand out is unexpected turn of events in every chapter combined with the backstory Solomon provides for each character. It felt as though I already knew the characters from the minute I picked up the book. The novel sheds light on how romance can bloom in spontaneous situations, and more importantly, how being with the right person means being with a person who treats you and others with kindness and respect. – Sudiksha Kochi

‘Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband?’

By Lizzie Damilola Blackburn. eeeg. Out Jan. 18.

Blackburn’s debut novel is a perfect depiction of how a Black woman’s search for love can lead to disastrous results if it’s not rooted in self-acceptance. What starts out as a detailed plan to get a date for a cousin’s wedding turns into a cautionary tale of the pernicious effects of sexism, racism and colorism upon women of the African diaspora.

Throw in religion and extremely nosy female family members into the mix and it only gets more complicated. You’ll cringe at the desperate ways Yinka Oladeji, a 31year-old, darkskinned British Nigerian woman, behaves (nasty words are exchanged with one cousin after a failed romance; she contemplates using skinlightening creams to be more attractive). But you’ll also love how Yinka finds her way back to herself (with the help of some very patient friends and family members). In the end, what matters most in “Yinka” is not your marital status but self-love, love of family and a broader sense of connection. And maybe you’ll find something better than a happily-ever-after fairy tale. – Mabinty Quarshie

‘Lucky Leap Day’

By Ann Marie Walker. eeee. Out Jan. 18.

Talk about a whirlwind. If you love a big-screen rom-com, then this book is for you (and definitely was for me). Cara Kennedy, a fledgling screenwriter who lives in Los Angeles, takes a trip to Dublin the weekend of Leap Day that she had originally meant to spend with her awful ex Kyle. Right off the plane, covered in puddle water, she meets Finn Maguire, a local guide, musician and Uber driver. After a couple of tours and a Leap Day full of whiskey at the local pub, she comes home with not just a Claddagh ring as a souvenir but a whole husband. Back in LA, Cara readies to face a career-changing interview while she and Finn get to know each other and consider divorce while living together. What could go wrong ... or right? – Morgan Hines

‘Love & Other Disasters’

By Anita Kelly. eeeg. Out Jan. 18. This quirky novel throws you straight into America’s favorite cooking competition. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like for the contestants on such shows as “Masterchef,” “Love & Other Disasters” does a pretty good job of recreating it – until it becomes the steamy, rom-com you were hoping for. From the moment Dahlia, a clumsy and wild divorcee, and London, a mysterious nonbinary chef, meet, there’s so much tension you wonder how these two will end up. While the dialogue is a little cringey at times, many important topics are addressed due to the queer relationship and London’s nonbinary gender identity that make this book an essential read. – Melissa Rorech

‘Made in Manhattan’

By Lauren Layne. eeeg. Out Jan. 18.

Set among the bustling streets of Manhattan, this lighthearted read follows a prim Upper East Side heroine as she steps out of her comfort zone to help her dear friend’s long-lost grandson immerse into society in a twist on “My Fair Lady.” Violet and Cain couldn’t be more different, yet despite their flaws and tumultuous pasts, they learn to respect and understand each other. It’s not your typical opposites-attract romance: It’s watching Violet and Cain push past their comfort zones and protect the