The House in the Cerulean Sea

(Not really a romance, but there is a romance in it, so let's call it that as well.)

Oh my god, this book was so funny and sweet and gentle and just perfect. There's not a ton of conflict, just Linus breaking down his own walls and discovering where he's meant to be. Found-family isn't always my thing, but I just loved all the children in the house - I would try to pick out a favorite (and I will confess an extra soft spot for Theodore and Chauncey), but they were all realistic characters and easily distinguished from each other. This book deals with some heavy things - CWs here there are descriptions of child abuse in the past (though not detailed), and some verbal attacks on magical people from the villagers - but the tone is consistently hopeful and optimistic. I never doubted for a second that things would work out for the best, which is a nice feeling to have in the middle of, you know, everything.