What makes good romance writing? It's more than just a 'hot plot'

We, as humans, love love. We need it, in fact, and we revisit it again and again in romantic stories.

But what makes a great love story? What books can reach off the page and get us a little hit of that tingly, exhilarating, butterflies-in-the stomach feeling we crave?

To find out, we went straight to the source: a romance author and a bookseller.

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Jo Segura is a USA Today bestselling author of the book "Raiders of the Lost Heart." Her recommendation list includes "Love Theoretically" by Ali Hazelwood, "The X Vows" by Jessica Joyce, and "What is Love?" by Jen Comfort.

"It's all about finding that connection between the main characters," said Segura, who connects with character building feelings "that we all get when we fall in love."

For those who are looking for a story that isn't necessarily about romantic love, she recommends "Big Chicas Don't Cry" by Annette Chavez Macias.

Charlie Hunts of Charlie's Queer Books in Seattle's Fremont neighborhood said that he looks for books that showcase love in the face of extenuating circumstances.

"Skater Boy" by Anthony Nerada, "Something Wild and Wonderful" by Anita Kelly, and "One Last Stop" by Casey McQuiston all appear on his recommendation list.

"Especially with queer books, there's now all this representation," Hunts said. "I can now see a trans man like me falling in love, I can see the early 20s that I wish that I and it gives me a lot of hope for the future to have the next generation see these kinds of positive love stories coming out."

Hunts also recommended Chuck Tingle for a funny romp, though warned not to look that up on a work computer or "Godly Heathens" by H.E. Edgmon.

Listen to the full conversation with Jo Segura and Charlie Hunts by clicking the play button above.