Why Romance Readers Need a Book Journal (And How to Start One)
A romance journal is the perfect way to turn reading into a ritual—tea, candlelight, and a few quiet minutes to capture your favorite moments.
Romance readers, let’s be real—our TBR lists are overflowing and our memories? Not always reliable. Between swoony slow burns, steamy small-town series, and binge-worthy romantasy sagas, it’s easy to forget the titles, tropes, and spicy details that made us fall in love with a book in the first place.
That’s where a book reading journal comes in. More than just a reading log, it’s your personal space to capture all the details that matter: the tropes you adore, the spice levels you’re comfortable recommending to friends, the characters who stole your heart, and even those unforgettable quotes you never want to lose. Think of it as a mix of book tracker, reading planner, and a love letter to your reading life.
A romance reading journal helps you:
Track what you’ve read (and when).
Remember authors and series you want more of.
Spot patterns in your favorite tropes.
Build a thoughtful TBR list for the future.
Create a personal archive of your reading journey.
Whether you go digital or grab a pretty notebook, a book review journal transforms your reading into something intentional and memorable. Ready to start your own? I’ll show you exactly what to include, plus share some free templates to help you create a journal you’ll actually stick with.
If you’re anything like me, your romance TBR grows faster than your laundry pile (and that’s saying something). Between steamy small-town slow burns, swoony second-chance romances, and binge-worthy romantasy sagas, it’s nearly impossible to keep track of what you’ve read, when you read it, and why you loved it.
That’s where a book reading journal comes in—your new best friend for capturing all those bookish details before they slip away like the hero who refuses to admit his feelings until the very last chapter.
A romance reading journal isn’t just a fancy reading log or book tracker—it’s your personal space to record your thoughts, track your favorite tropes, remember the quotes that made you swoon, and even rate the spice level (because let’s be honest, that matters). It’s part memory-keeper, part reading planner, and part love letter to your reading life.
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Why Romance Readers Forget (and Why It’s Okay)
Here’s the thing: the more we read, the more details blur together. Raise your hand if you’ve ever tried to recommend a book but couldn’t remember the title, author, or even which enemies-to-lovers couple you were trying to gush about. Yep—been there.
A book journal solves that problem. Think of it as a personal database for your happily-ever-afters. My grandmother used to keep a legal pad in her nightstand drawer to track all the books she read. Today, there are so many options available to help you organize your reads. With a reading log or “books-to-read” journal, you can:
Keep your favorite series straight (no more mixing up billionaire CEOs with broody dukes).
Record authors you want to come back to.
Jot down spice levels so you can hand off recommendations confidently (“No, Mom, this one’s not for you”).
It’s about remembering the stories that meant something, not just checking them off a list.
The Perks of a Romance Reading Journal
When you keep a book review journal, you’re doing more than organizing—you’re building your own reading identity. Over time, your notes reveal fun patterns about your tastes:
Track your journey – See how your reading evolves (were you a romcom girlie last year but all about dark academia this year?).
Spot your favorite tropes – Enemies to lovers? Found family? Grumpy/sunshine? Your journal will show what makes your heart race.
Measure the heat & heart – A good book tracker lets you log spice levels and emotional impact. Sometimes the quiet moments hit just as hard as the steamy ones.
Build a personalized TBR – Use your book tracker to prioritize what’s next based on your mood and your fave tropes.
What Makes a Romance Book Journal Special
Sure, you could use any old reading planner, but a romance reading journal is built for us. We want to track the things that actually matter:
Spice – because there’s a big difference between “sweet kiss” and “open-door and then some.”
Tropes – to keep track of all those forced proximity and fake-dating gems.
Emotional impact – was this a lighthearted fling or a book that left you ugly crying at 2 a.m.?
Favorite quotes & moments – those swoony lines deserve a permanent home.
By recording these details, you’re not just cataloging books—you’re creating a time capsule of your reading life.
Digital vs. Physical Journals
Do you want the convenience of a digital reading log on your phone, or do you prefer the cozy satisfaction of writing in a pretty notebook? Both options work—it just depends on your style.
Digital journals = perfect for e-book readers or anyone who wants to copy/paste favorite quotes.
Physical journals = tactile, creative, and great for readers who love pens, stickers, and doodles in the margins.
The best part? You can totally customize your journal. Add sections for character notes, TBR lists, favorite authors, or even color-coded spice levels. Make it yours.
When you weave these tips into your routine, keeping a romance reading journal stops feeling like homework and starts feeling like a little treat. You’ll spot fun patterns in your reading habits, keep track of all those swoony book boyfriends, and add a whole new layer of joy to your happily-ever-after reading adventures.
Reading Journals Designed Just for Romance Readers (Now on Amazon!)
Okay, confession time: I didn’t just write this post because I love the idea of romance reading journals—I designed some myself! You can now find my collection of romance & romantasy Reading Journals on Amazon, created with everything we as romance readers actually want in one place.
Right now, there are a few romantasy-specific journals (perfect if your heart beats for fae courts, dragon riders, and fated mates) as well as some classic romance reading journal (ideal for contemporary, historical, or small-town swoons). And don’t worry—more are coming soon.
My new guided romance reading journal titled Good Girls Read Dirty Books. The pop-art inspired cover features bold red lips and a comic book style blonde woman in glasses, while the inside pages include sections for star and spice ratings, favorite authors, reading trackers, and detailed book review templates designed just for romance readers.
Each journal includes:
💡 Tips & Tricks – Best ways to use your journal (and avoid that dreaded bleed-through).
⭐ 1–5 Star Rating Guide – Because not all HEAs are created equal.
🌶 Spice Rating Guide – From sweet kisses to burn-the-pages heat.
💕 Tropes Guide – From enemies-to-lovers to fated mates, a quick-reference to the storytelling flavors we can’t get enough of.
📝 TBR Wishlist – Your personal scroll of must-reads.
📚 Favorite Authors – Track the storytellers who never miss, from indie darlings to fantasy legends.
🏡 Favorite Indie Bookshops – Because we know where the real magic happens.
📖 Reading Tracker – Title, author, and star rating at a glance.
✍️ Book Reviews & Summaries – For deeper dives into your reads.
❌ DNF List – Because not every story is for every reader (and that’s okay).
👑 Hall of Fame: Favorite Books – Your favorite 5-star reads you’ll never stop recommending.
🖊 Notes Section – For quotes, theories, spicy ratings, or pure bookish chaos.
These journals are designed to be fun, functional, and a little bit extra (because so are we). Whether you’re deep in a romantasy series or binging small-town romance, you’ll finally have one beautiful place to keep track of it all.
👉 You can grab them here on Amazon and start your own romance reading journal today!
One of several reading journals designed by Mom Needs a Chapter
How to Create Your Own Reading Journal with Canva
Learn how to create a personalized book tracker in Canva! From designing your pages to adding your favorite sections and fun graphics, this step-by-step tutorial makes journaling your reads easy and beautiful
If you’re the kind of reader who loves making things just yours, Canva is a fantastic (and free!) tool for creating a personalized reading journal. You don’t need to be a designer—just a book lover with a little creativity. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:
1. Start with a Blank Notebook Template
Head to Canva and search “notebook” or “journal.” You’ll find tons of ready-made templates that can be customized.
Pick a layout that matches your vibe—minimalist, floral, dark academia, or full-on pink-and-sparkly romance.
2. Customize Your Layouts
Add sections you’ll actually use. Some reader favorites are:
TBR List
Books Completed
Favorite Quotes
Star Ratings
Character Tracker
Keep it simple—too many sections can make journaling feel like homework.
3. Play with Fonts and Aesthetics
Canva has a huge font library. Choose a playful script for headers and a clean serif or sans serif for notes.
Color palettes can also set the mood: cozy neutrals for a cottagecore feel, jewel tones for romantasy vibes, or pastel shades for a lighthearted rom-com mood.
4. Add Bookish Graphics
Use Canva’s free elements to add little flourishes like stacks of books, open pages, or cute coffee cup doodles.
Pro tip: Search keywords like “watercolor book,” “aesthetic stars,” or “floral frame” to find pretty graphics that aren’t overused.
5. Save and Print (or Go Digital!)
Once you’ve designed your pages, you can download them as a PDF for printing at home or through a print shop.
Or, keep it paperless! Canva works on mobile and tablet, so you can upload your designs into a digital notebook app like GoodNotes or Notability.Tips for Keeping Up With Your Journal
Like any habit, the hardest part is consistency. Try these tricks:
Update right after finishing a book (while it’s still fresh).
Keep your journal with your current read.
Make it fun—use colorful pens, stickers, or even washi tape.
Tie journaling into your reading ritual (tea + book + journal = bliss).
Free Templates to Get You Started
Not sure where to start? I’ve created free romance reading journal templates you can download and use today. They include:
Use them as a foundation, then add your own flair.The Best Part? Discovering Your Next Read
Your romance reading journal isn’t just about remembering books—it’s about finding new ones. As you look back, you’ll start to notice patterns:
Which tropes you actually love.
Which authors never let you down.
Which spice levels you’re in the mood for.
Before you know it, your TBR list doubles as a built-in recommendation machine, making your TBR way more intentional (and fun).
Final Thoughts
A romance reading journal is more than a tracker—it’s a reflection of your reading heart. It helps you remember the stories that moved you, organize your overflowing TBR, and discover new books that fit your vibe.
Whether you grab a reading planner, a book review journal, or just start with a blank notebook, the key is to make it yours. And who knows? A year from now, you’ll flip through those pages and remember exactly why you fell in love with every HEA along the way.
So—are you ready to start your own book journal?