I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in the spring of 2021, and four years on, I'm happy to say my condition is mostly under control. But it still affects me daily—I have to pace my energy, avoid trigger foods that cause flares, be careful of overstimulation and too much sensory input, exercise to manage my fatigue, and meditate to keep my nervous system calm.

That routine might look totally different for another person living with Fibromyalgia; like so many chronic conditions, its presentation can vary widely from person to person. And that's what I love about this list of romance novels with fibromyalgia representation. It shows the full spectrum of Fibromyalgia symptoms and treatments. It represents the diversity of people living with the condition.

It also represents people who were probably living with Fibromyalgia, but were living in an era before it was a recognized condition, which didn't happen until 1904, back when it was called "fibrositis". The name was changed to Fibromyalgia in 1976, and the first study to present data-based diagnosis criteria wasn't until 1981.

Despite the name changes, what most doctors agreed on even in the 19th century was that the condition caused widespread pain and fatigue. For me, the pain is mostly muscular, and worst in my lower back and legs, though I also suffer allodynia from it, which means that sometimes even light touches or certain fabric can feel really, really uncomfortable for no other reason than I have a spicy, overactive nervous system.

Fibromyalgia also cause unrestful sleep, temperature sensitivity, joint pain, brain fog, numbness and tingling, and painful periods, all of which happened to me.

It's associated with a boatload of other physically and psychologically painful conditions like interstitial cystitis, which causes bladder, urethral, and kidney pain; IBS; restless leg syndrome; periodic limb movement disorder; nervous system disorders like dysautonomia and POTS; mood disorders; ME/CFS; and TMJ (tempomandibular joint disorders), most of which I suffer from.

It's not a fun time, and adjusting to it requires grieving your old self, because Fibromyalgia changes you in irrevocable ways. And I love that the books below show characters managing those changes, and doing that mourning, while also still living their lives, falling in love, and doing cool things.

Just Go With It by Madison Wright

The heroine of Just Go With It is near rock bottom when the perfect solution for all her problems appears in the form of her hunky former crush. All she has to do is marry him and somehow avoid falling back in love with the man she maybe never stopped loving. I can't get enough of modern marriage of convenience romances, and while I'd love to live in a world where "married for health insurance" wasn't a hook, at least it gives us gorgeous stories like this.

Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

Chloe Brown is forever on my favourite list, because it's the first book I ever read that showed a heroine thriving with chronic illness. It also made me feel a lot better about the prime boxes piled in my hallway, because like Chloe, I too rely on the convenience of Prime to net me some spoons each week. And like me at the point in my life when I came to this book, a scary health moment has led Chloe to try and gain back some joy and spontaneity. Which for her appears in the form of handyman and painter Red Morgan, a cinnamon roll hero if there ever was one. He helps her tick off her to-do list of fun, and along the way, they develop a quiet, comforting, sexy-as-hell situationship that might turn into forever, if they can figure out how to navigate exes and life first.

I Can Be the One by Ellie Blackbourne

Calling hockey romance lovers! This book is perfect for you if you love a cocky hero who's secretly a golden retriever. The story also features the brother's teammate, fake dating, he falls first, and secret crush tropes, and has plenty of pining. It's the perfect read if you're looking for a lightly spiced, heart-warming romance with plenty of character development, because the hero and heroine are dead-set on becoming the best versions of themselves.

Nevermore Bookstore by Kerrigan Byrne and Cynthia St. Aubin

Looking for a swoon-worthy romance that combines mystery with romance and a down-on-her-luck heroine with a hot hermit? Look no further than the story of Cady, a bookstore owner and Fox, the hot customer who calls her once a week to gab about books. Fox has been loving Cady from afar, but when a break-in brings them together, he's determined to find the culprit who ruined not just a phone call, but Cady's sense of safety. See, I told you it was swoon-worthy! It's also got excellent PTSD and chronic illness rep, and is the start of a 5-book series of small town romances full of fascinating characters you won't forget.

Pastiche by Celia Lake

Historical fantasy is one of my favourite sub-genres for its blend of world-building, magic, and history, and this book exemplifies everything I love about the genre, along with chronic pain representation and an exploration of a lesser known but fantastic trope: arranged marriage to love match. Give me two people who've mostly been ignoring each other, force them to investigate or accomplish something together, and watch their love flourish. That's exactly what happens with Alysoun and Richard in Pastiche.

Christmas at the Cat Cafe by Jessica Redland

It might only be July, but it's never too early to start your Holiday Romance TBR list, and this book deserves the top spot. Tabby has been hiding her health issues from her family and friends, but is forced to ask for their help when her ex leaves her in the lurch with her cat cafe. Enter Tom, her childhood friend, to the rescue. He's a total marshmallow, a sweet and gentle hero who takes care of Tabby, her cats, and, once she lets him in, her heart.

Mindfully Yours by Melissa Reynolds

Opposites attract. Grumpy/sunshine. Found family. A supportive friend group. Chronic illness rep. This novella is about a mindfulness challenge that brings together chronic cutie Ella and athletic, energetic Josiah. Ella is convinced they're opposites who won't attract, but the Josiah is nothing like she expected, and everything she needs after a shitty ex damaged her confidence. I love the way the romance unfolds in this story, and the beautifully supportive friendship Ella has with her roommate and best friend, Carey.

Until next post, happy reading and writing!