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If you’re a mom, you deserve a break. In fact, you deserve lots of breaks… preferably everyday. No one can deny that all moms need a break! It is crazy how hard we moms work, looking after our families and often also paying the bills. I’m a single mom raising two girls and it is tough!
I work around the clock blogging to pay our bills, while also playing every role from chef to taxi driver for my daughters. So when Harlequin asked me to remind moms to relax with a romance novel, I agreed and decided to share five of my favorite guilty pleasures with you. This post is sponsored, which goes toward supporting my girls, so extra thanks for reading and sharing.
Taking time for yourself doesn’t have to be expensive, and it doesn’t even have to mean leaving the house. Since I’m a single, work at home mom, most of my relaxing has to be done at home and on a budget.
So if you want to take a break, even if you can’t hit the town for a girl’s night out…
Try one of these 5 favorite guilty pleasures…
- Sip a cocktail after bedtime.
Once you get the kids in bed, mix yourself a martini, a tasty sparkling cocktail or pour a glass of wine and sip it slowly while you savor the silence.
I love mixing cocktails at home. I can feel like I’m indulging while also reminding myself I’m saving money by making it at home. Win. Win.
My go-to cocktail is a cosmopolitan, but I love trying new drinks. I even have a Pinterest board to collect ideas and dream of all the cool cocktails I might make one day.
- Escape in a romance novel.
Real life can get really dull. So break free… with a novel.
You may be stuck in the house surrounded with dirty laundry, a ridiculous number of toys all over the floor, and a never ending to-do list, but you can sit down right in the middle of that mess and get lost in a good book.
If you pick up a Harlequin novel, you can also bring a little romance back into your life.
Whether you like an inspiring story of a sweet romance or a passionate love affair, you can find a Harlequin novel to rescue you from your daily chores.
- Indulge in top quality dark chocolate.
Stash away the best dark chocolate you can find and when you need a moment to escape, sneak away from your kids and let the chocolate melt slowly in your mouth.
And since we all know dark chocolate is full of antioxidants, you can ease your mind by googling all the health benefits.
- Go back in time as you listen to the music of your youth.
I love that you can sneak this guilty pleasure in while your kids are
fightingplaying right next to you. Slip on some headphones and queue up a playlist of your favorite music from your favorite decade.Or if you need to block out the noise of your kids while you escape into your novel, put on some relaxing background music. I love to play Natalie Merchant or Enya while I’m reading because it brings me back to the beach in Hawaii when I was 16 years old. It’s amazing how music can transport you to another time. I can so clearly remember listening to Enya on my yellow walkman in 1989 as I lay on the beach in Waikiki.
Find the music that takes you back to your best memories or try free streaming classical music.
- Breathe in the luxury of a lovely scented candle.
My favorite time to enjoy a sweetly scented candle is while relaxing in the bathtub. If you can get your kids busy watching a movie, then head to the tub for some time to relax and let aromatherapy calm you down.
This is, of course, the ideal time to pull out one of those romance novels.
For the ultimate in guilty pleasures, combine all of these together at once. Go ahead. You deserve it.
#TeamCowboy or #TeamViking
Here’s a fun question from Harlequin…
If you were swept out of the monotony of adult life in a grand romantic gesture, would it be a Cowboy or a Viking who’d come to your rescue?
Here are two hilarious videos imagining what happens when Harlequin heroes go on real-life dates.
Watch these videos and tweet out whether you are #TeamCowboy or #TeamViking:
(If you’re wondering my answer… I’m #TeamCowboy.)
Make a Date With Harlequin
There are so many different types of novels… take a look and Try Harlequin
You can download 17 eBooks for FREE!!!
Moms Need A Break – More Ideas For You
It is impossible for moms to get rid of all their stress, but try some of these stress relief tips for moms to help regain your balance.
Pin it for Later
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Harlequin, but all opinions are my own.
Written by Susan Carraretto, co-founder of 5 Minutes for Mom
Talk with me: @5minutesformom and Facebook.com/5minutesformom
Pin with me at pinterest.com/5minutesformom
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Jeffrey Girard says
My wife and mother of two would be in heaven winning this
Philip Lawrence says
I like some romance novels and my guilty pleasure is chocolate.
Tracy Shafer says
I LOVE reading romance novels! And my guilty pleasure is really good chocolate. My only problem is I don’t know when to stop..on the books and chocolate.
ron frampton says
my guilty pleasure is ice cream and I love to read romance novels.
Kathy Pease says
Yes I love to read romance novels and my fave guilty pleasure is cheesecake
rosemary says
Great
Carl White says
Leave a comment letting us know if you like to read romance novels and what your favorite guilty pleasure is.
I do not but several of my girlfriends read them.
I do not feel guilty about my pleasures but in the spirit of the question I will say nude oil wrestling.
Paula W says
Guilty of being a chocoholic! I believe chocolate is in its own foodgroup!
Reading romance novels is one of my favourite pastimes!
Trisha McKee says
I love reading romance novels. That and Red Bull are my guilty pleasures.
Stephanie Liske says
i do like to read romance novels. my guilty pleasure is entering sweepstakes.
Jennifer H. says
I am not a big fan but, I have friends who are.
Julie Hawkins says
I love reading romance novels. Along with my guilty pleasure chocolate.
Tricha says
Who doesn’t love romance books????? I love them!!! Love my cowboys and billionaires
Sandra says
Reading romances is my guilty pleasure!
Richard Hicks says
My wife really enjoys reading them. Guilty pleasure is indulging with big bowl of chocolate ice cream
Michelle C says
Yes, I enjoy romantic novels. My favorite guilty pleasure is a sweet treat after the kids are in bed!
susan smoaks says
i like to read romance novels. they are my guilty pleasure
Megan Cromes says
yes i love reading romance books they r my guilty pleasure .
Brandy Jones says
I love bad boy romance novels the most but will read any romance novel. And shh don’t tell but I have a bedside table drawer full of chocolate candy. Especially hershey kisses.
April says
I love romance novels and my favorite guilty pleasure is soaking in a tub of warm water and reading a book. Thanks for the chance to win.
Penny Snyder says
LOVE reading romance novels – & my guilty pleasure is ice cream!!
Katherine says
Hi. I enjoy reading romance novels.
My guilty pleasure is watching youtube vids on my phone, in bed.
Teresa A Thompson says
I enjoy a little romance thrown in. My favorite guilty pleasure is hot fudge cake.
Carol Denny says
I like to read romance novels and my favorite guilty pleasure is a glass of red wine
KellyPC says
I prefer horror novels but I enjoy romance too!
Wine
Tabathia B says
I love to read especially romance novels. My guilty pleasure would be erotica with sweet tea and some chocolate chip cookies
chris hoey says
Yes I do really enjoy reading romance novels. My favorite guilty pleasure is strawberry ice cream
Shannon says
I love to read romance novels. My guilty pleasure is Rockstar Energy drinks.
Susan Smith says
Yes I do enjoy reading romance novels. My favorite guilty pleasure is ice cream
Lynnie says
I read them from time to time, just to escape, like my mother did. My guilty pleasure is watching The Bachelor! haha
Lori Walker says
I like to read them at times. My favorite guilty pleasure is wine.
Shannon Palmer says
Yes I love romance novels and my guilty pleasure is hibachi and netflix!
Paol Trenny says
Me not so much, but my oldest daughter love to read them. My favorite guilty pleasure is eating boiled or broiled seafood such as blue crabs and crawfish.
Paula Hafner says
I love romance novels. My guilty pleasure is popcorn and listening to the BeeGees 🙂
jennifer cervantes says
I love reading romance novels when I have the time.
Meghan Buchman says
These romance novels are my guilty pleasure!!!!
Elva Roberts says
I would like to win this giveaway for my daughter who loves Romance Novels. My guilty pleasures are; reading murder mysteries and eating anything chocolate.
Tara Liebing says
I like to read especially in the summer and winter months. My guilty pleasure is as far as sweets is gummy bears.
Diane Hamel says
I love to read these novels on the beach
Juliee Fitze says
Love to loss myself in a romance book curled up in bed.
Kayla Klontz says
Yes I do love romance books, reading in general is my guilty pleasure.
Athena says
I do read romances, and they are one of my guilty pleasures… along with chocolates 🙂
Tina Solomon says
I love to read harlequin romance novels. My grandmother started me on them as a teenager and I am 46 and I have never stopped reading them. I love to read outside with a large sweet tea and a nice breeze.
Eva says
Reading anything and everything is my guilty pleasure. Also Riverdale, because I love ridiculous teen soaps.
Lauren U says
I used to read a lot of romance novels. My guilty pleasure is my chocolate!
Melanie Hayes says
Chocolate
Denise Sachs says
I read some of them and my guilty pleasure is any kind of sweets.
G.Penrod. says
Sweet give Away! All I do is read book watch no tv.
Valerie Mabrey says
I like reading them and my guilty pleasure is reading them in the bathtub so nobody can interrupt me.
PAT. N says
Love to read, helps to fall asleep, and dream. Love dark chocolate.
Kristi F says
I’ve really gotten back into reading romance novels the last year or so. My guilty pleasure is chocolate and almond butter, yum.
Audrey Stewart says
I love romance novels and my guilty pleasure is chocolate martinis.
Michelle says
I occasionally enjoy a good romance novel, though I have very little time to read in this season of my life. My favourite guilty pleasure has got to be good milk chocolate or truffles.
Theresa C. says
I love reading romance! It’s a great form of pure escapism 😉
Janette says
Im a sucker for a good romance book. My guilty pleasure is chocolate!
Laila I says
I love romance novels !!! My guilty pleasure is partying on the weekends
Erin McSweeney says
i love reading romances and a good hamburger and french fries at midnight is the most quiltiest of pleasures
Kimberly Miller says
I like to read every kind of book. My guilty pleasure are gummies.
Florence Cochrane says
I love romance novels. My guilty pleasure is enjoying a glass of wine while reading.
Janet Woodling says
I read daily. What is my guilty pleasure….probably a daily afternoon latte.
cortney scott says
Romance novels are my go to! And i can’t live without some dark chocolate!
Debbi Wellenstein says
I love reading romance novels, and it is one of my (not so) guilty pleasures!
Jana Walls says
My guilty pleasure…….taking time from everything else I need to get done to read!
beth says
sometimes i read them i think books in general are my guilty pleasure
Irene W says
I read everyday, nighttime before I sleep and at least once during the day I try to sneek in 45 minutes of reading..
My guilty pleasure is ice cream and chocolate.
Doris Humber says
Yes, I read them my guilty pleasure is rose wine.
Elizabeth Brooks says
I love to read when I have the time
Lynn Andersen says
Yes, I love romance novels. I prefer them with a fair amount of mystery. Guilt pleasure is herb tea and dark chocolate.
Carey Hurst says
I do read romance novels of course . My guilty pleasure, sures I should say , as I have many . Though none of them cause guilt , If you enjoy something enjoy it .
Gabrielle Tietz says
I love romanic novels! My favorite guilty pleasure is ice cream.
AD says
I do enjoy a good, well-written romance novel. My favourite guilty pleasure is having a glass of good, red wine in silence.
Joy says
I love to read romance but other genres are but I love to read while soaking in a hot bathtub 🙂
Shirley S says
Yes, I like to read romance novels. My favorite guilty pleasure is definitely chocolate.
Lauraleigh says
I love a good romance novel. My guilty pleasure is weed 🙂
Loridee says
yes I read romance novels & my guilty pleasure is with Wine!!!!
ger says
I love reading romance novels and my guilty pleasure is shopping for hours.
Bonnie Miles says
Reading romance novels with cheese and crackers.
Merry says
I love reading romance novels and my guilty pleasure is chocolate
Tabby72 says
I do like to read romance novels, and they are truly my guilty pleasure!
yvonne says
My guilty pleasures are binge-watching entire seasons of tv shows and reading romance novels. A great way to escape from daily life; no work and chores!
edye says
I do like reading them; I don’t have a guilty pleasure.
Charity L. says
I do love a good romance novel. My guilty pleasure is going to movies alone for a little me time.
Michelle Albas says
My guilty pleasure is taking a hot bubble bath and reading a good love story each night before bed
Julie Lundstrom says
I love to read good romance books.
vickie couturier says
oh yes i love to read Romance books
Angelica Dimeo says
I love reading romance books and drinking hot cocoa
Julie Waldron says
I do like to read romance novels. My guilty pleasure is reality television.
Lorra Bromley says
I enjoy Romance novels very much. My guilty pleasure is a glass of red wine after a long day at work.
Aarone Mawdsley says
yes i do i like romance
Anne B. says
I love to read romance novels, and now have to go to next city, as our library system does not carry them any more. I read them on transit to & from work. Also, when winding down at night – then I’ll have some chocolate or a drink !!
Laura says
Yes, I like to read romance novels! My favorite guilty pleasure is getting massages. Yes, please!
mrsshukra says
I like reading romances the best! Guilty pleasure: Bravo Channel!
Rhonda W G. says
I do like to read romantic novels. My guilty pleasure is my daily soap opera…General Hospital.
Anne Derkat says
I do like to read romance novels and my guilty pleasure has always been dark chocolate with nuts.
Rosa Cross says
I like to read one once in awhile, but prefer to eat jelly beans. 🙂
sara rai says
I love reading romance novels, but more of a mystery person.
Karen Forsyth says
yes i love reading romance novels while having a glass of wine
Sandi Tymchuk says
I might just start up reading romance novels again. I love those videos–so funny!!!
Clare O'Brien says
I don’t normally read romance novels.
Calvin F. says
I like to read them some of the time, not always. My guilty pleasure is binge watching a lot of movies/tv drama and eating chips.
LILLIAN BROWN says
Yes!!!!Love to read romance novels. My favorite guilty pleasure is to unwind with a glass or two of wine from my favourite local winery.
Andrea Amy says
I’m not a fan of romance novels myself (other than Nicholas Sparks) BUT my BFF Lorilei is and she would love this and her birthday is coming up soon. Thanks for the chance.
Jonnie says
I inherited a love of romance novels from my mom and it is definitely my guilty pleasure.
Judy hunting says
I love reading, my favourite type would be suspense. But I love romance, my mother actually didn’t have a name picked out for me when i was born. My name came from The Harlequin Romance novel she was reading, I was named after a cheap nun
Judy hunting says
My guilty pleasure is definitely chocolate
Marlene V says
I love reading about romance! My guilty pleasure is chocolate!
Tainan Lu says
I enjoy reading romance novels, especially gay romance .
My guilty pleasure is ice cream.
kim says
Yes I enjoy romance novels. My guilty pleasure is eating chocolate.
Elizabeth R says
I do like to read romance novels and have been for more years than I can remember. Guilty pleasure is bad for me snacks.
Kirsten N says
Love to read romance and chocolate is my guilty pleasure
Lisa Brown says
I do enjoy reading romance novels, just started recently. My favorite guilty pleasure is chocolate, of course 🙂
Maureen Young says
I haven’t read a Harlequin in years. Maybe it is time…
Nadine says
I like reading all genres and it’s most delightful when the housework is done and I curl up and read.
jan says
My mother’s guilty pleasure is to read romance novels, so this would be for her.
Erinn Lishman says
I absolutely enjoy reading romance novels as a fun little escape. Add a glass of wine to the mix and you’ve got my favourite guilty pleasure for after the kids go to bed!
Anne says
I enjoy reading romance novels since they transport me and give me an escape. My guilty indulgence is a pastry.
BusyWorkingMama says
I do love to read romance novels. I am an avid reader of all books! My guilty pleasure is relaxing on the couch with my knitting and chocolate.
Brenda Lacourciere says
I love romance novels and my guilty pleasure is a glass of wine.
Terra Heck says
I like to read romance novels and my favorite guilty pleasure is Ferrero Rocher chocolates. Thanks.
Smellyann says
I love romance novels but have not read any in a while! I’d love to win this. My favorite guilty pleasure is chooooocolaaaaaate! 😀 Thanks for the fun contest! #TeamCowboy
Shelley Joy P says
Yes, I enjoy reading romance novels 🙂 My favorite guilty pleasure is enjoying a sweet treat while relaxing and watching a good show on TV.
Christy Peeples DuBois says
I love to read and I use to read a lot. I prefer mysteries but like different genres also. My guilty pleasure would be to have a cocktail while I’m reading before bedtime or at bedtime.
Angela Williams says
Sure, I love reading them whenever I make the time to read them!
HAZELL PEREZ says
Love to read romance novels. My favorite guilty pleasure is to elax reading a good book enjoying delicious chocolate! Thanks for the lovely opportunity 🙂