You could try listening to music while you read. I know it seems counterintuitive, but if you make a playlist of music you know really well and play it in the background or through headphones it really helps.
It seems to occupy the part of your brain but because it’s something it recognises it doesn’t distract you from what you’re doing.
It can’t be the radio or new music though.
I’ve only ever given up on a book in the first few chapters a few times. Every time it’s been because of writing style or just out and out bad writing.
I don’t start reading a book unless I find the blurb/synopsis interesting or it has been recommended by someone whose book choices I trust.
In Brotherhood In Death by J D Robb (nom de plume of Nora Roberts). There’s this whole thing where they are searching a house and there is a room full of dolls. The Lieutenant (Eve) finds dolls creepy and her partner usually likes dolls but even she gets creeped out by them. Eve goes through scenarios of what they get up to when no one’s looking - it’s hilarious.
I like quite a few different flavours of romance. Vampire, shifter, cowboys, military, Motorcycle Club, billionaire, historical, etc. But the one thing I enjoy in all my books is humour.
I’m not talking about slapstick comedy but more a bit of banter or judicious sarcasm within the dialogue. The sort of thing where, if a plot line is getting quite dark, the author uses humour to lighten the mood (even if it’s black humour).