Valentine’s day is right around the corner and you know what that means: buying overpriced heart-shaped chocolates, pulling up a “soft pink” love-themed playlist, and reading a good romance book because fictional characters are simply better than any real-life options. I’ve created a list of my go-to books with romantic elements that make me feel like love is real. I included a wide variety of books so there truly is something for everyone on this list!
- “Red, White, & Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston
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“Thinking about history makes me wonder how I’ll fit into it one day, I guess. And you too. I kinda wish people still wrote like that. History, huh? Bet we could make some.”
― Casey McQuiston, “Red, White & Royal Blue“
If you want to laugh out loud at gay shenanigans then this book is perfect for you! It’s a fun chaotic enemies to lovers story set in an alternate 2016 where the first woman president was elected instead of Trump. This book is perfect if you want something that is both light-hearted and quick to read that still talks about important issues. I recommend this book to my friends all the time and every single person has enjoyed it!
- “Song of Achilles” by Madline Miller
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“I could recognize him by touch alone, by smell; I would know him blind, by the way his breaths came and his feet struck the earth. I would know him in death, at the end of the world.”
― Madeline Miller, “The Song of Achilles“
Do you like pain? No seriously, this book made me full-on sob, gasping for breath, snot nose cry for hours at four in the morning, but I immediately started reading it again and telling all my friends that they needed to read it too. It’s just that good. Most people know parts of the myth of Achilles, but not many people know that he was gay, and Miller expertly weaves a tragic love story while maintaining accuracy to the original myth. The writing is phenomenal, and any book that can make you feel that much emotion has to be doing something right.
- “It Ends With Us” by Colleen Hoover
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“There is no such thing as bad people. We’re all just people who sometimes do bad things.”
― Colleen Hoover, “It Ends with Us“
This isn’t your typical romance story. This book revolves around intimate partner violence. It’s such an important read especially around this time of year when people are so focused on true love and happily ever after. Hoover creates a gritty and raw story that doesn’t hesitate to confront an uncomfortable topic that often gets ignored. This book is unforgettable and allows you to empathize with people stuck in abusive relationships.
- “From Blood and Ash” by Jennifer L. Armentrout
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“With my sword and with my life, I vow to keep you safe, Penellaphe,” he spoke, voice deep and smooth, reminding me of rich, decadent chocolate. “From this moment until the last moment, I am yours.”
― Jennifer L. Armentrout, “From Blood and Ash“
This one is for the fantasy lovers who still want a steamy romance, and when I say steamy I mean all capital letters STEAMY. The tension between the main characters is *chef’s kiss* but the plot is still complex and the world-building is amazing. I have not met a single person who did not enjoy the beginning of the series and the third book in the series comes out really soon. This book also won the best fantasy book of 2020 on Goodreads so a majority of people would also recommend it.
- “To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before” by Jenny Han
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“Do you know what it’s like to like someone so much you can’t stand it and know that they’ll never feel the same way?”
― Jenny Han, “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before“
By now you’ve probably seen the movies on Netflix, but I think everyone should also read the books! These books will always hold a special place in my heart, and I reread them every year around this time. They tell such a sweet story about a girl navigating being in love for the first time. Since there are three books you also get to see the development of their relationship which doesn’t often get done in contemporary books. People can get stuck in the “happily ever after” mindset and forget that relationships aren’t always perfect. It doesn’t hurt that the third movie comes out soon too!
- “The Brown Sister Books” by Talia Hibbert
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“Anything you want to do, you can. Hurdles were made to be jumped. Glass ceilings were made to be smashed. But all that can be exhausting, so make sure you care for yourself too. There’s great value in the things that bring you joy.”
― Talia Hibbert, “Take a Hint, Dani Brown“
I couldn’t pick my favorite book out of this series because I loved them all. Talia Hibbert has an outrageously unique writing style and you are basically guaranteed to fall in love with every character she writes. The series follows three different sisters and each provides an amazing representation of important underwritten traits like chronic pain, depression, and autism. The romantic element in each book is so HOT and they’re perfect for Valentine’s day.
I hope you find a book that interests you! Each book is amazing in its own way, and you can’t go wrong with any of them this Valentine’s day!