1O Romances to Read For Valentine’s Day

If you’re like me, holidays are never just one day. They’re also never just the basic celebration. For something like Valentine’s Day, I want to be absolutely up to my ears in love. Family, friends, significant others, it’s all a big love fest. And in that vein, I definitely plan to settle down with a good romance novel, or two, this weekend in preparation. If you have that same inclination, here are ten romances to read to make your V-Day weekend. I’ll leave the spoilers out of this one so that you can discover for yourself all you’ve hoped for. And to borrow a phrase from my darling Lord John Grey, isn’t hope the very heart of love?

Best—Verity, Colleen Hoover

I’m starting off strong with the best book I read in 2021, full stop. This would not be the most traditional read for Valentine’s Day since it doesn’t have the gooey romance one might look for. But it is romantic in an effed up way. Our protagonist Lowen is tapped to finish a dark book series for a paralyzed woman by the latter’s husband — who happens to be very handsome and have a lot of trauma. She goes up to their expansive house where the author, Verity, is living, bedridden, along with her husband, Jeremy, and son, Crew. Drama ensues. It’s twisty, dark, and scintillating. I could not put it down. It’s a winding, fraught, and delicious tale that kept me turning every page. Even if you don’t read it this weekend, READ IT. Then tell me about it. I never get tired of discussing it.

Most Fun—First Comes Scandal, Julia Quinn

A feisty Bridgerton female. A dashing, intelligent Rokesby. A cat that always gets in the way. It’s a recipe for perfect disaster in the best way. Georgiana Bridgerton was kidnapped in an effort to force her hand into marriage, but strong independent woman that she is, she kicked him in the crotch, fled, and was rescued by Lady Danbury. But since it’s the late 1700s, she’s ruined all the same. Enter…Nicholas. Neighbor and friend, Nicholas is studying to be a doctor. His oldest brother is married to her sister, his other brother is married to her cousin, etc. He’s the obvious choice. A late-night horseback ride and a marriage ceremony later, they’re on their way. It was a wild ride from the very first, a joyful and delightful romp through the English countryside with two young people trying to find their way in the world. It was sweet, not overly dramatic, and delightful.

Spiciest—Dangerous, Minerva Spencer

All right folks — ladies, if my Instagram analytics can be trusted — I have read some spicy romances. And there are a few others I’ll be talking about * cough * Mac and Isabella * cough cough * give this one a run for it’s money. But still, I had to land on this one to recommend if you want heat and you want it now. Which, let’s face it, sometimes is exactly what someone (read: me) needs. Mia is coming out of a harem, Adam needs wife number three. He basically marries her because she gives him a raging hard-on while describing eating dates and couscous. And his erection essentially doesn’t deflate for the entire book. They are sexy, irrepressibly charming, occasionally infuriating, and always ready to get it on. It’s a quick and fun read, and definitely worth it. And it can definitely be V-Day prep work, if you need an excuse.

Favorite Man—Michael Stirling, When He Was Wicked, Julia Quinn

JQ’s second appearance on this list with — arguably — my favorite of her novels. Michael Stirling comes in hot in this novel for so many reasons. We’re all with Francesca Bridgerton, who is married to Michael’s best friend and cousin, when she asks Michael to tell her about when he was wicked. Yes, please. But Michael is a standout because of his yearning for Francesca. He’s loved her from the moment he saw her, and it is so much worse when the woman he loves starts to grow within reach. I’m a sucker for unrequited love, for the yearning and devotion of a man, no matter what, to the woman he adores. He has that in spades, plus no small bit of wickedness that makes him not only preciously devoted but disastrously enticing at the same time.

Sweetest—Miss Lattimore’s Letter, Suzanne Allain

Valentine’s Day isn’t all about sex, contrary to what my page might display. So if you want to get some romance in your soul while still keeping things PG, this is the book for you. Very Jane Austen-esque, Sophie finds herself in the role of inadvertent matchmaker after penning the titular letter, all while being pulled in two directions: the charming man who broke her heart, and the quieter, confusing man who has asked for her help. It’s a grand entanglement of many characters and their complicated feelings, all while Sophie tries to sort out her own heart. The charm is there from the very start, and it takes you on a lovely, sometimes intense, and always delightful, journey through the wild and beautiful web of hearts and minds.

Best Reread—The Viscount Who Loved Me, Julia Quinn

Another Julia Quinn, and no, I’m not apologizing; the woman restored my faith in the romance genre. And it really was this book that did so. If you needed more reasons to read this other than that it will be hitting our TV screens as Bridgerton Season 2 in just over a month, I have them. Anthony Bridgerton is exactly the arrogant, trauma-laden, responsible but rakish brunette that makes a heart skip a beat. Kate Sheffield is a delightful menace who knows how to put a man like Anthony in his place. The enemies-to-lovers is done in a realistic way that doesn’t feel forced when it finally pushes the pair together. The chemistry leaps off the page, and I find myself drawn back to it over and over again. I’ve reread it the most of any romance novel thusfar, and that says a lot.

Surprise Love—Wilde Child, Eloisa James

I had absolutely zero expectations for this one when I snagged it for a dollar at a thrift store. I’d heard the author’s name before, which is why I picked it up. And what I found inside was a surprise delight. The precious and precocious Joan wants to appear onstage, much to the chagrin of Viscount Greywick, who appoints himself her protector. Thaddeus — yes, that’s really his name, but not the craziest one that will appear on this list, I warn you — finds himself drawn to the wild Wilde girl. A few romping good times and breaches of propriety make for a fun adventure that left me really rooting for these two, and excited to read more from this author. It’s mid-series, but I didn’t feel I lost much in picking it up on it’s own. A pleasure to read from cover to cover.

Won Me Over—Outrageous, Minerva Spencer

I believe the first words out of my mouth upon digging into this book were “if she makes that asshole the hero, I’m throwing the book.” But I was reading on my phone, so I actually didn’t throw it, and to my surprise, I found a truly enjoyable and supremely sexy story. It’s a bold move to make the villain of the first book the hero of the second, and it’s an even bolder move to name him Godric (told you the names would get worse than Thaddeus). But, shock of all shocks, he admits he was wrong, apologizes in earnest, and learns his lesson. With Eva, the daughter of Adam from “Dangerous,” listed above. A kidnapping (of him, by her) leads to intimate situations that, let me tell you, are more than worth the read. So against my better judgement, I fell in love with the couple, the story, the book, all of it. You might just too.

Favorite Couple—George and Billie, Because of Miss Bridgerton, Julia Quinn

Picking a favorite couple was incredibly hard because obviously I adore all of the couples in each book I’ve recommended, or I wouldn’t have recommended them. But there was something about George and Billie that just clicked from moment one. They start out bickering as they’re stranded on a roof after she tries to rescue a cat (some of the funniest scenes I’ve read), and she ends up in his arms as he carries her home. She’s Billie freaking Bridgerton, and she commands fearful and occasionally begrudging respect. And he’s George Rokesby, the serious and dour eldest. And yet, they spark something in each other, both a fire and an unexpected tenderness that make them lovely and unique. There’s just something about them that’s so right, and I’m going to trust that instinct.

Favorite-Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage, Jennifer Ashley

Last but certainly not least, the second of Jennifer Ashley’s books about the Mackenzie brothers is one of my favorite books, ever. As I’ve stated before, I’m a sucker for yearning, and this book absolutely aches. Mac and Isabella have a tumultuous union that has left them separated for three years, but Mac always remains close by, until the day his wife waltzes back into his painting studio (he’s shirtless and in a kilt for that scene, by the way). The actual plot is far from the point, but the entire story turns on the intense and complex love between these two. They want and need each other, but don’t know if they know how to be together. It’s vulnerable, it’s genuine, and, oh, did I mention, devastatingly sexy? These two can bring it, and Jennifer Ashley knows how to turn up the heat, all with a kind of heartbreaking love story that makes such an impression. Truly a must-read; this book gave me all the feels.

So I hope you found yourself a lovely romance novel to curl up with this Valentine’s Day weekend! Bring on the love, and happy Valentine’s!