Romance Books to Read This Valentine's Day
Romance Books to Read This Valentine's Day
I work with a publicist who is always trying to get me to read romance novels. I told her it wasn’t my genre but she is convinced that she can win me over. I love to have my mind changed so I still let her send me romance novels. The thing about romance fiction is that it is a HIGHLY popular category. In 2017, almost 21.5 million romance books were sold in the United States…that is a ton of books! Romance fiction is the third most popular genre behind general fiction and mystery/thrillers. So if you’re one of the major romance fiction fans, here are a few of my suggestions.
Reading a romance novel on Valentine's Day is a delightful and heartwarming idea that adds a touch of warmth to the celebration of love. In the enchanting world of romance literature, readers can immerse themselves in a captivating love story, experiencing the thrill of romantic adventures and the power of deep connections. It provides a perfect escape, allowing individuals to indulge in the magic of love, whether they are in a relationship or savoring the joy of self-love. The emotional journey portrayed in romance novels can evoke a range of feelings, from butterflies to tears, making Valentine's Day a memorable and cozy experience that celebrates the essence of love and companionship.
Romance Books to Read This Valentine's Day
The Roommate Pact by Allison Ashley
All of the fun, none of the heartache…as long as they stick to the agreement.
The proposition is simple: if ER nurse Claire Harper and her roommate, firefighter Graham Scott, are still single by the time they’re forty, they’ll take the proverbial plunge together…as friends with benefits. Maybe it’s the wine, but in the moment, Claire figures the pact is a safe-enough deal, considering she hasn’t had much luck in love and he’s in no rush to settle down. Like, at all. Besides, there’s no way she could ever really fall for Graham and his thrill-seeking ways. Not after what happened to her father…
Just as things begin to heat up way before the proposed deadline, Graham’s injured in a serious rock climbing accident—and he needs Claire’s help to heal. She’ll do whatever it takes to nurse him back to health…even if it means moving in to Graham’s bed and putting up with his little dog, who hates her. But with this no-strings arrangement taking a complicated turn, keeping “for now” from turning into “forever” isn’t as easy as they’d planned.
Romance Books to Read This Valentine's Day
Best Served Hot by Amanda Elliot
Elliot's first foodie rom-com Sadie on a Plate (2022) marked her pivot to adult romance and dazzled readers with its relatable, young, Jewish protagonist; exquisitely described cuisine; and sizzling forbidden romance. Now in BEST SERVED HOT, foodie influencer Julie Zimmerman is crushed to discover that her dream position as a restaurant critic for major newspaper The New York Scroll has gone to yet another uppity reviewer, aptly named Bennett Richard Macalester Wright. While her social media account @JulieZeeEatsNYC has racked up a respectable fifty-thousand followers, Julie still craves the prestige and dining opportunities afforded to a distinguished paper like the Scroll. When Julie runs into Bennett at a local food festival, she doesn’t hesitate to confront the annoyingly handsome critic about his outdated views on social media and the changing landscape of restaurant reviewing. On a whim, Julie decides to post the resulting footage and is shocked when the post goes viral. Hoping to attract a younger crowd to the Scroll, Bennett proposes that he and Julie partner up to review some of New York’s hottest restaurants on their respective social media channels. Seeing this as an opportunity to finally gain some repute in the restaurant critiquing world, Julie begrudgingly agrees. Though Julie is initially put off by Bennett’s snobby attitude, after sharing delicious meals and competing over foodie trivia and their seriously lacking cooking skills, Julie finds herself drawn in by Bennett’s genuine love of food that rivals her own. When the chemistry between them boils over, Julie and Bennett will have to decide how much heat their relationship can take.
BEST SERVED HOT is a love letter to the New York restaurant scene, exploring the myriad cultures and food preparation techniques the city offers in such a way that you can taste the flavors as if they are coming off the page. Readers of romantic comedies and fans of Christina Lauren and Sarah Hogle will be left starving for their own foodie romantic adventure, and may find themselves searching for plane tickets to get a taste of Amanda Elliot’s deliciously rendered novel.
Romance Books to Read This Valentine's Day
Husband Material by Alexis Hall
In BOYFRIEND MATERIAL, Luc and Oliver met, pretended to fall in love, fell in love for real, dealt with heartbreak and disappointment and family and friends…and somehow figured out a way to make it work. Now it seems like everyone around them is getting married, and Luc's feeling the social pressure to propose. But it'll take more than four weddings, a funeral, and a bowl full of special curry to get these two from "I don't know what I'm doing" to "I do".
Good thing Oliver is such perfect HUSBAND MATERIAL.
Romance Books to Read This Valentine's Day
That Summer Feeling by Bridget Morrissey
Garland Moore used to believe in magic, the power of optimism, and signs from the universe. Then her husband surprised her with divorce papers over Valentine's Day dinner. Now Garland isn’t sure what to believe anymore, except that she’s clearly never meant to love again. When new friends invite her to spend a week at their reopened sleepaway camp, she and her sister decide it’s an opportunity to enjoy the kind of summer getaway they never had as kids. If Garland still believed in signs, this would sure seem like one. Summer camp is a chance to let go of her past and start fresh.
Nestled into the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, Camp Carl Cove provides the exact escape Garland always dreamed of, until she runs into Mason—the man she had a premonition about after one brief meeting years ago. No matter how she tries to run, the universe appears determined to bring love back into Garland’s life. She even ends up rooming with Mason’s sister Stevie, a vibrant former park ranger who is as charming as she is competitive. The more time Garland spends with Stevie, the more the signs confuse her. The stars are aligning in a way Garland never could have predicted.
Amid camp tournaments and moonlit dances, Garland continues to be pulled toward the beautiful blonde outdoorswoman who makes her laugh and swoon. Summer camp doesn’t last forever, but if Garland can learn to trust her heart, the love she finds there just might.
Romance Books to Read This Valentine's Day
The No-Show by Beth O'Leary
THE NO-SHOW begins on Valentine’s Day with three seemingly unrelated women realizing they’ve all been stood up by the man of their dreams… which just so happens to be the same man. Where is Joseph Carter? Is there more to him than meets the eye? And will they each untangle the truth before they all get their hearts broken?
All of these questions and more will be answered in this surprisingly moving contemporary romance that highlights the challenges of dating, grief, toxic relationships, and the strength of female friendships.
Romance Books to Read This Valentine's Day
Emergency Contact by Lauren Layne and Anthony Ledonne
From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne—and her real life husband and high school sweetheart, Anthony LeDonne—comes a new holiday rom-com that is sure to warm even the coldest heart.
When Katherine, an ambitious NYC attorney, is sent to the emergency room and diagnosed with a concussion following a taxi accident, she soon realizes she neglected to update her emergency contact when her ex-husband, Tom, appears at her bedside. When the doctor orders she be supervised, Katherine reluctantly agrees to travel to Chicago with Tom for the holidays—until a series of unfortunate events turns what should have been a quick plane ride into an overnight misadventure that stirs up old feelings, even as Tom prepares to propose to his girlfriend on Christmas Eve. From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne—and her real-life husband and high school sweetheart, Anthony LeDonne—this delightful holiday rom-com is the perfect meet-cute between The Hating Game and Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.
Romance Books to Read This Valentine's Day
Simply The Best by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Elizabeth Phillips returns with the next book in her Chicago Stars series where a successful sports agent and the sister of his biggest client engage in a take-no-prisoners battle of the sexes.
Take one hard-driving sports agent…
Throw in a failed chocolatier…
And her superstar football player brother…
Add a quirky pink and purple food truck…
Then, to really screw things up, mix in a very unfortunate murder.
Brett Rivers is the hottest sports agent in the business—fast and furious, swift and deadly. Failure? Not an option.
Rory Garrett is—let’s be honest—a disaster. She has a big heart, an empty bank account, a passion for making exquisite chocolate, and a huge inferiority complex from living in the shadow of Brett’s most important client, her football legend brother.
Brett and Rory should never have met, and they absolutely, positively should never have had to deal with the consequences of one stupid, drunken night…one disastrous lie…one career in jeopardy…one missing football player…and a very dead body.
It’s going to get messy…and dangerous…and heartbreaking…and sexy. To Rory, Brett represents skewed values and a devious mind. To Brett, Rory is forbidden fruit, off limits, do not disturb, and no entry—definitely no entry.
A woman who has succeeded at nothing and a man who’s succeeded at everything confront the challenge of their lives as they struggle with themselves and each other. When it comes to love—what price are any of us willing to pay to be simply the best?
Romance Books to Read This Valentine's Day
Duchess by Design by Maya Rodale
For the fashionable romantic
In Gilded Age Manhattan, anything can happen...
Seeking a wealthy American bride who can save his family's estate, Brandon Fiennes, the duke of Kingston, is a rogue determined to do the right thing. But his search for an heiress goes deliciously awry when an enchanting seamstress tumbles into his arms instead.
...and true love is always in fashion
Miss Adeline Black aspires to be a fashionable dressmaker--not a duchess--and not even an impossibly seductive duke will distract her. But Kingston makes an offer she can't refuse: join him at society events to display her gowns and advise him on which heiresses are duchess material. It's the perfect plan--as long as they resist temptation, avoid a scandal, and above all do not lose their hearts.
Romance Books to Read This Valentine's Day
The Other Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
For the feminist romantic
She was in the wrong place...
Fiercely independent and adventurous, Poppy Bridgerton will only wed a suitor whose keen intellect and interests match her own. Sadly, none of the fools from her London season qualify. While visiting a friend on the Dorset coast, Poppy is pleasantly surprised to discover a smugglers' hideaway tucked inside a cave. But her delight turns to dismay when two pirates kidnap her and take her aboard a ship, leaving her bound and gagged on the captain's bed...
He found her at the wrong time...
Known to society as a rascal and reckless privateer, Captain Andrew James Rokesby actually transports essential goods and documents for the British government. Setting sail on a time-sensitive voyage to Portugal, he's stunned to find a woman waiting for him in his cabin. Surely, his imagination is getting the better of him. But no, she is very real--and his duty to the Crown means he's stuck with her.
Can two wrongs make the most perfect right?
When Andrew learns that she is a Bridgerton, he knows he will likely have to wed her to avert a scandal--though Poppy has no idea that he is the son of an earl and neighbor to her aristocratic cousins in Kent. On the high seas, their war of words soon gives way to an intoxicating passion. But when Andrew's secret is revealed, will his declaration of love be enough to capture her heart...?
Romance Books to Read This Valentine's Day
Ten Kisses to Scandal by Vivienne Lorret
For the career romantic
Briar Bourne's matchmaking career could be summed up in two words--comic disaster. Unless she can learn about the irresistible forces that draw men and women together, her professional future looks rather bleak. But Briar has an intriguing plan--enlisting London's most irredeemable rake to teach her everything he knows about attraction. Given his notorious reputation, it's no surprise that Nicholas Blacklowe, the Earl of Edgemont, requests one thing in exchange for his tutelage. For every lesson, he wants a kiss in return. And what harm could there be in a simple kiss? After all, Briar would never fall for a scoundrel...
Nicholas has no romantic notions about love, and no intention of changing his ways. He's only helping Briar so that she can find the perfect bride for his jilted cousin. Yet Briar is so clever, so curious, so candid--so blasted tempting--that soon, Nicholas can't stop wondering what it might be like if he was irresistible to her.
Ten lessons. Ten kisses. And a million ways to fall hopelessly, scandalously in love.
Romance Books to Read This Valentine's Day
The Duke Buys a Bride by Sophie Jordan
For the royal romantic
A bride wasn't in his plans . . .
The last thing Marcus, the Duke of Autenberry, expects to see after sleeping off a night's drunken shenanigans is a woman being auctioned in the village square. Before he can think about the ramifications, he buys her, thinking he's winning the girl her freedom. Instead, he discovers he's bought a wife.
A duke wasn't in hers . . .
Alyse Bell is almost rid of the shackles that bound her in a name-only marriage, but the day her friend promised to purchase her in a wife auction, he vanishes, leaving her to face a mob of unsavory bachelors intent on owning her body and soul. But the appearance of a wicked, wealthy stranger changes her path forever.
The road to ruin . . .
Marcus doesn't know what to do with the impertinent chit who clearly isn't duchess material! Insisting their marriage isn't legitimate, they leave for his estate in Scotland, hoping to devise a plan to get rid of each other. However, on a journey fraught with misadventure, their attraction grows and Marcus realizes he'll do anything to keep this fiery woman for his own.
Romance Books to Read This Valentine's Day
A Duke Changes Everything by Christy Carlyle
For the classic romantic
In the first novel in Christy Carlyle's sizzling Duke's Den series, three men, intent on making a fortune, discover irresistible opportunities . . .
Nicholas Lyon gambled his way into a fortune and ownership of the most opulent, notorious gentlemen's club in England. But when Nick's cruel brother dies, he inherits a title he never wanted. The sooner Nick is rid of the estate that has always haunted him, the sooner he can return to the life he's built in London. But there's one obstacle--the exquisite Thomasina Thorne.
When the new heir to the Tremayne dukedom suddenly appears in Mina Thorne's life, she's flustered. Not only is he breathtakingly handsome, but he's also determined to take away her home and position as steward of the Enderley estate. If Mina learns what makes the enigmatic duke tick, perhaps she can change his mind--as long as she doesn't get too close to him.
With each day Nick spends with Mina, his resolve weakens as their colliding wills lead to explosive desire. Could she be the one woman who can help him finally bury the ghosts of his past?
Romance Books to Read This Valentine's Day
The Wrong Highlander by Lynsay Sands
For the Samantha’s of the world
A laird's daughter kidnaps a Highlander--and loses her heart... in New York Times bestselling author Lynsay Sands' new historical romance
Lady Evina Maclean has heard much about Rory Buchanan's skill as a healer. What she hasn't heard is how good the brawny Highlander looks bathing in a waterfall. But Evina can't afford the distraction, for her ailing father urgently needs care. Only when she's rendered Buchanan unconscious and dragged him back to her family's castle does the truth emerge--it's not Rory she's kidnapped but his brother Conran.
Other ladies try to ensnare Conran with flattery. Evina hits him over the head with the hilt of her sword to save her kin--and Conran likes the spirited redhead all the more for it. He's learned enough from his brother to heal Evina's father, but there are other dangers swirling around the Maclean clan. And while the beautiful, independent lady has sworn not to marry, this wrong Highlander may be just the right man for her.
