‘Tis the season for romance reading, and we’re here to supply you with the necessities. Whether you love all things sappy and sweet or you’re a sucker for epic (and sometimes tragic) love stories, there’s a book for you to devour in this V-day round-up. Swooning = guaranteed.
If You Heart Classic Rom-Coms: The Do Over by Lynn Painter
If you’re a hopeless romantic who doesn’t mind a bit of cheesiness, you’ll love this classic about love found in unexpected places. Emilie wakes up the morning after the worst Valentine’s Day ever…only for it to be the same day again. What’s worse, it just so happens to be the day she saw her BF Josh cheating on her, and now she has to relive it over and over. It’s a nightmare coded in pink and red hearts…until she finds herself inexplicably drawn to Nick, whose accidental run-ins start to turn into the highlight of her day(s).
If You Heart Haunting Love Songs: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
This sweeping and beautiful story is its own brand of romance. It’s not a light or gentle read, but it’s sure to give you all the feels (warning: have tissues handy). It follows Patroclus, an awkward and untalented prince who is exiled to the kingdom of Phthia in Ancient Greece. There, he meets Achilles, a beautiful demigod prince with a future as a powerful warrior. He and Achilles become fast friends and fall into a deep, endless love. When they find themselves at the threshold of a long and costly war, it’s in the hands of the fates to decide their future.
If You Heart Romance With A Twist: Marly’s Ghost by David Levithan
This one’s for all the readers who like a bit of grit and spookiness. A modern adaptation of Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol, it tells the story of Ben, who is left heartbroken and hopeless after his girlfriend Marly dies. On the night of Valentine’s Day, which he declares “humbug,” he’s visited by the ghost of Marly and three other spirits who teach him just how much value his life has even with Marly gone. This one’s a story of loss, acceptance and healing (so basically, we recommend enjoying with a side of dark chocolate).
If You Heart Soft Love Stories: First Love Language by Stefany Valentine
Flirting, fake dating and self-discovery culminate in this sweet and swoon-worthy story about Catie, who feels out of place with her white step-family, and sets out to learn about her Taiwanese roots and biological family. In exchange for Mandarin lessons, she agrees to teach her summer co-worker, Toby, about dating so he can ask out his crush (even though, secretly, she has no experience of her own). Using a dating manual from her deceased father, she coaches Toby on the rules of romance…and finds herself catching feelings for her pupil himself.
If You Heart Romantasy Adventures: The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith
If you desire stories with high stakes and magical plots, you’ll be obsessed with this period fantasy piece. In 19th-century London, which has been trapped for decades under the rule of the immortal fae Queen Mor, Ivy enters a competition to win Prince Bram’s hand in marriage for the chance to improve her and her family’s lives. Soon, she is whisked into the lavish and deadly world of the contest, forming an unexpected alliance with Bram’s brother, Prince Emmett. This is a powerful, dangerous and sweeping story of glittering balls, deadly trials and unexpected love.
Check out our book club Insta @glbestiebookclub for more V-day reads!
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