February is finally here, and you know what that means, right? It’s time for lovey-dovey everything. While Valentine’s Day is only a single day, I like to use the entire month to celebrate love.
I’m not talking about overpriced bouquets of red roses or heart-shaped boxes of chocolates. I mean, I don’t have anything against those. I like roses and chocolates just as much as the next person. It just all feels very commercial, and I’d rather still believe in some good ol’ romance.
You can still buy those pretty flowers and make special Valentine’s Day dinner reservations. There is certainly nothing wrong with the tried-and-true Valentine’s Day celebrations. However, there are so many more ways you can celebrate love and romance during the month of February — and some are cheaper than that three-course dinner at an exclusive restaurant.
One of the best ways to get a little extra romance in your life? Reading romance novels!
If you’re looking for a little extra romance this month, these books have got you covered. This February, curl up with a good romance novel and delve into some seriously sweet stories!
Related: A Capricorn Reading List
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
Lucy and Joshua don’t just dislike each other; they despise each other and have had to compete on a daily basis since their companies merged. They are engaged in a vicious game of one-upmanship. Tensions are at an all-time high, and they’re both up for the same promotion. But Lucy is discovering that she may not hate Joshua… and that he may not hate her either. Or, is this yet another game?
The Hating Game was also recently used as the basis for a romantic comedy film by the same name. The movie stars Lucy Hale and Austin Stowell. (Whether or not it was a hit is up for debate.)
The Glittering Hour by Iona Grey
Selina Lennox and Lawrence Weston come from two different worlds in this story set between the two world wars. Selina is a socialite from a wealthy family who lives a life of parties and being pursued by the press. Lawrence is a penniless artist who walks into Selina’s life one night and so begins their secret affair. When tragedy strikes, Selina is forced to choose between her head and her heart, and she finds herself choosing what is safe over what is right.
Red, White, & Royal Blue: A Novel by Casey McQuiston
After his mother was elected President, Alex Claremont-Diaz became America’s First Son. He’s the American equivalent of a young royal: handsome, charismatic, and pure millennial marketing gold for the White House. The only problem is that Alex has a grudge against Prince Henry of Wales from across the pond. Everything was fine until a royal cake-related event provided the tabloids with some incriminating altercation photos, causing American-British relations to deteriorate. For damage control, the two are forced to fake a bromance. But, their Insta-worthy friendship begins to blossom into a secret romance.
Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory
In case you weren’t aware, political romance exists, and Jasmine Guillory’s Party of Two is a page-turner. Dating is the last thing on Olivia’s mind after she relocated to start a new law firm. A chance encounter with a handsome man at the hotel bar quickly escalates into a whirlwind affair that has everyone talking. That’s because she finds out too late that he’s a hotshot junior senator. The high-profile job necessitates secret dates and ridiculous disguises. And, while Olivia is aware that they have something special, will she be strong enough to withstand the scrutiny of the spotlight?
The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez
Check out The Friend Zone if you’re looking for a heartwarming and funny romantic comedy. Kristen is helping her best friend plan her wedding when she meets the best man, Josh Copeland. Their memorable first encounter blossoms into an intense and flirty relationship, but there’s a catch: she’s about to undergo a procedure that will prevent her from having children, and she knows he wants a large family. Unfortunately, keeping him at arm’s length is becoming increasingly difficult. This one will make you laugh and cry.
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
Olive Smith, a third-year Ph.D. candidate, needs to persuade her best friend that she is over her ex and ready to date again. That’s why she does what any sane person would do: she kisses the first man she sees. The first man turns out to be Adam Carlsen, a young hotshot professor and well-known arse. Olive is taken aback when the reigning lab tyrant agrees to continue her charade of a fake relationship. However, the phony relationship may begin to develop into something genuine.
Love, Unscripted by Owen Nicholls
Nick, a movie buff, yearns for a love that resembles what he sees on the big screen. He believes his relationship has been picture-perfect for the past four years. Except Ellie has left, claiming she no longer feels the spark between them. Nick is alone and wondering what happened, so he sifts through his memories to figure out what went wrong. Love, Unscripted explores how love isn’t (and shouldn’t) be like what we see in movies, even if you’re a hopeless romantic.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Did you think I’d come up with a list of romantic novels for Valentine’s Day without mentioning Jane Austen? This list just wouldn’t be complete without her! She has plenty of novels that could fit the bill, but if we’re only picking one, it’s Pride and Prejudice. The novel has endured for almost two centuries and through numerous adaptations. It still stands as Austen’s most popular novel and is one of the all-time classics. Despite having read it more than a couple of times, the love story of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy still deserves another visit.
How to Hack a Heartbreak: A Novel by Kristin Rockaway
In Kristin Rockaway’s How to Hack a Heartbreak, Mel Strickland is a helpdesk tech at a startup who is tired of bad dates and misbehaving dudes. After a string of bad dates on a popular dating app, she employs her brilliant coding skills to create her own app. It’s one that employs a peer-reviewed system to identify jerks. Mel is suddenly in over her head, and her adoring new boyfriend has no idea she’s the brains behind the viral app. This novel takes a unique approach to the difficult world of online dating.
The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa
Lina was a wedding planner who was abandoned at the altar after the groom’s brother and best man encouraged him to snub the bride. Isn’t he the worst best man ever? Three years later, she is presented with an opportunity that has the potential to change her life, but there is one catch: she must collaborate with that same brother. He irritates her and she despises him. If they want to win, they’ll have to nail the presentation without killing each other. But they soon realize that hostility might not be the only emotion they share.
Love Her or Lose Her: A Novel by Tessa Bailey
Rosie and Dominic appear to be the ideal couple. They had been best friends since high school and were madly in love. They used to be, at least. They’ve lost the spark they once had now that they’re married. Rosie invites Dom to attend a marriage boot camp with her, with the encouragement of her friends and the desire to demand more from her life. Each ridiculous (yet beneficial) assignment that follows strengthens their bond. However, just as the two are reuniting, a secret will be revealed… causing Rosie to reconsider her relationship with Dom.
You Me Everything: A Novel by Catherine Isaac
Jess is a single mother to William, 10, who has had no cont act with his father Adam. But now, Jess and William are off to spend the summer at Château de Roussignol, Adam’s restored castle in the French countryside that has been turned into a successful hotel. While Jess is awestruck by Adam’s accomplishments, she is in France to force Adam to connect with his own son. It’s a summer of reconnecting and rediscovery set against a breathtaking backdrop. Perhaps love lost can be regained.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is a modern retelling of Homer’s Greek classic The Iliad. It is a story about gods, kings, eternal fame, and the human heart. This time, the gripping story is told from Patroclus’ point of view as the Trojan War approaches its conclusion. Achilles and Patroclus, cursed from the beginning, embark on a journey of sacrifice and love, making this novel an action-packed adventure as well as an epic love story. Even if you’re not an expert on Greek mythology, you’ll find it difficult to put this story down.
