With Valentine’s Day around the corner, love is in the air. Well, for some… if you don’t have a special someone to spend the day with, these are some of the best romance books to make you feel a little better.
“Better Than the Movies” by Lynn Painter
“Better Than the Movies” is a cute romcom; it’s a short must-read. The book is set in Omaha, where the author lives. It’s about two childhood frenemies who are in a year-long battle over a parking space. Through the book, you fall deeply in love with the characters, Wes and Liz. If you don’t believe in soulmates, then you will after finishing. If you need a book that feels like you are watching a cute romance movie, then “Better Than the Movies” is for you. Liz is a hopeless romantic who constantly compares everything in her life to a different rom-com. Wes is charming, witty, and funny. “Better Than the Movies” is a binge-worthy book.
“Picking Daisies on Sunday” by Liana Cincotti
“Picking Daisies on Sunday” is a cozy read that comes highly recommended. Daniella (Daisy) and Levi are childhood friends. After Daniella had shown her heart-thumping feelings towards Levi, and he didn’t feel the same, they separated, only to find each other four years later. If friends-to-lovers isn’t quite your cup of tea, don’t worry, because the true trope of this book is fake dating. This book is perfect for the hopeless romantics in life. Daisy is a hopeless romantic, a romcom fanatic, a people-pleaser and a fashion student. It’s nearly impossible not to love her character. Levi is quite the ladies’ man himself. He is the epitome of swoon-worthy.
“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” by Jenny Han
“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” is a must-read. Lara Jean is one of the most relatable characters, and Peter Kavinsky is the book boyfriend we all need. Jenny Han has written some truly amazing romance books that keep readers coming back for more. Whether it is the “Summer I Turned Pretty” series or her “To All the Boys” series, it is hard to get enough. Another plus to this book is that once you finish it and you are yearning for more, you can go watch the movie on Netflix.
“Daisy Jones and The Six” by Taylor Jenkins Reid
If you need a book to make you feel better about your messy love life, Daisy Jones is the perfect character. Daisy and the band have some of the most complicated relationships you will ever hear about. While cute and comfy may be your thing, I encourage you to give this book a try. I can promise that you will never want to put it down once you pick it up. If you love characters that yearn for each other, then this is for you. The band Fleetwood Mac inspired this book, and who wouldn’t want to relive “Silver Springs 1997”? The book even has its own show adaptation to watch on Amazon Prime.
“Binding 13” by Chloe Walsh
Never in a million years will a book be written quite as good as this one. This book is guaranteed to leave you in tears. If you want a romance guaranteed to get you out of a reading slump, then give the “Boys of Tommen” series a try. Johnny and Shannon are the definition of perfect for each other. In this book, you will get a good look at how struggle can look different for everyone. It is a true testament to how love can conquer any situation, no matter how heartbreaking.
“When in Rome” by Sarah Adams
“When in Rome” is a quick read that will make you feel like you belong in a small town. The main character, who gets all of her inspirations in life from Audrey Hepburn movies, travels to the small town of Rome, Kentucky. She moves from her big city to a small town where she meets a grumpy country man that wins over her heart. The community of the town was the cherry on top of an already amazing storyline.
“Betting On You” by Lynn Painter
You can’t go wrong with a Lynn Painter book, and “Betting On You” is truly a testament to that. Bailey and Charlie are truly some of the cutest characters ever. This book has a perfect example of if something is meant to be, then it will be. It is an enemies-to-lovers trope with some fake dating. The chemistry between these characters is on point. “Betting On You” is full of swoon-worthy quotes that will have you waiting for more.
“Happy Place” by Emily Henry
This is a highly recommended summer read, but if you don’t have a special someone this Valentine’s Day, then I highly recommend filling that gap in your heart with this amazing couple. Nothing can truly do Harriet and Wyn justice, but the way Emily Henry gutted her audience with this amazing story is truly noteworthy. There is truly magic in Henry’s writing. The last hundred pages of this book are enough to make anyone cry. Then you will be crying after you finish it, just because you want more.
“Dumplin” by Julie Murphy
This book does an amazing job of showing how much inner beauty matters. While this book is a romance book, it is perfect for people who truly need to learn how to fall in love with themselves. This book is the definition of come as you are, and if someone truly loves you, then outer beauty and how others perceive you should mean nothing to the right person. Willowdean and Bo truly love each other unconditionally, and they are inspiring to read about.
“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
“Pride and Prejudice” is for anyone who loves a classic. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy don’t get off to the best start, but by the end of the book, you will never think of romance in the same way. Jane Austen did not disappoint with the amount of pure yearning that goes on between these soulmates. Mr. Darcy pines after Lizzy, who is not easily drawn towards men with a strong head on her shoulders. To quote Austen herself from “Sense and Sensibility”: ‘‘If a book is well written, I always find it too short,’’ this explains perfectly how my feelings towards this book are. Don’t be intimidated by the fact that this book is a classic, because I can guarantee you once you pick it up, you won’t be able to put it back down.
