There is nothing quite better than a good book. Whether you are single or in a relationship, love stories can appeal to everyone. Here are a few romance book recommendations spanning multiple genres and tropes– just in time for the hyper-capitalistic, heart-shaped day holiday.
1. “The Do-Over” by Lynn Painter
Groundhog Day meets Valentine’s Day in this hilarious rom-com that has Emilie Hornby in a constant do-over of a horrible, dumpster-fire Valentine’s Day.
After finding out her boyfriend cheated on her and watching her life go up in flames on V-Day, Emilie escapes to her grandmother’s house to drown her sorrows in a pint of Ben & Jerry’s. But the next morning she wakes up in her own bed, and it’s Valentine’s Day again.
Emilie experiences the horrible day again and again. On top of it, she keeps running into the enigmatic Nick—literally—in the most inconvenient ways, constantly. After living her worst day, again and again, Emilie keeps wondering, what can she do to stop the do-over?
This is a hilarious and refreshing take on Groundhog Day. Emilie is a fun and relatable narrator and readers get to know her and Nick throughout the various variations of Valentine’s Day and fall in love with this rom-com.
Song to match the book: “Begin Again (Taylor’s Version)” — Taylor Swift
2. “Book Lovers” by Emily Henry
Nora Stephens is a no-bullshit, cutthroat literary agent. She is not your typical, laidback, sweetheart kind of heroine. However, she is the heroine for her clients and her little sister Libby. Which is why she agrees to a month-long trip with Libby to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina.
In Sunshine Falls, instead of a small-town transformation and a meet-cute with the bartender, Nora keeps running into the brodish book editor, Charlie Lastra. They’ve met before and it’s never been cute.
If Nora isn’t the ideal heroine, Charlie knows he is no one’s hero. But both of them are thrown together again and again and their carefully crafted stories about themselves and each other begin to unravel.
It is not a romance book recommendation list unless it includes Henry’s books. “Book Lovers” is a fun, charming, gutting and honest love story, with so much more to it. “Book Lovers” is the perfect book for anyone who loves a good story, especially about the two people who usually put the stories together.
Song to match the book: “Like Real People Do” — Hozier
3. “The Ex Vows” by Jessica Joyce
Georgia Woodward lives by her lists, especially about her ex-boyfriend Eli Mora. The ironclad do’s and don’ts since their breakup five years ago have been crucial in keeping the status quo. Especially since their friend groups are intertwined.
It is especially cruel to keep the status quo when their mutual friend Adam is getting married. But every list goes out the window when Eli comes back to the Bay Area with a rule-breaking attitude and everything goes up in flames for the wedding.
For their best friend, both Georgia and Eli need to come together and save the wedding. But old feelings start to resurface and maybe they can figure out how to build something new together – again.
This second-chance romance gives the readers a look at Georgia and Eli’s past, while also building their relationship after their break-up. While second-chance romances can get a little predictable and irritating, Joyce manages to convince the readers Georgia and Eli’s past is crucial to their present and future.
Songs to match the book: “How did it end?” & “Invisible Strings” — Taylor Swift
4. “The Song of Achilles” by Madeline Miller
Son of the cruel sea goddess and legendary king Peleus Achilles is “the best of all the Greeks.” He is charming, strong, beautiful and alluring to everyone who meets him. Patroclus is the awkward young prince, exiled after an act of shocking violence.
Achilles and Patroclus are brought together by chance — or maybe fate — and form an inseparable bond despite risking the gods’ wrath. They are trained together in war and medicine but when Helen of Sparta is kidnapped all the Greek heroes are called to go to Troy.
The promise of a glorious destiny entices Achilles to join, and his friend, Patroclus follows. Fate tests them both and demands a cruel sacrifice.
“The Song of Achilles” is the retelling of the Greek myth and perhaps one of the most gut-wrenching love stories ever told.
Song to match the book: “Francesca & In a Week” — Hozier
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