The Best Romances to Get Ready for Valentine's Day
The month of love is upon us and one of my favorite genres is Romance! Last year, we launched Read It Or List It with a whole series on Romance. It was SO fun and we learned so much. I think my favorite part is that since that first dive into the genre, Ashley and I have learned even more about the genre and our taste/comfort level has evolved as well. It’s definitely a top favorite genre of mine now!
Also, my friend Angie is hosting a read-a-thon called The Bookish Month of Love on instagram and I can’t wait to read some juicy romances while we endure this dark, cold winter! Check it out if you’d like to join in!
Contemporary Romance
You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria—A telenovela Romance perfect for fans of Jane the Virgin. 3/5 on the stream scale
The Simple Wild Series by K.A. Tucker—One of favorites of all time! 2/5 on the steam scale. TW: cancer, strained parent/child relationship
How to Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams—I adored this friends to lover/instant love romance! 3/5 on the steam scale. TW: Intimate partner violence
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert—A fake dating romance that is steamy and wonderful! 3.5/5 on the steam scale!
Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston—A must read enemies to lovers romance! 3/5 on the steam scale.
Written in the Stars by Alexandra Bellefleur—I loved this fake dating Pride and Prejudice retelling! 2.5/5 on the steam scale.
Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade—A hot, fake dating, fandom romance! Perfect for fans of Game of Thrones! 4/5 on the steam scale.
The Truth About Happily Ever After by Kailee Cozzo—I loved this new adult romance perfect for Disney lovers! 1/5 on the steam scale.
How to Catch a Queen by Alyssa Cole—Alyssa Cole in a master of romance! 3/5 of the steam scale.
Historical Romance
The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare—My first foray into historical romance! A marriage of convenience that gets steamy really quick! 4/5 on the steam scale!
The Bridgerton Series by Julia Quinn—There are 8 books in this series so if you’re missing the show, dive on in! Each Bridgerton child gets their own story. I haven’t read them all so I can’t speak for the steam!
The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan—Courtney Milan has come highly recommended to me!
Bringing Down the Duke—This book has a few companion novels, starting with A Rogue of One’s Own! 3.5/5 on the steam scale!
Indie Author Romance
The Player Next Door by K.A. Tucker—I will say, K.A. Tucker knows how to write a man. A second chance, small town romance and oh my, did I enjoy it. 4/5 on the steam scale!
Blind Dates, Bridesmaids, and Other Disasters by Aspen Hadley—If you don’t like open door romance, I highly recommend this one! It’s sweet and spicy, but the intimacy isn’t on the page.
Only When It’s Us by Chloe Liese—Followed by Always Only You and Ever After Always —I haven’t read this series but I’ve heard it is fantastic and has great representation!
After Everything by Andrea Nourse—I loved this book about a flawed main character. It’s messy and sexy. 2/5 on the steam scale!
Fantasy Romance
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer Armentrout—You KNOW I loved this fantasy romance! 4/5 on the steam scale
A Court of Thorns and Roses Series by Sarah J. Maas—The series that opened up this genre for me! I love love love it. 3.5/5 on the steam scale.
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin—A YA fantasy romance! 1/5 on the steam scale.
YA Romance
To All the Boys I Loved Before by Jenny Han—If you haven’t read these books or watched the movies, stop everything and fix that!
Meet Me at Midnight by Jessica Pennington—I will be talking about this enemies to lovers new adult romance forever I think. I loved it so much!
One Way or Another by Kara McDowell—This is a holiday story but I seriously loved this alternate timeline YA romance!
Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson—This second chance romance is so heartwarming and heartbreaking. TW: cancer, loss of a parent
When the Stars Lead to You by Ronni Davis—One of my favorite books of 2020! A young interracial couple, a sex positive story, and discussion on mental health in relationships. TW: suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, microaggressions, racism
Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett—I LOVED this YA romance that discusses HIV and is sex positive. 1/5 on the steam scale.
10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston—Another holiday story but this one is full of heart, family, and laugh out loud moments.
I could talk about romance endlessly so it was kind of hard to limit myself to just a few for each genre! Do you have a favorite romance or a new release you can’t wait for?