Valentine’s Day is a miss or hit for people. Some love it, some hate it. I’m impartial to it. I like to think of Valentine’s Day as a day to not only celebrate romantic love, but other loves as well. I usually spend it with friends or family. And books. How can I not include books?

So for those of us who won’t be going out this year, here are some books I think would be perfect for a bookish Valentine’s Day date.

A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi

I don’t know how to write a list about romance and not include A Very Large Expanse of Sea. This book deals with some heavy issues: islamophobia and xenophobia, but is still very romance-heavy. I will recommend this book all the time, but it’s defiantly the perfect read for Valentine’s Day if you’re looking for something very romantic but still realistic.

Pride by Ibi Zoboi

This book is a Pride and Prejudice retelling featuring an afro-Latina in Brooklyn, Zuri Benitez, and her family. It all starts when the rich Darcy moves across the street from Zuri, with their two handsome sons. Pride and Prejudice is considered a classic romance, and Pride is a wonderful retelling. And the best part is that Zuri is a poet, and there’s some verse in the book. I love verse in novels, and this one slays. This book is perfect for Pride and Prejudice fans. Spend your night with a new Mr. Darcy that is just as charming and loveable.

Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young

For those who aren’t big contemporary fans, here’s a fantasy for you! Sky in the Deep is a Vikings novel but with an excellent enemies-to-lovers romance. It’s short, sweet, and I can’t rave about the romance enough. I love this book, and I think it’s the perfect balance between fantasy and romance. I would totally recommend spending Valentine’s Day with this magnificent cast of characters.

The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead

This is a “fantasy” book, but really it’s just set in an alternate universe. The Glittering Court centres over a group of poor girls who enter a sort of program that grooms them into the perfect high-society ladies and ships them to the new land so they can find rich husbands. It’s a trilogy, and each book is an amazing love story of its own. The first book follows Adelaide and her forbidden love with the director of the program’s son. I love forbidden romance, and this book is perfect for lovers of that trope. Snuggle with this book on Valentine’s Day and enjoy!

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

This isn’t your typical Valentine’s Day book, but for those who don’t want cutesy books this year, here’s a gothic, murdery book. Set in England during the Victorian era, our heroine, Audrey Rose Wadsworth and her companion, Thomas Cresswell, are both forensic science students hunting for Jack the Ripper. There is minimal romance in the first book, but it’s a wonderful book that I hope you’ll enjoy.

Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu

If you’re not in the mood for a romance, don’t worry, I have you covered. Moxie is all about strong girls, feminism, and finding the voice and courage to stand up for equality and fight sexism. It’s a feel-good story with a happy ending that inspires you to listen to Bikini Kill (you’ll get this if you’ve read the book) and rock out your frustrations and anger. Spend your Valentine’s Day reading about badass girls, you won’t regret it.

And here are my recommendations! I’ve read all these books and I think they’ll all be perfect for Valentine’s Day.

As for me, I’ll be spending my day with The Gilded Wolves. A pretty cover, magical writing, Paris in the nineteenth century, and a large cast of characters? A million yes!

What are your plans for Valentine’s Day? Are you going to be reading or doing something else? Let’s talk!

Thank you for reading and see you next time ❤