These 20 Reader-Loved Books Are Perfect for Valentine’s Day

‘Fourth Wing’ by Rebecca Yarros

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros follows Violet Sorrengail as the heroine, a frail yet incredibly smart 20-year-old who is set to attend Basgiath War College in the mythical land of Navarre. On Conscription Day – aka the day when students are assigned their Quadrant – Violet’s mother forces her to choose the most noble yet challenging option: becoming a dragon rider.

“With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success,” the description reads. “Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda―because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die.”

‘Funny Story’ by Emily Henry

Rom-com master Emily Henry’s latest installment is Funny Story. The book follows buttoned-up Daphne right after her fiancé dumped her because he’d fallen in love with her best friend, Petra. Lonely and lost, she finds comfort in her new roommate, Petra’s ex Miles Nowak.

“The roommates mainly avoid one another, until one day, while drowning their sorrows, they form a tenuous friendship and a plan,” the description reads. “If said plan also involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their summer adventures together, well, who could blame them?”

‘Before I Let Go’ by Kennedy Ryan

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan tells the story of a second-chance love. In it, exes Yasmen and Josiah Wade are healing the wounds of their divorce, and getting used to their new normal of co-parenting, when they start to doubt their decisions. 

“Soon, one stolen kiss leads to another…and then more,” the description reads. “It’s hot. It’s illicit. It’s all good—until old wounds reopen. Is it too late for them to find forever? Or could they even be better, the second time around?”

‘Every Summer After’ by Carley Fortune

In Every Summer After by Carley Fortune, Persephone Fraser made the biggest mistake of her life 10 years ago and hasn’t returned home since. That is until she receives a call that immediately propels her back to her home in Barry’s Bay. There, she reconnects with her old flame Sam Florek, and the six years they spent together come rushing back to her. But before Persephone and Sam can rekindle their love, Persephone must come to terms with the decisions of her past and their consequences.

‘Delilah Green Doesn’t Care’ by Ashley Herring Blake

Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake tells the story of – you guessed it – Delilah Green, a photographer who lives in New York City who’s coming back to her hometown to shoot the wedding of her estranged stepsister, Astrid. When she gets there, she sees Claire Sutherland, one of Astrid’s stuck-up besties, and a connection takes them both by surprise.

“Though they’ve known each other for years, they don’t really know each other—so Claire is unsettled when Delilah figures out exactly what buttons to push,” the description reads. “When they’re forced together during a gauntlet of wedding preparations—including a plot to save Astrid from her horrible fiancé—Claire isn’t sure she has the strength to resist Delilah’s charms.”

‘The Seven-Year Slip’ by Ashley Poston

In Ashley Poston’sThe Seven-Year Slip, romance meets magic in the best of ways. The novel follows overworked book publicist Clementine as she becomes determined to dream big at work and leave finding love in the past. That is, however, until she meets her temporary roommate Iwan only to find out that he’s from seven years in the past. 

“Her aunt always said the apartment was a pinch in time, a place where moments blended together like watercolors,” the description reads. “And Clementine knows that if she lets her heart fall, she’ll be doomed.”

‘The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches’ by Sangu Mandanna

As one of the few witches in witches in Britain, Mika Moon in The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches has learned how to live by herself and stay away from the spotlight. But when she receives an invitation to Nowhere House to teach three young witches, she breaks all her rules, especially when it comes to the handsome and prickly librarian Jamie. 

“As Mika begins to find her place at Nowhere House, the thought of belonging somewhere begins to feel like a real possibility,” the description reads. “But magic isn’t the only danger in the world, and when peril comes knocking at their door, Mika will need to decide whether to risk everything to protect a found family she didn’t know she was looking for…”

‘Yours Truly’ by Abby Jimenez

In a classic enemies-to-lovers tale, Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez tells the story of Dr. Briana Ortiz after her divorce is finalized and her brother is running out of time to find a kidney donor. But right when she’s at her wits end, her nemesis Dr. Jacob Maddox sends her a letter – and it changes everything. 

“And it’s a really good letter. Like the kind that proves that Jacob isn’t actually Satan,” the description reads. “Worse, he might be this fantastically funny and subversively likable guy who’s terrible at first impressions.”

‘The Serpent and the Wings of Night’ by Carissa Broadbent

The Serpent & the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent follows Oraya, the adopted daughter of the Nightborn vampire king who lives in a world where humans are at the bottom of the totem pole. To survive the world that’s made to kill her, Oraya decides she needs to win the legendary tournament held by the goddess of death herself. To survive, Oraya is forced to make an alliance with a mysterious rival, Raihn. “Their blossoming attraction could be her downfall, in a kingdom where nothing is more deadly than love,” the description reads. 

‘Butcher & Blackbird’ by Brynne Weaver

As the first in the Ruinous Love trilogy, Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver follows the unlikely connection between rival murderers Sloane and Rowan. “From small-town West Virginia to upscale California, from downtown Boston to rural Texas, the two hunters collide in an annual game of blood and suffering, one that pits them against the most dangerous monsters in the country,” the description reads. “But as their friendship develops into something more, the restless ghosts left in their wake are only a few steps behind, ready to claim more than just their newfound love.”

‘When the Moon Hatched’ by Sarah A. Parker

In a book that perfectly blends fantasy and undeniable chemistry, When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker tells the story of rebellious assassin Raeve as she’s captured and imprisoned during one of her side quests. Soon enough, however, Kaan, now the King of the Burn, crosses her path and proves that he’s not as evil as she initially suspected.

‘The Paradise Problem’ by Christina Lauren

In The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren, the main character Liam has a curious problem: he must be married for five years in order to receive his family’s massive inheritance. But when his five years are almost up with not-so-ex-wife Anna, Liam is forced to introduce his one-percenter family to his not-so-polished “wife.” 

“But in the presence of his family, Liam’s fears quickly shift from whether the feisty, foul-mouthed, paint-splattered Anna can play the part to whether the toxic world of wealth will corrupt someone as pure of heart as his surprisingly grounded and loyal wife,” the description reads. 

‘How to End a Love Story’ by Yulin Kuang

How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang is about two writers, Grant and Helen, who haven’t seen each other since a tragic accident 13 years ago. 

But after over a decade of building their lives far away from each other, Grant joined the writers’ room for a TV adaptation, which just happened to be based on Helen’s novel. “Working together is messy, and electrifying, and Helen’s parents, who have never forgiven Grant, have no idea he’s in the picture at all,” the description reads.

‘A Love Song for Ricki Wilde’ by Tia Williams

Written by Tia Williams, aka the author of the bestselling novel Seven Days in June, A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is another irresistible love story. The novel follows family outcast Ricki Wilde as she gets a fresh start living with her eldest relative’s bottom floor of her Harlem brownstone. Set in the modern and vibrant setting of modern Harlem, Ricki soon meets Ezra, a handsome artist who she’s destined to meet. 

‘The Truth According to Ember’ by Danica Nava

After reaching a rut in her job hunt, Native American Ember Lee Cardinal comes up with her first lie: she says she’s white in an application. Then, when the lie lands her her dream job, lies only continue when she strikes up a romance with Danuwoa Colson, the company IT guy who’s also Native and sees right through her. 

“Despite her unease over the no-dating policy at work, they start to see each other secretly, which somehow makes it even hotter?” the description reads. 

‘The Pairing’ by Casey McQuiston

In another story of exes finding themselves again, The Pairing by Casey McQuiston tells the story of Theo and Kit, two exes who said goodbye once and for all before a dream European trip and have seemingly gone their separate ways since. But when their European tour tickets are about to expire, they coincidentally reunite on the tour bus after four years apart. 

“Now they’re trapped with each other for three weeks of stunning views, luscious flavors, and the most romantic cities of France, Spain, and Italy,” the description reads. “It’s fine. There’s nothing left between them. So much nothing that, when Theo suggests a friendly wager to see who can sleep with their hot Italian tour guide first, Kit is totally game. And why stop there? Why not a full-on European hookup competition?”

‘The Favorites’ by Layne Fargo

If you love ice-skating movies like Spinning Out or Ice Princess, then Layne Fargo’s The Favorites might be the book for you. The novel follows the unstoppable Olympic skating duo Katarina and Heath ten years after a shocking incident at the Olympic Games brings their partnership to a sudden end.

But 10 years after their split, Katarina is telling her story. “From the childhood tragedies that created her all-consuming bond with Heath to the clash of desires that tore them apart,” the description reads. “Sensational rumors have haunted their every step for years, but the truth may be even more shocking than the headlines.”

‘Deep End’ by Ali Hazelwood

As you can probably tell from the cover, Deep End by Ali Hazelwood is a romance taking place mostly on, or around, the swimming pool. The novel follows Scarlett, a student-athlete focused on her med-student studies, and Lukas, who’s a swim captain, world champion, and all-around golden boy. 

While they seem like opposites at first, a secret brings them together in an unusual swimming arrangement. “And as the pressure leading to the Olympics heats up, so does their relationship,” the description reads. “It was supposed to be just a temporary, mutually satisfying fling. But when staying away from Lukas becomes impossible, Scarlett realizes that her heart might be treading into dangerous water…”

‘First-Time Caller’ by B.K. Borison

As the host of Baltimore’s romance hotline, Aiden Valentine needs to believe in love in First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison. But right when he’s had enough of sappy stories and receptive advice, an interview of his with Lucie goes viral, and her love life—or lack thereof—is thrust into the limelight.

“Lucie must make the final decision between the radio-sponsored happily ever after or the man in the headphones next to her,” the description reads. 

‘The Love Lyric’ by Kristina Forest

In a story that will have you feeling all kinds of emotions, The Love Lyric by Kristina Forest tells the story of young widow and single mom Iris Greene as she’s getting her new start in a new as the director of partnerships at a beauty company. Everything changes, however, when pop R&B singer Angel Hughes comes into the office to start his campaign deal and old feelings begin to bubble to the surface. 

“Despite their obvious attraction to each other, they must stay professional throughout the campaign tour—a goal that doesn’t quite pan out,” the description reads. “But when it becomes clear their lives aren’t in sync, can they fall back in step to the same rhythm and beat?”