*Adds to TBR*
Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching! We are officially only a few days away. For some people, this can be such a drawn out, over-hyped holiday. For others, Valentine’s Day marks something special. Personally, I have always been a hopeless romantic. So I fall somewhere in between those two extremes.
Whether you are in a wonderful and fulfilling relationship, newly single, simply just love a good love story, or you are generally still just learning how to love yourself – At least one of these books will fit your current vibe.
I wanted to make this post to highlight some of my favorite romance reads! I have read my fair share of dark romance books too
(swoon), which will all go into a different post entirely, but I’m going to keep this list pretty light… And a little bit spicy.
Let’s get to it.
Quick little disclaimers:
**Some of these reviews may contain mild spoilers for the books, though I try to keep them as vague as possible.**
**The affiliate links included below may produce a small commission for me when clicked on and purchased through the links provided.**
In The Likely Event | Rebecca Yarros
Military trope? Big time.
Spice? Yes!
Second chance? For sure.
“I was forever kept in his orbit, allowed to glimpse the damage I knew lingered beneath his surface, but condemned to watch helplessly from afar as he collected scars.”
My personal synopsis:
I went into this book without doing any research first, and honestly, I was little skeptical after falling in love with Fourth Wing and Iron Flame sooo much. However, the unknowing factor was the best surprise I could have ever asked for.
Imagine: Ten years ago, you’re on a plane seated next to the best-looking guy you’ve ever seen, but as you take off, the plane crashes and Mr. Swoon literally saves your life. He then pretends to be your husband so he can visit you at the hospital without any questions from the staff, just to make sure you’re okay. Immediately hooked? Yeah, me too. When you wake, you’re alone. You realize he’s gone to carry out his duty in being part of the armed forces. A few years later you bump into him again and try to stay connected and meet up at different places all over the world until you just… don’t meet up anymore. Fast forward four years again and you’ve landed in Afghanistan where he is assigned to protect YOU.
Their connection is undeniable. Izzy never believed in destiny before, but she does now. Between the dual POV and the alternating timeline’s, the way this book is set up seriously gives you an insight into their actual lives and you become more understanding to their motives. Nate is everything you want in a good book boyfriend: strong, rugged, protective: and just such a book boyfriend. Izzy, is just authentically who she is. I was frustrated with her for letting him go. After you see how the story plays out, you begin to really understand her motives.
Overall, this was the perfect second chance but also first chance book with a serious grumpy/sunshine trope. Will they finally get their happily ever after?
“He’ll do anything to keep her safe. And everything to win her heart.”
Overall, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Get your copy here
Things We Never Got Over – Lucy Score
Small town feels? Yes.
Quick read? No.
Runaway bride? Yes.
Danger? Maybe.
Romance? Yes!
Spice? Moderate.
“You’re the one who has to live your life. Don’t apologize to other people for the decisions you make for yourself.”
My personal synopsis:
Naomi wasn’t just running away from her happily ever after. She was running back home to the small town of Knockemout, Virginia, to help her twin sister in desperate need.
Too bad for Naomi her evil twin hasn’t changed at all. After helping herself to Naomi’s personal belongings, Tina leaves her with something completely unexpected. The niece Naomi didn’t know she had. Now she’s stuck with a preteen and half of a plan.
Que Knox. There’s a reason Knox doesn’t do complicated, or high-maintenance women. But since Naomi’s life imploded directly in front of him, the least he can do is help her get back on her feet. His plan is to leave her the hell alone as soon as he sees she can make it. That’s the plan until the trouble turns to real danger.
This book is an investment into amazingly detailed character development intertwined with the harsh truths of generalizing traumatic pasts. Could the book have been about 200 pages shorter? Yes. Do you wish there were more pages after you get done reading it? Also yes.
Overall, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Interested in the other books in the Knockemout series?
Things We Hide From The Light (Book 2)
Things We Left Behind (Book 3)
It Ends With Us – Colleen Hoover
Self-discovery? Yes.
Resiliency? Big time.
“There is no such thing as bad people. We’re all just people who sometimes do bad things.”
My personal synopsis:
If you’re a sucker for a good love story, you will enjoy this book. I wasn’t entirely sure how to feel about this book at first, but once the plot really kicks in, you absolutely need to know how it ends. Lily has a past, but that’s never stopped her from being ambitious and going after the life she wants. Owning a flower shop and being a badass businesswoman? Yesss. Enter Ryle, with a welcoming charm and an amazing career. He’s a handsome neurosurgeon, Dr. Kincaid. There’s no way he would ever want someone like her.
Ryle is seemingly arrogant, and sensitive, and kind. And he looks damn good in those scrubs he always wears. This is too good to be true. Lily can’t stop thinking about their meeting. Except, Ryle has a “no dating rule” that he sticks to. As it turns out, he has quite a temper too. As time passes, he finds himself thinking if he should give into temptation or strictly stick to his rule.
As she starts to open her heart to Dr. Ryle, thoughts of Atlas Corrigan start to wander into her heart, too. Her first real love. So when Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has worked on with Ryle is suddenly threatened.
*There are mild triggers of domestic violence in this book.
Can be read as a standalone.
Overall, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Interested in following up with the story of Lily and Atlas? Here’s book two:
Red, White, Royal Blue – Casey McQuiston
Exploring your identity? Yes.
Accepting change? Yes.
Adorable love story? Definitely.
“I miss you even more than I could have believed; and I was prepared to miss you a good deal.
My personal synopsis:
Alex Claremont-Diaz rise to fame was fast. Having a mother as a President will do that to someone. Always a young royal. Set to be the next Prince of Wales. He fit the bill, too. Personable, intelligent, handsome- He was going to make his mark in politics. Except, he didn’t care for the prince across the pond. So when the media gains knowledge of a spat with the prince, Alex knows he’s in for it.
The head counsel of royalty wages a truce between the two parties. All of a sudden, Alex realizes his new ally is more than he bargained for. Soon Alex finds himself hidden within a secret romance that brings more complications than joy. This could seriously affect the campaign. This book dives deep into the questions we ask ourselves like, where do we find the inner power to be who we truly are?
I’m not very big into politics, and/or reading about them, but the themes of politics in his story does not outweigh the most adorable forbidden relationship love story that motivates this novel.
Overall, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Better Than The Movies – Lynn Painter
RomCom? Absolutely.
Meet Cute? Yesss.
“Sometimes we get so tied up in our idea of what we think we want that we miss out on the amazingness of what we could actually have.”
My personal synopsis:
Such a romcom! Not saying that as good- or bad! If you’re a fan of predictable but completely adorable hallmark Christmas movies, this book is for you. Liz gave her heart to Michael a long time ago, but her crush never fully seemed to understand. After many years Mike has returned to the area, and Liz will do whatever it takes to get his undivided attention and maybe snag him as her prom date while she’s at it.
Liz and her cute next door neighbor Wes scheme to get Liz noticed by Michael so she can have her magical moment while Liz realizes she enjoys Wes’ company. While Liz becomes conflicted, she reviews the choices laid out in front of her. What does she really know about love? Does she really know what Happily Ever After should even look like?
This was a cute book that will hit you in the feels. However, I’ve never really been a fan of super young main characters in a school setting, which is why I’m not personally giving as many stars as others might. Definitely YA.
Overall, ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Archer’s Voice – Mia Sheridan
“Sometimes an understanding silence was better than a bunch of meaningless words.”
My personal synopsis:
A beautifully written story. If you have ever felt like you’ve struggled to be heard, this book will resonate with you. The memories were still so vivid. While mourning the loss of her father, Bree struggles to continue her way through life. Until she meets Archer Hale. In that moment, she threw everything she thought she knew out the window.
When Bree enters the world around Archer, she discovers that there is so much more to him than just his wonderful communication skills, good looks, and spirit. All the while, this town is saturated with secrets and lies, and Archer is the main focus of everything.
So many emotions. So little time! Archer’s voice through silence is exactly what we need to heal and survive.
Overall, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wildfire – Hannah Grace
Hockey players? Yes.
Fated mates? Yes!
Spice? Yes.
“You don’t need anyone but yourself, but you can have me anyway.”
My personal synopsis:
So if you’re a part of BookTok, or Bookstagram, you’ve probably seen the book Icebreaker which seemed to sweep readers off their feet. Wildfire did the same. For me, it was one of those books that I just had to see what all the hype was about, even though it isn’t really my favorite genre to generally choose. Something about comic book, cartoon looking covers just doesn’t do it for me. Turns out, the contents lived up to the hype. Wildfire clearly works as a standalone story. But if you liked Icebreaker, you’ll enjoy this book too.
My personal synopsis:
All of the stress built up from the last year is blown off at the Maple Hills big summer bash, and for students Aurora and Russ, it all comes together for a steamy one-night of fun.
After they spend more time together, both of them realize there might be more to thier story lurking under the surface.
Wildfire is a light, steamy new adult romance. The college naivety scene doesn’t do much for me, so it was hard to rate it any higher. If you are a fan of light, likable college student characters with a main character hero who connects with actual golden retrievers, you will be thoroughly entertained by this book.
Overall, ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Interested in book one of the Maple Hills Series?
Book three to be released in early June 2024!
Twisted Love | Ana Huang
Grumpy/Sunshine? Yes, please.
Touch her and die? Yesss.
“I was nervous, yes, and a bit terrified. But I’d also never felt more alive.”
My personal synopsis:
Coming in hot as a #BookTok favorite, the Twisted Series has readers hooked.
Alex Volkov is troubled with a traumatic past while masking his pain with the most handsome face. Motivated by his past, Alex becomes a little too stoic for matters of the heart.
But when he’s forced to look after his best friend’s sister, he starts to feel something warm in his chest.
No. NO. This can’t be.
Ava Chen is a free spirit trapped by nightmares of a childhood she can’t remember.
Ava is a strong young woman, despite her broken past, willing to be always forgiving of other people’s stories. She’s smart enough to know Alex is bad news, but will she be smart enough to avoid him? After all, that is her brother’s best friend.
Their love was never supposed to happen, but when it does, it unleashes secrets that could destroy them both…and everything they hold dear.
Can be read as a standalone.
Overall, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Interested in the rest of the Twisted series?
Happy Place | Emily Henry
Grief? Defintely.
Resiliency? Yes!
Forced proximity? I think so.
“No,” he says quietly. “In every universe, it’s you for me. Even if it’s not me for you.”
My personal synopsis:
Okayyy. This freaking book?! I personally love this book for the very real, and raw, reason that love isn’t just a story you read; it’s life.
Harriet and Wyn have always been the couple that everyone thinks is going to make it. Prom King and Prom Queen forever type love story if you will. Readers will be swallowed up into their love story and touched to their very core with the realization that life happens, and there isn’t much you can do to stop it. Regardless of how you feel, somethings just happen the way they do so you develop the mindset of it is what it is.
The perfect couple breaking up? No, it can’t be. They can’t tell their friends about this yet, so they will still go on vacation with them and pretend like it’s fine- everything’s fine.
All of a sudden, they find themselves sharing a bedroom at the cottage that has been their friend group’s yearly getaway for the last decade. Their escape from everything else in their life and a chance to reconnect with friends.
While maintaining outside friendships, Harriet and Wyn play nice while being confused and insecure about their relationship. All while lying through their teeth that they still don’t want each other. Harriet remains her strong, hard-working facade and Wyn remains the laid-back charmer who never fully revels his true self. Seems like it’ll work, right…? Years spend together, through the best and worst of it- they can fake it together for an entire week forced together, right…?
Overall, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If He Had Been With Me | Laura Nowlin
Discovery of self-worth? Yes.
“Sometimes I am disappointed with love. I thought that when you were in love, it would always be right there, staring you in the face, reminding you every moment that you love this person. It seems that it isn’t always like that.“
My personal synopsis:
“If he had been with me, everything would have been different…“
Autumn and Finn grew up together. They used to be inseparable. Then something changed. Was it them? Was it their awkward kiss?
Fast forward, Autumn has her boyfriend, and her close-knit group of friends. And Finn has become that boy at school who everyone wants to befriend.
Nothing that has transpired in the past stops the way Autumn feels about Phineas every time they cross paths. There always seems to be this growing and nagging feeling that maybe, just maybe, things could have been different. Maybe they should have been together.
And as time passes, Autumn will be forced to confront how life might have been different if they had never parted ways.
You will not be disappointed by this wholesome and relatable novel that will hit you right in the feels and command your attention to the feelings you didn’t even know you had.
This book is entirely too relatable, and I feel like it can really speak to the reader.
Can be read as a standalone.
Overall, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Loved this book? Catch up on Finn & Autumn’s story with this brand-new release:
If Only I Had Told Her, Book 2
So there we have it! Narrowing down my favorites is never easy, but I would say this list is a good start into upgrading your romance reading list. Eihter way, I hope you enjoy these quick book ideas for an updated Valentine’s Day TBR.
My favorite generes are romance, dark romance, fantasy, and of course, mystery/thriller books! Always open to critisicm if you’d like to leave a comment below, or follow me on Bookstagram!
Happy reading, friends! – RachelRavess
RachelRavess 
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