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Whether you’re single and living vicariously through the connections you see explored in fiction or are happily in a relationship and want to savor that feeling, plenty of wonderful novels exist that will leave you with those heart-fluttering, fluffy feelings that only the sweetest romantic gestures can evoke. Of course, romantic books aren’t relegated to February, but with Valentine’s Day barely in the rearview mirror, it makes for a good month to update your reading list so you’re prepared with your next love story whenever you’re in the mood to squeal and kick your feet over an epic romance.
I love a good romance book any day of the year, but the level of diversity in the genre often leaves much to be desired. It can be hard to find variety in body types, sexuality, culture, and more when it comes to the main characters or their love interests, so every book on this list features a Black female lead, many of whom identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community. Each story guarantees butterflies in your stomach and a smile from ear to ear, and you’ll be rooting for the couples to get the swoon-worthy happy endings they deserve.
- Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann
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Let’s Talk About Love is a YA contemporary novel that follows Alice in the aftermath of her girlfriend dumping her when she discovers she’s asexual. Alice swears off dating and plans to spend the summer with her favorite foods and favorite TV shows, however, her heart has different ideas when she meets Takumi. Now, she has to decide whether to follow her heart and take a risk or listen to her head and play it safe. Let’s Talk About Love was one of the first novels I read that showcased an asexual character in a happy and loving relationship, and it will stay with me forever. If you’re looking for a swoon-worthy romance set in college with a wonderful cast of characters, this is the perfect book for you!
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- If It Makes You Happy by Claire Kann
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If It Makes You Happy is a YA coming-of-age novel delving deep into everything from sexuality to culture. Winnie is thriving before her first semester at college, and life couldn’t be better. However, when she’s crowned Misty Haven’s Summer Queen and is begrudgingly matched up with the Merry Haven Summer King, Winnie is tasked with responsibilities she doesn’t want. She must be brave enough to stand her ground and voice her wishes. If It Makes You Happy is a wonderful novel that deals with an array of topics, including queer representation, race, and fat-shaming. From the romantic relationships to the familial ones, you’re bound to adore the dynamics between the characters.
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- Little & Lion by Brandy Colbert
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Little & Lion follows Suzette’s return home from boarding school to help her brother after his bipolar disorder diagnosis. Things begin to get more complicated, though, when she finds herself falling for the same girl her brother’s in love with and comes to the realization that she’s bisexual. Her journey in accepting herself is so honest and satisfying, despite some of the missteps that are made. Not only does Little & Lion feature romance, but it also showcases an authentic relationship between Suzette and her brother, Lionel; they aren’t perfect, but they do the best they can for each other. Little & Lion delves into both mental health and sexuality, all while including a romantic love triangle, unlike anything I’ve read before!
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- Blackout by Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfok, Nicola Yoon, Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson and Nic Stone
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Blackout is a collection of short stories set in New York, where residents are thrown into a summer blackout. The darkness leads to truths being revealed, relationships blossoming, and friendships changing for the better, whether couples are meeting for the first time, bitter exes are reconciling, or best friends are realizing that there may be something more to their relationship than they originally thought. Whatever romance trope is featured, every single one can be considered a contender for the best fluff; I found myself rooting for and getting butterflies over each and every couple.
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- Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant
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After spending her entire life desperate to see herself represented in romance novels, Tessa finally gets the chance in Happily Ever Afters. Though excited to be a part of her school’s creative writing program, she can’t find the words to write until her best friend gives her the perfect idea to get her out of her writing slump.
Tessa creates her own real-life love story with Nico, who seems like the perfect love interest. Unfortunately, getting so caught up in creating the “perfect” story leads to her losing herself, along with her undeniable connection with her neighbor, Sam. Pretty soon, she’s beginning to contemplate if the love story she’s planning out is the one she really wants. Tessa finds herself making lots of mistakes, causing conflict with her best friend and lying to her parents. Happily Ever Afters shows just how far someone will go to find themselves, romance, and the words to write the story.
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- The Meet-Cute Project by Rhiannon Richardson
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Mia absolutely despises rom-coms, unlike all her friends. When her lack of interest in romance becomes a challenge when she has to find a date for her sister’s wedding, her friends are determined to help her find herself in a real-life rom-com meet-cute. This book is written in the same style as all of the romantic comedies that are so well-loved. If you’re in need of a pick-me-up and a reminder that fairytale movie magic is alive and well, this is the book for you.
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- Rise To The Sun by Leah Johnson
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Do you, too, fantasize about falling in love at a musical festival or concert? Rise To The Sun executes it perfectly! Olivia sees a weekend away at Farmland Arts and Music Festival as the perfect way to get over her last breakup and stop the cycle of falling in love and getting dumped. As for Toni, she’d rather be anywhere else. But her father found himself at the festival years ago, and she’s hoping for the same.
When the two meet, they realize that they must work together to achieve their goals, and find themselves being understood not only by the music but by each other. As someone who is truly at their happiest when they’re at a concert, this book perfectly captured the wonderful feelings live music can evoke, as well as the human connection that is formed by the experience. Rise to the Sun will have you desperately waiting for your next concert experience while you hold onto the hope that you may meet your person.
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- You Should See Me in A Crown by Leah Johnson
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Liz Lighty has always been determined to get out of her small town and to Pennington College, where she plans to fulfill all of her goals. Her hopes are squashed when her financial aid falls through, but she finds a saving grace in the scholarship that’s awarded to the prom king and queen. While there’s nothing she wants less than to be a part of that court, she’ll do anything to get into Pennington. Things become more complicated when she begins to fall in love with Mack, her competition for prom queen, but watching them fall in love in a small town was truly heartwarming.
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- Muted by Tami Charles
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Trigger warnings: rape, grooming, kidnapping, fatphobia, and homophobia.
Muted tells the story of Denver, who finds a safe haven in music. More than anything, though, she wants to escape her very small, very white hometown. Denver’s dream comes true when she gets a job with Sean “Mercury” Ellis. Eventually, Denver begins to question if it’s really worth it. Rather than the fantasy she thought it was going to be, her life turns into a nightmare, leaving Denver struggling to find a way to speak up for herself. Written in verse, this poetic story is based on reality and is sure to stick with you.
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- Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers
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What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? Well, that’s certainly not the case for Grace. She doesn’t expect to leave her girls’ trip to Vegas married to a woman whose name she doesn’t know. It leads Grace to contemplate her future, wondering if she’s really doing what she wants or what her father wants for her. What better way to figure that out than a summer trip to New York with her wife? There she confronts her fears and her family drama and makes connections that she could previously only dream of. This is the perfect book for those overwhelmed by expectations from others and who just want to create a life for themselves.
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