Sometimes, on Valentine’s Day, you just end up staying in, rather than going out. Believe me, I’ve been there. In fact, I’m still there. And while I can’t claim to have a clue about romance, I can at least tell you the best books to make a date with on February 14th.
7. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
If you tuned in to Netflix’s Summer of Love, I’m pretty sure you’ve met Lara Jean Covey and Peter Kavinsky, the world’s most shippable couple. But as movies do, a lot has been left out. Take a journey to the past, read as Lara Jean’s letters get sent out, and fall in love with Peter K. once more. And if the first book isn’t enough for you on February 14th, I highly suggest following Lara Jean and Peter K. till the end of their adventure with the sequel, P.S. I Still Love You, and the finale, Always and Forever, Lara Jean.
6. The Selection by Kiera Cass
What happens when you’re so desperately in love with your best friend? You obviously end up in a televised competition to win a prince’s heart.
The Selection is a series following America Singer, who wants nothing to do with the Selection. In an attempt to appease her mother, she puts her name in for the lottery, and is selected. It’s her worst nightmare, ripping her away from the plans she made with her secret love, Aspen. But when America meets Maxon, she begins to question all of the plans she made previously, giving her the chance to imagine a future she never thought she could have. If you’re a fan of The Bachelor, you’ll surely be ready to give this book a rose.
5. Caraval by Stephanie Garber
Scarlett Dragna has wanted nothing more than to go to Caraval, the once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show. When she finally gets her invitation, her sister, Tella, finds a way to get them there but as soon they arrive, she’s kidnapped. Now Scarlett needs to find Tella and the only way to do that is win before the game is over, or Tella will disappear forever. With the help of Julian, who helped them escape, Scarlett spends every evening searching for her sister. But can she trust Julian or is she just trying to find a reason not to? Because after all, magic and mystery isn’t the only thing brewing in the shadows of Caraval. So sit down with a cup of tea and delve into the magic of Caraval.
4. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Imagine Beauty & The Beast meets fairies. But better. In this retelling of the classic story we all know and love, Feyre is dragged from her home to the Fairy Realms, paying the price for trying to keep her family alive. Though trapped, Feyre discovers that there’s more than meets the eye with her captor. Through twists and turns, Feyre discovers there’s an ancient curse keeping everyone under Tamlin’s employ weakened, including the Lord of the Spring Court himself. If she wants to save everyone and keep the man she fell in love with, she needs to find a way to break the curse. A Court of Thorns and Roses is the perfect starter pack to being hooked on Sarah J. Maas’s gorgeous writing and the perfect company to have a date with.
3. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
In a world where love is a dangerous disease, the government requires everyone to receive the Cure at age eighteen. Lena can’t wait to be Cured, to live a safe and predictable life after watching love destroy her mother. But with 95 days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable and falls in love with Alex, an unCured, living under the government’s radar. How Lena copes with falling in love and breaking the law that she’s been following to a tee is the exact reason you need to find this book and make the same choice as Lena. Take a chance, fall in love.
2. What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
Meet Arthur and Ben, who just so happen to have the most adorable meet-cute at a post office. But when they fail to get each other’s numbers, they have to find a way to find each other through very savvy internet sleuthing, followed by a series of bad dates. Still, fate seems to constantly draw them together, and you find yourself rooting for them against all odds. Written by two incredible authors, What If It’s Us will have you dreaming about your own potential meet-cutes.
1. Just One Day by Gayle Forman
Just One Day follows Allyson after she’s graduated high school and goes on a tour of Europe for her summer vacation with her best friend. While watching a performance of “Twelfth Night,” she meets Willem very briefly. Let’s just say sparks fly and though she’s a very “stick to the rules” kinda gal, the next time she sees him, she hops on a train to Paris, spending one romantic day with him— until he disappears in the morning. Having to return to her normal life, Allyson finds herself lost, wondering what happened to the girl she was in Paris. Not only is this book a tale of romance, it’s a tale of the self-discovery that follows, an ode to being outgoing, and your perfect companion on Valentine’s Day.