Fairytale romances in the 21st century can often be hit-or-miss; however, the sheer amount of tropes in romance novels can definitely make up for it. Whether you’re planning a Galentine’s party or a date night, here are four books that should be enjoyed with a bag of chocolate colored strawberries and a rewatch of Clueless.
- The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
Not only does this book combine two of the best tropes (enemies to lovers and fake dating), but it also contains some amazing lines about self-love. The protagonist, Catalina, “accidentally” asks her coworker Aaron – who she despises – to be her date to her sister’s wedding in Spain. Throughout the course of their ruse, Aaron and Lina realize that they both have a past filled with hurt that only the other can heal. Lina’s sarcasm and all of the witty one-liners (plus the food) had me finishing this book in a week!
- The Trouble with Hating You by Sajni Patel
Full disclosure: enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes. And that trope is particularly appealing when it’s combined with South Asian representation. Liya and Jay both represent opposite sides of the same coin: Jay is close with his family and their traditions, while Liya will do anything to get away from her parent’s disappointment. When Liya is forced to meet Jay, the two don’t get along – but soon discover that they’re actually much more similar. What I loved most about this book was that Liya has a conflict that many women have within the South Asian community – between the person she loves and the family that has ostracized her for being who she is. Additionally, Sajni Patel does an amazing job of characterizing how Liya relies on her friends – something that every girl relies on.
- Permanent Record by Mary H.K. Choi
This was one of the most well-written romance novels I’ve read and one about two people with messy lives that work together perfectly. The two characters, Pablo and Leanna, are complete opposites, with one being a college dropout and the other being a famous influencer. They meet in a gas station (which has now become one of my favorite meeting scenes), bond over snacks, and the rest seems to be history – until Pablo’s imposter syndrome and the web of lies he tells Leanna breaks over them.
- The Paris Seamstress
For lovers of historical romance and all things French, this multigenerational romance novel set in WWII Paris and New York will have you enthralled. It follows Estella, an aspiring fashion designer escaping Nazi-controlled France to begin a new life in New York. In the process, she unravels secrets from her mother’s past – and falls in love with a British spy who may have more secrets than her. The novel is suspenseful and heartbreaking all at once, and it had me adding 1940s fashion to my Pinterest board!
February is a month where the colors pink, red, and white are everywhere – but as we all know, love comes in all colors. Whether you’re looking for a break or a good cry, these books will have you falling for their plot.