Each year, Valentine’s Day is met with mixed reactions from everyone. Those in a relationship are filled with excitement as they plan dates and gifts for their significant other while single people sigh and wish their lives were slightly lovelier. No matter what your relationship status is, I think we can all agree that love is a beautiful thing. I personally believe a holiday that revolves around embracing it is adorable, mostly likely because I am a hopeless romantic, so I have compiled a list of five wonderful warm contemporary love stories to read on the 14th (or any time for that matter).
1. The To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy by Jenny Han.
(Courtesy of barnesandnoble.com)
This is an obvious selection. This series blew up after the movie version of the first book debuted on Netflix. If you’ve seen the movie and fell in love with Peter and Lara Jean, then you’re sure to love the series just as much (if not even better). This trilogy is the definition of cute and also set in Charlottesville (go hoos!). What more could you ask for?
2. The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
(Courtesy of penguinrandomhouse.com)
Natasha and Daniel are polar opposites, with one being a realist and the latter a romantic. Both teenagers come from different backgrounds facing their own adversities, yet by some twist of fate they meet on a crowded street in New York City and begin to fall in love. However, Natasha is faced with daunting news as an undocumented citizen: deportation. This synopsis sounds incredibly cheesy, but the narration was beautiful, the characters were captivating, and the storyline was touching and brilliantly written. The diversity and acknowledgment of how everyone faces obstacles in life despite different upbringings makes this novel relatable and authentic in addition to its romantic focus. Side note: the film adaptation of this is coming to theaters this summer!
3. Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
(Courtesy of goodreads.com)
Colleen Hoover is known for writing beautiful stories about love and its many complications. I loved every book I read by her, but this one is my absolute favorite. Tate and Miles have an undeniable mutual attraction, yet neither want to commit. Thus, they both create an agreement based on two rules in regards to their friends with benefits relationship: 1. Never ask about the past and 2. Don’t expect a future. As both characters try to manage this agreement, things get ugly and complicated. The ups and downs of love are explored in this novel as Tate and Miles try to suppress their feelings, making this book a suspenseful heart wrenching read.
4. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secret of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
(Courtesy of goodreads.com)
This book has left a lasting impression on me ever since I read it in 2015. Aristotle and Dante have nothing in common besides being deemed as “loners”. However, when they meet at the swimming pool they soon develop a friendship that changes their life forever. This book is written incredibly well and explores LGBTQ themes realistically.
5. Love, Rosie by Cecelia Ahern
(Courtesy of booktopia.com)
This novel chronicles the story between lifelong best friends, Rosie and Alex. Told through a series of letters, Rosie and Alex’s relationship is revealed through many obstacles that will truly make you believe that these two best friends are destined for each other. I personally cried while reading this, so be prepared for that! If the book isn’t enough, there is also a film adaptation of this starring Lily Collins and Sam Claflin. It’s a perfect Valentine’s Day watch!