There can be a lot of pressure surrounding Valentine’s Day. Roses, frantic restaurant reservations, The Notebook on every channel. Let’s take out the drama, and simply do the things we love with the people that matter most. Whether that’s tucking into a home-cooked meal with a partner, calling a relative, or spending a delightful evening of self-care curled up with a decent story.
And if your plans do involve some candlelit reading (box of chocolates within easy reach), we have a few recommendations for the day. From sweeping romantasy and enemies-to-lovers hijinks to heartfelt poetry and odes to family and friendship, here’s our round-up of books that celebrate love in all its forms.
Bingsu for Two – Sujin Witherspoon (Hot Key Books)
Set in a failing Korean cafe, Sujin Witherspoon’s laugh-out-loud gem sees River clash with grumpy goth Sarang Cho, his new, no-BS co-worker. When River accidentally uploads a video of his chaotic co-workers to his popular fandom account, the cafe strikes viral fame. The kicker? Their new fans are shipping these two bitter rivals hard. An enemies-to-lovers coffee shop romance slow-roasted to perfection.
Disney Wings of Starlight – Allison Saft (Studio Press)
Discover the origin of the sweeping, star-crossed romance between the queen of Pixie Hollow and the lord of the Winter Woods. Brimming with magic and romance, a young fairy queen must form an unlikely alliance or risk an unspeakable danger destroying all she holds dear… The first novel in an epic and thrilling romantasy series from New York Times bestselling author Allison Saft.
See You At The Finish Line – Zac Hammett (Zaffre)
George and Lucas can’t stand each other – which makes it awkward being on the same Cambridge University rowing team. Uber-charming, womanising George could not be more different from diligent Lucas, who has had to fight for everything he has in life. But as they get closer, they start to realise that what they really want is each other – even if that means changing their lives forever. A brand-new LGBTQ+ enemies to lovers romance with a love story that will warm your heart.
The Phone Box at the Edge of the World – Laura Imai Messina (translated by Lucy Rand) (Manilla Press)
An unforgettable tale about the dark depths of grief and the eternal, uplifting nature of love. On a remote hill in Japan stands a disused phone-box, sought out by those who want to speak their secrets to the wind, and pass messages to loved ones no longer with us. It is here that Yui meets Takeshi – two bereaved souls at the start of a long journey out of despair. Don’t miss Messina’s startling book about the love we hold for those we’ve lost and for those we’re yet to meet.
Silver – Olivia Levez (Hot Key Books)
Their love will set the stars alight… Silver has been trained since birth for her mission: collecting data on the humans. Inhabiting the body of a young woman, she must learn to pass as a human without revealing her true identity. But she isn’t prepared for how the humans will get under her skin. And she definitely isn’t prepared for Finch, the boy she starts to fall for. A cosmic love story for the ages.
Scot and Bothered – Alexandra Kiley (Zaffre)
Somehow Alexandra Kiley has conjured up a title even more pun-tastic than her previous hit Kilt Trip! Don’t miss this swoon-worthy Scottish romance set on the picturesque Isle of Skye. Ghostwriter Brooke gets her walking boots on to write up a story on Scotland’s most challenging trek. What she doesn’t know is that the nature photographer who’ll join her is Jack Sutherland, the man who once shattered her heart.
Love is… – Lily Murray (illustrated by Sarah Maycock) (Big Picture Press)
You’ll want to frame every page of this stunning title. A collection of animal similes that salutes love in its many different forms, including the strong bond between parents and their children and the oft-neglected importance of self-love. Packed full of nuzzling tigers, cuddling pandas and peacocks proudly flouting their plumage; Sarah Maycock’s illustrations are so expressive they’ll leap from the page and into your heart.
The Little Things – Emma Dodd (Templar Publishing)
One more for nature lovers! A giant panda and its adorable cub discover the importance of helping others. A colourful new book from the international bestseller Emma Dodd, The Little Things celebrates the bond between parent and child, and the power in smiling at a stranger or giving a friend a hug. This isn’t a romance, but rather a celebration of love in its simplest forms, and how those unsung acts of everyday kindness can make the biggest difference.
Any Trope But You – Victoria Lavine (Zaffre)
Enter your lumbersnack era… Popular romance author Margot Bradley has a secret: she doesn’t believe in Happily Ever Afters. Not for herself, not for her readers, not even for her characters. But when she meets a handsome lumberjack on a remote writing retreat, one trope piles up after another, and it soon becomes clear that she’s landed slap-bang in the middle of a love story of her own.
The Funny Thing About Love – Tom Ellen (Hot Key Books)
Two interns, one job… Who will get the last laugh? An enemies-to-lovers romance set amidst the cut-throat world of television, as Nell and nepo baby Charlie compete to land a job with comedy sketch-show Punching Up. Sparks fly alongside the barbed one-liners – as each discovers that there’s a little more to their rival than first meets the eye…
Anyone But Him – Ronali Collings (Embla)
Escaping a messy divorce, Ingrid books a week of muddy hikes in the Lake District. She soon finds herself in the arms of a charming stranger who reignites a spark she hasn’t felt in years… A little holiday flirtation seems harmless enough – until she returns home and discovers that Jacob is the new consultant on her work project. It’s a bad idea. And yet… A poignant and utterly gorgeous romantic comedy about taking a chance on life and love.
Love – Donna Ashworth (Black & White)
Finally, with a title like that, Love just had to make the list. Poems to bolster every heart that ever beat, Donna Ashworth’s collection explores every type of affection – from familial to friendship, self-care and sizzling romance. The UK’s bestselling poet reminds us all of the importance of remaining forever open to the possibility of love – even when found in the most unexpected of places. Don’t miss the newly published To The Women too: a celebration of the beauty, strength and joy of being a woman, and love letter to our deep capacity to love, rage, fear and rebuild.
