10 Books To Fall in Love This Valentines Day

Valentine's Day might just be my favourite holiday—mostly because I'm all about anything pink and heart-shaped, and every February, brands happily indulge my obsession. But beyond the cute decorations and indulgent treats, it's also a day to celebrate love in all its forms—not just romantic love, but the love we have for friends, family, pets, and, most importantly, ourselves. While chocolates and flowers are always a classic choice, there's something truly magical about getting lost in the pages of a good book. In this post, we'll explore ten books that are perfect for the season of love, each offering a unique perspective on what it means to love, to lose, and to grow.

"This is How You Lose The Time War" by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

If you're looking to curl up with a short novel this Valentine’s Day, This Is How You Lose the Time War might be the perfect choice. This queer science fiction story takes you on a journey through love that spans time and dimensions, offering a stunning exploration of how infinite love can truly be.

In the ruins of a crumbling world, an agent of the Commandant uncovers a mysterious letter. The note is simple: Burn before reading. Thus begins an unexpected exchange between two rival agents, each determined to secure the best possible future for their warring factions. What starts as a challenge, a boast on the battlefield, slowly transforms into something deeper. Something epic. Something romantic. Something that has the power to reshape both the past and the future.

But there's a catch: the discovery of their secret bond could mean certain death for them both. The war is far from over, after all. And in the end, only one side can emerge victorious.

"Something To Talk About" by Meryl Wilsner

A showrunner and her assistant give the world something to talk about when they accidentally fuel a ridiculous rumor in this debut romance.

Hollywood powerhouse Jo is photographed making her assistant Emma laugh on the red carpet, and just like that, the tabloids declare them a couple. The so-called scandal couldn't come at a worse time--threatening Emma's promotion and Jo's new movie.

As the gossip spreads, it starts to affect all areas of their lives. Paparazzi are following them outside the office, coworkers are treating them differently, and a "source" is feeding information to the media. But their only comment is "no comment".

With the launch of Jo's film project fast approaching, the two women begin to spend even more time together, getting along famously. Emma seems to have a sixth sense for knowing what Jo needs. And Jo, known for being aloof and outwardly cold, opens up to Emma in a way neither of them expects. They begin to realize the rumor might not be so off base after all...but is acting on the spark between them worth fanning the gossip flames?

"Heartstopper" by Alice Oseman

Charlie, a highly-strung, openly gay over-thinker, and Nick, a cheerful, soft-hearted rugby player, meet at a British all-boys grammar school. Friendship blooms quickly, but could there be something more...?

Charlie Spring is in Year 10 at Truham Grammar School for Boys. The past year hasn't been too great, but at least he's not being bullied anymore. Nick Nelson is in Year 11 and on the school rugby team. He's heard a little about Charlie - the kid who was outed last year and bullied for a few months - but he's never had the opportunity to talk to him.

They quickly become friends, and soon Charlie is falling hard for Nick, even though he doesn't think he has a chance. But love works in surprising ways, and sometimes good things are waiting just around the corner...

"Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon

Scotland, time travel, historical fiction? To me, that sounds like a dream. 

The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is just back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach—an “outlander”—in a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of Our Lord...1743.

Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life, and shatter her heart. For here James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, shows her a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire—and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

"If You Still Recognise Me" by Cynthia So

Elsie has a crush on Ada, the only person in the world who truly understands her. Unfortunately, they've never met in real life and Ada lives an ocean away. But Elsie has decided it's now or never to tell Ada how she feels. That is, until her long-lost best friend Joan walks back into her life.

In a summer of repairing broken connections and building surprising new ones, Elsie realises that she isn't nearly as alone as she thought. But now she has a choice to make...

"Pax" by Sara Pennypacker

If you are not in the mood for romance, this beautiful book about the friendship between a boy and a fox might be perfect for you.

Pax was only a kit when his family was killed, and “his boy” Peter rescued him from abandonment and certain death. Now the war front approaches, and when Peter’s father enlists, Peter has to move in with his grandpa. Far worse than being forced to leave home is the fact that Pax can’t go. Peter listens to his stern father—as he usually does—and throws Pax’s favorite toy soldier into the woods. When the fox runs to retrieve it, Peter and his dad get back in the car and leave him there—alone. But before Peter makes it through even one night under his grandfather’s roof, regret and duty spur him to action; he packs for a trek to get his best friend back and sneaks into the night. This is the story of Peter, Pax, and their independent struggles to return to one another against all odds. Told from the alternating viewpoints of Peter and Pax.

"The Seven Husband of Evelyn Hugo" by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?

Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.

Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story nears its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.

"Afterlove" by Tanya Byrne

Ash Persaud is about to become a reaper in the afterlife, but she is determined to see her first love Poppy Morgan again, the only thing that separates them is death.
Car headlights.
The last thing Ash hears is the snap of breaking glass as the windscreen hits her and breaks into a million pieces like stars.

But she made it, she's still here. Or is she?

This New Year's Eve, Ash gets an RSVP from the afterlife she can't decline: to join a clan of fierce girl reapers who take the souls of the city's dead to await their fate.
But Ash can't forget her first love, Poppy, and she will do anything to see her again... even if it means they only get a few more days together. Dead or alive...

"By Yourself The Damn Flowers" by Tam Taur

Self-love is probably the most important love in our life. But for most of us it can be fairly difficult to treat ourselves with love and focus on ourselves. This Valentines Day we should by ourselves the damn flowers!

I've been a hopeless romantic for as long as I can remember. I have always immersed myself in love stories - from films, tv series to books - longing for the day when I would grow up and be in a relationship. One day I would have my moment. You know, the moment at the airport, the moment in the rain, the moment with a boombox outside my bedroom window. Call me crazy, but I believed it would happen. And then I grew up...

A boyfriend who was very much still in love with his ex? CHECK
Dated a narcissist whose giant gestures of adoration came with control and manipulation? CHECK
Getting together with the popular guy, who turned out to be emotionally unavailable? CHECK

After a series of bad relationships, I knew things needed to change. I decided to focus on me and took myself on dates, bought myself flowers, and chose to spend my time doing the things I love.

Buy Yourself the Damn Flowers is a practical self-love guide that will help you learn how to cultivate a deep and lasting love for the person who matters you.

"The Pumkin Spice Cafe" by Laurie Gilmore

Maybe you are looking for a steamy, and easy to read romance this year? While the title is giving major autumn vibes, I think the book is still perfect for Februrary.

When Jeanie's aunt gifts her the beloved Pumpkin Spice Café in the small town of Dream Harbor, Jeanie jumps at the chance for a fresh start away from her very dull desk job.

Logan is a local farmer who avoids Dream Harbor's gossip at all costs. But Jeanie's arrival disrupts Logan's routine and he wants nothing to do with the irritatingly upbeat new girl, except that he finds himself inexplicably drawn to her.

Will Jeanie's happy-go-lucky attitude win over the grumpy-but-gorgeous Logan, or has this city girl found the one person in town who won't fall for her charm, or her pumpkin spice lattes…