Read. Swoon. REPEAT. with these romantic books on Valentine's Day!

Reading Recs

Read. Swoon. REPEAT. with these romantic books on Valentine’s Day!

Valentine’s Day is around the corner and love is in the air! If you’re on the hunt for some love stories this swoony season, read on. From forbidden love, to newfound romance in the midst of a chess competition, there’s something for everyone on this list!

Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

In this clever and swoonworthy YA debut from the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis, life’s moving pieces bring rival chess players together in a match for the heart.

The Davenports by Krystal Marquis

Now in paperback, The Davenports delivers a totally escapist, swoon-worthy romance while offering a glimpse into a period of African American history often overlooked.

House of Marionne by J. Elle

A modern-day YA romantic fantasy series opener about a glamorous magical world of social elites, forbidden love, and a dark magic that could destroy it all.

Give Me a Sign by Anna Sortino

Jenny Han meets CODA in this big-hearted YA debut about first love and Deaf pride at a summer camp. Now in paperback!

Lovely War by Julie Berry

Read the novel New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network Kate Quinn called “easily one of the best novels I have read all year!” A critically acclaimed, multi-layered romance set in the perilous days of World Wars I and II, where gods hold the fates–and the hearts–of four mortals in their hands.

Some Girls Do by Jennifer Dugan

In this YA contemporary queer romance from the author of Hot Dog Girl, an openly gay track star falls for a closeted, bisexual teen beauty queen with a penchant for fixing up old cars. Now available in paperback!

The Ruined by Renée Ahdieh

The stunning conclusion to the instant New York Times bestselling quartet that began with The Beautiful. Now in paperback.

If You’ll Have Me by Eunnie

An unexpected meet-cute brings Momo and PG together, kicking off the beginning of an awkward yet endearing courtship—but with their drastically different personalities, Momo’s overprotective friend, and PG’s past coming back to haunt her, Momo and PG’s romance is put to the test.

I Loved You in Another Life by David Arnold

A poignant love story about two teens whose souls come together time and again through the ages—for fans of Nina LaCour and Matt Haig.

They Hate Each Other by Amanda Woody

Jonah and Dylan get along like oil and water. Until a fake dating ploy gives them new perspective, and they realize that “falling for your enemy” isn’t as impossible as it seems.

When You Wish Upon a Lantern by Gloria Chao
Acclaimed author Gloria Chao creates real-world magic in this luminous romance about teens who devote themselves to granting other people’s wishes but are too afraid to let themselves have their own hearts’ desires—each other.

Together We Rot by Skyla Arndt

A teen girl looking for the truth about her missing mother forms a reluctant alliance with her former best friend…in exchange for hiding him from his cult-leading family.

Her Good Side by Rebekah Weatherspoon

A swoony, heart-melting YA romance from beloved author Rebekah Weatherspoon about two awkward teens who decide to practice dating in order to be good at the real thing. Perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and Jenny Han.

Always Isn’t Forever by J.C. Cervantes

From New York Times bestselling author J.C. Cervantes comes a sparkling, unforgettable YA romance, perfect for fans of You’ve Reached Sam. Now in paperback.

Forty Words for Love by Aisha Saeed

In this tender genre-bending young adult novel by New York Times bestselling author Aisha Saeed, two teen protagonists grow from friends to something more in the aftermath of a tragedy in their magical town.

Last Chance Dance by Lakita Wilson

An utterly charming YA romance perfect for fans of Elise Bryant and Leah Johnson.

Chloe and the Kaishao Boys by Mae Coyiuto

When Dimple Met Rishi meets Loveboat, Taipei in this hilarious YA rom-com about a Chinese Filipina girl in Manila whose father sets her up on a marathon of arranged dates in hopes of convincing her to stay close to home for college.

COMING LATER THIS YEAR: Mark your TBRs for…

3/5: The Encanto’s Daughter by Melissa de la Cruz

A young woman claims the throne of a realm inspired by Filipino mythology in this YA romantic fantasy, the first in an enchanting new duet by #1 New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz.

3/12: Just Another Epic Love Poem by Parisa Akhbari

Best friendship blossoms into something more in this gorgeously written queer literary romance.

3/19: Rules for Rule Breaking by Talia Tucker

Booksmart meets Never Have I Ever in this debut YA rom-com about two Korean American teens forced into a shared college visit road trip where they discover that the reasons they’ve been rivals their entire lives might actually be signs they’re a perfect pair.

4/2: Hearts Still Beating by Brooke Archer

Gripping, romantic, and impossible to put down, this dark and immersive post-apocalyptic debut novel is about two teen girls who loved each other before the end of the world — and before one of them became infected with the virus that turned her into a monster.

4/2: The Breakup Lists by Adib Khorram

Love is more complicated than “boy meets boy” in bestselling author Adib Khorram’s sharply funny new romantic comedy, set in the sordid world of high school theater.

4/9: Every Time You Hear That Song by Jenna Voris

Dumplin’ meets Daisy Jones & the Six in this split-POV love song to country idols, romantic road trips, and queer love.

4/30: Playing for Keeps by Jennifer Dugan

From the author of Some Girls Do comes another heartfelt YA sapphic romance—starring a baseball pitcher and a student umpire who are definitely not supposed to fall for one another.

5/21: Summer Nights and Meteorites by Hannah Reynolds

From the two-time Sydney Taylor Honor author comes another sweet Nantucket-set summer romance, perfect for fans of Rachel Lynn Solomon and K.L. Walther.

6/4: Everything We Never Said by Sloan Harlow

Dark romance, high stakes, and plot twists abound in this paperback original YA thriller that’s perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover.

6/4: Wish You Weren’t Here by Erin Baldwin

Juliette’s hopes for a few Priya-free weeks are shattered when her rival shows up at Fogridge on move-in day… as her cabinmate, no less. Juliette is determined to enjoy her final summer, even if it means (gag) tolerating her childhood rival, but everything that can go wrong, does.

6/18: Hearts That Cut by Kika Hatzopoulou

SOULMATES TROPE! WE REPEAT! SOULMATES TROPE! In this heart-pounding, much-anticipated sequel to Threads That Bind, Io will face threats even more dangerous and players even more powerful as she discovers what it will mean to follow—or defy—her fate.

6/18: If You Can’t Take the Heat by Michael Ruhlman

From James Beard award-winning author Michael Ruhlman, a coming-of-age story about finding a new life and love in the kitchen…and trying not to get burned along the way.

7/2: On the Bright Side by Anna Sortino

A hopeful novel about love, disability, and the inevitability of change by the author of Give Me a Sign.

7/16: Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts by Adam Sass

A swoony contemporary romance from Adam Sass following a boy who is cursed to doom any romantic relationship—and the summer that changes everything.

7/23: Exes & Foes by Amanda Woody

When two ex-best friends decide to hold a competition for the new girl’s heart, they don’t expect to fall for each other instead.

8/13: Under the Surface by Diana Urban

An romantic survival-thriller about a girl lost in the Paris catacombs, and a boy who will do anything to get her back. A gripping and propulsive story of love, danger, betrayal, and hope… even when all seems lost.

9/3: Shadows of Perl by J. Elle

The dazzling romantic fantasy world of House of Marionne continues in this dark and deadly sequel full of forbidden magic, devastating lies, and broken hearts.