Unlock Your Heart: 14 Romance Books for Valentine’s Day 2024

As February approaches, so does the loveliest day of the year! Today, I’m sharing the 14 best romance books for Valentine’s Day. Perfect book suggestions if you are either looking for a heart-warming romance to read on this day; or searching for the perfect novel to put you in the sweet mood the month of February deserves!

Keep scrolling to find out which are the 14 romantic novels chosen.

“Cleopatra and Frankenstein“, by Coco Mellors
(Goodreads | Storygraph)

“Cleopatra and Frankenstein,” is a debut novel I just couldn’t put down (it even made its way into one of my 2023 favourite books). It follows a British 24-year-old painter who impulsively marries the successful self-made Frank, in New York. The huge age gap between the two and the impulsive union spreads the shock in their lives and their close ones. The story unfolds, exploring the characters’ struggles with marriage, mental illness, and personal identity. From Cleo’s best friend navigating gender queerness to Frank’s sister seeking financial independence through sugar daddy dates, each character is vividly relatable. Both hilarious and heartbreaking, it won’t be your typical love-themed book for February; but is a compelling narrative of love, growth, and unforeseen challenges worth the reading.

“Funny You Should Ask“, by Elissa Sussman
(Goodreads | Storygraph)

In this contemporary novel, the journalist Chani has the chance to interview Hollywood heartthrob Gabe Parker. This moment evolves into a life-altering weekend that neither will forget. And a decade later, post-divorce and therapy, Chani is focusing on her career when she, reluctantly, accepts to meet for a reunion interview requested by Gabe’s PR team. The timeline of this heart-warming romance book alters between the first meeting and the reunion, 10 years later. Buried feelings resurface as the narrative delves into the lasting impact of their brief connection and Chani is confronted by the memories of that transformative weekend. Turning this romance book into a tale of love, career and unforeseen consequences that will have you hooked until the last page!

“The Last Song“, by Nicholas Sparks
(Goodreads | Storygraph)

I read this romance book suggestion for Valentine’s Day during my teenage years and couldn’t forget it. Thinking about it, I’m immediately transported to all the feelings felt during the devouring of its pages. It begins as 17-year-old Ronnie Miller’s life takes a tremendous turn as her parents’ divorce, putting her at a distance from her father. Despite the anger, her mother still insists Ronnie spends the summer in Wilmington with her father. As a former pianist, Ronnie’s father is immersed in creating art for a local church. The story unrolls into a moving narrative about love in its different shapes. From the first love to the complex connections between parents and children. Nicholas Sparks explores the profound ways deeply felt relationships can both shatter and mend hearts in this unforgettable tale of love and healing.

“Happy Place”, by Emily Henry
(Goodreads | Storygraph)

Being once the perfect couple, Harriet and Wyn have been broken up for the last six months. However, they haven’t revealed this piece of information to any of their best friends. It is when all of them are on their annual getaway in Maine, and are facing the cottage’s sale, that Wyn and Harriet have to pretend to be a happy couple for the last time. As the two cruise the charade, concealing their true desires, they have to get into roleplay to spare their friends’ hearts. As a fan of Emily Henry, I was a bit disappointed by the turnout of this novel, but it is still a great Valentine’s Day love story, with a fake dating trope!

“Red, White & Royal Blue”, by Casey McQuiston
(Goodreads | Storygraph)

You know you love a book when you recommend it as a Christmas gift. This Young Adult novel takes the reader into the First Son of the United States of America, Alex Claremont-Diaz, and the United Kingdom’s perfect prince, Prince Henry, rivalry. As the two face a crisis that could put in danger the relations between the US and the UK, they are taken to stage a fake friendship, being each other’s nemesis. With Alex’s mom, President Claremont, looking to be re-elected, Alex finds himself entering a secret relationship with Henry that, not only could endanger the campaign he’s helping with but could also ruin the stability of the two nations. Navigating through sacrifice, the pursuit of good and the quest for a legacy; the characters find themselves between personal choices, political consequences, and the impact on history. This one truly is a heart-warming romance perfect for Valentine’s Day!

“The Love Hypothesis”, by Ali Hazelwood
(Goodreads | Storygraph)

As Olive Smith enters her third year of PhD studies, a fake relationship with Adam Carlsen, a renowned arrogant professor is fabricated to satisfy her friend’s curiosity about Olive’s love life. As the tensions in the lab escalate, and shocked by Adam’s support, Olive finds their not-so-true relationship evolving into something more… At a chaotic science conference, temperatures rise, and Olive realizes that examining her own heart might be a challenge such as dissecting a hypothesis. In this romance book for Valentine’s Day, our main character goes through the unpredictable terrain of love, scientific experiments, and unexpected emotions.

“Call Me By Your Name”, by André Aciman
(Goodreads | Storygraph)

With a backdrop of the Italian Riviera, “Call Me by Your Name” unfolds into a sudden and intense romance between an adolescent boy and a summer guest at his parents’ mansion. Starting by faking indifference, the two grapple with the consequences of their attraction. This narrative captures the psychological operations of attraction with sharpness, delivering a clear-eyed, bare-knuckled, and unforgettable lament to human passion. Navigating through the depths of intimacy and the impact a transformative experience can have shaping the characters for a lifetime. I have always looked at this one as a heart-warming romance book I just can’t wait to cross off my TBR list!!

“The Notebook”, by Nicholas Sparks
(Goodreads | Storygraph)

Yes, there is also space for some of the more contemporary classic romances of all time! “The Notebook” couldn’t be ignored in this list, it is set in North Carolina coast post-WWII. As a veteran of the war is restoring a plantation home, haunted by memories of a girl he loved fourteen years earlier. Unable to forget the summer the two lived together, Noah survives on the memories as Allie, the girl, unexpectedly returns to his town. This love story unfolds revealing deeper layers and higher stakes, exploring the nature of love, and capturing the tender moments and fundamental changes that shape lives. In my opinion, this is THE love story and the top romantic read for you this February!

“The Hating Game”, by Sally Thorne
(Goodreads | Storygraph)

Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman are executive assistants to co-CEOs of a publishing company and share a deep hatred for each other. Their friction is evident through the passive-aggressive manoeuvres that have become common between the two. As they are both looking at the same promotion, the rivalry intensifies, putting at stake Lucy’s dream job. In the middle of the tension and games, she starts questioning whether her feelings for Joshua might be more than pure hate… “The Hating Game” explores the thin line between these two feelings: love and hate, untangling a complex relationship that challenges their assumptions, culminating in unexpected revelations…

“Romantic Comedy“, by Curtis Sittenfeld
(Goodreads | Storygraph)

If this one doesn’t have it for you, I’m not sure what might be the romance book for Valentine’s Day for you! It starts with Sally, a comedy writer for a late-night show, believing she’s done with love. That was until she encountered Noah, a very very handsome pop star. Sally had been settling for occasional hook-ups and her career success, suddenly, finds herself drawn to Noah. As the two collaborate on the sketches, she questions if sparks are flying. Dissecting modern-age social rituals of romance and gender relations, challenging assumptions in a narrative that blends hilarity, observation, and tender exploration.

“The Flatshare“, by Beth O’Leary
(Goodreads | Storygraph)

This was one of the books I read when I decided to get back into reading and its heart-warming story did the trick for me! Even though Tiffy and Leon share a flat, the two have never met. Tiffy found herself in an urgent need for an affordable flat while, Leon, working nights, needed some extra income. Despite both friends thinking it was a crazy idea, the two still went ahead with this strange arrangement. Where Leon occupies the flat during Tiffy’s work hours and she has it to herself for the rest of time. The author takes the reader through the challenges this unconventional living situation brings, from dealing with ex-boyfriends, to work and family challenges, or even the small detail of the two never having met each other. Breaking the norms of conventional relationships and finding unexpected ways to connect in modern relationships, “The Flatshare” will warm your heart this February!

“The Bodyguard”, by Katherine Center
(Goodreads | Storygraph)

In this romance book, an unassuming-looking elite bodyguard, Hannah Brooks, is given the task of protecting Hollywood heartthrob, Jack Stapleton, from a stalker. To make this mission more discreet, they create a cover story: Hannah is Jack’s girlfriend. Now, romance readers, we know where this one is going, don’t we? As the two go through the troubles of the job, including keeping it a secret from Jack’s family, the unexpected happens. Jack has to return to Texas to help his sick mother and, in the middle of this charade, the two start forming a genuine connection… Filled with humour and suspense, “The Bodyguard” seems like a great fake dating trope book for Valentine’s Day!

“The Great Gatsby”, by F. Scott Fitzgerald
(Goodreads | Storygraph)

It is time for another classic! But, this time, a real classic. In “The Great Gatsby”, Nick Carraway, tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire known for his lavish parties on Long Island. However, Gatsby is in love with Nick’s cousin, Daisy, who, in turn, is married to Tom. This novel unfolds in the decadence and disillusionment of the Jazz Age, revealing Gatsby’s relentless pursuit of the American Dream; while also exploring the complexities of love, wealth, and social status. F. Scott Fitzgerald paints a portrait of the Roaring Twenties, going through the dark underbelly of the American Dream and the fragility of illusions in a society obsessed with appearances. If I must be honest, I don’t understand why I haven’t read this one yet. Maybe I’ll put it on my February TBR list, who knows?

“The Deal”, by Elle Kennedy
(Goodreads | Storygraph)

Last but not least, it is time for our fourteenth suggestion of romance books for Valentine’s Day! As you have probably already read, this was one of my November’s 2023 readings. In “The Deal”, college student Hannah Wells was trying to attract her crush when she ended up making a deal with hockey captain Garrett Graham. Garrett, who is aiming at a professional hockey career needs to boost his GPA as the new philosophy class seems to be hard for everyone. Everyone except our protagonist, Hannah. This is when Garrett starts seeking her and her tutoring and offers, in exchange, to pretend to date her, to make her crush jealous. Navigating their complex feelings, in this fake dating trope, Garrett achieves to convince Hannah that, the man she desires, might be closer than she thinks. Gathering romance, humour, and steamy moments in a college setting, this will for sure heat up your Valentine’s Day readings!

After these fourteen suggestions, it is time to hear you! What is your favourite ever romance book?

I will be looking to read all about it in the comment section down below!