February 14th! Some look forward to this day, while others dread it. Others prefer Valentine’s Day for the dark and bloody origin story. Whether you celebrate the day of love or despise it with your entire being, it’s nearly impossible to escape the red hearts and candy that decorate store shelves and shop windows.
I never really had an opinion about Valentine’s Day and definitely fell into the category of those interested in the day for its historical significance until I met my husband (I know, sappy, but it’s true!).
Though we don’t really celebrate Valentine’s Day, I do spend a little extra time thinking about our love story, just because I’m a romantic like that. However, not everyone loves Love so, in this special edition of This Book Beauty Blog, here are 5 of my Top Romance Novels AND 5 Anti-Valentine’s Day books to check out!
This Book Beauty’s Top 5 Romance Novels (you’ll notice a pattern):
These are my absolute favorite romance novels (not romantasy). As for the lack of diversity in the titles, it is my humble opinion that Julie Garwood, Jude Deveraux, and Johanna Lindsey are the ultimate romance masters and I simply love them dearly.
For the Roses by Julie Garwood
For the Roses is the epitome of everything a romance novel should be. In fact, if I could only read one book for the rest of my existence, I would choose this book, hands down, without question. The found family the author establishes at the beginning of the book carries such heartfelt significance and is explored throughout the next 4 books as interconnected stand-alone novels. The story is a historical western romance, set in Montana territory and the imagery is vibrant and beautiful, simply sublime. Not without their share of challenges, the main characters make sacrifices and compromises. As the kids say, this book is *Chef’s Kiss*
The Black Lyon by Jude Deveraux
A great example of a classic bodice ripper, The Black Lyon is set in old England and establishes the base for Jude’s Montgomery family name. Found family, with strong elements of miscommunication throughout, The Black Lyon will have you rooting for Ranulf and Lyonene, while also wanting to throttle them both. When you don’t want to throttle them, the main characters spend a good amount of time learning to love each other and accept the other’s spirit for the Lion it is.
Ransom by Julie Garwood
Ransom follows a brave heroine in old England during the days of King Richard and Prince John. Gillian’s journey takes her from her home and thrusts her into the wilds of the Scottish Highlands as she seeks answers that might be the difference between life and death. Enter Brodrick *swoon*. Found family, soul-mates, strong FMC, broody MMC, touch-her-and-die, all set in the beautiful Scottish Highlands. Who could ask for more?
Saving Grace by Julie Garwood
This book was in my purse and had water spilled on it. When I tell you I sobbed! My husband thought I was crazy, but I saved the copy! It’s one of my favorite rereads.
Set during the days of Prince John, Saving Grace is the story of Lady Johanna as she embarks on the adventure of a lifetime. Lady Johanna has never known love and now only wants peace. Saving Grace follows her journey as she learns what it is to be truly loved and cherished. Gabriel has the weight of the world perched on his shoulders, the last thing he needs is a troublesome woman to add to it. Hehehe, romance readers everywhere know where this goes!
A vulnerable FMC to discover her own strength by the swoon-worthy MMC. With more found family, touch-her-and-die vibes, Gabriel is one of my favorite MMCs for the way he responds to Johanna’s discovery of her inner strength.
Wishes by Jude Deveraux
Wishes follows plus-size FMC Nellie Grayson as she struggles to care for her father and sister. As a bigger woman myself, I felt Nellie’s pain with her self-worth and her difficult relationship with food. I don’t usually cry during books but this one hit me right in the feels. Don’t worry, the MMC knows just what to say and do to help Nellie transform into the butterfly he knows she is!
Wishes is #14 in the Montgomery/Taggert series and takes place in Colorado. You may notice some common names and locations throughout the story and you can check out the other Montgomery/Taggert books if you want more (there are A LOT).
Well, now I want to abandon the three modern romantasy books I’m reading, and throw myself back into one of these novels. . . it will be like visiting an old friend.
Now, for those who wish February 14th would just be over and done with, I checked out Goodreads for you, since I’m obviously here for the romance. Here are 5 options that might appeal more to your, anti-love era.
5 Anti-Love Stories That Might Be Worth Checking Out:
Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney
This is a thriller, mystery that follows a couple to Scotland on a reconnection trip. The MMC has face blindness, a unique condition, adding more intrigue and some relatability to this novel. Rock Paper Scissors has over 556,000 ratings and over 57,000 reviews on Goodreads. It received a nomination for the Readers’ Favorite Mystery & Thriller in 2021 (Goodreads). If you’re interested in the ins and outs of a complex marriage and a story that keeps you guessing, this one may be worth adding to your TBR for Anti-Valentine’s Day.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
Thrilling, chilling, and a murder that still holds the town in its grips, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder follows teenager, Pip, as she investigates the murder that rocked her town five years prior. That’s the thing about small towns though, not only does everyone know everyone, but they also tend to like their secrets. Holly Jackson’s A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder has sold millions of copies and even has an adaptation on Netflix (Underlined)
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Next, Gone Girl is one that popped up on multiple blogs and bookish sites as “Anti-Valentine’s Day”. It has over 3 MILLION ratings on Goodreads and a 4.14 star rating overall. Gone Girl was named the Goodreads Winner for Reader’s Favorite Mystery & Thriller in 2012 and nominated for Favorite Goodreads Author the same year (Goodreads). Gone Girl is set in Missouri (Nice, representation!), and follows the story of Nick Dunne as he discovers his wife has gone missing on their 5th wedding anniversary (Goodreads). For those not interested in reading the book, it was adapted into a film in 2014 starring Ben Affleck (IMDb). *Please note: the movie is Rated R*
Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Released in 2022, Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow received the Goodreads Choice Award for Readers’ Favorite Fiction the same year. It has over 1 million ratings on Goodreads and boasts a whopping 4.14 star rating (Goodreads)! This novel divulges from the previously mentioned Anti-Valentine’s Day books in that it fits themes and genres related to coming of age and includes a significant theme of video games throughout. The New York Times calls Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, a “love letter to the literary gamer” (Bissell, 2024).
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Lastly, set in the 1960s, Lessons in Chemistry follows Chemist Elizabeth Zott as she deals with a fact of the times, sexism in her field of study. Despite her career being derailed, Elizabeth discovers another way to study and empower other women to change history and demand a place in society (Goodreads). Lessons in Chemistry was named Goodreads Readers’ Favorite Debut Novel in 2022 and was nominated for Goodreads Readers’ Favorite Historical Fiction the same year (Goodreads).
“Laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant, and studded with a dazzling cast of supporting characters, Lessons in Chemistry is as original and vibrant as its protagonist.” – Goodreads
There you have it! Whether you love Love or loathe it, there is always something to read. *This is not a sponsored blog post.*
Happy Valentine’s Day & Happy Reading!
References:
https://www.getunderlined.com/reading-list/anti-valentines-day-books
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/206305528-lessons-in-chemistry
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/anti-valentines
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