11 Book Influencers Reveal Their Favorite Romance Read for Valentines Day (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Amazon

Valentine’s Day is upon us, ‘tis the season for cuddling up with your favorite romance books!There’s a reason we still readRomeo and Juliethundreds of years later. Love stories allow us to experience the thrill of new beginnings, the ache of longing and the beauty of connection, all without having to leave our favorite spots on the couch. There’s nothing like a good romance book to remind you that whether or not you’ve found them yet, there’s someone out there who will even “love that you get cold when it’s 71 degrees out. Love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich.” A great romance book will have even the most cynical of Valentine’s Day grinches believing in love all over again.But with so many to choose from, where do you even start? To help ensure you don’t waste your  romance reading time on a bunch of duds (especially if your real-life romance tend to go that way)  we turned to the experts: book influencers. Below, 11 book influencers reveal their all-time favorite romance book — the ones they return to time and time again with stories and characters that linger long after the final page.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer , from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.So, grab a cocktail (or mocktail), clear some space on your TBR, and prepare to fall in love with these must-read romances. Note: we are not responsible for any unrealistic expectations that may arise as a result of reading these books.

Valentine’s Day is upon us, ‘tis the season for cuddling up with your favorite romance books!

There’s a reason we still readRomeo and Juliethundreds of years later. Love stories allow us to experience the thrill of new beginnings, the ache of longing and the beauty of connection, all without having to leave our favorite spots on the couch. There’s nothing like a good romance book to remind you that whether or not you’ve found them yet, there’s someone out there who will even “love that you get cold when it’s 71 degrees out. Love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich.” A great romance book will have even the most cynical of Valentine’s Day grinches believing in love all over again.

But with so many to choose from, where do you even start? To help ensure you don’t waste your  romance reading time on a bunch of duds (especially if your real-life romance tend to go that way)  we turned to the experts: book influencers. Below, 11 book influencers reveal their all-time favorite romance book — the ones they return to time and time again with stories and characters that linger long after the final page.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer , from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

So, grab a cocktail (or mocktail), clear some space on your TBR, and prepare to fall in love with these must-read romances. Note: we are not responsible for any unrealistic expectations that may arise as a result of reading these books.

01of 11

The Rom-Commerstook my heart on a rollercoaster and I want to ride it again. Katherine Center writes real-world stakes with a funny, lighthearted hand. So, if you want to read about a girl’s dreams coming true, two writers going from enemies to lovers, and over-the-top, swoon-worthy declarations of love, this is the perfect book for you!

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02of 11

I read a fair amount of romance novels and I’m as embarrassingly devoted to Emily Henry as the next girl, but last year I read Cat Sebastian’sWe Could Be So Goodat a particularly fraught time in my life, and I fell in love. Sebastian is marvelous, and this queer historical romance set in 1950s New York was so warm, loving and tender, it made me sigh in equal degrees of fondness and wistfulness as I turned each page. Don’t miss it!

03of 11

I laughed the entire way through and crushed so hard on these two main characters. The budding romance between two friends — one in the music industry and the other an exotic dancer — made for a cute premise with two very compatible and likable personalities … It was so easy to root for them to move out of the friend zone. Not to mention the steamy scenes were written with so much passion! I love sapphic romances, and this one is without a doubt a forever favorite.

04of 11

I love this book so much because while it centers around a romantic connection, it’s actually about so much more. It really explores defying the odds while living with debilitating disability, single motherhood and more. I think it’s truly the perfect combination of romance, literature and erotica. The prose is  sensational and the story is riveting.

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06of 11

The Kiss Quotientis sweet and sexy book that is partPretty Woman, partShe’s All That— about a woman on the autism spectrum who develops romantic feelings for the male escort she hires to help her navigate the dating scene. The book is an unexpected delight, with sharply-written characters, swoonworthy romance and (yes) spice, spice, spice! Even better: it’s the first of three fantastic books in a series!

07of 11

This YA enemies-to-lovers is as cute on the inside as it is on the outside. Extra points for the British colloquialisms sprinkled throughout.

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This gem of a book is bursting with warmth, humor and pure fun, all set in the charming world of the Rebel Blue Ranch series. Lost & Lassoed is Sage’s most authentic and heartfelt romance yet, sprinkled with just the right amount of spice and a whole lot of witty banter. It’s got all the tropes we love — enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity and opposites attract. Teddy and Gus? They’ve completely stolen my heart. If you’re looking for a read that will make you laugh, swoon and maybe even shed a happy tear, this is the one!

09of 11

This book gave me that instant five-star feeling I’d been craving for so long! Alexis and Daniel are such complex characters who come from completely different worlds, but you’ll be rooting for them both until the end. I laughed out loud, I cried and gave the book a hug when I finished. Daniel just may be the sweetest, most caring book boyfriend that will have you kicking your feet. The characters and small town setting felt so real, I didn’t want to let them go!

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Penguin Random House

In the pantheon of Emily Henry novels, all of which I love, it isBook Loversfor me that reigns supreme. Main characters Nora and Charlie have incredible banter and chemistry that feels believable yet still aspirational. It has me giggling giddily even on my fifth reread. The enemies-to-lovers romance is more than earned through tremendous character development; The obstacles Nora and Charlie overcome aren’t just thrown in for the sake of conflict. For all the people that feel like they aren’t enough and long for someone to see them and love them for exactly who they are, this is the romance for you.

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Two people who can’t be together but can’t be apart. InNormal People, Sally Rooney tackles young love; its novelty, irrationality and overwhelm. Though a classic tale of “popular boy meets cerebral girl,” this book is so much more. Marianne and Collin share the kind of love that defies logic, time and space, even as they are met with the greatest obstacle that young people in love must face: imminent change. Rooney proves that the greatest romance isn’t found in grand gestures but in the quiet, ordinary moments of everyday life.

source: people.com