With Valentine’s Day just around the corner we’re all seeing heart decor and lovey-dovey advertisements at every turn, some of us love it and some of us despise it. For me personally, Valentine’s Day has always been about two things: candy and books. I’m not usually a romance reader, in fact it may, admittedly, be my least favorite genre but, every year around Valentine’s Day, I like to give at least a few romance books a chance; I’m pleased to admit that I have found some romance books that I actually really enjoy. So, sorry to those who are just plain sick of Valentine’s Day, this week’s book recs are my favorite romance books, enjoy!

(In no particular order)

• Heartstopper by Alice Osman: This book just feels like a given; it is, perhaps, a quintessential romance graphic novel, and for good reason. This book may seem like a simple love story between two schoolboys but it contains multitudes and certainly knows how to make a reader feel. We follow lovable, relatable Charlie as he braves the complexities of young love. And Nick, our golden retriever, definitely-totally-straight rugby boy. The first in a series, this book has a Netflix series adaptation and a lively fanbase. It is a perfect read for any Valentine’s Day (or any other time of year)
• Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller: This is perhaps one of my favorite books of all time, this retelling of Greek mythology is beautiful and heart wrenching. Told from the perspective of Achilles’ faithful companion, Patroclus, this book is an ancient story made more explicitly queer by Miller. We follow two boys who grow up alongside one another and are eventually caught in the middle of war. This book tore my heart into a million pieces and then put it back together and then tore it apart again and then… ad infinitum.
• The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer: I know that I have recommended this book before but, as my all time favorite romance book, it belonged on this list as well. This book is an absolutely stunning sci-fi romance with a plot twist, a surprisingly complex plot, and a truly unexpected but absolutely perfect ending. Because I don’t feel like reiterating myself, here’s what I said about this book the first time that I recommended it: “This book about two boys alone in space owns the term plot twist. The first half may lead you to think that this book is a simple and heartwarming sci-fi but looks can be deceiving. When I first read this book, I found the first half cute, albeit trope-filled, but by the end I was truly left questioning the nature of existence and my own approach to life. This book has everything, romance, sci-fi, world building, and existential themes that will keep you up at night!”
• Peter Darling by Austin Chant: This book is a rewrite of Peter Pan in which we follow an older, transgender Peter on his return to Neverland and his accidental rendezvous with the elusive Captain Hook. I can best describe this book as “written like fanfiction but in the best way”; the romance in this book is complemented by well-written characters, a sympathetic protagonist, and intriguing world-building. This is a book about identity, escapism, found family, and, of course, romance.

I honestly had to pull from the depths of my knowledge in order to come up with this many romance books (like I said, it’s just not my favorite genre). I also didn’t recognize until editing this piece that it’s all M4M romance, I believe that this is a side effect of my general lack of romance book reading so forgive my lack of diversity. I hope y’all enjoy them, keep reading TC!