The gloom of January has finally dissipated and February is here. The month where everything turns as red as the Queen of Hearts' court and you know, Valentine's Day is here!
If you're looking to share the book love with someone close to your heart or practising self-love by treating yourself to a heartwarming relationship story to chase the last of the winter chills away, have a scroll through our best books for Valentine's Day!
So, if you're looking for the book equivalent of a fluffy jumper fresh out of the tumble-dryer, or you're fresh out of ideas about what to get your bookworm partner, read on for our frankly love-ly selection of book recommendations.
You can also head to our Valentine's Day feature for an even wider selection!
The 24-Hour Cafe by Libby Page
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If you haven't read The Lido, where have you been? If you have, how excited are you that The 24-Hour Cafe has FINALLY been released?!
"An affectionate, heartfelt, uplifting novel about the wonders of friendship and having a dream. Spend a full day at the 24-Hour Cafe in London, meet the staff, and the customers too, sit for a while, observe, enjoy. I adored Libby Page’s first novel The Lido, rest assured this is equally as gorgeous, and a truly lovely, lovely read." Liz Robinson, Reviews Editor
The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Everyone knows you should never judge a book by its cover, but with The Mercies, (and The Deathless Girls), we would let you off and let you know that your judgement that this is a stunning book would be correct!
"Totally, completely, and utterly gorgeous, this is a beautifully written historical relationship tale with real bite. And can I just qualify the word relationship - this is about the relationships with family, community, fear, nature, as well as the more obvious love. A work of fiction inspired by history, the story begins on Christmas Eve in 1617 when a sudden and violent storm takes the lives of forty fisherman, leaving the stunned women folk learning to survive on their remote northerly Norwegian island." Liz Robinson, Reviews Editor
For everyone who's just about recovered from P.S I Love You, Cecelia Ahern is back to let us know how Holly Kennedy is getting on!
" It’s been seven years since Gerry died, and after Holly talks about his letters in a podcast, a group approaches her asking for help. I adore Cecelia Ahern’s writing, it just speaks to, and connects with my entire being. Confession time, I didn’t write any notes as I read, I just read for the pure pleasure of it. Which in itself, really makes a statement doesn’t it?" Liz Robinson, Reviews Editor
Easier Ways to Say I Love You by Lucy Fry
Fresh off the press and a slight curveball, Easier Ways to Say I Love You is an autobiographical reflection of love and relationships.
"A scaldingly intimate, powerful, and actually rather beautiful autobiography where the author reflects on her relationships and love. Lucy Fry is a journalist and currently training to be a psychotherapist, here she tells her story which includes her mental health, polyamorous relationship, and parenthood. It is pointed out that the truth is always someone’s story, but this just feels so incredibly heartfelt and rawly honest." Liz Robinson, Reviews Editor
The Magnificent Mrs Mayhew by Milly Johnson
I think Milly Johnson is the Queen of Relationship stories. With a spectacular back catalogue and the amazing My One True North released next month, we had to include her!
"I started reading, and didn’t come up for air. This is a book that is all too easy to sink into and not want to surface from, so ensure you pop your ‘do not disturb’ sign on the door. Milly Johnson expertly built the story, successfully keeping me on tenterhooks before Sophie breaks ranks and escapes." Liz Robinson, Reviews Editor
Ellie and the Harpmaker by Hazel Prior
A word to the wise (from the sleep-deprived) put aside enough time to finish this book before you start Ellie and the Harp Maker, because I for one could not put it down!
"Hazel Prior doesn’t spell things out for you, instead I felt that I was able to explore and encouraged to contemplate. The descriptions of Exmoor, nature, and colour are particularly special, and I now find myself taking the time to look properly, to really see, to feel, to smile. Ellie and the Harp Maker is truly lovely and rather special, if you feel like a hug, then read this book!" Liz Robinson, Reviews Editor
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
As above, make sure you have time to finish this when you start. Turning the lights off and pretending to go to sleep doesn't work when you have just got to know how it ends! Helen Hoang has also had tremendous success with The Bride Test!
"A steaming hot and beautifully tender love story, with an added element to appreciate and connect to. Stella Lane is a successful business woman in San Francisco, she has Asperger syndrome and has never had a relationship. Determined to learn how to be a good girlfriend with all that entails, Stella hires Michael a male escort, and the more time they spend together the closer they become." Liz Robinson, Reviews Editor
In the Time We Lost by Carrie Fletcher Hope
In the Time We Lost is a magical relationship tale that is engaging and unique. The perfect book to truly shine in this category. Luna Lark is looking for a fresh start, but trying to blend in as a newcomer in a small town will not be as easy as she hoped.
" I don’t want to tell you too much, as it will spoil the story, so I’ll just say to keep a close eye on the chapter headings! As I stepped inside the pages, as I realised what was happening, I gripped the book more tightly and got carried away by the story. Oh, and by the way, I simply adored the ending, it is rather special!" Liz Robinson, Reviews Editor
A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Bridgid Kemmerer
In my opinion, I think that sometimes there's no better relationship story than the ones found in Young Adult Fiction. Other times I think that the Disney fairy tales of my childhood are the best (my expectations for love are high, don't judge). A Heart So Fierce and Broken is the latest in the Cursebreakers series, a modern re-vamp of Beauty and the Beast. Can you say perfect?! Start from the beginning with A Curse So Dark and Lonely.
"The enthralling story of political struggle is thrillingly laced with conflicts of the heart - both romantic and familial - to create a satisfying feast of YA fantasy fiction, with a cliff-hanger climax that suggests a yet more explosive third instalment is on its way." Joanne Owen, Expert Reviewer
Continuing on the YA theme, Crossfire is Malorie Blackman's latest book in the outstanding Noughts and Crosses series. With Noughts and Crosses scheduled to air on our TV screens this year too, I would wholeheartedly recommend you introduce yourselves to Callum and Sephy's story though the brilliance that is Malorie Blackman's writing.
"Former Children’s Laureate Malorie Blackman makes a brilliant return to her best-selling Noughts and Crosses series with an all-guns-blazing story of prejudice, love, ambition, politics and violence." Julia Eccleshare. M.B.E, Expert Reviewer
So, there we have it! 10 brilliant books to settle down with this Valentine's Day. Think we've missed one? Let us know in the comments which books about love you...well...love. Also, you can take a look at our Valentine's Day category for more inspiration!
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