Luna Garcia

It is early February, the wind is a bit chilly, and love is in the air. People hand in hand as laughter echoes throughout the streets. Your local bookstore window is covered in hearts, and the Valentine’s Day display is scattered with the best romantic novels. Torn between the various options, you decide you can only leave with five books in hand. Below are The Panther’s top romance novels to warm your heart this Valentine’s season:

“Love, Theoretically” by Ali Hazelwood

Hazelwood never fails to write a witty romantic comedy. Creating her own approach to the genre, she combines STEM with traditional romantic tropes. “Love, Theoretically” tells the story of two physicists, and academic rivals, Elsie Hannaway and Jack Smith who fall in love. This book is perfect; it has a strong heroine, amazing side characters and is full of STEM references. The book is tooth-achingly sweet and meets every requirement for a perfect romance. 

“Love and Other Words” by Christina Lauren

A staple childhood friends-to-lovers novel, “Love and Other Words” encapsulates the transformation of innocent love, as main characters Macy and Elliot grow up together, leaving each other wounded with scarred memories. When they reunite years later, Macy has completely moved on from her first love, but it is hard to ignore Elliot as he keeps insisting on catching up. As painful reminders of their past resurface, it becomes harder for them to forget how the stranger in front of them was the one person who truly used to know and understand them. Told between alternating timelines, your heart will ache with both pain and joy as Macy and Elliot’s love for each other flourishes and perseveres amidst life’s challenges.

“Better Than the Movies” by Lynn Painter

Released in May 2021, “Better Than the Movies” quickly seized readers’ hearts with its relatableness found in its main character, Liz Buxbaum, as she tries to fulfill her own cinematic happily-ever-after when her childhood crush moves back to their hometown. How may you ask? By teaming up with Wes Bennett, her infuriating next-door neighbor who has somehow kept close ties with her crush, Michael, over the years. Wes and Liz are as far from the label “friends” as it gets, but the more time they spend together, the more they see beyond their immature times as kids. “Better Than the Movies” will have you giggling and cheering, whether it be because of the perfect amount of Taylor Swift references or simply Wes setting the standard for all book boyfriends.

“The Spanish Love Deception” by Elena Armas

“The Spanish Love Deception” was the ultimate rom-com of 2021 and it still holds strong today. Armas takes the popular fake-dating trope and makes it her own. Catalina Martín, the main character, lands herself in hot water after telling her family that she is going to bring her American boyfriend to her sister’s wedding in Spain. Plot twist: there is no boyfriend. Enter Aaron Blackford, her tall, handsome enemy coworker who turns out to be less insufferable than she thought. “The Spanish Love Deception” is a fun, swoon-worthy book that will not fail to make you laugh.

“Tis the Season for Revenge” by Morgan Elizabeth

“Tis the Season for Revenge” is the perfect holiday rom-com that can be read year-round. The book follows Abbie Keller, who is convinced that Richard Bartholemew Benson III will be her forever love. Obviously, he broke her heart, as any man with that name would, and Abbie set her mind on revenge. Cue Damien Martinez, her ex’s boss, who she happens to match with on a dating app. Abbie forms the perfect plan: start dating his boss and go as his date to the office’s annual Christmas party that Richard had refused to take her to. Soon, Abbie finds out that Damien is not the mean boss Richard said he was, but a sweet, thoughtful man. This book is set in sparkling New York City and is one of the most entertaining romance books.