It’s that time of year when love is in the air…and in stores across America. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner here are some romcom books to add to your reading list for 2023.
Loathe to Love You By Ali Hazelwood
Starting off the list, if you’ve read The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood, for this Valentine’s Day, you’ll want to check out her newest book which is a combination book of three novellas known as “The STEMinist Novellas”. These novellas are mini books. So, you get all the romance and brains you loved from The Love Hypothesis, but the shortness for a quick read.
While these books focus on women in STEM, some critics have found the plot a bit repetitive. So, take that with a grain of salt when considering the read. Just because a plot has similarities to other books, doesn’t keep it from being unique in its own right and definitely doesn’t automatically mean it’s a bad book. At least that’s the case in my experience. So, if you want a book with good old-fashioned romance, smut, hot guys, and feminist women who are extremely smart, Ali Hazelwood is a great author to check out.
Pride and Prejudice By Jane Austen
If you’re looking for a classic romance, look no further than Pride and Prejudice. This book has been very influential as many modern movies and tv shows have drawn from the work of Jane Austen. This is a classic enemies-to-lovers story set in the often-romanticized Regency period that follows Elizabeth Bennet and her journey to realize that there is more to people than what meets the eye.
This is a type of literature and story we don’t see often today. The writing is very formal and will transport readers to the time the book takes place. Overall, it’s a great book to read if you love the modern enemies-to-lovers trope as it is arguably the original.
Boyfriend Material By Alexis Hall
For those looking for a story involving the experiences of LGBTQIA+ characters, “Boyfriend Material” by Alexis Hall is an amazing story. Set in modern-day London, this book features several favorite romcom tropes including opposites attract, fake dating, emotional scars, feeling unworthy, wealthy/poor, celebrity/fan, and second chance. All of these relatable dynamics are wrapped into one story making for a heartwarming and fun story.
Additionally, you will fall in love with the characters. So much so that even though the book has a very happy and satisfying conclusion, the author surprised fans by releasing a sequel! It came out last year in August and is called Husband Material.
Defy the Night By Brigid Kemmerer
The last recommendation is not only a young adult pick for romance, but it’s also a fantasy romance. While this book came out in 2021, the sequel, Defend the Dawn, came out in September of last year. This book deals with a kingdom attempting to battle an epidemic with a very scarce amount of the cure available. A girl tries to help the people, a prince feels torn, a king holds on to life, and so much steamy swooning romance is piled between the pages.
As someone who is very picky with her fantasy and doesn’t read a whole lot, I absolutely loved every second of this book. Once you start reading you will be sure not to put it down till, you’re done.
