Valentine’s Plans? Just You, a Book, & a Cozy Night In
Published: February 6, 2025
It’s that time of year again—restaurants are overbooked, florists are scrambling, and every store has an aisle dedicated to overpriced chocolates. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and whether you’re in a relationship, happily single, or somewhere in between, there’s one thing we can all agree on: romance is best enjoyed at your own pace.
Instead of navigating the chaos of a Valentine’s date—waiting for a table, making forced small talk, and pretending overpriced prix fixe menus are worth it—why not sink into the kind of love story that actually delivers? A romance novel doesn’t leave you waiting for a text, doesn’t expect you to dress up, and definitely won’t judge you for eating an entire box of chocolates while reading.
This is the perfect time to rediscover the magic of classic romance novels, whether you’re craving a slow-burn historical, a sizzling enemies-to-lovers, or a wildly dramatic bodice-ripper that makes you gasp out loud. There’s a book for every kind of romantic mood, and the best part? You don’t even have to share dessert.
For the lover of old-school glamour
Under the Stars of Paris by Mary Burchell (1954)
Want to be swept into the world of midcentury fashion, where heartbreak, ambition, and couture collide? This one’s for you. It’s a vintage romance dripping in elegance, where every glance is loaded with meaning, and a spilled glass of wine could ruin not just a dress but an entire career.
For the bodice-ripping enthusiast
The Windflower by Laura London (1984)
Picture this: a dreamy heroine sketching vegetables while daydreaming about unicorns (yes, really), only to be kidnapped by pirates. What follows is a whirlwind of adventure, passion, and dramatic declarations that will have you clutching your chest in delight. This book is not for the faint of heart—it’s pure, unfiltered, chaotic romance at its finest.
For the slow-burn devotee
Indigo by Beverly Jenkins (1996)
Romance is often about escape, but sometimes it’s about resilience. Beverly Jenkins is a master at weaving history into her love stories, and Indigo is a breathtaking example. It follows a formerly enslaved woman and an Underground Railroad conductor as they navigate love in a world that has given them every reason not to trust it.
For the historical road-trip fanatic
For My Lady’s Heart by Laura Kinsale (1993)
Medieval knights, dangerous travels, and a love story so intense it burns through the pages. This one takes slow burn to the extreme, building tension with every stolen glance and every moment of forced proximity. It’s angsty, it’s poetic, and it will absolutely wreck you in the best way possible.
For the romance-lover who wants a little magic
Second Sight by Amanda Quick (2006)
Before romantasy became a thing, we had paranormal romance. This Victorian-era romance stars a photographer with psychic abilities and a not-so-dead husband, and it’s packed with intrigue, passion, and just the right amount of supernatural spice.
For the over-the-top romantic comedy fan
Agnes and the Hitman by Jennifer Crusie & Bob Mayer (2007)
A cookbook author, a mob connection, and a hitman with a heart of gold—what could go wrong? This one has humor, action, and a heroine who’s not afraid to wield a frying pan as a weapon. If you like your romance with a side of absolute mayhem, this is the book for you.
For those who love their heroes a little tortured
Beau Crusoe by Carla Kelly (2007)
Regency romance, but make it dark. Our hero is a shipwreck survivor with a past so harrowing that society calls him a hero while he drowns in his own guilt. This book does not shy away from the trauma, and yet, it manages to find light in the darkness through love, redemption, and a damn good romance.