Happy February! In honor of Valentine’s Day, I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite love stories. And these are not all romantic love but love in its various forms. And dreading Valentine’s Day? I’ve included a few anti-love stories for good measure.
Love The Storytelling!
by Erin Morgenstern
Morgenstern has such a way with words, descriptions, and even smells! Yes, there is a romance in this book, but The Starless Sea really feels like a love song to stories themselves. A secret world full of stories? Yes, please!
Love Yourself and Friendships!
by Jen Wang
Such a sweet and fun story with so much self-acceptance. Learning to love one’s self is one of the best love stories if you ask me. Add in fabulous dresses and a great best friend, and I’m sold.
Love The Royalty Fairytale!
by Kiera Cass
Wand a book series that is The Bachelor meets Cinderella? Then look no further than The Selection. A fun, frothy series that fulfills my needs for royalty love stories.
Love The Movie!
by Becky Albertalli
I saw Love, Simon (the film title of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda) several times when it came out in theaters. I laughed. And cried. And then read the book. Then watched the movie again. A beautiful story about not only coming out, but also finding love.
Love The Enemies-To-Lovers!
by Holly Black
I adore the enemies-to-lovers trope. I think this is because it means that at least one character is somewhat morally grey to be considered an ‘enemy’. I want to see characters come together after bitter disputes, finally realizing they are a match. And Black delivers in this trilogy about a human girl living in amongst faeries.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26032825-the-cruel-prince
Love The Classics!
by Jane Austen
I am a fan of Mr. Darcy, but there are so many good romance classics besides Pride and Prejudice. Persuasion is a story of second chances with an older and more mature heroine. (Anne might only be 27, but that’s practically a spinster back then!) Not everything happens when you’re young, but that doesn’t mean that good things and romances won’t happen.
And if all this talk of flowers and romance is making you sick, here are a few of my favorite anti-romance reads! Fair warning, these are NOT happily ever after tales.
by Jennifer Wright
If you need some serious schadenfreude after a breakup, look no further. At least no one got beheaded in your last relationship, right? Wright writes with such a playful voice that all of her books are highly enjoyable.
by Marissa Meyer
An origin story about the Queen of Hearts from Alice In Wonderland that promises to be as dark and twisted as the Red Queen herself.