It doesn’t matter if you’re spending Valentine’s Day alone or with a significant other, the best gift is a romance novel.
The idea of romance looks different for every reader these days. While some bookworms are fans of the traditional love story, others have ventured into the dark romance category. Thanks to authors like Brynne Weaver — who wrote the Ruinous Love trilogy — there’s enough of this to go around.
While Weaver is the queen of horror that has romance sprinkled in, she understands some apprehension to exploring this genre.
“Because it is fiction, thankfully, you can experience these really strong emotions and have very strong reactions to what it is that you’re consuming — whether it’s something you’re watching or something you’re reading — but you can also then put it away and walk away,” the author told Us Weekly exclusively in February 2025. “I think it really gives us that chance to experience something that, hopefully, we’ll never have to experience in real life, but we can still get those same emotions of fear and excitement in a safe environment.”
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She continued, “It’s the same with the romance as well because typically, in a lot of dark romance, there might be exploration of more toxic relationships. Again, it’s safe so it can often be healing for a lot of people who have had traumatic relationships or experiences. They can just read it, experience it, put the book away.”
Weaver’s latest isn’t the only love story Us is consuming on Valentines Day. Keep scrolling for more recommendations:
‘Scythe and Sparrow’ by Brynne Weaver
The third and final book in Weaver’s Ruinous Love trilogy tells the story of Fionn Kane and Rose Evans. The duo made cameos in her other two books, 2023’s Butcher & Blackbird and 2024’s Leather & Lark, but fans have since gotten a chance to dive right into their love story.
‘First-Time Caller’ by B.K. Borison
Inspired by Sleepless in Seattle, this love story is perfect for any movie and book lover. First-Time Caller kicks off Borison’s new series by introducing readers to a hopeless romantic who finds a connection with a disheartened radio host.
‘Celebrity Crush’ By Christy Swift
There’s nothing better than the fake-dating trope and this book does it perfectly — with a pop culture twist. This debut romance tells the story of an author named Emmy Ellison who meets her celebrity crush — who inspired her novel’s main character — and, yes, they end up fake dating.
‘You Between the Lines’ By Katie Naymon
Leigh decides to leave her marketing job to pursue her longtime dream of poetry. When she gears up to go back to school, Leigh comes face-to-face with her high school nemesis, who also happens to be her biggest crush. Talk about angst.
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‘Deep End’ by Ali Hazelwood
Readers know Hazelwood as the author of The Love Hypothesis (and other romances, of course), but she’s back with a story following Scarlett Vandermeer, a college-aged platform diver who finds herself in a romantic arrangement with the captain of the swim team after learning they have a very specific common interest.
‘Expiration Dates’ by Rebecca Serle
Yes, Expiration Dates was the romance of 2024. However, Serle’s paperback version comes complete with bonus content. Who doesn’t want more from Jake and Daphne’s love story?!
‘His Girl Hollywood’ by Maureen Lee Lenker
Second-chance romances are all the rage, and this book is kind of giving Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo vibes with the old Hollywood connection. Set in the 1930s, the love story has it all, including film directors and mobsters.
‘On Her Terms’ by Amy Spalding
This LGBTQ+ story follows Clementine on the heels of her breakup from a longtime boyfriend. However, a fake relationship with Chloe Lee might just have them kicking off a new romantic era.
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