Whether you’re looking for a quick read or an in-depth love story, this list of fictional romance novels is perfect for celebrating Valentine’s Day. From sworn enemies faking a relationship to a tale of serial killers falling in love, these books each have something to offer, from comfort to laughter to tears.

1. “The Seven Year Slip” by Ashley Poston

In this emotionally layered novel, Clementine inherits her recently deceased aunt’s apartment, where she discovers a magical element: the apartment occasionally transports her seven years in the past. In this sporadic timeline, she meets an intriguing man. Their relationship grows over fractured periods of time, all while Clementine grapples with grief and newfound love.

2. “Heart the Lover” by Lily King

Set against the backdrop of academia, the protagonist, Jordan, meets two boys, Sam and Yash, who alter the course of her life. “Heart the Lover” spans forty years and tells the timeless tale of young love and how it leaves a permanent stain, forever changing you. The novel begins with Jordan in college, and how the choices made during this formative period affect her life’s trajectory, from travel to marriage to career.

3. “Butcher & Blackbird” by Brynne Weaver

Quite an unconventional love story, “Butcher & Blackbird” is about two serial killers whose paths collide. A dark romance, Sloane and Rowan are both rival murderers who begin a blossoming, biting friendship. The two start a deadly game that brings them closer. Part of a trilogy, the other two books in this series are just as gripping. Weaver’s writing is grossly and engrossingly descriptive, making the reader hang on to every thrilling plotpoint.

4. “Sunburn” by Chloe Michelle Howarth

More of a coming-of-age tale, this novel intertwines aspects of queer romance with other realistic struggles of growing up, such as the inevitable anxiety and questions of identity we all face at a young age. Two teenage girls living in a conservative Irish town in the 90s, their daily lives become inexorably linked as friendship grows into something richer. Set in the blistering sun of the summertime, this book has incredible prose that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster.

5. “The Unhoneymooners” by Christina Lauren

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Olive and Ethan find themselves taking a honeymoon trip meant for another couple. However, the two vehemently dislike each other. As they pretend to be newlyweds on a dream trip, their forced proximity pushes them together in numerous ways. “The Unhoneymooners” is fun, sexy and lighthearted. Christina Lauren, the pen name for two authors who write together, has released over 20 New York Times bestselling romance novels.

6. “Me Before You” by Jojo Moyes

In this tearjerker of a story, Louisa is a spirited, quirky individual who cannot find a steady job. It isn’t until she becomes a caretaker to Will, who was paralyzed after an accident, that she finds purpose. This romance juggles with existential conflicts, such as caring for loved ones with illnesses and what makes a life worth living. Released as a film in 2016, starring “Game of Thrones” actress Emilia Clarke and “Hunger Games” actor Sam Claflin, “Me Before You” has lovable characters and an engaging storyline.

7. “Better Than the Movies” by Lynn Painter

A young adult novel set in high school, this is the epitome of a cute, comforting romance book. The dialogue between the protagonists, Liz and Wes, is fun and witty. Inspired by classic rom-com tropes, the two teenagers are neighbors who simply don’t get along. But in this lighthearted story, the annoying boy-next-door pairs up with Liz to help her win over her crush. Not-so-surprisingly, the real catch may be closer than she thinks.

8. “People We Meet on Vacation” by Emily Henry

Main characters Poppy and Alex start an unlikely friendship during college, tethered by a shared love for travelling. The book takes the reader from past to present, rehashing the annual trips the two take together and the circumstances that ultimately lead to their fallout. A trip to Palm Springs, however, offers a chance to rekindle their friendship and ignite something deeper. Written by a local author from Cincinnati, the book was released as a movie on Netflix in Jan. 2026. Henry’s books are typically multifaceted, exploring more than romance, but also themes such as navigating family dynamics and personal trauma.

9. “Seven Days in June” by Tia Williams

In this second-chance romance, two authors reconnect after being separated for years. The protagonist, Eva, is a bestselling writer and single mother who must confront her past when a man she has a deep history with, Shane, reappears in her life. This romance explores creativity, motherhood and the tribulations of addiction, all influenced by the lasting impact of young love.

10. “Beg, Borrow, or Steal” by Sarah Adams

Set in Rome, Kentucky, this lighthearted romance centers on two elementary school teachers with an entertaining rivalry. As their professional competition evolves, their witty banter grows into something more emotionally vulnerable. Adams, another semi-local author, published an entire romance series set in the charming Kentucky town.