If I’m Being Honest by Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka ↠ This adorable coming-of-age romance novel was one of the highlights of my 2019 book reads! After showing her rather true colours to her long-time crush, Cameron seeks to prove to him that she isn’t just “a mean girl”. But in order to do this, she has to reconcile with one girl’s brother — Brendan, an introvert who definitely doesn’t make things easy for Cameron. But as she starts to connect more with Brendan and other students she’d never DREAMED of talking with, she learns there’s more to people than first impressions and her original judgments … gaining new friendships by opening up her mind and heart more. But she also learns how to love herself, discovering that there are people in the world who love her for all that she is … even with her feisty and VERY honest nature.

Foolish Hearts by Emma Mills ↠ Looking for a novel that highlights both platonic and romantic love? Look no further! Foolish Hearts follows Claudia’s, a young teenager who finds herself in quite a predicament when she’s caught accidentally eavesdropping on a breakup. From high school romances to developing friendships with the most unlikely people, Mills’ story discusses the importance of being open-minded and accepting … removing the temptation to judge or jump to conclusions based off of first encounters. A funny yet beautiful moving story, Mills’ novel wonderfully reflects those high school years with all its quirks and adventures.

Heartstopper Volume One by Alice Oseman ↠ Oh my goodness … Charlie and Nick are just the most adorable characters ever! A wonderfully drawn graphic novel, this LGBT romance novel will melt your heart on so many levels! For those who love the friends-to-lovers trope, you’ll fall head-over-heels with Charlie and Nick’s story … seeing how the two grow both together and as individuals. From dealing with bullies to gushing over first crushes, Oseman’s story accurately depicts the ups and downs of high school life! And with volume three just recently being released, it’s the PERFECT time to pick up this gem!

100 Days of Sunlight by Abbie Emmons ↠ A story about taking chances and letting go of fear, Emmons’ debut novel is honestly the PERFECT read for Valentine’s! After Tessa temporarily loses her sight, she has to relearn how to find joy in life when she feels as though she’s lost everything. When Weston comes into her life to help with her blogging, he helps Tessa learn that she doesn’t need sight to SEE the world. Two teenagers struggling to feel accepted yet falling madly for one another, 100 Days of Sunlight is so much more than a romance story. It’s a story about compassion, healing, and finding the purpose of life when you feel as though it’s slipped from your grasp … finding that light in the dark.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston ↠ Finally, a New Adult romance novel that’s more than just a steamy love story! After an altercation gone wrong at a very public event, Alex (the First Son of the United States) and Henry (a Prince of England) are forced to be in one another’s company to help ease the tension circling the media. But as they learn more about one another, their connection begins to intensify on a deeper and more meaningful level. From enemies to lovers, these two dreamboats show readers how passionate and deeply romantic a relationship can be … while also being an absolutely hilarious novel with Alex and Henry’s constant banter and bickering. From laughing out loud to tears like no other, this book will have your emotions all over the map … but in a good way!

Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott ↠ If you want a book that’s going to pull at your heartstrings and leave you in tears yet still finding hope in life, you should most DEFINITELY pick this book up (and look at that cover)! A story about loss and love, Five Feet Apart follows Will and Stella’s story as they learn what it’s like to love someone who you can’t physically touch. Both diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, these two know that every minute counts. With beautiful writing and heart-wrenching emotions poured into every word, Lippincott’s novel shows readers the importance of living life to the fullest … taking as many opportunities and adventures as possible to enjoy every little moment.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins ↠ Want a super lovey-dovey cheesy romance story? This is the RIGHT pick for you! Firstly, the book is set in Paris … the city of Love (and also Lights, apparently). Secondly, it’s a young adult friendship-to-lovers romance novel … which is a perfect setting for Valentine’s Day. After being sent to boarding school in Paris, all Anna wants is to go back home to Atlanta. But when she meets the handsome and devilish Etienne St. Clair, her boarding school experience becomes a lot more complicated than she originally anticipated … especially since he’s a taken man! Set in a beautiful setting with quirky yet endearing characters, this novel’s pretty hard to put down. And if you end up enjoying this story, there are two more books with different romance stories to read!

Autoboyography by Christina Lauren ↠ Oh my goodness … this was one of my favourite romance and coming-of-age stories in 2019 … centering around two of the most adorable characters in literature to date! Ever since his family relocated to Utah, Tanner has re-entered the closet regarding his bisexuality. But when he meets Mormon prodigy Sebastian in his writing seminar class, keeping his secret in check has become a whole lot harder. This novel feels SO different in comparison to a number of other young adult romance novels. Sebastian and Tanner struggle with REAL issues, figuring out how they fit in a world that’s not always so accepting. As Tanner tries not to slip back into feeling ashamed for his sexual identity and Sebastian tries to find a balance between his religious identity and sexual identity, Autoboyography follows these two as they slowly learn to love themselves for who they are … together.

Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins ↠ More books I would LOVE to find are F/F romance … don’t get me wrong, I enjoy M/M romance as well, but I feel a lack of F/F romance in my reading repertoire. But I finally found one! Millie has always dreamed of getting into an exclusive school in Scotland, using it as an opportunity to also explore the beauty and outdoors of Scotland lands. But when she arrives and is roomed with a total diva who also HAPPENS to be the princess of Scotland, her dream to stay in Scotland has become slightly altered. An enemy turned lovers romance story, this fun read is perfect if you’re looking for that “finish in one sitting” novel.

Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett ↠ Ooooo … that guilty pleasure insta-love story … sometimes, they’re necessary. Though there are some heavier topics in this novel, the overall romance story is incredibly sweet … one that will make you swoon! After experiencing a rather traumatic experience, movie lover Bailey moves in with her father over the summer … making her in closer proximity to her online crush, Alex. But when she starts working at a museum and meets Porter, she must choose between the sensitive and endearing Alex OR the obnoxious yet understanding Porter. A story about taking a leap and healing, this young adult novel will have you grasping for more until the very last page!

See Me by Nicholas Sparks ↠ As my first and only Nicholas Sparks book, I can honestly say I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this novel. An adult romance/suspense story, this novel will have you swooning one minute to sitting at the edge of your seat the next. “Bad Boy” Colin has been given a second chance at life, to learn from his mistakes and make a change for the better. Maria, a woman trying to move on from a traumatic event, is looking for a positive change in her life by moving away to a new place. After a chance encounter, these two become intertwined with one another … learning to let go and not let fear control their lives through their connection to one another. For those who want a romance with a BIT more excitement and suspenseful moments to it, I HIGHLY recommend See Me.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli ↠ Oh my goodness … this book had me in a fit of laughter from start to finish … I couldn’t put it down! Simon, a “non-openly” gay teenager, lives a fairly normal life … falling for the mysterious Blue, another “not-so-openly-gay” teenager, through emails and Tumblr about their shared experiences and life. But when someone threatens to leak their emails to the online community, Simon is forced to “help” this unfriendly foe … though helping him may end up making Simon hurt his own friends. A spectacular coming-of-age story, reading through Simon’s POV just makes the WHOLE experience even more funny and relatable.

Almost Midnight by Rainbow Rowell ↠ Though these two short stories pertain to New Year’s and the winter season more than Valentine’s Day, they still give off that “cute and cheesy” vibe to lift your spirits and make your heart grow 10 times its size. Kindred Spirits and Midnights are two romance stories about finding love in unexpected places and circumstances, making readers feel as though true love and soul mates don’t just exist in myths and fairy tales. A quick and easy read, Almost Midnight is the perfect read for the holiday of love and romance.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before Complete Collection by Jenny Han ↠ My guilty pleasure series! Now, THIS is one of my TOP Valentine’s Day book recommendations … it’s just so adorable! BUT … you need to read all three to REALLY get that lovey-dovey vibe going. After Lara Jeans’ secret lover letters are sent to the five guys she’s secretly loved before (one of which is her sister’s current boyfriend), she has to do some serious damage control! In order to hide her true feelings, she starts a fake relationship with one of her past crushes … Peter. But when Lara Jean starts to re-develop her “once-upon-a-time” crush, she has to decide if she wants to keep up the facade …or take a chance on romance outside of her books and fictional life. Watching these two go through their ups and downs in the series is really something, making the full read worthwhile!