Romance novels that will make your heart flutter

As Valentine’s Day is upon us, and couples start showing up on everyone’s Instagram feed, the idea of love begins circling around everyone’s minds. Many people, including myself, like to celebrate with anything romantic — hearts, chocolate, flowers and, most importantly, a good romance novel.

So, here are six of my favorite romance novels from over the years.

‘Once Persuaded, Twice Shy’ — Melodie Edwards

“Once Persuaded, Twice Shy” is actually the latest addition to my favorites list, and it definitely deserves the spot. The story is based on Jane Austen’s “Persuasion,” and the book’s two main characters, Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth. If you know anything about me, you would know that I love Austen’s work.

Edwards’ Elliot and Wentworth are placed in modern-day Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, rather than Regency-era England. The couple dated eight years prior, and they hadn’t heard from or seen each other until Wentworth’s relatives bought property in town.

I highly recommend it if you love reimagined classics and second-chance romances.

‘Love, Theoretically’ — Ali Hazelwood

Many readers know Hazelwood for her romance surrounding different fields of STEM, and “Love, Theoretically” is no exception. The story follows two physicists: Elsie, a theoretical physicist trying to get a job at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Jack, an experimental physicist who is on the MIT hiring committee.

Now, for those of you who are not familiar with scientific drama, experimentalists and theoreticalists do not get along. This, of course, creates amazing banter and tension.

‘People We Meet on Vacation’ — Emily Henry

If you read my review of the movie adaptation, you know just how much I love this book. Henry is a master at writing a funny yet heartfelt romcom, and I just can’t get enough of her work.

“People We Meet on Vacation” is arguably one of the best friends-to-lovers stories since “When Harry Met Sally.” The story uses dual timelines, going back and forth between the present day — when the main characters, Poppy and Alex, have not seen each other in two years — and every summer leading up to that. It’s quirky, witty and I will always recommend it.

Enjoy what you're reading?
Signup for our newsletter

‘Today Tonight Tomorrow’ — Rachel Lynn Solomon

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have an academic rival — or any rival for that matter — that you happened to find really cute? Well, “Today Tonight Tomorrow” answers that question for you.

At a high school in Seattle, there can only be one valedictorian, and the decision is being made on Rowan and Neil’s last day of senior year — the same day that Rowan and Neil are paired up to go on an end-of-senior-year scavenger hunt. While on the hunt, the two get to know each other outside the rivalry and realize they have more in common than they thought.

‘Book Lovers’ — Emily Henry

If you thought I couldn’t rave anymore about Henry’s work, you are surely mistaken. I cried so hard at this book, but don’t worry, the ending is worth it.

Nora Stephens only has two hobbies: reading and her job — not to mention the fact that she's a literary agent, where she basically reads for a living. One day, she had enough, so she and her sister, Libby, left their homes in the city and headed to a small town for a summer getaway.

Just when she thought she escaped her normal life for a while, Nora bumps into Charlie Lastra, a brooding editor who she has, begrudgingly, worked with several times. However, after running into Charlie several more times, she realized that, maybe, he isn’t that bad.

‘Done and Dusted’ — Lyla Sage

Who doesn’t love a brother’s best friend romance? Better yet, what if your brother’s best friend were a cowboy?

Emmy Ryder had just returned to her small hometown in Wyoming after being thrown from her horse while barrel racing. Luke, her brother’s best friend, runs a local bar and is stunned to see her when she walks in. Emmy needs to regain her confidence around her horse, and maybe Luke is just the person to help her with that.

pedenae@miamioh.edu