The Perfect Date: Nine Books to Read This Valentine’s Day

A romantic novel won’t leave you guessing, cancel last minute or make things weird—it's always a sure thing.

A collage of book covers
A good book will never make you regret swiping right. Courtesy the publishers

It’s that time of year again—the inbox floods with gift guides, social feeds turn pink and red, and restaurants start charging exorbitant prices for a three-course meal in the name of romance. Whether you love it, loathe it, or simply tolerate it, Valentine’s Day is inescapable. But that doesn’t mean you have to buy into the frenzy.

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If you’re flying solo this February 14, consider this your official permission slip to skip the prix fixe menus, ignore the heart-shaped everything and settle in with the best companion of all—a good book. Unlike an awkward date, books never disappoint. They’re always there when you need them, they don’t judge your reading snacks, and they’re infinitely more affordable than a dozen overpriced roses. Whether you want a little romance, a lot of spice, or just the cozy companionship of a great story, we’ve got you covered.

So whether you’re a die-hard romantic, a proud Galentine’s celebrant, or someone who just wants to curl up and enjoy a great read without all the fuss, we’ve handpicked the perfect books for your Valentine’s Day mood.

The perfect boyfriend: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

A classic Penguin Classics book cover featuring a traditional oil painting of a young woman in a white dress, leaning her head on her hand while reading a book, with the title Pride and Prejudice in white capital letters on a black strip.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Penguin Classics

He’s brooding, he’s haughty, he’s misunderstood—oh, and did I mention he’s rich? Mr. Darcy in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is the ultimate book boyfriend for anyone who loves old-fashioned romance. Sure, he stumbles out of the gate with an insulting proposal—essentially, I wish I didn’t love you, but I can’t help it. But instead of sulking or moving on to the next eligible young woman (the man has ten thousand pounds a year—he’s a catch), he stays the course and proves his respect for the eldest Miss Bennet. The man’s a keeper.

The best mate: Significant Others by Zoe Eisenberg

A book cover featuring an illustration of two women floating in water, one in a red and white striped swimsuit with curly hair, the other in a teal swimsuit with long dark hair, with the title Significant Others in large white letters against a blue background.
Significant Others by Zoe Eisenberg. HarperCollins

If you live for Galentine’s Day, this book, with female friendship at its center, might be the perfect read. Ever wished you could rewind time and live with your college roommate again? Roomies Jess and Ren never left that chapter behind—they’re still living together in their late 30s, sharing a house, a rescue pup and an unshakable bond. When Ren gets pregnant after a one-night stand, co-parenting feels like the natural next step. But when the father unexpectedly reappears, will their carefully built life shift forever?

The spicy fling: The Idea of You by Robinne Lee

A book cover featuring a close-up of a woman’s face wearing aviator sunglasses, in which the reflection of a man’s legs and a guitar case can be seen, with the title The Idea of You in lowercase black letters.
The Idea of You by Robinne Lee. Macmillan

If you’ve ever dreamed of dating your celebrity crush or crave an all-consuming romance with a built-in expiration date, this one’s for you. Solène never expects much from a routine meet-and-greet—until she catches the eye of her daughter’s favorite pop star. A steamy affair follows, but with a glaring age gap and wildly different worlds, a happy-ever-after seems impossible. Or maybe, just maybe, they’ll find a way to beat the odds.

The one who got away: Seven Exes by Lucy Vine

A book cover for Seven Exes by Lucy Vine, featuring a collage-style design with pink, blue, and white illustrations of a front door, two clinking wine glasses, a rotary phone, a notebook, and heart-shaped sunglasses. The title Seven Exes is displayed vertically in large white letters on a pink background, while the tagline "Seven missed chances. Who was the one that got away?" is written in pink text against a pale background.
Seven Exes by Lucy Vine. HarperCollins

Ever had the nagging feeling that an ex might have been The One? Esther, perpetually unlucky in love, starts to wonder when she stumbles across an old article from the 2000s that eerily mirrors her own dating history. Could she have tossed her Mr. Right onto the reject pile instead of walking him down the aisle? Determined to find out, she embarks on a mission to revisit her past relationships—cue hilarity, unexpected twists and more than a little romance.

Of course, love stories don’t always fit neatly into heart-shaped boxes. Some are messy, some are dramatic and some are full of what-ifs and almosts. Whether you’re drawn to unconventional love stories, sweeping cinematic tales or books with twists and turns you never saw coming, these reads capture love—or the lack thereof—in all its unpredictable, complicated glory.

Forbidden love: Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner

A book cover featuring an illustration of two women at a bar, one in a purple dress holding a red clutch, the other in red jeans and a black tank top, with the title Mistakes Were Made in white script-style font against a teal background.
Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner. Macmillan

Imagine having a scorching one-night stand—only to realize the next morning that she’s your friend’s mom. Or heading to campus to visit your daughter, only to accidentally hook up with her best friend. Is it better or worse when, after the mortifying introduction, you start to suspect there’s something real between you? This spicy, thought-provoking read proves that for the unlucky in love, sparks can still fly in the most unexpected places.

‘It’s complicated’: The Soulmate by Rona Halsall

A book cover featuring a photograph of a woman in a yellow dress and a man in a suit standing close, staring into each other’s eyes, with the title The Soulmate in bold white and yellow letters against a dark teal background.
The Soulmate by Rona Halsall. Boldwood

You know the story. Boy meets girl. Thunderbolt strikes. They feel like they’ve known each other forever. So far, so romantic. But when Holly falls for Mark, she quickly realizes that feeling like you know someone isn’t the same as actually knowing them. Everyone has secrets, of course—like keeping your “number” to yourself or a questionable love for pineapple on pizza. But having a secret so dark you’d kill to keep it? That’s something else entirely.

Cinematic romance: First Time Caller by B.K. Borison

A book cover featuring an illustration of a man and a woman sitting on a large vintage radio, both wearing headphones and holding phone receivers, with the title First-Time Caller in bold pink and red letters at the top.
First Time Caller by B.K. Borison. Penguin Random House

The aptly named Aiden Valentine is the voice behind Baltimore’s favorite romance hotline, dishing out hot takes to lovelorn callers. But when a girl phones in asking for dating advice for her mom, everything changes. Suddenly, the show is in the spotlight, and the ‘mom’ in question, Lucie Stone, finds herself flooded with romantic possibilities. But should she be casting her net wider, or is the perfect match closer than she ever imagined? With Sleepless in Seattle vibes, this one is perfect for fans of love stories with a little serendipity.

Second chances: It’s Getting Hot in Here by Jane Costello

A book cover with a red background featuring a woman in a green outfit, upside down, holding a small fan, with the title It's Getting Hot in Here in bold yellow and pink letters.
It’s Getting Hot in Here by Jane Costello. Hodder

With so many rom-coms fixated on the thirty-something happy-ever-after, you’d be forgiven for thinking anyone over 40 is out of the running for romance. But if you’re in the mood for some second-time-around magic, It’s Getting Hot in Here delivers. Lisa Carling, a TV exec and twice-divorced mother, already has enough on her plate—a teen, a tween, a best friend battling breast cancer, plus hot flashes and hormones running riot. So why not throw in an ill-advised fling with media hotshot Zach just to keep things interesting?

The anti-romance: How to Kill Men and Get Away With It by Katy Brent

A book cover with a bright orange background featuring a stylish woman in sunglasses, a turtleneck sweater, and a pink skirt splattered with blood, holding shopping bags and a coffee cup, with the title How to Kill Men and Get Away With It in bold white letters.
How to Kill Men and Get Away With It by Katy Brent. HarperCollins

If you’re over the dating scene, this might be the perfect antidote—a romance-free thriller with a deliciously dark twist. When Kitty accidentally kills a persistent creep who won’t take no for an answer, she discovers an unexpected talent for murder… and a taste for revenge. Soon, she’s on a mission to rid the world of bad men in this sharp, wickedly entertaining page-turner that will have wronged women everywhere cheering—well, most of the time.

The Perfect Date: Nine Books to Read This Valentine’s Day