Curated Reads: Valentine’s Day

Last week, I compiled a list of the least romantic books I could find in a semblance of protest against Valentine’s Day. This week, however, I’m leaning into the love and embracing my inner hopeless romantic. Romantic comedies are one of my favourite and most-read genres, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed compiling this week’s list. There’s more serious reads- including one of my all time favourite books- and more light-hearted reads. Between this week and last, there is a book for every type of plan this Valentine’s Day.

Mr Loverman by Bernadine Evaristo

Not only is this one of the best romance novels, it is also one of my all-time favourite books. Barry is a husband, father, and grandfather from Antigua, who has been living in London for close to 50 years. His wife knows he has been unfaithful, but what she doesn’t know is that Barry has been cheating on her for the last sixty years with his best friend, Morris. While not the traditional set up for a romantic novel, this book balances the sorrow of being trapped in a loveless, deceptive marriage, with the deep love and adoration Barry feels for Morris. Barry’s an excellent narrator: his chapters are funny, heart-felt and a joy to read, counterbalanced by the poetic, emotive prose of his wife Carmel’s narrative. If you read one book on this list, or indeed any of the titles I’ve curated, read this one.

Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth

This novel is a beautiful portrayal of the anxieties of first love. In Crossmore, a small Irish village in the 1990s, fifteen-year-old Lucy navigates her group of friends, the attention of childhood friend Martin, and the wider societal expectations of the time. That summer, Lucy falls for her friend Susannah. What starts as a crush spirals into obsession, and Lucy grapples with the strength of her devotion against the backdrop of conservative Crossmore, which is in many ways a character in its own right. I love the way the novel parallels religion and love, and it remains one of my most annotated books to date.

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Any of Emily Henry’s books could be contenders for a great romance recommendation, but this one is my favourite. It’s also the most fitting, for a column on books. Nora is ambitious, she lives and works in the city and is career-driven. When her sister insists she take a trip to the countryside, she braces for the inevitable romance trope: falling for a small-town, family-oriented cowboy who wants a homely woman. Instead, she meets Charlie—an editor from the city. The subversion of expectations makes this stand out as a romance novel, while it embraces some aspects, such as the ‘third act tension’, Henry handles this beautifully, and the relationship between Charlie and Nora feels heartachingly real.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

It’s a classic, and for good reason. It’s the original enemies-to-lovers romance: it did it first and it did it best. Austen’s characterisation makes this novel timeless, depicting human nature honestly and humourously. If you’re hesitant about reading classical literature for fear of them being too complex or long-winded, this is an excellent starting point. It’s well-paced and truly a literary masterpiece that has been setting the pattern for many love stories since.

The Switch by Beth O’Leary

This is one of those books that feels like a warm hug. Leena is ordered to take a two-month sabbatical from work, and her grandmother, Eileen, is looking for a second chance at love. So, they decide to swap houses, and lives, for two months: Eileen goes to London and Leena travels to rural Yorkshire. What ensues is a heartwarming story, Leena encounters gossiping neighbours and a village event (what light-hearted rom-com is complete without one?) while the meddlesome Eileen is a hit in London with her granddaughter’s flatmates and neighbours. I have a soft spot for love stories centred around the elderly, and this book is no exception. Read it, then pass it on to your mum or grandma for them to read.