For Lovers of Stories on Valentines

Tuesday the 14th of February is a day for lovers and whether you believe in it or not nearly everywhere you look you will see signs of love on this day. This will either suffocate you, make you sad or you’ll be one of the blissful ones in their own love bubble. My solution to anything is to read so I’ve compiled a short list of books that have a romance angle to them and may help you on this day regardless of how it makes you feel.

1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. An English classic, this story was first published in 1813 and has stood the test of time. The story is mainly focused on Elizabeth Bennet and her growing relationship with Mr Darcy. It also passes comment on Regency Britain and the themes of wealth, marriage and class are at the forefront of the book. With its many different film adaptions who hasn’t heard of Mr Darcy? If you haven’t read it, give it a go, the book is nearly always better than the movie.
2. A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole. A young adult book, this one managed to bring me to tears. I don’t want to give too much away but if you are after a book where the two lovers never give up on each other, this is it. Warning: it is SAD. Don’t read it if you already feel that way.
3. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. The TV show based on Gabaldon’s books are massive at the moment, but seriously the books are better. There is only so much detail you can fit on film and the books give you a much better insight to the story. The first one in the series, Outlander, is a tale of fate and how there is no escaping it. With it’s historical angle this is a good novel for those of you who like romance but don’t want it to be the whole story.
4. Into the Blue by Pene Henson. A friends to lovers m/m romance this story is perfect if you are after a laid back read. Set mainly in Hawaii with a surfing backdrop, don’t let the sweet vibe fool you.I stayed up way past my bedtime to find out what happened to the kids at the Blue House. Perfect if you want the feels without over thinking it.
5. Broken by Nicola Haken. This one has a mental health angle which really made me stop and think. Told from the perspective of a man battling with his mental demons and the person who loves him this m/m romance goes so much further than love. It is disturbing at times, especially if you are or know someone who is going through some mental health problems, but it brings to light a subject to often swept under the rug.

That’s my top 5 picks for Valentine’s Day. None of them are the traditional boy meets girl, they fall in love, get married, have kids and live happily ever after. Real life isn’t like that and although I like my stories to be fiction, I want an element of realness in the characters I’m going to spend time with. Hope there is something here to suit your fancy. Happy creating!