Who needs a Valentine when you've got Mr Darcy to snuggle up with?
Valentine’s Day or not, we’re all *secretly* suckers for a good romantic story. But there’s something about reading one during the month of love that makes them even more exciting. Maybe it’s seeing all the cupid and arrow displays at the mall, or the fact that almost everyone on social media‘s posting lovey-dovey pictures. Who knows? The only thing for certain is that when romance is in the air, it makes us want to snuggle up with a good tear-jerker. From modern bestsellers and new favourites to romance classics and historical fiction, we’ve rounded up our fave reads for the month of love. Let the fantasising begin…
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
New girl in town Eleanor brings with her a whole lot of chaos– from her crazy red hair to her unique outfits – that you can’t not miss her. But there’s a cute, quiet guy on the bus who, despite thinking he’s mastered the art of camouflage, has caught her eye. They start talking and exchanging mix-tapes and the rest is history. If you’re feeling nostalgic about your first love, you’ll want to add this to your reading list.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
There’s no better time to re-read this faithful romantic classic. The outspoken Elizabeth Bennett finally meets her match in the prickly Mr Darcy. Read the book to catch their witty banter and delicate flirting and read on a few hundred pages more before you scream: “JUST GET IT ON ALREADY!”.
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
Genetics professor Don Tillman is determined to find a wife. So what does a socially awkward super genius do? Make a 16-page survey to find the perfect match of course. He ends up finding Rosie, someone who doesn’t fit into the equation at all. But who’s he to argue with science?
Modern Love: True Stories of Love, Loss and Redemption by Daniel Jones
Currently an Amazon Prime video series, these essays from the eponymous New York Times column feature real love stories from a series of contributors. While some stories are painfully relatable and some are more unconventional, they all reveal what we know to be true – love is a many splendored, and often complicated, thing.
Love Story by Erich Segal
Boy meets girl. Boy is rich and smart, girl is beautiful but not so rich; they’re opposites in every way but definitely MFEO. As they defy their parents and try to make it on their own, all is well until one of them finds they have a fatal medical condition. Will love truly conquer all? Make sure you have your box of tissues handy when your read this one and catch the film adaptation (we love the Ali McGraw version) too!
When Katie Met Cassidy by Camille Perri
Broken-hearted Katie wasn’t looking for love. It was probably the last thing on her mind, especially after being dumped by her fiancé. But when she meets and gets to know Cassidy, she begins to question her feelings, sexual orientation and values. Their attraction is undeniable, and so are all the complications that come along with it. This is one of those books you’ll want to read in one sitting, that’s for sure!
