Hearts, Heat, and Happily Ever Afters
Happy Valentines Day!
February marks the beginning of the Season of Romance, and bestie, I have some book recommendations for you! Whether you’re craving rom‑com banter, ballroom‑worthy swoons, celestial longing, mythic obsession, or a little dark‑romance, this lineup is ready to sweep you off your feet.
We’re kicking things off with the Vine Mess Duology by Tessa Bailey, a rom‑com delight packed with charm, heat, and…wine. If you’re in the mood for something lush and Regency‑tinged, Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series brings all the scandal, yearning, and all the slow‑burn tension your heart can handle.
For readers who love their romance written in the stars, Heavenly Bodies by Imani Erriu offers cosmic passion wrapped in lyrical prose. And if mythic seduction is calling your name, the Hades x Persephone saga by Scarlett St. Clair delivers obsession, power, and underworld heat in equal measure.
Craving something darker? Pretty Monster by Sheridan Ann slides in with danger, desire, and morally gray temptation. And for a spicy twist with a “why choose” edge, The Never List by Jade Presley brings reverse‑harem energy, high stakes, and a heroine who refuses to settle for just one.
Tessa Bailey: Rom‑Com Royalty with a Napa Valley Glow
If you’re looking for romance that feels like sunshine, sass, and a glass of cabernet poured at exactly the right moment, Tessa Bailey’s Vine Mess duology is the perfect place to start. Secretly Yours gives us Hallie Welch, a chaotic‑cute gardener who once almost kissed Julian Vos in the dark vineyards of his family’s winery. Years later, he’s back, and he’s broody, brilliant, and completely unprepared for the whirlwind that is Hallie. As she revamps the Vos estate gardens, old crushes spark, pining intensifies, and that long‑awaited smooch suddenly feels dangerously within reach.
Then there’s Unfortunately Yours, where Natalie Vos, Julian’s sister returns home after a spectacular life meltdown. Job gone, fiancé gone, pride slightly dented. After drowning her sorrows in cabernet and recalibrating her life plan, she’s ready to launch a new business… if only she could access her trust fund. The catch? It requires a marriage of convenience to the one man who pushes every button she has. Bailey blends humor, heat, and heartache into rom‑com magic, making both books feel like the perfect Valentine’s pairing.
Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton Series: Ballroom Glances, Scandal, and a Gossip Columnist
If your heart beats a little faster at the thought of ballroom scandals, stolen glances, and love stories wrapped in Regency elegance, Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series is the ultimate comfort read. I’m sure you’ve watched the series on Netflix, and they are really good, but bestie, the books are so much better! Each book follows a different Bridgerton sibling as they navigate society’s expectations, family chaos, and the kind of slow‑burn yearning that makes you want to clutch the pages. From witty duels of intellect to tender confessions behind closed doors, Quinn delivers romance that feels both classic and deliciously addictive. Whether you’re here for the banter, the drama, or the grand gestures that make you sigh into your teacup, this series is a perfect escape into a world where love always finds its way—often with a bit of scandal along the journey to happily ever after.
Heavenly Bodies by Imani Erriu: A Cosmic Love Story That Claimed My Top Spot of 2025
If you’re in the mood for a romance that feels like stardust settling on your skin, Heavenly Bodies is the book you reach for with both hands. Imani Erriu crafts a love story that’s equal parts cosmic yearning and emotional gravity, pulling you into a universe where desire feels mythic and every chapter glows. This novel didn’t just sweep me away, it completely owned my reading year, earning its place as my top book of 2025. The prose is lush, the tension is magnetic, and the romance unfolds with the kind of slow, celestial ache that lingers long after the final page. It’s the perfect pick for readers who want their love stories to feel vast, poetic, and written in the stars. I haven’t read book two, but it’s been released and I have some really high expectations.
The Hades x Persephone Saga by Scarlett St. Clair: Obsession, Power, and Underworld Heat
If you love your romance with a side of Greek mythology, and a whole lot of forbidden longing, Scarlett St. Clair’s Hades x Persephone saga is the perfect descent. This series takes the classic myth and infuses it with modern grit, emotional complexity, and a chemistry so intense it practically crackles off the page. Persephone’s journey from self‑doubt to self‑possession unfolds against Hades’ brooding, magnetic presence, creating a dynamic that’s equal parts tender, volatile, and irresistibly addictive. Every book deepens their bond while raising the stakes. Best enjoyed as a tandem read. If you’re craving a love story that explores power, vulnerability, and the kind of devotion that reshapes worlds, this saga delivers in spades.
Pretty Monster by Sheridan Ann: Dark Temptation
If your romance tastes lean a little on the dark side, Pretty Monster by Sheridan Ann is the perfect plunge into the shadows. This story thrives on danger, obsession, and the kind of morally gray tension that keeps you glued to the page. It’s messy, addictive, and unapologetically intense. If you’re craving something that bites back this one earns its place on your Season of Romance lineup.
The Never List by Jade Presley: A Spicy, High‑Stakes Why‑Choose
If you’re craving a romance that refuses to limit itself to just one love interest, The Never List by Jade Presley brings the full why‑choose fantasy to life. Presley builds a world where loyalty is tested, chemistry sparks in every direction, and the stakes rise with each chapter. It’s fast‑paced, addictive, and delightfully indulgent, delivering that perfect mix of plot, spice, and emotional tension. If you’re ready to dive into a reverse‑harem romance this one is an irresistible addition to your February reading stack.
So whether you’re spending this season wrapped in a cozy blanket, plotting your next fictional crush, or simply looking for a story that makes your heart do that little flutter thing, these books are ready to sweep you off your feet. Now it’s your turn. What romances are living rent‑free in your mind this February? Drop your favorites in the comments and let’s build the ultimate Romance TBR together.
