Jasmine Guillory, Helen Huang, Lucy Score and More Romance Authors Recommend Hot New Valentine’s Day Reads (Exclusive)

Nisha J. Tuli recommends ‘Courtroom Drama’ by Neely Tubati Alexander

“I was absolutely obsessed with Courtroom Drama. The pining and longing just sucked me in. Every detail of the story was so vivid it felt like I was sitting in the witness box with Sydney and Damon. I couldn’t get enough of the romance and mystery with all the juicy details of a high-profile crime.” — Nisha J. Tuli, author of Trial of the Sun Queen and the forthcoming Not Safe for Work

Tia Williams recommends ‘The Love Lyric’ by Kristina Forest

“I’m a huge fan of Kristina Forest’s work, so I was itching to read her latest, The Love Lyric — especially when I discovered that it centers a single mom (an underserved demo, to be sure). After a whirlwind courtship, marriage and baby, beauty executive Iris finds herself widowed with a darling daughter. Romance is the furthest from her mind when she spots superstar singer, Angel, at a wedding — and literally swoons.

Later, when a beauty campaign thrusts them into a professional collab, sparks fly. Does their chemistry test the bounds of professionalism? Yes. And it makes for a delicious will-they-or-won’t-they romance.” — Tia Williams, author of A Love Song for Ricki Wilde and the forthcoming Audre & Bash are Just Friends

Alicia Thompson recommends ‘The Romance Rivalry’ by Susan Lee

“If you love romance and consider yourself a student of the genre, you have to read Susan Lee’s The Romance Rivalry because it is such a smart, swoony ode to all your favorite tropes. But don’t worry, it won’t feel like going back to school — Susan writes with such heart and gentle humor, the pages just fly by. I love Aiden and Irene so much!” — Alicia Thompson, author of Never Been Shipped

Amy Spalding recommends ‘Cover Story’ by Celia Laskey

“I love a Hollywood romance, and Celia Laskey’s Cover Story gave me everything I want in one — the glamour, the behind-the-scenes dirt and of course a devastatingly sexy movie star to fall head-over-heels for. The book is also a thoughtful look at grief and anxiety and the power love has to transform our lives.” — Amy Spalding, author of On Her Terms 

TJ Alexander recommends ‘Single Player’ by Tara Tai

“Tara Tai’s debut contemporary romcom Single Player is the most fun book I’ve read in years. Cat and Andi are thrown together to work on the romance plotlines of a major video game release and love starts to bloom outside the pixelated world. It’s a great queer romance for gaymers and nerds of all stripes, but even readers unfamiliar with gaming and D&D will find joy in this unique setting.” — TJ Alexander, author of A Gentleman’s Gentleman 

Lucy Score recommends ‘If You Stayed’ by Brittainy Cherry

“I can’t wait to pick up Brittainy Cherry’s If You Stayed in April. She’s an amazing writer and an even better human being. Also, we share the same agent and Brittainy is her favorite so I need to scope out my competition.” — Lucy Score, author of Story of My Life

Regina Black recommends ‘Losing Sight’ by Tati Richardson

“I loved Tati Richardson’s Losing Sight, which blends magic and romance in a story about a sports reporter whose failing eyesight leads her to an enchanted pair of glasses — and into the arms of a charming optometrist. What makes this tale shine is Richardson’s balance of wit and tenderness as she explores grief and second chances. This modern fairy tale proves love grows richer — and steamier — after 40.” — Regina Black, author of August Lane

Annabel Monaghan recommends ‘What If I Never Get Over You’ by Paige Toon

“No one writes falling in love like Paige Toon, and her new novel, What If I Never Get Over You is her most heart-grabbing, gut-wrenching love story yet. Ellie and Ash fall in love over three days while interrailing around Europe and vow to meet up again, but don’t. Six years later, they are thrown together at a 500-year-old estate in Wales, and what follows is epic in scale and staggering in its beauty. I highly recommend preparing for a book hangover.” — Annabel Monaghan, author of It’s a Love Story

Elsie Silver recommends ‘Left of Forever’ by Tarah DeWitt

“I read an early copy of Tarah Dewitt’s upcoming release, Left of Forever, and I already know it’s going to be one of my top books of the year. A realistic second-chance romance that is beautifully written — it’s the perfect blend of humor, emotion, and that chest-aching soulmate vibe that I love!” — Elsie Silver, author of Wild Eyes and the forthcoming Wild Side 

Mia Sosa recommends ‘A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke’ by Andriana Herrera

“The latest (and final) book in Herrera’s Las Leonas series is an absolute triumph. It pairs Aurora Montalban Wright, a physician running an underground women’s clinic in Paris, with Apollo César Sinclair Robles, a newly minted duke still figuring out his place among the ton. This isn’t a match the aristocracy would approve of, and sinister forces are determined to keep them apart. Still, these two find themselves sharing a bed — and much to their surprise — a whole lot more.

Herrera accomplishes so much, imbuing this love story with humor and wit, challenging racist and misogynistic beliefs and showcasing the positively electric sexual and intellectual chemistry between these leads. This book is not to be missed.” — Mia Sosa, author of When Javi Dumped Mari 

Jasmine Guillory recommends ‘On Her Terms’ by Amy Spalding

“I adored On Her Terms by Amy Spalding! A bighearted, funny, tender romance about coming out later in life, finding the kind of love and companionship that you want and real, strong friendship.” — Jasmine Guillory, author of Flirting Lessons

Jeff Zentner recommends ‘Love on Tour’ by Lee Adams

“I devoured Love on Tour by Lee Adams. She brings an insider’s knowledge of the country music industry to this swoony, smart, heartwrenching, love song of a book, making for a reading experience that leaps out to grab you and draw you in for one more page … just one more page … okay, one more page.” — Jeff Zentner, author of Colton Gentry’s Third Act

Allison Ashley recommends ‘Just Our Luck’ by Denise Williams

“The thing I love most about Denise Williams is that every book she writes is both one-of-a-kind and something special. Just Our Luck is no different, offering a fresh and delightful spin to the fake dating trope with donuts, a winning lottery ticket and a rich cast of side characters (no pun intended). And the icing on top? Williams’ signature wit, steam and romance make it impossible not to root for Sybil and Kieran to find their happily-ever-after.” — Allison Ashley, author of If Tomorrow Never Comes

Helen Hoang recommends ‘Flirting Lessons’ by Jasmine Guillory

“I’m excited to read Jasmine Guillory’s newest romance, Flirting Lessons. As awkward as I am, I would have loved actual flirting lessons when I was first dating, and the idea of a flirting mentor falling for her mentee is positively delicious. Furthermore, with this being Jasmine’s first sapphic romance, this is bound to be a special one.” — Helen Hoang, author ofThe Heart Principle