Well it’s V-Day again and for those singles who are looking for a good book to escape to or couples that want to read together, here are some of my favorite romance authors.

Historical

Julia Quinn-Ah yes, I’ll start with a popular one because she was my gateway author. I enjoyed the first season on Netflix so I had to immediately read the book and then the rest of the series. I can best describe it as a fun, Austen-touch and oh so romantic, of course. The Viscount Who Loved Me is a romance for a bright sunny day and When She Was Wicked is for those moodily intense, rain soaked nights.

Maya Rodale- Historicals in the Gilded Age aren’t as popular as regency romance but I love the change in setting and how the women are much more engaged in flipping convention on its head while bilwildering the English dukes and Broadway tycoons.

Eva Leigh- Another one that is a bit more anachronistic but I admire how she blended 80s rom-coms into historical romance with some of the hottest scenes I’ve ever read in particular-Would I Lie to a Duke

Adriana Herrera-Her Las Leonas series totally blowed me away as a romance. I feel like it’s more than just a romance, it’s so nuanced in exploring the vulnerable complications of love and communication and unearthing underrated bits of Latina history.

Eloisa James-Her Desperate Duchess series is wonderful in delivering a variety of heroines beyond the virginal heroine trope. My particular favorite was the married couple finding their way back to each other’s arms again. Also chess is apparently very sexy.

Courtney Milan- Milan’s writing is refreshing as she allows her protagonists to struggle against internal and external forces without resorting to the tired miscommunication trope. They actually like adults and I loved it.

Liana de La Rose-Another Latina romance author to enjoy who blends action with romance and political intrigue. I can’t wait for the next one.

Contemporary

Rosie Danan-Her books are all about sex. Makes sense as pornstars are one half of the couples but really it strips away the messiness of sex and gets into the messiness of love and how sex impacts our identities, communities and self-image. Goes without saying the sex scenes are great and the character development is supurb. I actually reread The Intimacy Experiment tonight in honor of the day.

Alexis Daria-Telenovelas, dance competitions, empandas. Daria brings Latina representation to modern romance by breaking down stereotypes. I can’t wait for the final book in the Primas series.

Sonali Dev-She does excellent retellings of Austen faves with Bollywood flair. You can never go wrong with Austen adaptations. The Emma Project is my favorite.

YA

Lyla Lee- Her books always leave me smiling. The couples are so pure, I was rooting for them halfway through the book. They’re always a good pick-me-up.

Happy Valentine’s Day!