It’s February, which means Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! Celebrate this season of love, friendship, and connection by reading some romantic Valentine’s Day books. Whether you’re a fan of romance or not, these reads are great ways to explore the genre and celebrate this holiday!
Valentine’s Day Books for Elementary Students
Whether or not you’re expecting any sweets this Valentine’s Day, treat yourself by picking up a book that will warm your heart!
Emma Emmets: Playground Matchmaker by Julia DeVillers
Emma Emmets enters fourth grade excited for the year ahead, ready to make her mark on her classroom. When her friend gives her the credit for setting up her new relationship, Emma’s goal is already set in motion—everyone in her class now wants her to be their matchmaker! How does she fare in this new role, and what will happen when she gets her toughest client yet: popular girl Isla?
Readers find this book to be a cute, realistic portrayal of crushes and “dating” in Elementary school. The characters are compelling, the protagonist is relatable, and the cute quizzes DeVillers scattered throughout the story are a great tool to keep your attention while giving you the opportunity to close read.
Dragon Kiss by E.D. Baker
Do you prefer fantasy stories of another world to contemporary tales of today? If so, you’ll love E.D. Baker’s Dragon Kiss, the seventh installation in his series, The Tales of the Frog Princess. This stand-alone story follows Audun, an ice dragon who has fallen in love with Millie, a human princess.
Before he can make Millie’s acquaintance and win her heart, Audun must undergo an adventure of trials and tribulations in which he works hard and has his character tested. Dragon’s Kiss isn’t wholly about romance; it’s, for the most part, an adventure novel! This makes it one of the best books to read for Valentine’s Day for younger readers who love a fantastical tale.
Middle Grade Books for Valentine’s Day
These Valentine’s Day books for middle schoolers are loved for their realistic characters and the unique relationships between them.
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
A middle grade modern classic, Stargirl celebrates the choice of individuality and love over comfort and conformity. It follows Leo Borlock, who has always fit in with the crowd, as he and his entire school are shaken by the arrival of Stargirl—a unique, entirely out-of-the-box girl who had been homeschooled for 15 years before switching to public school.
The whole high school, Leo included, are shocked by Stargirl. While they are first fascinated with her strange outfits, ukulele songs, and bold nature, they soon turn to disdain and begin to shun her. Leo must choose between the crowd, where he has long been acclimated to blending in, and his true feelings, including a budding love for Stargirl and his own unique interests.
Redwood and Ponytail by K.A. Holt
If you’re a middle schooler looking for LGBTQ+ Valentine’s Day books to read this February, pick up Redwood and Ponytail at your local library! In this contemporary romance, opposites attract—stereotypically feminine, polished Kate and athletic, “tomboy”-ish Tam have a growing friendship, leading to a deeper connection than either of them had anticipated.
This novel tells the story of Kate and Tam through poems that switch between their perspectives. You’ll love getting to hear what each of them thinks through beautifully-written verses. Readers love the way Holt’s writing style emotionally moves them, encouraging all to root for the two leads to be who they are and not what society expects of them.
Valentine’s Day Books for Older Readers
If you’re in high school, your in-school Valentine’s Day celebration is likely lacking the mini valentines and candies of childhood. Keep the holiday’s romantic spirit alive by reading a romance this February! From classics to modern YA romance, these are some of the best Valentine’s romance books around.
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
If you’ve read any of Jane Austen’s work or even seen the movie adaptations, you know that a strong thematic focus of her work is the relationship between social status and love. Her affinity for writing compelling romantic stories made her a must-add to this list of romance books to read for Valentine’s.
Set in the early 19th century, Sense and Sensibility (Austen’s first novel) follows the two eldest half-sisters of the Dashwood family, Elinor and Marianna, as the loss of their father sends their family away from their home to a cottage on a distant relative’s property. In this new place, the teenage sisters explore new romantic interests, each attempting to balance reason and emotion; that is, sense and sensibility.
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
No list of the best Valentine’s romance books for high schoolers would be complete without a YA “romantasy” (that is, romantic fantasy). If you’re an older student who prefers adventure and fantasy to realistic fiction, you’ll devour Serpent & Dove.
To escape her coven two years ago, Louise le Blanc gave up her identity and all magic. She fled to the city Cesarine for a new start; unfortunately for her, that’s where witches like her are persecuted. When she is placed into an impossible situation with a witch hunter by the name of Reid Diggory, she must juggle the weight of her secret identity and the romantic feelings growing within her. Readers love the way Mahurin wrote about magic and characterized the leads. Plus, if you enjoy this read, it’s the first in a trilogy of more magical romance!
The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James
Not all love stories evade tragedies. 70 years after Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, Henry James published The Portrait of a Lady, which follows the beautiful and spirited Isabel Archer as she travels from New York to London, soon inheriting a great sum of wealth. What ensues is a dramatic struggle between Isabel’s desire for freedom, her romantic feelings, and a cruel man’s desire to control her.
For years, readers have loved The Portrait of a Lady largely due to its characterization. Isabel Archer has clear desires and aversions, a realistic and complex inner life, and a vividly-described personality. Those interested in psychology will especially love this over the other Valentine’s Day books in this collection, as James frequently analyzes the human condition throughout his descriptions of Isabel’s thought processes.
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
To complete this collection of Valentine’s Day books with a contemporary YA romance, we’ve selected Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute, Talia Hibbert’s most recent novel. Ex-best friends Bradley and Celine used to be two peas in a pod, separated by academic rivalry and the influence of popularity-obsessed society, both online and offline.
When they both sign up for the same survival course, they must work as a team for the first time in years. Will the course cause an even deeper rift or rekindle their friendship—or spark something more? Those looking for a light-hearted novel to read this February will enjoy Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute, especially the unique, modern-day personalities of Bradley and Celine and their witty, banter-filled conversations.
Improve your Reading & Writing Skills
We hope you found your next read in this collection of Valentine’s Day books! Whether you have plans with a special someone, a fun celebration in the classroom, or even zero expectations for this holiday, reading a romantic story is a lovely way to celebrate the holiday while improving your reading skills. How do authors build a romance through characterization and imagery? How do they utilize literary devices in their descriptions? Think about those ideas as you read!
Make sure to check out our Valentine’s Day Activities for a collection of fun classroom activities and independent assignments themed for this lovely holiday! It features an excerpt from Jane Austen’s esteemed Pride & Prejudice and corresponding reading comprehension questions to test your skills.
Want to do more to improve your ELA skills? Along with our ISEE, SAT, and ACT test prep courses, we offer full online English courses—each includes dozens of concept lessons, personalized practice software, and over 100 reading comprehension passages.
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