Romance Novels to Warm Up Your February
Come for the spice 🌶️, stay for the love stories 💘
Notes from a Kindred Spirit is a bi-weekly newsletter about embracing curiosity, exploring hobbies, living with chronic illness, and finding contentment in the everyday.
Hi friends,
Have you ever been to a midnight book release party?
I went to my first one on January 20th to celebrate the release of Onyx Storm, the third book in Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean romantasy (romance + fantasy) series. I had a great time and even won a signed bookplate from the author!
Speaking of romantasy, we’ve survived the first month of 2025 and made it to February, the unofficial month of love. And that means…
🎉 Romance book recommendations from yours truly! 🎉
I’ve got lots of great recs for you, but first, a quick note on open vs closed-door romances.
Open-door romance novels include explicit descriptions of sex on the page.
In closed-door romances, the sex happens “behind closed doors” and off the page, so you won’t read any explicit details.
🌶️ Please note that all of the recommendations in this list are open-door with the exception of Pride and Prejudice and the YA (young adult) books.
I’d love to hear about your favourite romance novel. I’ll meet you in the comments!
Adult Fiction
For laugh-out-loud moments, read
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren | Published in 2019
This contemporary romance follows Olive Torres, who considers herself to be the most unlucky person in the world and who also happens to be the twin sister to the luckiest person ever.
After a tragic food poisoning incident at her twin sister Ami’s wedding, Olive agrees to pose as her sister and go on the honeymoon that Ami won in a contest. The catch is that Olive has to go to Maui with her nemesis and new brother-in-law, Ethan.
But, after ten days as unhoneymooners, Olive is beginning to wonder why Ethan became her nemesis in the first place.
My thoughts
This was such a fun read! I laughed out loud multiple times at the hijinks Ethan and Olive get up to in Maui. Olive’s character has such great depth and complexity and her growth was spot on.
The communication and banter between her and Ethan felt real and grounded. This was my first Christina Lauren novel and I’ll definitely be picking up another one!
Trigger warnings: infidelity, sexual content, body shaming, toxic relationship
For chronic migraine rep & lots of steam, read
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams | Published in 2021
This book features chronic migraine rep based on the author’s personal experiences.
Instead of giving you my brief synopsis of what the book is about I’m just going to share the blurb from Grand Central Publishing with you because I want it to convince you to read this book!
Eva is a single mom and bestselling romance writer who’s feeling pressed from all sides. Shane is a reclusive, award-winning literary author who, to everyone's surprise, shows up in New York. When Shane and Eva meet unexpectedly at a literary event, sparks fly, raising not only their past buried traumas, but the eyebrows of New York's Black literati.
What no one knows is that twenty years earlier, teenage Eva and Shane spent one crazy week madly in love before everything fell apart. Over the next seven days, Eva and Shane reconnect, but Eva's not sure how she can trust the man who broke her heart. Before Shane disappears again, there are a few questions she needs answered...
My thoughts
I absolutely love this book! It was sexy and fun and heartwarming and emotional. This is definitely a character-driven novel and the character development was fantastic.
The invisible disability rep was spot on and I really appreciated the way it was handled. Especially how Eva’s perception of her disability affects the way she approaches relationships.
This was an easy 5 stars for me! Definitely recommend!
Trigger warnings: self-harm, drug abuse, alcoholism
For Canadiana and summer vibes, read
Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune | Published in 2023
Meet Me at the Lake introduces us to Fern and Will who met in their early twenties and spent one spectacular summer day together in Toronto. At the end of the day, they promise each other they will meet again in a year at Brookbanks, the lakeside resort Fern’s mother runs and Fern is set to take over.
Fern showed up and waited as planned, but Will never did. Nine years later, Will arrives back in Fern’s life at a time when she may feel even more lost than she did as the twenty-something who fell for Will in 24 hours. But why is he nine years late?
My thoughts
I devoured this novel! I read Carley Fortune’s debut in only 5 days and finished this one in 6.
Similar to what the author did so well in Every Summer After, this novel is also structured with chapters alternating between the past and present day. This structure makes her novels compulsively readable and her characters only add to that need to keep reading.
The book also touches on some important themes such as grief and anxiety, but does so in a tasteful and authentic way. I loved watching adult Fern learn more about herself and grow over the course of the novel. The Canadian Easter eggs were so fun too! I can’t wait for Carley Fortune’s next romance!
Trigger warnings: death of a parent, grief, pregnancy, sexual content, car accident, anxiety, mental illness
For a complex female protagonist questioning social rituals around romance, read
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld | Published in 2023
In Romantic Comedy, we meet Sally Milz, a veteran sketch writer for the weekly live comedy show, “The Night Owls.” Sally is surrounded by male writers and actors at work and decides to use one of her sketches to poke fun at a trend she’s noticed developing at the show.
The “Danny Horst Rule,” as she dubs it, is the phenomenon where gorgeous and talented women guest star on “The Night Owls” and end up falling for one of the average Joe, nerdy male writers or actors.
Sally wants to use the sketch to point out that the reverse of this would never happen for one of the women writers on staff. But then, that week’s guest host is announced and it is none other than singing superstar Noah Brewster. Sally can’t be sure, but there might even be…sparks?
My thoughts
This book was a joy to read! Sally is a complex woman and not the type of female protagonist that is often written—creatively driven, divorced, and confident in her job but less so in her relationships. Her insecurities and how they affected her relationship with Noah felt authentic and grounded.
I was worried I’d be negatively affected by the inclusion of the pandemic but I wasn’t. The way the author handled it was very well done because it was acknowledged and affected some of the circumstances in which Sally lives, but it was not the focus. Now, I’m interested in reading more Curtis Sittenfeld!
Trigger warnings: pandemic, sexual content, death of parent, alcoholism, pregnancy, cancer
For romantasy with chronic illness/disability rep, read
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros | Published in 2023
I couldn’t call myself a romantasy fan and not read this book!
In Fourth Wing, we meet Violet Sorrengail who is being forced into the Rider Quadrant of Basgiath War College by her mother even though Violet’s been preparing her whole life to join the Scribe Quadrant.
Becoming a Rider means bonding with a dragon of all things, and Violet isn’t sure she has what it takes physically, especially when she’s smaller than everyone else and her joints won’t stay where they’re supposed to. But Violet’s life isn’t only at risk because of her lack of physical strength, she’s also at risk because of who her mother is.
As if that weren’t enough, danger lurks outside the college as the magic protecting the kingdom falters and enemies invade. If Violet survives to graduation, her life will never be the same.
My thoughts
What a fun f*cking riiiiiide!! I had a blast reading this book. The college, the dragons, and the whole world the author created were so fun to live in.
I absolutely loved the chronic illness/disability rep in this book. The main character struggling to survive in a ruthless college when her body isn’t built like everyone else’s was so relatable. Her struggle against her own stubbornness when it came to pushing her limits or accepting accommodations was so thoughtfully done and came across very authentically.
Also, no complaints about the spice from me! It was sexy and fun to read, and I’m glad there are more books to look forward to in the series! (I’m currently reading the third one so 🤫, no spoilers!)
Trigger warnings: death, violence, sexual content, war, death of a parent, bullying, ableism
Honourable mentions
For a modern epistolary* novel, read
The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary | Published in 2019
For a reminder to prioritize yourself, read
It’s Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake by Claire Christian | Published in 2020
For a timeless, classic love story, read
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Published in 1813
YA Fiction
For a graphic novel with LGBTQIA+ characters, read
Heartstopper Vol.1 by Alice Oseman | Published in 2018
Yes, I am one of those people who hadn’t read this graphic novel series yet, but then immediately bought them after watching the Netflix adaptation!
This series follows Nick and Charlie who become close friends. Charlie can’t believe he’s fallen for a “straight boy” but Nick is struggling to understand his own feelings and soon the relationship turns into a romance.
The graphic novels follow Nick and Charlie on their journey as high school boys in love with each other as they navigate life’s joys and challenges.
My thoughts
What can I say about these books that hasn’t already been said? They are a delight.
Nick and Charlie’s romance reminded me so much of David and Patrick on Schitt’s Creek. It’s wholesome and positive but not without its ups and downs.
And the side characters are so lovable too! Honestly, I just love these books. Go read them!
Trigger warnings: homophobia, bullying, sexual harassment, toxic relationship, outing
For gothic fantasy vibes, read
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace | Published in 2022
In Belladonna we meet Signa, a young woman who was orphaned as a child and has grown up under the guardianship of one relative after another—all of whom are interested in the fortune her parents left her—but each one passes away mysteriously.
When Signa arrives at Thorn Grove, she meets her cousin Blythe who is battling the same illness that killed Signa’s aunt. Signa is haunted by her Aunt Lillian who tells her that she was poisoned and that the same thing is happening to Blythe.
In order to uncover the murderer, Signa is forced to work together with Death, a presence she detests but is utterly curious about. Could their connection help save Blythe in time?
My thoughts
This book is the perfect autumn/Halloween read! It’s not something I’d typically pick up but I really enjoyed it! It’s a bit like if you added the spirit world to Bridgerton. The core mystery kept me interested and I found the main character to be both relatable and loveable.
And, if you enjoy it, there are 2 more books in the trilogy that are just as good!
Trigger warnings: death, death of a parent, grief, murder, sexual content, animal death, alcohol, physical abuse
For OCD rep with great humour, read
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert | Published in 2023
This YA novel follows Bradley and Celine, two high schoolers who used to be best friends and are now more like enemies.
Celine is ambitious and has her future mapped out, but when Brad signs up for the same outdoor survival test to compete against her for the grand prize, her future begins to feel less clear.
They begin to wonder if they should put the past behind them and be friends again, but each has their own anxieties to contend with first.
My thoughts
This is a great YA romance! I appreciated that it has a dual POV so you are in Brad’s head as he copes with his OCD, his feelings for Celine, and worries about his future. Celine’s POV also helps you appreciate her character's growth throughout the novel.
I just love Talia Hibbert’s writing style! I love the sarcasm and humour she infuses into her writing because it just makes her books so enjoyable to read.
Trigger warnings: mental illness, abandonment, injury/injury detail, medical content, bullying
Over to you! Do you have a favourite romance novel? Hit reply to this email and let me know or leave a comment!
Happy romance reading,
P.S. I have 3 digital products available in the Notion Marketplace!
📚 BOOK CLUB HUB for the book club host who wants to organize their club with ease so they can focus on the fun part—reading good books and chatting about them with friends! It’s perfect for small to medium virtual or in-person clubs.
📖 CURATED BOOK LISTS for the book club host or bookworm who doesn’t know what to read next.
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This is such a great list! I absolutely LOVED the show Heartstopper, I'll have to give the graphic novels a read. Also, how fun you went to a book release party! I'm reading Onyx Storm right now 🐉