Emilie Hornby just had the worst Valentine’s Day ever. Her boyfriend, Josh, cheated on her with his ex, her summer fellowship in Chicago got revoked, and she wrecked her car. All she can do is go to her grandmother’s house and pass out on the couch, hoping to start the next day fresh. But when she wakes up, it’s the same Valentine’s Day. Stuck in a time loop, Emilie is forced to relive this horrible day of infidelity and misfortune over and over again, no matter how many times she tries to fix it. Yet there’s one surprising upside to each do-over: Emilie’s also growing closer to Nick, her handsome, mysterious lab partner.
Even though Valentine’s Day was last week, nothing says spring like this holiday, which makes this book perfect for the romantic season. If you like fun, wholesome reads and the movie Groundhog Day, Painter’s story is right up your alley!
As a girl who’s frequently labeled “boy-crazy,” everyone in Ophelia Rojas’ life knows her as a hopeless romantic, a girl who loves growing roses, wearing florals, and crushing hard on boys at her high school. She knows exactly who she is, and even though it’s the spring semester of her senior year, which means prom, graduation, and eventually moving away for college, Ophelia can take on anything life throws at her. Except when cute, intelligent Talia Sanchez starts to occupy her thoughts. Ophelia catches feelings, and everything she thought she knew starts to unravel. Facing change, friendship drama, and others’ expectations, Ophelia must rediscover who she is.
Marie’s story is a love letter to everyone discovering their identity and sexuality—perfect for the rebirth spring brings. With a Cuban-Irish protagonist, culturally diverse found-family friendships, and a heartfelt, humorous coming-of-age narrative, there’s a lot to love in this book!
The Mid-Autumn Festival mooncake-making competition hosted by a Malaysian celebrity chef is coming up, and Dylan Tang intends to win it. His family’s struggling Chinese takeout business is on the line, and winning would give it the financial boost it desperately needs. Aspiring chef Dylan is ready to do anything it takes. The only complication is his budding crush, Theo Somers, a rich, handsome boy who convinces Dylan to be his pretend boyfriend for his family’s Hamptons wedding. In the midst of the important mooncake contest and Somers family drama, Dylan starts to truly fall for Theo, which complicates matters even more.
This book has all the sweetness, hijinks, and comforting romance you could ever want in a rom-com for spring. It also features a high-stakes cooking competition and vivid descriptions of Chinese food and culture, if that’s your taste!
Every time Lara Jean has a crush, she writes a letter to the boy, seals it in her secret box of letters, and hides it under her bed, never to let any of these confessions see the light of day. But suddenly, all five of the letters are mailed to the boys by accident, and Lara Jean’s quiet life turns upside down. She comes face-to-face with the crushes of her past: one being her sister’s ex-boyfriend, Josh, the next-door neighbor, and the other being charming, popular Peter, the first boy she ever kissed. In an effort to deal with Josh, and Peter’s own want to get over his ex, they strike a deal: a fake relationship to solve both their problems. When feelings get too real, Lara Jean starts to wonder if a romance can truly come out of these letters.
The Netflix movie adaptation of this book is such a nostalgic watch for me, so I’m sure the book is just as good—probably even better. To anyone looking for a feel-good read, look no further!
While there are a few recommendations here, there are definitely even more romances to enjoy outside of this list. And even though spring also means the dreaded midterms and finals, the season of love should be enjoyed to the fullest, no matter if you’re in a relationship or not. In my opinion, some light-hearted YA rom-coms are sure to do the trick!
Danielle Hartshorn, Pine Reads Review Writer & Editor