Valentine's Day is approaching soon. Dating apps may not be the optimal manner to find love or stay safe in this era of social distancing. Whether you are coupled, want to be, or not, maybe you're in the market for some passionate, romantic reads for this dedicated day of love and passion.

NYPL has a vast array of romance reads to choose from—featuring romance tropes like office romances, billionaires, friends-to-lovers—and the list goes on. So pull out your library card, and reserve or check out these HOT romantic reads! 
 

Stripped by Jasinda Wilder 

Grey is a young woman coming from highly religious, humble beginnings aspiring to be a dancer. But tragic circumstances force her to choose a less than the desired career of being an exotic dancer, straying away from her strong religious background. It's during one of her nights working where she meets the man who would change her life -- movie star Dawson Kellor. This book is intense, and readers will find themselves rooting for the couple as they deal with paparazzi, career changes, dysfunctional families, and much more. This book is the first in the “Stripped” series. 

Trashed by Jasinda Wilder

Des is a college student coming from very humble beginnings -- that being aged out of the foster care system. During her job as a sanitation worker, she comes across action star Adam Trenton (who just happens to be the best friend of previously mentioned Dawson Kellor). Her unique backstory and appearance take Des on a crash course career she never envisioned and on a path with Adam she never thought she was capable of having. This is the second title in the “Stripped” series; it is recommended to read the books in order.

Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren 

Hazel is a quirky, anxious woman who meets even-keeled Josh under less than ideal circumstances. They lose touch, only to become reacquainted and close friends years later. A nasty breakup has Josh spending more time with Hazel, and each question the nature of their role in each other lives as time passes. Are they friends...or more? Will they or won’t they? If they do, what happens if things go sour—will the friendship be over?

Stepbrother Dearest by Penelope Ward

Greta and Elec are stepsiblings. Greta’s never met anyone as confusing or as enigmatic as Elec; the feelings are not reciprocated. He can’t stand her, her mom, his dad, or anything they stand for. She loathes Elec, yet is intrigued by him. At times, he leaves such a bad taste in Greta’s mind, she nicknames him, “Stepbrother Dearest.” However, those feelings change after a family fight and Elec sees Greta in a different light, and they bond. But an incident would separate them until a tragic event occurs years later and they reunite. They aren’t teens anymore, and they are confused about their reciprocal feelings—even though Elec is in another relationship with his girlfriend Chelsea.

Neighbor Dearest by Penelope Ward

A woman is bothered by her neighbor’s noisy dogs, and the arrogance she perceives he has. He’s too busy living his life at the moment. An event from his past contributed to his current mindset and how he approaches life. Their backstories hold painful memories, and their lives intertwine. And in true romance form, there are roadblocks to their potential relationship’s progression. Note: There is a connection between this title and the prior title, Stepbrother Dearest. It is recommended to read Stepbrother Dearest first, and then this title to understand the connection between the two

Gabriel's Inferno Trilogy by Sylvain Reynard  

Julia is focused on her M.A. in literature, with a focus on Dante & Beatrice. Her ‘Dante’ was a young man from her youth she had a crush on....her best friend’s older brother. A chance encounter with this young man would change the course of her life. Gabriel is a professor with immense emotional baggage, who can’t figure Julia out. She’s meek...awkward, yet tenacious and intelligent. He’s drawn to her and doesn’t know why -- until it comes to him how their lives are intertwined. The trilogy focuses on the emotional connection they share and the roadblocks that they encounter. This is now a limited series on the romance-based platform, Passionflix.

The Stark Trilogy by J. Kenner 

Nikki is a former child/teen beauty queen, attempting to shed that image and reinvent herself in a new environment. Damien is an enigmatic billionaire who takes a liking to Nikki, after she begrudgingly takes a job with him. Thus begins a convoluted, zealous love affair. But each has significant skeletons in their closet from their youths that could strengthen their bond or rip it to shreds. If you are a fan of Sylvia Day’s Bared to You series, this is a highly recommended read.

#Nerd by Cambria Hebert 

Rimmel is a studious college student. Romeo is so NOT. She’s assigned to tutor him, the BMOC—Big Man on Campus. As much as she thinks they would not click, they do. Their story from tutor/student...to possibly friends. Could there be room for this to develop into something more? And do each of them have their own issues that could complicate things?

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren 

Olive Torres is an identical twin whose life has been nothing but a series of struggles, poor decisions...and overall perceived bad luck. Her fortune changes at her twin’s expense...in the form of a free vacation to Hawaii. But she has to spend it with Ethan, her ‘nemesis’. But is he REALLY her enemy? Has Olive's 'bad luck streak' really run out?  

A Million Guilty Pleasures by C.L. Parker 

Delaine finds herself in precarious circumstances having to resort to doing the unthinkable to prevent a tragedy. Noah is the man who holds the key to help her in this predicament, but it leads both of them on a passionate, emotional journey -- fraught with secrets, and challenges. This is Part 1 of the Guilty Pleasures Duet. Part 2 is next...

A Million Guilty Secrets by C.L. Parker

Delaine and Noah’s ‘relationship’ is evolving into something neither expected. Once the reasons she meets Noah become evident, long-hidden secrets are exposed and painful decisions are made. Since this is a romance-themed blog, expect the characters to fall in love. But the real question is, will they make it? This is Part 2 of the Guilty Pleasures Duet. It is recommended to read Part 1 to maintain story continuity. 

Right by Jana Aston 

One knows what they want...and Everly does. She wants Finn. So much so that she enrolls as a student at the university where he is a professor. But he is so NOT interested. She makes it her mission to "make him hers" by the time she graduates. Is she successful? Will there be "monkey wrenches" thrown in her pursuit of her "perfect man.” You bet there will be! (wink wink)

Hopefully, these books will bring the heat to your reading repertoire for that special day of LOVE. From this romance book junkie to all of you... Happy Reading...and Happy Valentine’s Day!