A Valentine's Day Story and Quiz + Reading Update
Your mid-week serving of all things bookish and beyond!
Hey book besties, welcome to Bookish Brunch! A mid-week break to catch up. Grab your favorite drink, get comfy, and let's dive into what I’ve been reading, what I’ve been loving and a sprinkle of fun. Share with me in the comments or chat what you’ve been up to!
What’s in This Week’s Bookish Brunch?
It’s a Valentine’s-themed edition of Bookish Brunch, and we’ve got everything you need to celebrate—whether you’re all about the romance or just here for the book recs.
📚 NYPL’s Best Romance Books of 2025 – The New York Public Library’s latest romance list is here. Plus, historical romance is finally getting some well-deserved representation.
💌 The (Messy) History of Valentine’s Day – Saint Valentine? Pagan rituals? A medieval poet? Find out how this day of love actually came to be.
❣️ What Romance Trope Should You Read for Valentine’s Day? – Take our fun quiz to find out your perfect romance trope match!
✨ [Paid Members Exclusive]
📖 Weekly Reading Update – The books I finished and loved.
📊 3 Standout Books from the Database – This week I’ve been updating the database with cozy fantasy books from my research and I’ve picked 3 that caught my eye.
📚 5 Books I Just Added to My TBR – Because my TBR is never too long…right?
💄 Suzanne’s Latest Makeup Haul – What she’s loving right now.
🍸 Valentine’s Day Cocktail - Love Potion No. 9 recipe, including mocktail variation, perfect to celebrate this week with your loved one, your friends or yourself.
Grab a coffee, get cozy, and let’s chat books! ☕💕
NYPL’s Best Romance Books of 2025 – Your Next Favorite Read?
Looking for the best new romance books to add to your TBR? The New York Public Library has just released its list of the top adult romance books of 2025 (really 2024 releases), and it’s filled with swoon-worthy reads for every kind of romance reader. Whether you love historical dukes, fake dating, supernatural love stories, or heartwarming contemporary romance, there’s something for you.
A few standouts from the list:
📖 Bride by Ali Hazelwood – Vampyres and Weres are mortal enemies, but an arranged marriage between Misery and Lowe forces them into a dangerously irresistible alliance. If you still haven’t tried paranormal romance, this book is a good place to dip your toes in.
📖 Any Duke in a Storm by Amalie Howard – A high-seas historical romance with adventure, tension, and a strong-willed heroine.
📖 Daydream by Hannah Grace – A hockey romance meets academic tutoring—if you loved Icebreaker, this one’s for you.
This is just a small taste of the full list! If you want more top-tier romance recommendations from the NYPL librarians, check out the complete NYPL list here.
What book are you most excited to read? Let me know! 📚💕
A Valentine’s Day Short Story
Ahhh, Valentine's Day! A day for lovers (and the greeting card, flower and chocolate industry) the time when you can let the romantic side of you loose on your poor unsuspecting partner. Perhaps subjecting them to a candlelit dinner, the aforementioned flowers and chocolate and if you're lucky end the evening with an O - all in the name of St Valentine.
But who was Saint Valentine?
This defender of romance and harbinger of love, this Saint Valentine? Honestly...no one really knows. There are over a dozen Saint Valentines in the Catholic church; however they seem to have narrowed this mystery man of romance to two men. Both Valentines were around at the same time; one of them secretly wed young Christian lovers, which at the time was against the wishes of Roman Emperor Claudius II, who thought that single men made better soldiers than married ones. Another Valentine is said to have helped Christian prisoners being tortured by the Romans and for his crimes was imprisoned. When in prison, he fell in love with the jailer's daughter and supposedly healed her blindness. Unfortunately that didn't stop his execution by our old friend Emperor Claudius II.
In reality, the Valentine we think of on this day is probably a combination of both these men, and the romantic traditions of this Saint's day is something that has slowly evolved through time.
Finally, in my research though the two things that seem to have wrought Valentine's day in to its present form seem to be:
Lupercalia - This is a Roman Pagan fertility rite that took place between 13-15 of February and something that Christianity decided to incorporate to convert some of those troublesome heathens.
Geoffrey Chaucer - Now, until medieval English poet Chaucer, apparently Valentines Day wasn't all about romantic love; however, his poem Parliament of Foules changed all that. With a few lines he gave birth to a brand new industry (I hope Hallmark are sufficiently grateful!) and gave Valentine's day a whole new meaning.
No matter where Valentine's Day has sprung from or how it has evolved, it is no doubt marketed as the most romantic day of the year and gives you a chance to show your other half a little appreciation. Or if you are single, either a) stay in with a tub of ice-cream and watch rom-coms or b) go out with your shortest dress and drink your body weight in alcohol.
But, single or coupled up, have a great Valentines day!
Related:
But What About Galentine’s Day?
If Valentine’s Day isn’t your vibe, there’s always Galentine’s Day—a celebration of friendship, laughter, and (let’s be honest) wine and waffles. Made famous by Parks and Recreation, February 13th is all about hyping up your besties, exchanging small gifts (or books, obviously), and indulging in a little self-love and appreciation.
Whether you're single, taken, or somewhere in between, Galentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to gather your bookish friends, share your favorite romance recs, and remind each other that friendship is just as important as love. So why not plan a cozy book club night, host a rom-com movie marathon, or make those Love Potion No. 9 cocktails and celebrate the people who make your life sweeter?
Because let’s be real—sometimes (most of the time?), book besties > boyfriends. 💕📚🍸
Which Romance Trope Should You Read for Valentine’s Day?
Valentine’s Day is all about romance—but what kind of love story is perfect for you this year? Take this fun quiz to find out which romance trope matches your Valentine’s Day vibe!
1. What’s your ideal Valentine’s Day?
A) A cozy night in with takeout and a good book.
B) An exciting, adventurous date—something totally unexpected!
C) A second-chance dinner date with an old flame.
D) A slow, tension-filled evening with a mysterious stranger.
E) A night of playful banter and maybe a little mischief.
2. How do you feel about grand romantic gestures?
A) I’d rather have small, thoughtful moments.
B) Love them! Make it big and dramatic.
C) Depends—if there’s history, it hits harder.
D) I prefer deep, unspoken connections over flashy gestures.
E) Give me something unexpected and creative.
3. What’s your go-to romance book vibe?
A) Soft and cozy, with a guaranteed HEA.
B) Fast-paced and passionate, full of tension.
C) Emotional and angsty, with some heartbreak along the way.
D) Dark and brooding, where love sneaks up on them.
E) Witty and fun, with lots of banter.
4. What’s your biggest romantic weakness?
A) Falling for someone who’s always been there.
B) Getting swept up in high-stakes passion.
C) Not being able to let go of the past.
D) Falling for someone who’s totally off-limits.
E) Crushing on my arch-nemesis (oops).
5. Pick a Valentine’s Day movie:
A) Sweet Home Alabama (small-town romance, second chances)
B) Titanic (forbidden love and high-stakes drama)
C) The Notebook (all the emotions and heartache)
D) Phantom Thread (intense and darkly romantic)
E) 10 Things I Hate About You (enemies-to-lovers perfection)
RESULTS
🔹 Mostly A’s – Friends-to-Lovers
You love a slow-burn romance where love sneaks up on the characters. This Valentine’s Day, pick up a friends-to-lovers story where the perfect person has been right in front of them all along!
📖 Book Rec: Hook, Line and Sinker by Tessa Bailey
🔹 Mostly B’s – Forbidden Romance
You crave intensity, passion, and the kind of love that shouldn’t happen… but does anyway. This Valentine’s Day, pick up a forbidden romance full of tension and drama!
📖 Book Rec: Black Rainbow by J.J. McAvoy
🔹 Mostly C’s – Second-Chance Romance
You believe that some love stories deserve another shot. Whether it’s lovers reuniting after years apart or exes who still have unfinished business, you love a romance that brings the feels.
📖 Book Rec: Forget Me Not by Julie Soto
🔹 Mostly D’s – Grumpy x Sunshine
You love the contrast of a broody, emotionally unavailable hero falling for someone bright and full of life. Their opposites-attract dynamic keeps things spicy and fun!
📖 Book Rec: Happy-Go-Lucky by L.H. Cosway
🔹 Mostly E’s – Enemies-to-Lovers
You live for fiery banter, tension, and mutual pining. Nothing is better than when two people who should hate each other end up falling head over heels!
📖 Book Rec: How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
What result did you get? Tell me in the comments!