Valentine’s Day Book Tag

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! Rather than putting in the work to create a massive list of all my current book boyfriends (because who has the time for that???) I decided to jump on the train and celebrate by doing The Valentine’s Day tag. Unfortunately, I was too busy this year to put together my normal batch of Valentine’s Day Love Letters, so I apologize for that. Hopefully, next year will be the year once again! Check out the previous posts here and here for 2017 and 2018’s posts, respectively. 

This list was rather difficult to put together, and I couldn’t choose just one book for most of the prompts. #SorryNotSorry. Nonetheless, hopefully, you find some great books to check out! Please let me know in the comments some of your favorite books that you would put in these categories. 

But Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone!! I originally found this over at Heather @ The Sassy Book Geek. The original creator is CC’s Books on BookTube. 

1. Stand Alone Book You Love

A Madness of Sunshine is definitely the first thing I thought of for this question, as one of the first books I read in 2020. What a fantastic book, too! Nalini Singh wrote one of ALL TIME FAVORITE series, the Psy-Changeling series, starting with Slave to Sensation. It’s an urban fantasy / paranormal romance that just glowed. I also love her contemporary books, including another top-favorite office romance, Rock Hard. So I know her very distinctly for two different genres, both of which she is amazing at. Thriller/mystery, however, is a new one for me (and for her), but I wasn’t nervous going into it. 

Ms. Singh just writes such captivating stories and characters, it’s impossible not to get invested! Her writing is beautiful, unique, and completely fluid. More often than not, it’s hard to pull myself away and I end up just reading her books in one sitting – no matter the time. The characterization is just so vivid and unique, and she crafts such fun plots! I loved that it was set in small-town New Zealand, too, a country that’s on the top of my to-visit list. She really made it come alive for me, and I see myself reading it again in the very near future. (Amazon | Goodreads)

2. Dystopian Book You Love

Scythe was such a surprise to me!! I picked it up because of the 2019 Book Junkie Readathon in order to fulfill a challenge but ended up becoming utterly captivated with Mr. Shusterman’s writing style. It was action-packed but effortlessly paced with a thought-provoking narrative. He had such a clever spin on the tired dystopian novel, where two teenagers ~rage against the system~ and fight so hard for something they don’t personally want for themselves, but something they know will improve society. It’s not a selfish fight, and I loved it.

Rowan and Citra had a very genuine connection – most of it competitive, which is my bread and butter. They were clever, scheming cinnamon rolls at the end. It was twisty and kinda shadowy in places, but it made me think, and I rooted for the characters, even though they weren’t 100% “good.” (My Review)

3. A Book That You Love But No One Else Talks About

   

I talk about these books endlessly. Nalini Singh and Ilona Andrews are my two favorite authors, so these books get a lot of air time. They’re both Urban Fantasy’s and are utterly amazing. The writing style in Ms. Singh’s series, the first of which being Slave to Sensation, is gorgeous and captivating and draws you right in. Her paranormal representation is unmatched, wholly, and her ability to see the bigger picture and tie things together so well… goddamn. Sexy, hot book, yes, but it also has a smoldering world that’s built so beautifully. (My Review)

Ilona Andrews, on the other hand, is a husband-wife writing duo, first of all. They, too, have a knack for world-building, but the mysteries, sword-fighting, slow-burn romance, and the kickass female heroine is what sells this one. The Kate Daniels series follows one set of characters the whole way, unlike Ms. Singh’s series, that focuses on a different couple each book, but still builds an overall story arc. But this means that Kate Daniels has a killer slow burn romance that gets me going every time. (My Review)

4. Favorite Book Couple

          

I’m not taking this question too seriously if you must know. I have no “Ride or Die’s” in my pocket that is over any other, but several that are in equal measure that I’m OBSESSED with if you know what I mean. That being said… if I had to pick one to talk about today, I will of course talk about Neil and Andrew from The Foxhole Court. You may know this as All for the Game (aftg) series. Neil and Andrew … they are beyond words.  Their connection isn’t even strictly classified as “romance,” although it so is. Please, if you’re in the market for New Adult sports romance – with all the trigger warnings – then this is for you. If you’re looking for a sweet romance, I’d recommend checking out any number of other romances.  Because this one skips sweet and goes straight for the jugular.

There’s no other series like it. It’s free on Kindle – give it a whirl. (My Review)

5. Book That Other People Love But You Haven’t Read Yet

   

Wicked Saints isn’t strictly a “romance book,” but this is one that I know I’m going to absolutely love… once I finally read it. Not only does it have deckled edges (Ooo la la) but it has “Let them fear her” written on the cover. Now if that’s enough to get me to pick it up ASAP, I don’t know what will be. Hopefully the TBR jar will be kind to me soon and let me read it and love it ? (My Review)

Call Down the Hawk is absolutely inexcusable. I’m Pynch to the end, and with the two boys in college? BE STILL MY HEART. But I also really need to reread The Raven Boys, because it’s been several years since I’ve made it into Henrietta. I’m hoping this will happen within the next two months ??? (Goodreads | Amazon)

I could also put Wayward Son on here… but I wasn’t as rabid over Carry On like the Stans were, so I’m just gonna duck and run now. 

6. A Book With Red on the Cover

The first book that I thought of as one of the last books that I read in 2019, The Girl in the Steel Corset. I read this for the Steampunk requirement during the 2019 Romance Roundabout Reading Challenge and was pleasantly surprised since it’s been on my TBR since it’s debut way back in 2011 (or so). This came from the era of Matched and Divergent, in my mind, so I didn’t hold too much hope for this one to exceed my very small expectations. But it was available at my library, it fulfilled my challenge, so I thought, why not give it a try?? Thank goodness! It could be because my expectations for this one were so low, but I thoroughly enjoyed this romp through the steampunk streets of London. 

Besides the beloved found family vibe, Finley Jayne, the main character, is FIERCE. Physical strength may have been her “gift,” but she’s also emotionally strong and steady, something not prevalent in YA fiction, especially at the time of publication. She knows herself and believes in herself so fiercely, it was inspiring to go along with her. (My Review) 

7. A Book With Pink on the Cover

    

These are like the holy trinity right here. Rock Chick is by one of my favorite authors for contemporary romance, Kristen Ashley. It’s just such a fun romp! Indy Savage likes to say that she’ll never grow up, and her shenanigans prove that it (may) be the case. But that’s not necessarily a good thing when said shenanigans include taser guns, kidnappings, and car chases. No, those are only good things when you have your brother’s hot best friend hot on your tail to keep you out of trouble… even if that means tying you to the bed. Oh yes, ? this is a cozy mystery gone wrong, and I adored EVERY BIT of this one, especially the constant laughs. (My Review)

A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole is *chefs kiss* one of the most emotionally impactful books I’ve read. It’s such a tear-jerker, but it’s also one of the best examples of childhood romances (omg I’m tearing up just thinking about how cute it was!), friends-to-lovers romances, and also a bit of hate-to-love. I’ll say nothing more, I don’t want to spoil, but I implore you to pick this one up. Oh man, such mastery ✨ (My Review)

A Thousand Perfect Notes by CG Drews is another amazing, tear-jerker romance! This one deals heavily with abuse, but it was so freaking good. It had a fantastic musical element to it, which I love to read about. Anyone who’s really passionate about music, so much that it bleeds onto the reader a bit, is a truly impressive writer, and Cait certainly is that. She ran me through the emotional gamut. (My Review)

8. You were given a box of chocolate. What fictional boyfriend/girlfriend would have given them to you? 

   

This is an impossible question. I have so many book boyfriends out there. But to pick a couple, I’d say Rogan from Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews and Gabriel Bishop from Rock Hard are two at the top of the list. So much manly goodness going on … ahhhhh! (Burn for Me Review | Rock Hard Review)

9. You are Single on Valentine’s Day. What book would you read? What TV show would you watch? What movie would you watch?

I am single on Valentine’s Day, thank you for pointing it out. I don’t know what I will read, actually! Probably the next Nalini Singh book, as I’m rereading the Psy-Changeling series for the third time, or a smutty Kindle Unlimited read ?? Things to consider! I don’t see myself watching any TV, but I may watch new To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before movie! PS I Still Love You is coming out this week!! Then again, I do still need to read Red, White, and Royal Blue… 

10. You are in the Book Store. All of a sudden you get shot with an arrow by Cupid. What New Release will you love?

I’m a huge Maas Stan. I also took this to mean books that will be released, rather than books that have been released. I know I will absolutely adore this one because … fae + Maas = love. You know it, I know it ?

Other posts you may enjoy…

   

What are your Valentine’s Day plans? Is there a special book or book boyfriend/girlfriend you’re looking forward to spending some time with? Let me know in the comments down below, I’d love to hear from you!