Happy day-before-Valentine’s! I’ll confess that we don’t do a lot to celebrate Valentine’s around here (shocking for a romance writer, I know!). But we do try to have a Valentine’s tea party with the kids every year.
No matter how you do or don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day, there’s one thing you absolutely need: a good book. Fortunately, we have plenty of those around here. Whether you’re in the mood for a funny meet-cute, a romantic date, or some pet antics, the ladies at Inspy Romance have written just the stories for you. And we’ve categorized them into some fun award show–style categories. I think I’ll dub them the Inspy Valentine’s Awards.
So, I’m proud to present to you (in no particular order), the choices for…
MOST UNLIKELY ROMANCE
Harvest of Love by Valerie Comer
She runs a bookstore. Reading isn’t really his thing.
A Splash of Substance by Elizabeth Maddrey
A Senator’s aide and a caterer who doesn’t even vote.
Wisdom to Know by Elizabeth Maddrey
A rebellious pastor’s daughter and the goody two shoes boy next door.
Entrusted by Julie Arduini
A city-girl produces a lot of change for mountain grocer.
Love, Lies, and Homemade Pie by Sally Bayless
He’s a journalist and she’s hiding her past.
Hill Country Redemption by Shannon Taylor Vannatter
They had a romance back in high school, but he dumped her. Right before she found out she was pregnant. Eight years later, they’re neighbors and both have become Christians, but she’s bitter about the past.
A Texas Holiday Reunion by Shannon Taylor Vannatter
They dated for a short time, but he dumped her and married someone else.
A Proxy Wedding by Tony Shiloh
When they agreed to say “I do” for their friends, Carly and Damien never imagined sparks would fly between them.
If You Believed in Love by Staci Stallings
She has rose-petal dreams about what falling in love will be like, complete with Browning poetry and Darcy sweeping her off her feet. He hates poetry, literature, English, and love. Yeah, this will totally work.
What Makes a Home by Jaycee Weaver
He’s a computer engineer, she’s an artist. He grew up Christian and is still a virgin. She’s…well, definitely not either. Yet.
Not Until Us by Valerie M. Bodden
Everyone knows the local pastor doesn’t belong with the former bad girl.
BEST SHOULD-HAVE-SEEN-IT-COMING ROMANCE
Can’t Live Without You by Ginger Solomon
Best friends, separated by a deal gone wrong, find out how much they love each other.
Pinky Promise by Valerie Comer
Two single parents and two mini-matchmakers who share a birthday!
Tropical Kiss and Tell by Liwen Ho
Falling in love with the girl next door was never part of his plan … until she fell for someone else.
Reuniting with the Cowboy by Shannon Taylor Vannatter
They were high school friends.
Risking Love by Toni Shiloh
Nikki Gordon lives with a perfect trifecta of noes but she can’t help thinking placing Shorty Smalls in the friend zone was a mistake.
Princess by Staci Stallings
They are both dedicated, hard-working, practice-til-you-drop perfectionists at their chosen game. Okay, so she hates him, and he needs her to even play. Who didn’t see that one coming?
What Could Be by Jaycee Weaver
Young single dad and his son’s college after-school care teacher become friends, but perhaps God’s plans are greater than hers.
Not Until Forever by Valerie M. Bodden
They dated in college, until jobs and family got in the way.
BEST PRETENDERS
A Heart Rearranged by Elizabeth Maddrey
Enemies who end up in a fake relationship to keep her mom off her back.
Winning Over the Cowboy by Shannon Taylor Vannatter
They pretend when they run into the guy that dumped her at the altar and then when they go to her hometown for a wedding because everyone there feels sorry for her.
A Sudden Spark by Liwen Ho
An unexpected custody battle forces two friends to become husband and wife.
A Baby to Call Ours by Merrillee Whren
She’s pregnant and in a mess because the father is a married man. He needs a wife to please his boss. A marriage of convenience starts this romance on shaky ground.
Step with Me by Jan Thompson
Sebastian rented a fake girlfriend to make his ex jealous.
BEST PET-ASSISTED ROMANCE
Raspberries and Vinegar by Valerie Comer
Make way for an escapee Border collie!
Reuniting with the Cowboy by Shannon Taylor Vannatter
She’s a vet and runs a no kill shelter.
Path to Discovery by Laurie Larsen
She loves the dog. He is intrigued by her. Following the path of clues to recover the missing dog seems like a good idea.
Love and Roses by Sally Bayless
Her daughter is drawn to his newly adopted dog.
Mommy Loves the Doggy Doctor by Deb Kastner
Her Valentine Sheriff by Deb Kastner
Not Until You by Valerie M. Bodden
He names his dog Maverick. She renames it Tony.
CRAZIEST PROPOSAL
Learning from Experience by Ginger Solomon
It’s all about the art.
Joint Venture by Elizabeth Maddrey
They weren’t dating. They were friends and he just proposed. Um. Spoiler alert.
More Than a Tiara by Valerie Comer
You’ll have to read it to find out why!
Restoring Christmas by Julie Arduini
She hates Christmas, he hates Valentine’s Day. Can these two surrender their pain and find love?
Reuniting with the Cowboy by Shannon Taylor Vannatter
He’s recovering from brain surgery and can’t get his words right.
Buying Love by Toni Shiloh
Nina Warrenton takes a huge risk when she places an ad in her local newspaper seeking a husband.
Not Until Us by Valerie M. Bodden
She’s in a hospital bed.
Not Until This Moment by Valerie M. Bodden
They’re kind of crashing someone else’s wedding.
MOST ROMANTIC DATE
Butterflies on Breezes by Valerie Comer
A fancy dinner and a night at the opera… too bad he was the wrong guy.
Little Drops of Sunshine by Staci Stallings
Wes knows Lauren is off-limits, so why do they keep ending up on dates they aren’t supposed to be on? Dancing. Sharing cupcakes over abandoned train tracks… Why is keeping himself from falling in love so impossible?
Not Until Christmas Morning by Valerie M. Bodden
A horse-drawn carriage. Falling snow. Cozy blankets. And a private gazebo with a roaring fire.
BEST AND/OR WORST VALENTINE’S DAY
A Valentine Vow by Ginger Solomon
She loses the man she thought she would marry and meets the man she did marry on the same day.
Secretly Yours by Valerie Comer
But I can’t say why…
Hometown Promise by Merrillee Whren
What starts out as the perfect Valentine date turns into disaster when old memories insert themselves into a goodnight kiss.
The Cowboy’s Romantic Dreamer by Valerie Comer
It’s pretty bad when a romance editor has to hang out with her single mom friend over pizza, and the cowboy babysits his nephew and niece so his brother gets a date night…
A Love Song for Kayla by Kimberly Rose Johnson
Kayla Russel hates Valentine’s Day and this year is no exception when the man of her dreams walks in and out of her florist shop and not only does she not learn his name but the only thing she can think to say is “come again soon.”
What Makes a Home by Jaycee Weaver
What could’ve been the hardest day of her life ends up being a threefold blessing.
Not Until This Moment by Valerie M. Bodden
One Valentine’s Day showed her what he couldn’t be…the next showed them both what he could be.
FUNNIEST MEET-CUTE
Secrets of Sunbeams by Valerie Comer
The heroine’s goat breaks through the fence and eats the hero’s business proposal.
A Heart Restored by Elizabeth Maddrey
A new owner who mistakes a handyman for a trespasser.
Love at Sunset Lake by Sally Bayless
She sort of, um, helps him fall out of a canoe.
Counting on the Cowboy by Shannon Taylor Vannatter
She’s a wedding planner showing a couple a venue at a dude ranch, but there’s a goat on the roof. The cowboy comes to the rescue.
Finding Love in Park City, Utah by Angela Ruth Strong
She’s a reporter trying to get past him to meet his celebrity sister-in-law.
Roadtrip to Redemption by Laurie Larsen
They meet in the ocean, while she’s trespassing on private property!
The Cowgirl’s Christmas Gift by Deb Kastner
Not Until Christmas Morning by Valerie M. Bodden
She accuses him of being a squatter in her neighbor’s house.
BIGGEST DATING CATASTROPHE
Rooted in Love by Valerie Comer
Suddenly his dad’s dirty laundry is hanging out where everyone can see it.
Engaged by Julie Arduini
Former bad girl has a lot of explaining to do, can the local paramedic come to her rescue?
Not Until Us by Valerie M. Bodden
She overhears ladies from church gossiping about the pastor’s date—her.
So there you have it, the First Annual Inspy Valentine’s Awards. I don’t know about you, but my TBR has just grown exponentially. :) Whatever you do tomorrow, don’t forget the greatest love story of all—God’s love for you.
How about you: Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day? Any books from the Inspy Valentine’s Awards catch your eye?
Wow. What a list! Thank you.
What fun, and yes my TBR has grown too.
Thanks for the list!
These are great!
Valerie, thanks for the great list.
What fun!
You’re welcome! It was fun to put together. :)
Yay! Always glad to add to someone’s TBR. ;)
You’re welcome, Janet! Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks, Toni! This was so fun!
You’re welcome, Merrillee!
Thanks, Valerie! I had fun putting it together!
Now that is one great list!! Proud to say I have read most of them 🙄❤️❤️❤️
Wow, Paula Marie! That’s awesome that you’ve read most of these! I have some catching up to do, and I’m looking forward to it!
Thanks for the fun list! I’ve read quite a few of them :-)
You’re welcome, Margaret! I’m so glad to hear you’ve read many of them!
Ooh! I love this so much!! It’s like shopping in that dream world where everything is my size!
Haha, yes! I’ll take one of everything! :)
Whoa! Surf’s up! Grab your Kindle!
I have read several but there are others now on my reading radar. They all sound amazing! Thanks so much for your work putting all that together! ❤️
For sure! Hope you find some new books to enjoy!
I had so much fun with it that it didn’t even feel like work. :) Glad you’ve read several and have found some new ones to check out!
What a great list! Thanks, Valerie!
Fun list. I’ve read several. We’re babysitting grandkids so parents can get out😊!
Great list!!! I’ve read a few on there, and loved them! I usually do something for my Mom on Valentine’s Day, but we won’t do anything tomorrow as she won’t be feeling up to it. I’ll do something another day for her.
Thanks, Julie! I love seeing all the awesome books this group has written!
That’s sweet of you! I’m sure the kids appreciate that! Have fun with the grandkids. :)
Glad you’ve had a chance to read some of the books, Trudy! It’s sweet that you usually do something for your mom. Prayers that she’ll be feeling better soon.
Thank you for the great list of books to read!
You’re welcome! Hope you find some great books to enjoy!
Wow big list. (I like the animal category sure hope one book has a cat involved)
I don’t really celebrate valentines day. The first card I ever got was from an American Pen pal. I got a few that way.
What a fun post. So many books, so little time! It’s cold here today so I am staying home for dinner and possibly a movie.
Cats in fiction are great, but I definitely think dogs tend to show up more. Now I know what to include next time… :) I always loved having international pen pals. I think we take the ability to communicate across the world at the click of a button for granted these days, but I remember how exciting it always was to get that air mail envelope!
I agree–I wish we could find a way to add more hours to the day, especially if those hours were reserved for reading. :) Cold here too–a good night to snuggle up at home!
How nice. Thanks
Wow. That is an amazing list. I love how you separated them out to suit my various moods. :D Definitely will check those out.
You’re welcome, Priscila!
That’s just it–a book for every mood! I hope you enjoy them! :)