How Valentine’s Day has Influenced the Romance Book Industry
The holiday of love and romance — Valentine’s Day — is steeped in history, culture, and literature. From its beginnings as a religious festival to its modern-day celebration of love and affection, this special day has no shortage of stories to tell. In more recent times, the holiday has also had an impact on the romance book industry. Let’s take a look at the history behind Valentine’s Day and how it influences the romance book industry today.
A Brief History of Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s day can be traced back to Ancient Rome, where it began as a religious festival called Lupercalia. During this festival, men would sacrifice goats for fertility and purity before then having a feast which included women being paired off with men by lottery. This tradition continued until 269 A.D when Pope Gelasius I declared February 14th as St. Valentine’s Day and replaced Lupercalia with a Christian feast day in honor of Saint Valentine who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity.
During the Middle Ages, people believed that birds chose their mates on February 14th, so it became known as the “Day of Love” or “The Lover’s Festival.” By this time, poems were circulating throughout Europe about love and romance in honor of St. Valentine’s Day, which sparked an interest in writing about romantic relationships and thus began what we now know as the romance novel genre.
The Impact on Today’s Literature
Today’s celebration of love is very different from what it was centuries ago, but its influence can still be felt in literature — particularly in the romance book industry. In fact, according to data from Bookstat (a market intelligence company), romance books make up around 10% of all print books sold each year! That means that over 200 million books are sold every year just within this genre alone! And while authors don’t necessarily have to write about Valentine’s day itself—romance books inspired by Valentines’ Day are incredibly popular around this time of year due to its association with love, passion, and relationships—all concepts that readers enjoy exploring through these books!
Valentine’s day is one of our oldest holidays — one steeped in history and culture — yet it is still celebrated today with enthusiasm all over the world! Not only does it bring joy to those who celebrate it, but it also has had a huge influence on literature — most notably on the ever-popular romance book industry! As such, if you’re looking for something special to read this Valentine’s Day season, then why not try out one of these wonderful stories; you won’t be disappointed!
Looking for romantic reads this Valentine’s Day? Try these!
The Temporary Wife: Luca and Valentina’s Story (The Windsors) by Catharina Maura
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Maura, Catharina (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 407 Pages - 02/03/2023 (Publication Date)
About the Book:
From the author of The Wrong Bride and Forever After All comes an angsty and steamy marriage of convenience romance featuring a billionaire boss and his secretary.
When Luca Windsor’s secretary suddenly quits her job shortly after his family forces him into an unwanted engagement, he sets out to solve both problems.
… by secretly marrying his secretary, Valentina, instead.
The rules are simple:
- Don’t fall in love
- Keep their marriage a secret at work
- Share a bed every night
Black Ties and White Lies: A Billionaire Fake Fiancé Romance by Kat Singleton
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Singleton, Kat (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 420 Pages - 02/02/2023 (Publication Date) - Amazon Digital Services (Publisher)
About the Book:
Life is never black and white.
One minute you’re a struggling graphic designer in LA that’s finally coming to terms with being single forever, and the next you’re flying to New York in a private jet to get engaged to your ex-boyfriend’s older brother.
At least…that’s what everyone thinks.
Forced to clean up his playboy image in order to protect his company, Beckham Sinclair, the city’s most eligible billionaire bachelor, wants me to be his fake fiancée and personal assistant.
Now I’m spending every spare second with a man I thought I’d never see again.
My freshly mended heart has barely recovered from the first time a Sinclair broke it. But with each passing day, Beck’s dirty mouth and lingering stares make me question his motives—and mine.
As the line blurs between real and pretend, only one thing is certain: there are secrets hiding in this city full of black ties and white lies.
Crazy for You (Contemporary Romance) by Kennedy Kovit and Mandy M. Roth
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Kovit, Kennedy (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 354 Pages - 08/13/2012 (Publication Date) - The Raven Books (Publisher)
About the Book:
The book has a quirky heroine who is not above bedazzling her way through life, even though she can’t seem to pretty up her past, and an ex-uptight hero who learns to laugh all while breaking his number one rule—no more women.
Meredith is home again, ready to settle down in her small town and open the antique shop she’s always dreamed of owning. She’s had enough of powerful men trying to use her and wants to simply fade away from the dating scene and enjoy life. When she runs into the diner’s new owner, she quickly realizes her master plan might have been premature. Landry left life in the fast lane for life on Main Street. He’s sworn off women for a while. They’re nothing but trouble. Meredith is no exception. In fact, he’s pretty sure she’s not quite right in the head, but for some reason he gets her offbeat, whimsical behavior and craves it, not to mention she’s smokin’ hot and oozes sex appeal. It’s hard to fight nature’s pull even while chanting, “I’ve sworn off women.”
Never Marry Your Brother’s Best Friend (Never Say Never Book 1) by Lauren Landish
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Landish, Lauren (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 304 Pages - 01/15/2023 (Publication Date)
About the Book:
Opposites attract?
In theory, maybe.
In reality, doubtful.
When my brother’s best friend asks me to fake marry him to secure a business deal he desperately needs, I laugh in his face. Me help Carter Harrington? That’s split-your-pants, rip-roaring hilarious. I don’t even like him.
Besides, no one would believe I’m Carter’s wife. It’s ridiculous.
He’s tall, blond, and attention-grabbing gorgeous. I’m short, curvy, awkward… and usually invisible.
He’s never met someone he couldn’t charm. I can barely talk to friends, much less strangers.
He’s a workaholic that lives and breathes money and business. I prefer to lose myself in my art.
Believability factor of us as a couple? Zero.
Untying the Knot by Meghan Quinn
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Quinn, Meghan (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 466 Pages - 11/15/2022 (Publication Date) - Meghan Quinn (Publisher)
About the Book:
A spin-off from the #1 Amazon bestsellers, A Not So Meet Cute and So Not Meant To Be, USA Today bestselling author Meghan Quinn brings you a heart-warming, yet hilarious full-length novel on what life is like after the happily ever after.
Ryot Bisley is my husband.
Yes, the former third baseman for the Chicago Bobbies and absolute heart throb of the Windy City. That Ryot Bisley.
The first time I ran into him, he was grumpy, a horrific host, and left me on his sofa with nothing but a nylon baseball flag to use as a blanket.
The second time, he reluctantly bought me dinner, stared at my chest the entire night, and still sported that permanent frown.
The third time . . . well, that was a game changer. His smile captured me, his teasing charmed me, and his touches excited me.
The Fine Print by Lauren Asher
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Asher, Lauren (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 450 Pages - 07/08/2021 (Publication Date)
About the Book:
Rowan
I’m in the business of creating fairy tales.
Theme parks. Production companies. Five-star hotels.
Everything could be all mine if I renovated Dreamland.
My initial idea of hiring Zahra was good in theory, but then I kissed her.
Things spiraled out of control once I texted her using an alias.
By the time I realized where I went wrong, it was too late.
People like me don’t get happy endings.
Not when we’re destined to ruin them.
Zahra
After submitting a drunk proposal criticizing Dreamland’s most expensive ride, I should have been fired.
Instead, Rowan Kane offered me a dream job.
The catch? I had to work for the most difficult boss I’d ever met.
Rowan was rude and completely off-limits, but my heart didn’t care.
At least not until I discovered his secret.
It was time to teach the billionaire that money couldn’t fix everything.
Especially not us.
Fierce Competition by Michelle M. Pillow
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Pillow, Michelle M (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 185 Pages - 10/14/2012 (Publication Date) - Virgin Digital (Publisher)
With a dream job, great roommates and a wonderful boyfriend, Jane Williams has everything her heart desires – that is until her vicious social rival, Vanessa, finds out her most humiliating secret and sets about bringing her social world crashing down. When her boyfriend’s senator father hears of the scandalous secret, Jane is likely to lose not only the gorgeous Dean but also her hard-earned social credibility.
There’s only one way for her to avenge herself: by playing Vanessa at her own game. Vanessa once stole Jane’s man, so she is going to do exactly that. But Jane is still in love with Dean. With no social integrity in tact, just how far is she willing to go in order to exact retribution and how much is she willing to risk before she loses it all?
The Chemistry of Love by Sariah Wilson
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Wilson, Sariah (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 347 Pages - 02/01/2023 (Publication Date) - Montlake (Publisher)
About the Book:
True love requires a little research and development in a funny, heart-racing romance by Sariah Wilson, the bestselling author of The Paid Bridesmaid.
How can Anna Ellis, a geeky, brilliant, and hopelessly smitten cosmetic chemist possibly win over Craig Kimball, the man of her dreams—who also happens to be her boss? The answer is Craig’s empathetic (and handsome) CEO half brother, Marco. The makeup mogul knows Craig for the ridiculously competitive rival he is. Whatever Marco has, Craig wants. That can be Anna, if she’s game to play.
All Anna and Marco have to do is pretend they’re falling in love and let the rumors begin. If the experiment in attraction works, a jealous Craig will swoop in and give Anna her happily ever after—if it weren’t for one hitch in the plan. There’s more to Marco than meets the eye. With every fake date, Anna’s feelings are starting to become dizzyingly real.
Blame it on chemistry. It’s unpredictable, exciting, and occasionally combustible. If Anna and Marco are really falling in love, who are they to argue with science?
Act of Passion by Mandy M. Roth
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Roth, Mandy M. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 412 Pages - 02/15/2018 (Publication Date) - Raven Happy Hour (Publisher)
About the Book:
Paranormal Security and Intelligence operative and lion-shifter Malik “Tut” Nasser’s past is about to catch up to the ancient Egyptian.
When he agreed to help test a drug that could help supernaturals with control issues, he never thought it would have the opposite effect on him. So when he finds himself fighting the urge to lay claim to a human woman he’s far from prepared for what happens next.
Article Sources:
“Bookstat.” Bookstat.com, bookstat.com/. Accessed 13 Feb. 2023.
Combs, Sydney. “Valentine’s Day Wasn’t Always about Love.” Culture, 12 Feb. 2020, www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/saint-st-valentines-day.
Hanes, Elizabeth. “6 Surprising Facts about St. Valentine.” HISTORY, 14 Feb. 2013, www.history.com/news/6-surprising-facts-about-st-valentine.
History.com Editors. “History of Valentine’s Day.” HISTORY, A&E Television Networks, 28 Aug. 2018, www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/history-of-valentines-day-2.
Italy, Walks of. “The Strange but True Story behind Valentine’s Day.” Walks of Italy, 14 Feb. 2022, www.walksofitaly.com/blog/art-culture/the-strange-but-true-story-behind-valentines-day.
Murtaugh, Taysha, and Rebekah Lowin. “The History of Valentine’s Day Actually Isn’t That Romantic.” Country Living, 5 Feb. 2020, www.countryliving.com/life/a46353/history-of-valentines-day/.
The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. “Valentine’s Day | Definition, History, & Traditions.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 5 Sept. 2018, www.britannica.com/topic/Valentines-Day.
Wolfers, Betsey Stevenson and Justin. “Valentine’s Day and the Economics of Love.” Brookings, 14 Feb. 2013, www.brookings.edu/opinions/valentines-day-and-the-economics-of-love/. Accessed 13 Feb. 2023.