With love in the air, CanCulture has compiled six romance novels by Canadian authors that will make your heart flutter. 

By, Allissa Hibbs 

 Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and while lockdown restrictions mean that we can’t have a romantic night out on the town, why should that stop us from diving into the night of love and romance? Regardless of whether you’re spending this Valentine’s Day taken or single, you can always make time for delving into a fictional world of love, romance and fantasy. Here are six romance novels by Canadian authors that you can fall in love with. 

 

1.  The Chai Factor by Farah Heron

Amira Khan has vowed to adhere to the one rule she’s made for herself: no dating until her grad school thesis assignment is done. With the hope that the success of her thesis will land her a promotion in Toronto, the engineering student isn’t looking for any distractions. But when she finds that her grandmother has rented out the basement to a barbershop quartet, Amira finds herself into the melodic and entrancing lives of the musical group.  When sparks fly between her and Duncan, the small-town baritone, will Amira break her no-dating rule? Or will she walk away from love and romance? 

The romance and comedic fiction novel portrays a classic “enemies to lovers” trope, a usual guilty pleasure among readers. You can purchase the book from Indigo. 

2. Comics Will Break Your Heart by Faith Erin Hicks

After Miriam’s grandfather sold the rights to the smash-hit comic series, The TomorrowMen, in the ‘60s, her family has been left with practically nothing. She can’t afford college now and can barely afford a roof over her head. But a cute boy arrives in town and life for her gets a little bit more complicated. It turns out that the boy who arrives is the grandson of the man who bought her grandfather’s comic series and is heir to its fortune. 

This is a funny contemporary and romantic story inspired by the notorious Shakespearean play, Romeo and Juliet. “A modern romance, geek royalty and what it takes to heal the long-festering scars of the past,” according to CBC Books. This novel is perfect for young adults and can be purchased on Audible, Google Play Books or Amazon.

3. Carnal Control by Lilith Darville

This erotic romance novel explores the forbidden. This novel is about love, lust, danger, sex, intrigue and a man wanting to protect a woman. A part of The Masquerade series, this book by Canadian author Darville is for an adult audience looking to dive into the world of temptation. This novel can be purchased on Kobo.  .

4. Highland Treasure by Lynsay Sands

This historical romance novel is about Lady Elysande de Valance, who escapes from the English soldiers that attacked her home and threw her into a dungeon. She never expected to find the warm embrace of Rory Buchanan, a man who many say is a healer, as he escorts her home safely. While Rory’s brother is getting married, he himself is too busy looking after the sick to find a wife. Though after accompanying a family friend’s “treasure” to the Highlands, he learns that the treasure is a beautiful woman on the run. 

This historical romance novel is great for those readers who seek adventure, love and mystery all wrapped in one. From a New York Times bestselling author Sands, this novel is for young adults and can be purchased at Indigo, along with her other romance books.  

5. The Matchmaker’s List by Sonya Lalli

A modern girl and an old-fashioned grandmother don’t always mix. In this not-so-typical romance novel, Raina Anand has found herself caving in to the family pressure and allowing her grandmother, Nani, to set her up with someone of her choosing. Though Raina doesn’t always want to play by the rules, and Nani wants her to marry before it is too late. Raina has tried looking outside their tight-knit Indian immigrant community in Toronto, but Nani is bombarding her with a list of her personal ideal bachelors. Blind date after blind date, Nani might be going a little too far.

This unconventional romance novel is full of surprises, love and comedy. Exploring cultural beliefs and values in a traditional sense, this novel will warm your heart this Valentine’s Day. It is perfect for young adults and can be purchased on Amazon, Kindle, Google Play Books, Kobo and Audible. 

6. A Stitch in Time by Kelley Armstrong 

This ghostly love story follows Thorne Manor, which has always been haunted by Bronwyn Dale. When Bronwyn was young, she would pass through a time slip in her grand-aunt’s house to meet William Thorne, a boy her age who was born two centuries earlier. After an unfortunate family tragedy, Thorne Manor was closed off and her family convinced her that William was only a part of her imagination. 20 years later, Bronwyn inherited the manor and when she arrives, William is waiting. Though he is not the same as she remembered, as their friendship rekindles and love beings to spark, Bronwyn must also deal with the current ghost in the home now and the secret scandal that drove William back to the manor. 

This novel is perfect for all ages and is a twist on the typical romance novel. It can be purchased through Kindle, Audible and by hardcopy off of Amazon.