It’s almost Valentine’s Day! One of my favorite holidays of the year. Yes, I’m absolutely sappy, but I’m fine with that. So, in honor of the holiday and in an effort to make book buying easier for those men brave enough to search the web for the perfect Chick Lit book gift I thought I’d recommend my Top Five! Because, we all know the best gifts next to chocolate and flowers are obviously…fantastic books! Especially those with a fun romantic flare! So, without further hesitation on my part, my Top Five Valentine’s Day Must Reads…

The Lover’s Dictionary by David Levithan
This is the perfect little read for Valentine’s Day! Quick, funny, romantic, realistic, and absolutely wonderful writing by an incredible author. Without a doubt, no only you, but your significant other will enjoy this quite a bit!

ow does one talk about love? Do we even have the right words to describe something that can be both utterly mundane and completely transcendent, pulling us out of our everyday lives and making us feel a part of something greater than ourselves? Taking a unique approach to this problem, the nameless narrator of David Levithan’s The Lover’s Dictionary has constructed the story of his relationship as a dictionary. Through these short entries, he provides an intimate window into the great events and quotidian trifles of being within a couple, giving us an indelible and deeply moving portrait of love in our time.

Black Heels to Tractor Wheels: A Love Story by Ree Drummond
Who doesn’t love a great love story? Especially when it involves cowboys? Recently released, I’m positive you will be laughing and swooning until the very last page.

“That’s when I saw him—the cowboy—across the smoky room.”

I’ll never forget that night. It was like a romance novel, an old Broadway musical, and a John Wayne western rolled into one. Out for a quick drink with friends, I wasn’t looking to meet anyone, let alone a tall, rugged cowboy who lived on a cattle ranch miles away from my cultured, corporate hometown. But before I knew it, I’d been struck with a lightning bolt . . . and I was completely powerless to stop it.

Hook, Line and Sink Him by Jackie Philossoph
It really doesn’t get much better than well written Chick Lit that has a male character narrating the story. This is an incredibly witty, intelligent, fun and romantic read you won’t soon forget!

Anna’s a girl who’s desperate to be a bride. Jeff and Dave are two guys who sprint from long-term commitment. Put them together and the three of them are wildly successful! They’re raking in the cash while helping women HOOK, LINE AND SINK their long time boyfriends into finally taking a walk down the aisle.

Step into the offices of HOOK, LINE AND SINK HIM, where Jeff, Dave and Anna are fantastic at turning bitter, unhappy girlfriends into bridal gown beauties. When it comes to their own love lives, though, it’s an entirely different story. All three are fishing for answers. Anna’s not sure if she’s settling, Dave’s questioning whether his current girlfriend’s right for him, and as for Jeff, he never counted on falling for Anna.

The Love Market by Carol Mason
Having just reviewed this one and naming it my all time favorite Chick Lit read thus far, I’m not sure how I could possibly leave it off the list. It’s romantic, but incredibly realistic and leaves you guessing until the last page. You will adore this book!

Three years after seeing her first love, Patrick, quite by chance in London, Celine’s ten-year marriage to Mike is over and she is running her own business, called The Love Market, a professional matchmaking service in Northern England. She’s coping with the unanticipated heartbreak of a marriage ending, and her quirky twelve-year-old daughter who seems to blame her for the split.

Then, out of the blue, Patrick emails. Tempted to find out if all the old feelings can possibly still be there, she’s thrown into tailspin again when Mike has an unusual proposition for her, forcing her to question whether a divorce really means it’s over.

The Love Goddess’ Cooking School by Melissa Senate
Now, I’m mildly cheating with this one. I adore Melissa Senate, and have been dying to read this new novel of hers. Well, Leah recently reviewed it and gave it a glowing review. It sounds spectacular and I have no doubt it would be a perfect addition to any Valentine’s Day gift!

Holly Maguire’s grandmother Camilla was the Love Goddess of Blue Crab Island, Maine–a Milanese fortune-teller who could predict the right man for you, and whose Italian cooking was rumored to save marriages. Holly has been waiting years for her unlikely fortune: her true love will like sa cordula, an unappetizing old-world delicacy. But Holly can’t make a decent marinara sauce, let alone sa cordula. Maybe that’s why the man she hopes to marry breaks her heart. So when Holly inherits Camilla’s Cucinotta, she’s determined to forget about fortunes and love and become an Italian cooking teacher worthy of her grandmother’s legacy…

There you have it, my Top Five Valentine’s Day Must Reads! Each would make a welcome addition to candy and flowers or perhaps be enjoyed all on their own.

Now you tell me, do you have a Chick Lit novel you like to get stuck in for Valentine’s Day? Is there one you’re hoping to receive? I’d love to know!

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