Cuddle up with a book: 10 love stories you’ll fall in love with

Whether you are celebrating Valentine’s Day or boycotting Hallmark holidays, a good love story is hard to resist. Some are happy, some are sad and others are purely conniving. These ten books will impact your emotions regardless of your stance on romance.

Henry and June, Anaïs Nin (1986)

This selection from Nin’s unexpurgated diaries details her marriage and her involvement with Henry Miller and his wife June. Set in the early thirties, it explores Nin’s friendship with June and her subsequent affair with Henry. The affair started a friendship that lasted the rest of their lives. It is both provocative and sweet.

North and South, Elizabeth Gaskell (1855)

This romance plays out over political lines. It is the story of Margaret Hale, a clergyman’s daughter turned social campaigner, and John Thornton, a mill owner. It offers a detailed look at the history of manufacturing and trading in the 1850s. It remains a tense and classic love story comparable to Pride and Prejudice.

The End of the Affair, Graham Greene (1951)

Greene’s protagonist is a writer named Maurice Bendrix. His lover, Sarah Miles, refuses to leave her husband Henry. When she ends the affair, Maurice is consumed by jealousy while she turns to religion. The narrative focuses on despair, longing and obsession.

The Time Traveller’s Wife, Audrey Niffenegger (2003)

Claire is an artist married to Henry, a librarian with a rare genetic disease that causes him to travel through time. They conduct their relationship out of sync. Claire ages normally while Henry appears at different stages of his life. It is a complex and tender love story.

Brideshead Revisited, Evelyn Waugh (1945)

This novel can be read as a love story between Charles Ryder and Julia Flyte or Charles and Julia’s brother Sebastian. It covers themes of religion, society, sin and thwarted desire. It depicts aristocratic life in post-war Britain during the twenties with a sense of nostalgia.

Super Sad True Love Story, Gary Shteyngart (2010)

Set in a near-future smartphone dystopia, middle-aged Lenny Abramov pursues a relationship with the younger Eunice Park. It is a social satire that addresses our reliance on mobile devices. It is a touching story about an unlikely relationship.

High Fidelity, Nick Hornby (1995)

Rob owns a record store and has been dumped by his girlfriend Laura. To cope and find a way to win her back, he revisits his top five all-time break-ups. The London setting provides a specific atmosphere for this relatable story about past mistakes.

The Post-Birthday World, Lionel Shriver (2007)

Shriver explores the consequences of acting on temptation. The book follows the same protagonist down two different paths in alternating chapters. She either stays with her long-term partner Lawrence or chooses Ramsey, a snooker player. The reader is left to decide which choice was better.

Girl Meets Boy, Ali Smith (2007)

This is a modern retelling of Ovid’s myth of Iphis and Ianthe. Set in contemporary Inverness, it tells the story of Anthea and her love for her colleague Robin. Smith’s writing is energetic and the tale is hopeful.