Valentine’s Day, a delightful significant time that can sometimes get a bad rap! Many feel that it’s a capitalist construct invented by the greeting card industry to convince us that true displays of love and affection come pre-printed with long-stem red roses and an obligatory box of chocolates on the side.

There’s so much pressure and expectation these days.

Although however cynical we want to be, the world is celebrating Valentine’s Day and so are we! After all what’s the harm in a calendar reminder to tell your partner how much they mean to you?

A date that nudges us to spend quality time together, appreciating how much the other person means to us.

A key way to add romance to a relationship is spontaneity, surprise them by booking a table at the Grapevine for a romantic dinner of appetising treats and delicious wine. A fun date night without causing financial stress

Or perhaps the days leading up to and surrounding Valentine’s Day are the perfect time to snuggle up with your special someone and a good book or two? We’ve put together our 10 best romantic novels to choose from…

1) ‘Just Kids’ by the fabulous Patti Smith is a perfect Valentine’s day read, recounting a youthful romance of young artists in a 1960s downtown New York

2) ‘The Notebook’ by Nicolas Sparks is an adoringly romantic story that will be read countless of times, tenderly telling the passionate relationship of Noah & Allie

3) Helen Fielding’s ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’ is a whacky, hilarious romance. Diving into Bridget’s up and downs as a single woman never gets old. And to know Mark Darcy is waiting for her at the end? Well that can easily put anyone in the loving mood

4) ‘Two boys kissing’ explains young gay love in general and the struggles that often come with coming-of-age and coming out combined. David Levithan leaves a particularly poignant touch

5) ‘Felicity’ a collection of poems by Mary Oliver, fills the reader with happiness, hope and optimism

6) ”The trouble with Valentines day’ by Rachel Gibson is a book that will leave you smiling and full of joy and love

7) If you like your Romance with a healthy dose of laughter, you won’t want to miss ‘Cursed by Cupid’. This fast paced look at love through the eyes of a woman cursed will leave readers laughing and cheering Tilly on, a cute and compelling read

8) Emily Bronte’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ is a classic, best enjoyed by the old-school romantic to really savour the deep magnetic attraction between Catherine and her gypsy beau is a classic, best enjoyed by the old-school romantic to really savour the deep magnetic attraction between Catherine and her gypsy beau

9) ‘The Time Traveller’s Wife’ is an international best seller, Niffenegger writes about Henry who travels back and forth in time to meet his wife, a slightly unconventional relationship that weathers all obstacles

10) Jane Austen’s classic ‘Emma’ continues to stand above the rest as Austen beautifully reminds us that in order to see a truth that is right in front of us, we often have to step back for the larger view..

Enjoy these swoon-worthy reads whether you are single and looking or attached and blissed out, there’s something for everyone in the realm of Valentine’s Day romance.

Becoming a member of the The Grapevine’s Bookclub would entitle you to 10% off all food and drink items a great saving to share amongst friends and family. Along with being the first in the know about up and coming events plus the reading room would be at your disposal for any meetings or gatherings. A great place to socialise, meet and discuss your views on anything.