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February 13, 2026 
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Happy Galentine’s Day, dear readers!
As our department’s resident romance expert, I often get questions from befuddled colleagues about some of the terms I toss around: black cat/golden retriever, cinnamon roll, “oops, there’s only one bed.” The genre can feel as if it has a language of its own. If you’re a fan, it’s a helpful code that tells you quickly if a book is going to be your speed. (Forced proximity plus enemies-to-lovers plus grumpy/sunshine, with a generous sprinkle of yearning, usually guarantees I’ll have a good time.) But if you’re new to the genre, it’s more likely to leave you scratching your head and wondering who or what on earth qualifies as a stern brunch daddy.
The Book Review is here to help, with a new A–Z glossary of 101 romance terms you should know, from apron tuggers to zombies. Even the undead deserve love! I also broke some of them down in a video. And if you see something that strikes your fancy, we’ve included recommendations for books that show these tropes off at their best — all of which you can save to your reading list.
However you plan to spend your Valentine’s Day, and whomever you plan to spend it with, I hope you find something here to love! You’re all poetic and noble land mermaids in my book.
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