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— Andrew Limbong, Host of NPR's Book of the Day

It’s December. I’m slightly compelled to write something hacky about how the winter is cold and these romance books can help you stay warm, but I’ll leave that up to your imagination. Here are a few romance selections from NPR’s Books We Love:

Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe: As the title insinuates, Margo’s broke. She’s a young, single mom who starts an OnlyFans account to make some money. Yes, it’s a story about economic precarity but there’s a real charm to it. Elise Hu, host of the Ted Talks Daily podcast and author of Flawless calls it a “warm, heartleft, hilarious novel.” Check it out soon before the hold line gets too long at your library – it’s already being turned into a TV show starring Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman.

Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang, illustrated by LeUyen Pham: If you’re a sucker for teen romance stories, this one’s for you. This graphic novel follows young Val, who is at risk of giving up on love permanently. And this isn’t her being an overly dramatic teen – heartbreak does run in her family. But she meets someone who might help her break this generational curse. Critic Thúy Ðinh says the book combines the traditions of Valentine's Day (did you catch that her name as Val) and Lunar New Year to “create a dynamic romance, interweaving different traditions of the lion dance in Asian culture with the symbol of the lion in Christian iconography.”

Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen: While all sorts of romance is flying off the shelves right now, the indie romance scene is really flourishing. And Danielle Allen is at the top of it. Her latest is about a woman who’s got just a few weeks to find a boyfriend before she turns 30. Critic Carole V. Bell says it’s a “saucy, spicy modern romantic escape.”

These are just a tiny fraction of the hundreds of books recommended by our staffers and critics this year. We'll be back next week with more titles, and until then, you can check out the list for yourself.