Valentine’s Binge List
Romance Books, Movies & Series You’ll Love
Romance is one of my favourite genre, both in books and cinema. Though I have set preferences in both mediums- tragic romances in books and rom-coms in cinema.
So whether you are single, in a relationship/marriage or in any of the dating trends GenZ has come up with, here are some books, movies and series that you can read/watch during the Valentine's week or throughout the year. For singles, take these as solo-date ideas, with your fictional pasandida mard/aurat by your side, as you feed your delusion and not feel lonely by any chance.
I have curated a list of romantic books, movies and series that made to my favourites and I hope you’ll will love these too. Some will make you feel giddy, some will make you reflect and some will make you cry your heart out as you reach for those tissues.
Most Indians will know these books, movies and series, esp those of commercial authors and the King of Romance, SRK. But for those who don't, here are recommendations.
So without any further delay, let's dive right in the lists.
Books
Five Feet Apart by Rachel Lippincott with Mikki Daughtry and Tombias Iaconis - 2 teens with Cystic Fibrosis fall in love but they can't touch each other and have to maintain a 6ft distance. It is also adapted into a movie (both book and movie were produced near the same time) which is just as amazing.
I Too Had A Love Story by Ravinder Singh - A real-life story of the author where arranged marriage set-up leads to love during the courtship period.
Will You Still Love Me? by Ravinder Singh- Lead characters from different culture and region of India meet on a flight, leading the guy to stand up against his Punjabi family if they are to be together, but the life takes a different route for them.
A Kiss in the Air by Ravinder Singh - This is a short story where the leads meet on a plane (again) and the guy gets a memory of a lifetime in a short period.
Her Last Wish by Ajay K. Pandey - Husband tries to fulfill the wishes of his terminally ill wife.
You are the Best Wife by Ajay K. Pandey- Opposites fall in love. The story also reflects on caste boundaries/discrimination and other themes. Again, a real-life story of the author.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen- Witty girl and reserved guy fall in love after some miscommunication and prejudice. The classic story makes it a favourite of so many people as Elizabeth didn't have to “fix” the guy and he changed his actions based on his own reflection. This contradicts the current dating trend where girls are expected or they want to “fix” the boys. Personally, Elizabeth’s character felt so relatable to me that it feels like she was my fictional ancestor from 19th century Britain😂. The 2005 adaptation of the movie is my favourite too.
The Stationary Shop of Tehran by Marjan Kamali - Teens fall in love as they talk about books, but the rising political turmoil in their country tests their love and changes the trajectory of their lives.
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han- Fake dating to true love trope. Ofcourse, the story is a bit problematic but the efforts Peter puts in for Lara Jean is so endearing. This book remains a cult favourite of girls and/or teenage romance readers. Out of the trilogy (also adapted into movies) first one is my favourite.
All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven- Two teens with mental health issues and suicidal tendencies fall in love as they talk about their life, past, literature etc., while they fight their own battles. This has a movie adaptation as well.
Movies and series
Little Things- Kind of an ideal relationship, the series gives deep insights on love and relationship in the simplest of ways, as couple’s story changes from live-in to long distance (a tough test to love and patience, to be honest) and surviving everything together.
Sita Ramam - A soldier and a princess falls in love through letters.
Modern Love Mumbai - From this series, episode nos. 1 (Raat Rani), 2 (Baai), 5 (I Love Thane) and 6 (Cutting Chai) were the ones I liked. From exploring oneself after a breakup, to Boy Love story against a homophobic family, to forming a seperate identity as a individual while still loving your partner and navigating life together, Modern Love Mumbai felt more relatable than Modern Love (whose some episodes are also great).
Mohabbatein - A former student of a high school who was expelled comes back as a teacher to change the ways the high school works in his own little ways, making the campus from a fearful one to a loving and secure one.
Kal Ho Na Ho - Another classic movie of SRK, I don't think I need to say anything about this, esp after its theatrical re-release a few months before.
Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham - The love story & banter between a rich guy and a clumsy, outspoken, chill middle-class girl have my heart 🥹❤️.
Meri Pyari Bindu- Friends to lovers set against the city of Kolkata and its rich literary heritage.
Bareilly ki Barfi - A rom-com where girl falls in love with the author of the book she read, who is also her friend (but she does not know he is the author).
Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na- One of the best realistic college love stories featuring a introvert guy and a bubbly girl. Just felt bad for Meghna.
Shubh Mangal Zyada Savdhaan - A gay love story featuring Ayushmann Khurrana and Jitendra Kumar (famously known as Jitu bhaiya).
Chemical Hearts- Girl who is in the magazine committe of her high school griefs the loss of her late boyfriend while slowly moving on and falling in love with a new guy. The literature background is the additional bonus.
Red, White and Royal Blue- An enemy-to-lovers (or more like misunderstanding?) queer love story between the son of President of America and Prince of England.
Marriage Story - Even as a couple is heading for divorce, the story of their love is 🥹.
Heartstopper- A queer series exploring several types of love and relationships- gay, lesbian, trans, asexual, etc.
13 Going on 30 - Jenna Rink wishes she could just grow up after being humiliated at her 13th birthday party — only to wake up as a 30-year-old fashion magazine editor.
Bridgerton - Season 2 is probably my favourite for the inter-racial slow burn romance and the way Anthony admires Kate (can't even believe actor is gay in real life after this acting). Every story/season is unfortunately laced by lies and betrayal though 😢. But the visual appeal and love confessions of the Bridgerton men fills my heart. Eloise, Benedict and Penelope are my favourite characters from this series.
Is Love Enough? Sir- Shortened to ‘Sir’ now, the movie questions the class system as a employer falls in love with his house help. Though we know it is not realistic, it is a great watch.
Qarib Qarib Singlle- Two contrasting personalities, Yogi and Jaya, meet through a dating app and rediscover themselves while they set out to revisit their past.
Arranged Couple- A nice and short rom-com series on Youtube as the couple slowly falls in love after their arranged marriage, as they navigate the new life together and the nuances of (arranged) marriage.
Masaan- Another movie defying the class and caste structures of society with its lead couple and moving on.
Laapataa Ladies- Though it's major theme is feminism, the bond between Deepak and Phool and potential relationship between Jaya and Gunjan.
When Life Gives You Tangerines - Inspired from a real life story, it follows the life of Oh Ae-Sun and Gwan-Sik set in Jeju Island during late 20th century.
For now, these are the recommendations which you can read/watch this week or even the whole year. I will add to this if I remember anything or see anything new which I like, I will update this list.
Happy reading/watching!
Very good collection of books as well as movies.