After all the festivities of December, January was a long, cold month of overcast days and questionable snacking choices. On the plus side, I read a bunch of really good books, February holds the promise of warmer afternoons to come, and there’s Valentine’s Day! (Mmm… chocolate.) Here are a few of the reads that brought a little sparkle to this otherwise dreary month.

*****

Speaking of sparkle, Erin Connor’s memorable debut, Unromance (Forever), delivers a fresh, witty spin on the classic rom-com tropes, making it a must for fans of the genre.

When bestselling romance author Sawyer Greene, still reeling from heartbreak and struggling with writer’s block, has a one-night stand with recently dumped actor Mason West, she sees it as nothing more than a fun hookup. But when they keep running into each other, Mason proposes an unconventional deal: They’ll embark on a series of trope-filled, romance-inspired outings to help reignite Sawyer’s creative spark and help him turn off his hopelessly romantic inclinations that always end in sorrow.

Their (un)romance mission is meant to be purely platonic — no catching feelings and absolutely no (more) sex — but as Sawyer puts Mason through all the rom-com paces, they discover that resisting an entanglement will be harder than they imagined. Complicating matters is the fact that Mason is planning to leave his Chicago-based TV show for L.A. — so even if they wanted to pursue a real relationship (not that they do, they keep telling themselves), their time together has an expiration date.

With tongue firmly in cheek, Connor playfully pokes at familiar genre conventions while celebrating everything that makes them irresistible. With clever nods to romance clichés a la “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” cute chapter headings, and a winter setting that spans Christmas and New Year’s, readers will fall in love with Sawyer and Mason’s story.

*****

Jillian Meadows blends science, romance, and heartwarming found family in Give Me Butterflies (Avon), delivering a swoon-worthy, nerdy love story with plenty of emotional depth.

Entomologist Millie Oaks is laser-focused on landing her dream job as director of the Wilhelmina Natural Science Museum — until she realizes her grumpy, irresistibly handsome coworker, astronomer Finn Ashford, is on the hiring committee. Still reeling from his sister’s death, Finn is juggling his work responsibilities with caring for his twin nieces, so he doesn’t have room for distractions. But Millie’s sunny warmth slowly melts his protective walls.

As Millie teaches summer camp at the museum, she forms an unexpected bond with Finn’s nieces, seamlessly fitting into their lives even as she tries to keep her growing feelings in check. Theirs is an unlikely opposites-attract relationship in every way — from their grumpy/sunshine dynamic to their earth-versus-space professional pursuits. It all makes for a slow-burn romance full of crackling chemistry, witty banter, and genuine connection.

While grief, loss, and past wounds add a layer of depth to the story, at the heart of the novel is the importance of love, family, and second chances. Science lovers will appreciate the book’s STEM focus, too, which makes Give Me Butterflies perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood’s STEMinist romances.

*****

It’s not often we see a 40-something romance heroine, but Jane Costello’s relatable It’s Getting Hot in Here (Zibby Books) is a delight, offering a fresh take on love, family, and midlife reinvention.

Lisa Darling is a whip-smart, overworked British TV executive juggling single motherhood, PTA obligations, perimenopause, and the emotional toll of supporting her best friend, Rose, through cancer treatment. She is twice-divorced and quite convinced that she’s done with romantic relationships forever.

Enter Zach Russo, a sexy yet exasperating American media executive who arrives from Hollywood to cover for Rose while she’s undergoing treatment. He’s drop-dead gorgeous, but Lisa is convinced he’s trying to steal Rose’s job permanently and is determined to keep her distance. But that proves impossible as their contentious workplace relationship evolves into something like friendship — and Zach’s endearing vulnerability unexpectedly sparks something deeper.

Fans of Bridget Jones’s Diary will adore Lisa — she’s an incredibly competent (yet endlessly frazzled) protagonist who valiantly attempts to manage the chaos of her life with a long to-do list and a healthy dose of good humor. Her romantic misadventures, complicated family dynamics, and clever banter with Zach make for a tale that’s both funny and moving.

Costello deserves all the kudos for balancing the emotional weight of midlife issues with the joy of falling in love and rediscovering the wonder of romance and sex. Lisa’s struggles feel authentic, whether she’s dealing with her clueless ex-husband, worrying about her career, trying to be the best mom she can to her two boys, supporting her sick friend, or wrestling with self-doubt as she falls in love. Readers will cheer for Lisa, swoon over Zach, and find themselves smiling long after the last page.

Kristina Wright lives in Virginia with her husband, their two sons, two Goldendoodles and a ginger cat. She’s a regular contributor at BookBub and a lifelong fan of romance fiction. Find her on Twitter at @kristinawright or on Bookshop, where she features her book recommendations.