Book Recs Celebrating the Power of Female Friendships

I’m sure you’ve heard of Valentine’s Day, right?

February 14th. A day of hearts and flowers, chocolate and dinner reservations, romance and expressions of love. As a romance writer, I’m a sucker for any and all opportunities to celebrate romantic relationships.

But I’m wondering if you’ve you heard of Galentine’s Day.

No, that’s not a typo. Even though autocorrect keeps trying to change the “g” to a “v.” Yes, I do mean Galentine’s Day, aka February 13th.

It’s not an “official” holiday. But we can thank the writers behind the hit TV sitcom “Parks & Recreation” (Season 1, episode 16)* for their brilliance in coming up with a day focused solely on celebrating and appreciating the power of female friendships.

GalentinesDay This is not to say that we can’t and shouldn’t be doing this every day. If you’re like me, the busyness of life can get tedious, occasionally difficult. Definitely stressful. Sometimes it’s a random Tuesday and I find myself in need of a pick-me-up. I imagine the same happens with my friends. So, now and again, I’ll tap out a short “thinking of you & sending a ‘You got this!’ with a warm hug” text, hoping it’ll brighten a friend’s day.

But Galentine’s Day is THE day to gather your amigas. Or make that “just wanted to say I’m thankful for you” phone call or video chat. Or send that “Girl, you are THE best” text message. Some way to connect with the amigas who are your ride or dies. The girl friends you can call at any time for any reason and you know they’ll be there for you. And you for them.

That’s how the women in my novels are with each other, and it’s the same with the women in the books and series in my Book Rec list below.

Whether these women have traveled across the ocean to escape the French occupation in Mexico or for the World’s Fair in Paris, or if they’re dealing with the after-effects of having bought a winning lottery ticket together, or if they’re members of a kick-butt feminist girl gang in London, or they’ve grown up together in NYC, or if they’re playing a cat and mouse game involving Britain’s first female crime syndicate, or if they’re sharing a beautiful friendship in the midst of fame, fortune and the limelight. In each of these books and series, you’ll join a group of women who know and understand the value of the female friendships in their lives. Powerful, moving, must-read novels.

I encourage you to curl up with each of the books in these series. Treat yourself to a bevy of riveting, emotional reads. And when you’re not lost in the pages of one of these fantastic books, take a moment to reach out to a dear friend. Let her know you’re thankful for the special and the mundane moments of life you’ve shared together.

Happy Reading! And Feliz Galentine’s Day to you!