The best romance books, recommended by people who read a lot of them. Whether you're looking for your first romance book or you're an avid fan looking for the best romances of 2023, you'll hopefully find what you're looking for here.
Romance is by far the bestselling genre in the world, and American romance writer Colleen Hoover was the bestselling author of 2022. It's no surprise: while tales of murdering one's landlady and trying to live with the subsequent guilt may touch on universal themes, trying to find someone to love and spend our lives with is a lot more immediate for most of us.
We also have collections of the best historical romance, fantasy romance and romantic comedies.
PS We'd have loved to include our Jane Austen interviews on this list, as one of the pioneers of the genre, but she's been relegated to the English literature section of the site).
PPS We've also interviewed bestselling romance writers Sophie Kinsella (real name: Madeleine Wickham) and Eloisa James (Mary Bly in real life, a tenured professor in English literature at Fordham University) on their favourite books in the genre. You'll find their recommendations below:
The Best Fantasy Romance Books, recommended by A.K. Mulford
Fantasy romances top bestseller charts, and also dominate an enormous fandom and fan fic culture. Where did this turn towards intimacy in the fantasy epic begin, and what does it offer readers? Bestselling author A.K. Mulford guides us through the delights of romantasy novels: comforting reads, immersive worlds, and a central concern with emotional intimacy – in all its varieties.
The Best Romance Books of 2023, recommended by Katherine D. Morgan
Looking for a love story that will make you swoon, wince, whoop, and cheer? We have some suggestions for you. Guest editor Katherine D. Morgan rounds up the best romance books of 2023: five emotional and entertaining novels that will really hit you where it hurts.
The Best Romance Books To Read In Summer 2023, recommended by Katherine D. Morgan
If you’re dreaming of some steamy summer loving this season, then do we have book recommendations for you. Katherine D. Morgan—bookseller, romance editor, and fan of happily-ever-afters—selects five recently published romance books to pack for the summer of 2023.
The Best Regency Romance Novels, recommended by Olivia Waite
Britain’s Regency period has always been a popular setting for historical romances—and particularly so in the wake of the hit television adaptation of Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series. We asked the author and columnist Olivia Waite to recommend five of the best Regency romance novels for those who prefer their love stories trimmed with lace.
The Best Romance Books of 2022, recommended by Katherine D. Morgan
If you like your novels to end happily ever after, then do we have reading recommendations for you. Guest editor Katherine D. Morgan selects five of the best romance books of 2022, and offers a quick round-up of the love stories you should be looking forward to over the next few months.
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1
The Bride Test
by Helen Hoang and Emily Woo Zeller (narrator) -
2
Get a Life, Chloe Brown
by Talia Hibbert and Adjoa Andoh (narrator) -
3
Boyfriend Material
by Alexis Hall -
4
Desire Lines
by Elizabeth Kingston & Nicholas Boulton (narrator) -
5
Love Lettering
by Kate Clayborn & Nicol Zanzarella (narrator)
The Best Romance Audiobooks, recommended by Emily Connelly
The Best Romance Audiobooks, recommended by Emily Connelly
With Valentine’s Day only days away, it’s time to get in the mood for love—and what better way than listening to an audiobook about two people who at first don’t get along but then fall madly in love? Emily Connelly, assistant editor of AudioFile magazine, recommends her favourite romance audiobooks.
Eloisa James on Her Favourite Romance Novels
Bestselling romantic novelist Eloisa James says romance novels are all pretty feminist: even historical heroines (who couldn’t hold a job) are forthright, strong women
The Best LGBTQ+ Romance Books, recommended by Aaron Aceves
Recently there has been a big push among queer writers to foreground stories of love and joy, says Aaron Aceves, the debut author of a YA novel about longing, lust, and the value of friendship. Here, he selects five of the best LGBTQ+ romance novels with joie de vivre—but which also aren't afraid to engage with a bit of hard reality on the way to a happy ending.
The Best Romance Books of 2021, recommended by Natasha Tomic
Romance is one of the most widely read and commercially successful genres, a literary haven for those seeking a happy ending. Here, the book blogger and self-confessed romantic fiction addict Natasha Tomic chooses her top five romantic novels of 2021, and explains why it's the perfect escapist genre.
The Best Romantic Comedy Books: The 2021 Romantic Novelists’ Association Shortlist, recommended by Celia Anderson
There’s nothing more comforting than a good rom com: they promise warmth, cosiness and a glimpse of another lifestyle, whether that be stringing up fairy lights in a traditional department store or setting up home on a remote island. Here, Celia Anderson of the Romantic Novelists’ Association talks us through their 2021 shortlist of the best romantic comedy books.