The Best Romance Books
recommended by romance novelists, librarians and booksellers
Last updated: November 19, 2024
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 the past year, you'll hopefully find what you're looking for here.
Romance is by far the bestselling genre in the world and in 2023 American romance writer Colleen Hoover was again the bestselling author, according to data from Publishers Weekly. 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 many of us.
The Best Romance Books of Summer 2024, recommended by Katherine D. Morgan
If you’ve been looking for a love story to tuck into your beach bag, then look no further. Katherine D. Morgan—creator of Grand Gesture Books, a new romance-only bookstore—recommends the best new romance books of summer 2024. See all our romance and best novels of 2024 recommendations
The Best Sci-Fi Romance Novels, recommended by Natasha Pulley
Sci fi opens up new possibilities for romance stories, unconstrained by social reality. It’s an exciting time for the genre, says Natasha Pulley, bestselling author of The Mars House. Through her five contemporary favourites, she explores how human emotion – including romantic love and friendship – elevates the best sci-fi novels, creating stories with realism and depth.
The Best Romance Books with a Twist, recommended by Dani Atkins
“They’re not your traditional ‘boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy finds girl in the end.’ There’s normally something else underlying the plotline, which elevates it slightly from your traditional rom-com.” Award-winning romance novelist Dani Atkins recommends her favourite romance novels ‘with a twist.’
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