The Best Romance Books

If you have recently discovered the work of Kristin Hannah following her recent hit The Women, a story of female nurses in the Vietnam War, then you may be excited to learn that she has an extensive back-catalogue of more than twenty books to catch up on. Here they are, in order.

After reading The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata on the recommendation of a friend, Tegan Phillips was instantly hooked on all things sports romance. As she publishes her own first book, Melting for You, a romance set in the world of ice hockey, she recommends five of her favourite sports romance novels.

This week sees the publication of Onyx Storm, the third follow-up to American author Rebecca Yarros's hit novel Fourth Wing. As romantasy book series continue to crowd global bestseller lists, journalist Francesca Martin explains what the genre is all about and how she got hooked.

From kidnappings in Arizona to birdwatching in the British Isles, editors at AudioFile magazine have picked out the best romance audiobooks of the past year.

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

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.

"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.'

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.

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. For more recent books, please consult our best romance books of 2024 list. 

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.