25 Romance Novels to Make You Feel All the Love
25 Romance Novels to Make You Feel All the Love
Maybe it’s the witty banter that gets you. Maybe you’re just a sucker for some unrequited love. Whatever the case, the very best romance novels are the ones that pull you in right from the start and leave you aching for more long after the last page is turned. From Jane Austen to Beverly Jenkins, the romance genre is dominated by some pretty badass authors who never fail to keep you on your toes. It’s also chock-full of diverse love stories — some tame, and others … well, not so tame. (*Wink, wink*) But in the end, that’s exactly why they're so beloved.
Needless to say, picking the best romance novels of all time is a pretty tall order, and this list only just begins to scratch the surface of what’s out there. But one thing’s for sure: From contemporary to historical, regency to LGBTQ+, these curl-up-in-bed love stories will definitely have you staying up way past your bedtime to see if true love really wins out in the end.
Gone with the Wind
Scribner
amazon.com
$15.28
There’s a reason why Gone with the Wind has remained a bestseller for decades (and even snagged its author a Pulitzer Prize). The iconic novel is set against the backdrop of the Civil War and the Reconstruction Era of the 1800s, as it follows the plight of Scarlett O’Hara, the daughter of a Georgia plantation owner, and her tangled love affairs. Even if you’ve already seen the movie, you won’t be able to help but fall in love with the book, which will immerse you further into the world of Tara.
The Bride Test
Berkley
amazon.com
$10.98
When you have autism, falling in love doesn’t always come naturally — particularly when you process emotions differently than others. But falling in love when your overly-meddling mom who is literally bride shopping for you? Now that’s even trickier. Such is the predicament that Khai Diep finds himself in when his mother heads back to their native Vietnam to find him a wife. But lo and behold, she actually does — and it actually challenges Khai to rethink why he’s been avoiding relationships to begin with.
Pride & Prejudice
barnesandnoble.com
$6.95
Could we really talk about the best romance novels without mentioning a Jane Austen title? Pride & Prejudice is so timeless, so beloved, so perfect that it belongs at the very top of any romance list. The unexpected love story between the very proud Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and the slightly prejudiced Elizabeth Bennett has become the stuff of literary paradigms — and with good reason. It may have been penned more than 200 years ago, but Darcy and Elizabeth’s undeniable chemistry and fiery banter still hold up.
Rebecca
William Morrow & Company
amazon.com
$9.55
This 1938 gothic romance will transport you to the windswept coasts of England and leave you on the edge of your seat in ways you weren’t quite expecting. It takes place at Manderley — the beautiful Cornish estate owned by Maxim de Winter, which may or may not still be haunted by his first wife, Rebecca. When Maxim returns there with his new wife, his past and present collide just as old secrets start to spill out.
The Preacher's Promise: A Home to Milford College novel (Volume 1)
Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
amazon.com
$12.99
Fresh from her college graduation, Amanda Stewart is shattered by the death of her father and, as a result, suddenly feels alone in the world. But as a young, educated Black woman in the post-Civil War era, she knows she has a purpose. Amanda soon travels south to Georgia, where she sets up a school in the town of Milford and hopes to empower former slaves by teaching them to read and write. Her plan is made difficult, however, by the local mayor and preacher, who butts heads
The Time Traveler's Wife
Scribner
amazon.com
$14.91
Few love stories are as unconventional (or as captivating) as this one. True to its name, The Time Traveler’s Wife follows the story of Henry deTamble, a librarian with a strange condition: He inadvertently slips in and out of different time periods. In doing so, he meets the beautiful artist Clare Abshire, and begins a passionate love affair. But what happens when reality — and time — catches up to them?
The Grand Sophy (The Georgette Heyer Signature Collection)
Sourcebooks Casablanca
amazon.com
$13.79
Georgette Heyer may not be as big of a household name as Jane Austin or Charlotte Bronte, but she definitely deserves to be. The British novelist penned dozens of beloved titles during the early 20th century and has long been called the Queen of Regency Romance, but this one remains a particular fan favorite. The bold and outspoken Sophy Stanton-Lacey is known for trying to solve everyone else’s problems and goes to comical lengths to do so when she visits her cousins in England. But she’s taken by surprise when she finds herself falling in love with an unlikely gentleman, and begins to have a few “problems” of her own.
Blackmoore
barnesandnoble.com
$15.99
Unlike most women of her day, Kate Worthington isn’t in hot pursuit of a marriage proposal. In fact, she’s certain that she’ll never marry, and longs instead to travel to India on something of a search for self-discovery. Her mother is understandably shocked by this, and will only agree if Kate first entertains — and rejects — three marriage proposals before leaving for India. Kate begrudgingly goes along with the plan, and finally enlists the help of her childhood friend, Henry Delafield, to help her clinch the deal once and for all. The only problem? It suddenly stirs feelings within her that she’s long since shut away.
One Day in December: A Novel
Ballantine Books
amazon.com
$12.58
Laurie thinks she’s found the man of her dreams when she spots a handsome stranger at a London bus stop. The pair lock eyes in a moment that’s nothing short of magnetic; but the bus takes off and it’s all over in an instant. She spends the next year pining for the mysterious stranger until she finally comes face-to-face with him once more — when Laurie’s roommate introduces her to her new boyfriend, Jack.
Virgin River (A Virgin River Novel)
Mira Books
amazon.com
$7.81
Heartbroken by the recent death of her husband, Melinda Monroe is ready to leave her world behind when she comes across an ad for a nurse/midwife position. The job is located in the remote mountain town of Virgin River, and even comes with a rent-free cabin. But when she gets there, things are far from what they seemed, and she begins to make plans to leave.
The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgerton Series #2) (With 2nd Epilogue)
barnesandnoble.com
$8.99
If you just can’t get enough of that Darcy and Elizabeth-style tension, Julia Quinn serves it up on a silver platter with this one. Set in London during the early 1800s, The Viscount Who Loved Me brings together the fiercely outspoken Kate Sheffield and the elusive bachelor Anthony Bridgerton — a man with an envious title and an even bigger reputation as a rake.
The Notebook
Vision
barnesandnoble.com
$8.99
Chances are, you’ve seen the movie and have fallen in love with Ryan Gosling a million times over. (You’ve also probably bawled your eyes out at the ending more times than you’d care to admit.) But the book itself is still worth a read, and will plunge you further into the unforgettable love story of Noah and Ali, who made it despite all the forces that threatened to keep them apart.
Slightly Dangerous (Bedwyn Saga Series #6)
barnesandnoble.com
$8.99
As with all notorious rakes, the Duke of Bewcastle has a reputation that precedes him — which is precisely why London’s high society is all aflutter with news of his impending arrival. Any man would love to be him and any woman would love to be with him. Well, except for Christine Derrick, who’s recently managed to catch both his eye and his interest.
The Hating Game: A Novel
William Morrow & Company
amazon.com
$10.98
Ever hated your coworker with a fiery passion? Well, buckle up. This one flips a little workplace tension on its head with the story of Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman, who both work as dueling executive assistants to two co-CEOs of a publishing company.
A Duke, the Lady, and a Baby: A Multi-Cultural Historical Regency Romance (Rogues and Remarkable Women)
Zebra
amazon.com
$13.39
Patience Jordan is strong-willed and unafraid to speak her mind, which lands her in some trouble when she questions the mysterious suicide of her British husband. The West Indian heiress soon finds herself falsely imprisoned for his death, and stripped of her fortune, her reputation, and most of all, her son.
The Proposal
Berkley
amazon.com
$11.98
You might think that this book ends with a jaw-dropping proposal, but instead it begins with one. (And unfortunately, it’s pretty cringe-worthy.) Freelance writer Nikole Paterson is stunned when her boyfriend of five months proposes to her at a Dodgers game one night, in front of 45,000 fans. She also knows she can’t say yes, especially after he spells her name wrong.
Bringing Down the Duke
Berkley
amazon.com
$14.99
Feminists will love this story of the headstrong Annabelle Archer, who becomes one of the first female students accepted into Oxford in 1879. There’s just one catch: In exchange for her scholarship, she must agree to support the women’s suffrage movement and recruit more men to join their cause.
The Duchess War
amazon.com
$8.99
Miss Minerva Lane doesn’t exactly crave the spotlight. In fact, she’d love anything but to be the center of attention, thanks to her slightly scandalous past. But all of that becomes quite a challenge when the dashing Duke of Clermont discovers her secrets and threatens to lay them bare.
A Long Petal of the Sea: A Novel
Random House Large Print
amazon.com
$17.99
Allende is one of those writers who never misses the mark, and her latest novel is no exception. It takes place in 1930s Spain, which is in the midst of a civil war. Roser, a pregnant widow, is one of thousands forced to flee to France for safety, and finds herself protected by her late husband’s brother, Victor Dalmau, who works as an army doctor. The pair enter into a reluctant marriage in order to survive, and forge ahead as refugees until they can return to their homeland. But as the years tick by, they discover that love has managed to grow despite their unlikely union, and their shared struggle bonds them in ways unseen.
Jane Eyre
Simon & Schuster
barnesandnoble.com
$7.00
Jane Eyre has been on high school reading lists for eons and is practically a rite of passage for any reader who loves a good tale of romance. That said, it’s certainly not light-hearted fluff stuff. It tells the story of Jane, a young woman from the north of England who overcomes a troubled abusive childhood to become a governess at Thornfield Hall.
The Magnolia Inn
barnesandnoble.com
$12.95
If you’re looking for a cozy read, you’ve come to the right place. Jolene Broussard is looking for a fresh start when she inherits her aunt and uncle’s run-down B&B, and a move to the East Texas pines seems like the perfect salve. The only problem? She doesn’t expect to butt heads with Tucker Malone, a moody carpenter she needs in order to fix up the old Victorian home and restore it to its former glory.
Call Me by Your Name: A Novel
Picador
amazon.com
$7.80
Long before it was an Oscar-winning movie, Call Me By Your Name was a bestselling novel that amassed critical acclaim worldwide. It captures the unexpected yet passionate affair sparked one summer in the 1980s between a teen boy and a male guest at his parents’ summer home in the Italian Riviera.
The Kiss Quotient
Berkley
amazon.com
$12.13
If you’re looking for a contemporary love story with a bit of quirkiness, this one’s for you. Similar to Hoang’s other beloved novel, The Bride Test, this book also follows a lead character on the autism spectrum. Stella Lane is a whiz at her job, which involves coming up with complex algorithms that can predict customer purchases. But when it comes to love? Well, that part of her life has always been put on the back-burner.
Grab a glass of wine and settle in — these romantic reads will capture your heart from beginning to end.