I have always been a lover of romance novels. Grew up on Disney Princess stories that quickly turned me into a hopeless romantic. And despite people/guys treating me like crap in school, I maintained being a hopeless romantic. I loved reading about the “tall, dark, mysterious” men and the sassy women who would square up against them. I loved period romances, paranormal, modern “chick-lit” as it’s called, and more. I’m not sorry. And I’m not sorry about wanting to share them with you.
Now, you may or may not agree with the list below, and that’s cool. I’ve certainly not read all the books that are out there. But these are my favorites. When I’m wanting to devour a good romance, these are the books I turn to. So, without further ado, here are my 14 Must Read Romance Books.
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
Coming in at number one, is the mother of all romance novels. Jane Austen was a huge influence to the romance genre along with the likes of the Bronte sisters, but Pride and Prejudice is a classic for good reason. We have the enemies to lovers in a way, the miscommunication, the pining from afar. It’s all good stuff.
Now I know some say this book is too difficult to read, and that if you claim to enjoy it you’re lying. Well I guess I am one of those liars. I’m not saying it’s an easy read, but I do enjoy it. And if you enjoy romance books, especially with a slow burn, you should definitely give this classic a try.
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
This is one I read back in my high school days. And of all of Dessen’s novels, of which there are many, Just Listen is the one that I will always come back to read.
We have a version of grumpy/sunshine, family drama, teenage high school drama, etc. Our main female lead, Annabel, has experienced some extreme trauma and situations. And really, all she is after is to be understood, for someone to believe, for someone to listen. Even if that person ends up being herself.
It’s YA, and it deals with some pretty relevant issues that teenagers go through as far as feeling like they can’t tell the truth. Losing friends. And wondering if they’ll be believed if they come forward about events.
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Now, I’m sorry if you’re one of the Maas haters or simply ACOTAR haters. I hear your arguments, and they’re valid. However, I loved this series. I will admit, that the first in the series, A Court of Thorns and Roses is the slowest and my least favorite of the series, however, it’s a series. You have to read this one first.
I love the female lead, and enjoyed the enemies to lovers trope. This book in particular is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, up until the last quarter. And that’s when things get really, really good. You will be biting at the bit for the next and then the next in the series.
If you can get past the retelling (if you’re not a fan) of the first book, I believe you’ll enjoy this series as a whole. Definitely give it a try if you’re into paranormal romances, multiple threads, mates. If you want my full review on this first one, you can find it here. It does contain spoilers though, so consider yourself warned.
Dark Lover by J.R. Ward
One of the absolute Queens of the Paranormal Romance genre, J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood novels are as top tier as they come.
Dark Lover is the first in her long series, now at 30 strong, and counting.
These guys are the alpha males not only in personality, but also in the vampire romance genre. In these novels, vampires are not humans that have been sucked dry and turned. They’re a totally different species.
In this introduction to the series we get Wrath’s story, the reluctant leader of the Brotherhood, and the only pureblooded vampire left in the world. And he has a vendetta against the slayers who murdered his family. Now, let’s mix in a sexy half-breed with an equally hard-headed personality and watch the sparks fly.
These books are spicy, full of swears, leathers, and shit-kickers. There may be 30 books so far, but it’s a world I hope to see never end.
Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning
Another queen when it comes to the paranormal romance genre, Moning’s Highlander series is chock full of fae, alpha males, strong females, and you guessed it, Scottish highlanders. What’s not to love?
This first of eight novels, Beyond the Highland Mist gives us time travel, a handsome laird, a headstrong modern woman, and irresistible spice.
This series is also full of sexy male and female leads. They do tend to follow that formula of: attraction, romance, miscommunication, separation and then an event that brings the party together again. But, even knowing that, I thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of them. I mean, it’s Scottish highlanders and the fae. I ask you again, what’s not to love?
One for the Money by Janet Evanovich
If you enjoy romance, a slew of hilarious characters, and one woman becoming a bounty-hunter to make some fast cash, One for the Money is your book.
I laughed so much while reading this series. For me, it ranked up there with The Black Dagger Brotherhood series but on the opposite end of the spectrum. Instead of darkness, vampires and century long feuds, we get bright New Jersey, quirky characters and a female lead that’s unforgettable.
We get love triangles, sassy grandma’s, mysteries, and murder attempts on our MC’s life. It’s always a wild ride, and this ride is now going on 30 books, with Dirty Thirty released in 2023. I don’t see Evanovich slowing down now.
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
I was floored when I learned this story was a book first. Because I’ll be honest, I fell in love with Studio Ghibli’s animated version first.
When I learned of the novel that inspired arguably my favorite Ghibli movie, I had to read it. I was not disappointed.
There are several differences, of which I won’t spoil here, but if you loved the love story between Howl and Sophie you should really pick up the inspiration.
Calcifer and Howl will enchant you in this fantasy like never before. Ghibli did an amazing job adapting this story to film.
The Chief by Monica McCarty
Maybe I have a Highlander thing…
The Chief is a first in a historical romance series (14) set in the 1300s. During the times of Robert the Bruce, and the fight to free Scotland from England.
These are novels of alpha male lairds, and their fiery brides.
Love in the time of war and battles is never easy, certainly not for these tough guys. Lucky for them though, they each meet the woman of their dreams (or nightmares) and everyone usually gets their HEA. Happily Ever After.
Again, these books follow a formula. But it’s a formula that works, and that’s what keeps you coming back. Each book focuses on a particular man and his love story, but all take place in the same universe and they do require you to read in chronological order.
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
I enjoy a good modern romance, especially when it’s about bookstores, bookish people and writers. Some say it’s a copout, but as a book lover…myself, I quite enjoy them.
Book Lovers by Emily Henry was a more recent read, but an instant favorite. Following literary agent Nora Stephens who visits her sister in North Carolina, where she runs into Charlie, an editor that she’s clashed with since they first met years ago.
What I loved about this book is that, it’s girl (and guy) go to a small-town to visit family, but it doesn’t turn out at all like I expected. And it was so refreshing!! I won’t give any spoilers away, but I did write a slightly more thorough review of this one that you can find here. And again, spoiler free!
Neon Gods by Katee Robert.
I know there have been many fairytale retellings, Beauty and the Beast especially. But another retelling that has become quite common has been Hades and Persephone of Greek mythology. And that may be in part due to how closely those resemble Beauty and the Beast.
There are some of those vibes in Neon Gods for sure, but what Katee Robert does is brilliant in my mind. And one I hadn’t envisioned before by taking the gods of Greek myth and making them roles in a city. Some of those roles are inheritable, legacy roles, like becoming Zeus. Other roles are filled after a vote. Some, like the role of Hera, are decided by marriage. If you marry Zeus, you are the new Hera, etc. The dynamics of Robert’s city of Olympus and the Thirteen is mesmerizing.
It’s also deliciously spicy. Anytime a new novel of this series (4 out currently) my husband always teases me with a smile, when I pick it up at the bookstore. “Is that your greek smut?”
Why yes, yes it is. And I LOVE it! I love it so much it has its own –spoiler free– review that you can read here. I will end with this: with Katee Robert (and her many, many books out now) you will be hard pressed to find a more sex positive author. Absolutely zero judgement.
Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One by Sharon Lathan
This series, does what most of us dream about when finally seeing our favorite couple get together. No not that you dirty minded soul, but I appreciate where your mind is going!
Ever wondered what life was like for Jane and Mr. Darcy after they wed? Well Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One, answers those questions, and takes us into the life after marriage of arguably the most famous fictional couple ever.
What I loved about this book is the author’s ability to not only give us a little more time with Jane and Mr. Darcy, but to give us era-appropriate problems that this couple would’ve faced. It’s a delightful read, and it will definitely give you the warm fuzzies and probably a blush or two!
Divine by Mistake by P.C. Cast
P.C. Cast is an amazing world-builder. And the world she crafts in Divine by Mistake is unforgettable.
The story follows English teach Shannon who is transported to another world, Partholon, when she touches an ancient vase with the depiction of a goddess that looks like her spitting image!
In this new world she is not only mistaken as the Goddess Incarnate, but she’s also due to be married to the High Shaman…oh, and he’s a centaur.
But there’s more to unravel than just how she ended up in this world, and darkness is brewing and threatening all in the world of Partholon.
I know a romance with a centaur may give some the shivers, but it’s one of those books to which I say, “trust the process.” It’s such a solid book, and the world you’ll find yourself in is amazing!
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
This book is one of the more beautifully written of the ones I’ve listed. And the love story is weaves is equally as captivating.
The Night Circus pits Celia and Marco, two illusionists, against each other at the bidding of their masters. But they don’t know this! And the stage for this battle of imaginations is Le Cirque des Reves, a circus that arrives with no warning and no advertising, and only at night.
This author does a stellar performance of weaving multiple threads (you know how I love those) in such a way that when the end is near, the threads snap together and leave you needing to go back and read it again so you can fully appreciate the scope of what she just did…again! You will not regret picking this one up if you haven’t already.
We’re finishing off this list with second featuring of Karen Marie Moning. And it’s well deserved.
Darkfever is the first of eleven in the Fever series. Following MacKayla, known as Mac, after her sister is murdered, she travels to Ireland to try and piece together the last moments of her sister’s life. And in the process discovers a new power that allows her to see the Fae.
As she tries to unravel the mystery of her sister’s death, she tries to avoid being killed herself, while dealing with a surly but sexy shop owner, Jericho, and a Fae prince. Oh also, save the world as the wall between the human and fae realms begins to shatter, because the fae are not the friendly neighbors you’re after.
This series offers some super spicy paranormal romance, an intricate story, and as it goes on it develops a strong cast of characters. Sitting at 4.06 stars on GoodReads with over 174k reviews, don’t just take my word for it that is a great book and series.
In Closing
This was probably one of my favorite blog posts I’ve written thus far. Getting to share my favorite books with you, and just hint at what’s behind the cover, was so much fun! Because it meant I got to revisit them too.
I’m definitely thinking about restarting the The Black Dagger Brotherhood series…I say as I try to avoid looking at my TBR pile.
Regardless, all these romance books are stellar in my opinion. There’s a good range, from historical to paranormal, so there’s a little something for everyone. I hope you give some of these a shot if they’re not already on your list.
What are some of your favorite romance books? I’m always to looking to add more to my TBR! Let me know below!
Until Next Time,
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