Even the most serious nonfiction readers occasionally fall for a good romance novel, and who can blame them? A sweet love story can sweep you off your feet amidst an otherwise boring work week.
If you’re searching for the best romance books right now, check out these twelve best romance books for adults and teens. We promise you’ll find something that makes you smitten.
1. Come Sundown by Nora Roberts
With over 200 books under her belt, Roberts is a master storyteller. So it’s no surprise that her novel Come Sundown is wildly popular, touted as a favorite summer read by celebrities, and designated as an Amazon Editors’ pick for Best Romance.
In signature Roberts style, this novel has a twist of suspense, following a woman who returns to her family’s ranch and finds love, but not without danger.
2. Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
Alex Hall may be known for her LGBTQ+ novels, but you can also rely on her to deliver stories consistently full of humor, wit, and heart.
If you’re a fan of rom-coms and quirky but loveable characters, you won’t want to miss this story of Luc and Oliver, who agree to a fake relationship and—surprise, surprise—start to develop real feelings for one another.
3. Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan
You’re going to need tissues on standby for this one.
Ryan weaves a gripping story of a divorced couple who find their way back into one another’s arms. But will it work the second time? You’ll have to read to find out.
Ryan’s “powerhouse” ability to convey emotion shines through in this one. And who doesn’t love second-chance romance tropes?
3. Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
This is a tender coming-of-age story and enthralling romance wrapped into one. Felix is a transgender teen coming to terms with his identity amidst bullying at school. As he creates a plan for revenge, he finds himself in something of a love triangle.
It’s a romance book you can’t put down, and as one reader put it, “I would sell my soul to read this for the first time again!” This is contemporary YA fiction at its best.
4. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin
Say it with us now: “You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”
We couldn’t write about romance novels without including the swoon-worthy Mr. Darcy and the Bennet sisters. If you haven’t read Pride and Prejudice yet, there’s no time like the present. After all, it is one of the best romance books of all time.
6. Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali
This is one of our favorite young adult romance books right now.
It follows two Muslim teenagers as they navigate their faith, identities, and of course, love. When they meet and fall for each other on a trip to Qatar, they confront their fears and find strength in one another. It’s a touching read for anyone seeking a story that celebrates diversity and the power of connection.
7. The It Ends With Us series by Colleen Hoover
Colleen Hoover knows how to churn out smash-hit romances, and literally millions of readers continue to go crazy for the two books in her It Ends With Us series.
The first (eponymous) novel follows Lily as she falls in love with an enigmatic neurosurgeon while grappling with a past love. The second novel—It Starts With Us—finds Lily divorced from the neurosurgeon and pursuing that past love once again.
It’s an emotional rollercoaster, but the most delicious kind. And I highly recommend reading the book before watching the movie!
8. The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
Calling all fans of nerdy love themes in romance books. Hoang’s The Kiss Quotient starts with a no-nonsense partnership between math-obsessed Stella and her hired escort, Michael.
Will our logical leading lady be swept off her feet? There’s only one way to find out.
9. I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
If you were a fan of Red White and Royal Blue, it’s time to pick up another book by New York Times Bestselling author, Casey McQuistion. What happens when Chloe Green’s arch nemesis Shara kisses her, then disappears right before graduation?
I Kissed Shara Wheeler is a mystery and romance wrapped into one.
Related: What is a Cozy Mystery Book?
10. Kissing Kosher by Jean Meltzer
Be prepared to crave baked goods if you pick up this one! When Ethan Lipmann goes undercover as an employee at Avital’s family bakery, he expects to steal their famous babka recipe. Not to fall in love.
This is a sweet story about risking everything for romance, and we especially love that it features a main character with chronic pain, because representation matters.
11. Happy Place by Emily Henry
Henry is (one of) the reigning queens of contemporary romance, so of course she has to make this list.
In her smash hit Happy Place, Henry transports us to coastal Maine where main characters Harriet and Wyn are hiding a secret; They broke up six months ago and none of their friends know. Find out what happens in this “glittering and wise” novel and feel your heart split open in the best way.
12. The Trouble with Hating You by Sajni Patel
Biochemical Engineer Liya Thakkar is doing fine on her own, thanks. So when her parents try to set her up with arrogant lawyer Jay Shah, she wants nothing to do with it. Much to her chagrin, he shows up at her office a week later. Not to see her, but to save her struggling business.
Readers especially love this one for the strong and stubborn personality of the unapologetic Liya.
Frequently asked questions
Want to learn more about romance novels? We’re here to help!
What is the most popular romance book of all time?
It depends on who you ask, but many folks consider Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice to be the most enduringly popular romance novel. (That’s why it made our shortlist!) With over 4 million reviews on GoodReads and an average score of 4.3 out of 5, it’s clear this love story stands the test of time.
Who is the #1 romance author?
It would be difficult to give just one person that crown. After all, we have Jane Austen’s timeless prose, but there’s also Nicholas Sparks, Danielle Steel, Nora Roberts, and Sarah J Maas, a world-famous fantasy romance book writer.
Ultimately, we think the number one romance author is whoever’s love story moves you the most.
What is the best romance series to read?
Looking to get lost in a series of romantic books? Diana Gabalon’s Outlander series has had millions of fans since the early nineties. Tag along with main character Claire as she’s transported back to 1700’s Scotland and finds herself “torn between fidelity and desire.” When you’re finished with the books, you can tune into the TV series they inspired.
Similar to the #1 romance book author, this is a personal choice. Fantasy romance series are having a huge moment thanks to books like Fourth Wing and the ACOTAR series. But there are also very popular YA fiction books and dark romance books that have captivated audiences recently.
Related: How to Write a Fantasy Series
Interested in writing your own romance novel?
Looking to join the ranks of authors on this list and learn how to write a best-selling romance novel? We can help. At selfpublishing.com, romance is one of our most popular book genres – and we help aspiring authors like you self-publish your romance novel on your terms-keeping 100% of the royalties and creative freedom!
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If you’re ready to get started, you can book a free call. In the meantime, you can use our romance book title generator to get your creative juices flowing.
Wherever you are in your romance novel journey, we wish you luck (and of course, lots of butterflies).