25 Best Romance Novels to Add to Your To-Read List

‘Everything, Everything’ Nicola Yoon

Another young adult book sure to be a classic, Everything, Everything tells the story of Maddy, who has been housebound since she was a child after being diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease. She meets Olly, and everything changes. It was made into an equally excellent movie, starring Amandla Stenberg and Nick Robinson, in 2017.

‘The Notebook’ by Nicholas Sparks

As if this one wasn’t going on our list. Nicholas Sparks has to be the most popular romance author of our time. Half a dozen of his books could easily be on this list, but The Notebook is the one that stands above the rest, thanks, in part, to the now-classic film adaptation. After a summer romance like no other, Noah and Allie are separated by social class constructs in the early 1900s. Years later, the two reconnect, but it might be too late. Allie’s engaged.

‘Doctor Zhivago’ by Boris Pasternak

If you’re in the mood for love, you should take a trip back to the past. This 1957 novel was written by Boris Pasternak and won him the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1958. The captivating story tells a classic tale of forbidden love — the rich son of an industrialist is torn between career, family and the woman he falls for during the Russian Revolution. It’s nearly impossible to put down. 

With all of its twists and turns, Doctor Zhivago makes for a great read. The novel was also adapted into a movie in 1965 and a U.S. TV miniseries in 2002.

‘Pride and Prejudice’ by Jane Austen

Not only is Pride and Prejudice one of the most popular books in the English language, it’s also one of the most romantic love stories you can find.

Elizabeth Bennet is facing the prospect of marriage, along with her four sisters, in early 19th century England. Because only men could inherit property, Elizabeth and her sisters must marry if they want to live comfortably. At a ball, she has a run-in with the unpleasant and snooty Mr. Darcy, which starts a feud that eventually evolves into something much more.

‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ by EL James

EL James was Forbes‘ top earning author in 2013 for her Fifty Shades of Grey series, which has taken the romance and erotica world by storm. It started off as Twilight fan fiction and became a phenomenon, introducing many readers to the concept of BDSM for the first time. Although the story is controversial, this is a book that can’t be ignored. Everything begins when innocent Anastasia meets wild and sexy billionaire, Christian Grey, and things take a turn for the kinky. But, as their love unfolds, so do the secrets and their pasts, which neither of them may be able to outrun.

‘Outlander’ by Diana Gabaldon

Diana Gabaldon, as she told us during our interview, doesn’t like for her novels to be considered romance, because this book series really does cross into several different genres. But, let’s be real, it’s dramatically romantic. Claire Randall’s life is torn in two when she mysteriously time travels from 1945 to 1745. As if that doesn’t complicate matters enough, Claire’s life is further confused when she falls in love with two different men from two different centuries.

‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’ by Audrey Niffenegger

This one can definitely be bookmarked as the most unique love story on the list.

Henry is a time traveler who can’t control when he leaves or where he ends up on his timeline of life. Clare, his wife, was given a list of dates that Henry would appear when she was six years old. Her relationship continues to evolve whether he pops in on her when she’s 20 or 82. This relationship might sound doomed to fail, it is just as unpredictable as this page-turner.

‘Wuthering Heights’ by Emily Brontë

Possibly the most heartbreakingly beautiful love story ever written, Wuthering Heights was initially called vulgar when it was published in 1847 and criticized for its difficult characters. Of course, now we can recognize the complexity of this relationship, which showcases that societal standards shouldn’t dictate our happiness.

This novel is the depiction of the romance between Catherine and Heathcliff, whose love is both captivating and destructive.

‘The History of Love’ by Nicole Krauss

Even the title alone suggests this is a book that belongs on our list.

Though Leo and Alma are years apart, they are more closely connected than they realize. When Alma’s search to find her mother’s favorite author, in hopes that it’ll cure her loneliness, leads her to Leo, their story unfolds in a beautiful and breathtaking way.

‘P.S., I Love You’ by Cecelia Ahern

Make sure you have tissues handy for this one. It’s a tear-jerker, and you’ll be sure to love every minute of the sob-fest.

When Holly’s soulmate, Gerry, dies, she isn’t sure she can move on. But then she discovers a bundle of notes Gerry wrote her before he died — letters for each month after his death. Through the letters, Holly learns that life, love and the pursuit of happiness continues.

‘Twilight’ by Stephenie Meyer

Stephenie Meyer brought back paranormal YA romance with her whirlwind tales of vampires like we’d never seen them before. Love it or hate it, this book has staying power and inspired 50 Shades of Grey. Bella falls in love with vampire Edward and, though they would each die to be with one another, love is never that easy—especially when one person is immortal.

‘Gone with the Wind’ by Margaret Mitchell

First published in 1936, the Academy Award-winning film adaptation came after this novel was already considered a classic by many. That reputation has, of course, lived on to this day.

While many consider this novel more historical than romantic, the Civil War romance between bad boy, Rhett, and Southern belle, Scarlett, is not to be missed. Torn apart by war, it’s a relationship that doesn’t seem possible until they’re reunited many years later.

‘Eleanor & Park’ by Rainbow Rowell

This novel by Rainbow Rowell is a love letter to first loves. When 16-year-olds Eleanor and Park are forced to sit next to each other on the bus, these two misfits realize that they’ve got something special, specifically a mutal love of comic books and mix tapes. Set in the year 1986, these two crazy kids try to beat the bad first love odds—just look at Romeo and Juliet—and see if they can create something lasting. 

If you’ve ever fallen hard, this sweet tale of young love is enough to get you right in the feels — and make you appreciate all those fleeting first-love moments that aren’t meant to last.

‘Me Before You’ by Jojo Moyes

Here we have a quirky and unexpected love story sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. Louisa is living a pretty ordinary life in her village with her boyfriend and family, but she does need a job. She gets hired as a caretaker for the moody and bossy Will Traynor, who is wheelchair-bound after an accident. Louisa refuses to give into his moods and treats him as she would any other person, which is not something he’s used to. The two slowly fall deeply in love, but they’re confronted with the question: How far are you willing to go to make the one you love happy?

‘The Fault in Our Stars’ by John Green

If you haven’t seen the tearjerking movie yet, then start with this emotional YA book. The Fault in Our Stars is Green’s sixth book, published in 2012 and written from the point of view of a 16-year-old cancer patient. When Hazel falls in love with someone she meets at a cancer support group she is forced to attend by her parents, well, you can only imagine the beautiful heartbreak that is sure to come next.

‘Just Kids’ by Patti Smith

How about a titillating and true love story on the list? In Smith’s first book, Just Kids, a memoir written in 2010, the iconic ’70s punk rocker explores her relationship with artist and photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, which she kept pretty private. It’s an honest and innocent look at young love in the late 1960s and early ’70s, and Smith’s voice — recounting her badass life — is both irresistible and sweet.

This is what it looks like to fall in love as a young woman who’s still trying to figure herself out, and most of us can relate.

‘Water for Elephants’ by Sara Gruen

You might have seen the recent movie in all of its Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon-y glory, but this is yet another time when fans argue that the book is better than the movie. In Water for Elephants, we meet Jacob, a veterinary student who, after tragedy strikes, hops on a train that belongs to a traveling circus. Jacob begins working as an animal caretaker, where he meets a beautiful circus performer named Marlena. Their shared compassion for an elephant (and the undeniable romantic attraction between the two) makes for a beautiful and captivating love story set against the backdrop of Prohibition and the Great Depression.

‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby tells the tale of glitz, glamour, pain and privilege — in an easy read that is short and sweet. Gatsby’s neighbor Nick Caraway recounts the story of the love between Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan in the early 1920s, which is brought to life by over-the-top parties and Gatsby’s lavish wealth. Though you may already know how this book ends, spending a few hours and going on this wild and romantic journey is worth it. 

‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’ by Helen Fielding

This smash hit and iconic ’90s chick lit novel is a natural choice. As fluffy and hilarious as Bridget Jones’s Diary might seem at times, it has touching moments and undercurrents of angst that we can all relate to. In her diary, Bridget goes through many things that women in their 30s experience. If you’ve ever spent way too much time pining over someone you think you can’t have, this is a novel you’ll appreciate. Plus, it’s also based off Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. 

‘Silver Linings Playbook’ by Matthew Quick

While the movie was a big win, Silver Linings Playbook, published in 2010, might do you one better. The characters are still the same, though the storyline follows Pat further as he tries to reunite with his wife while struggling with mental health issues. If anything, the book’s going to give you that dose of reality that the movie did not have the time or the detail to delve into.

Love is real, it’s complicated, and sometimes, it’s really complicated.

‘Dead Until Dark’ by Charlaine Harris

If you were a fan of True Blood, you’re totally going to get sucked (get it?) into this book.

Season one of the hit HBO show pretty closely mirrored Dead Until Dark, but Charlaine Harris’ whole series about Sookie Stackhouse’s romantic entanglements with vampires and other supernatural creatures is so entertaining, you won’t mind the overlap. 

If you’re looking for an easy summer read full of romance, this book is totally for you.

‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’ by Jenny Han

Lara Jean stores the five love letters she’s written to five boys in a special box her mother gave her. Lara didn’t ever think that those letters would see the light of day, but one day, they are sent to the boys she’s loved. Her imaginary love life just got a little more real and makes this awkward girl put herself out there. Netflix put out an adaptation starring Lana Condor and Noah Centineo, who played Lara’s crush Peter Kavinsky, that catapulted the book series to the top of the best-sellers list.

‘Call Me By Your Name’ by André Aciman

Elio’s family goes to a mansion in Italy every year and invites one doctoral student as a guest every year. Those guests are usually pretty unremarkable, but this year’s 24-year-old guest, Oliver, changes Elio’s life in 1983. In those memorable six weeks, the 17-year-old falls head-over-heels for Oliver. This beautifully written novel explores how passionate and obsessive love affairs change us.

‘Red, White & Royal Blue’ by Casey McQuiston

This romance novel gives a new meaning to star-crossed romance. The first son of America, Alex Claremont-Diaz, and the Prince of Wales, Henry are photographed fighting, which worsens the relations between Britain and America. Needless to say, Madam President and the Royals are not enthused. They force the pair to fake an Instagram relationship, which starts off as a chore, but when the two start up a secret romance, diplomatic relations are more fraught than ever.

‘The Kiss Quotient’ by Helen Hoang

Stella Lane loves numbers and helps create algorithms to predict what customers are going to buy. She’s 30 years old, but has a lot less romantic experience than other colleagues her age. She has Asperger’s and doesn’t enjoy how kissing feels. To catch up with her coworkers, she hires an escort named Michael Phan. She gives him a no-nonsense list of what she wants to learn how to do, and they get to work. Over time, their relationship evolves, and Stella realizes this might not just be a business transaction.