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Best Romance Books

Love stories that warm the heart, from contemporary romance to historical passion and everything in between.

The top romance books

Ranked by editorial weight, reader signal, and what's worth your time right now.

  1. Illuminae by Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff
    1of the list

    Illuminae

    by Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff

    "It certainly filled the Battlestar Galactica-shaped hole in my heart." --Victoria Aveyard, bestselling author of The Red Queen Read the New York Times bestselling blockbuster that critics are calling "out-of-this-world awesome." The first in an epic sci-fi series unlike anything else out there. Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the worst thing she'd ever been through. That was before her planet was invaded. Now, with enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra are forced to fight their way onto one of the evacuating craft, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit. But the warship could be the least of their problems. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their biggest threat; and nobody in charge will say what's really going on. As Kady plunges into a web of data hacking to get to the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: Ezra. Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents--including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more--Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes. "Brace yourself, because you're about to be immersed in a mindscape that you'll never want to leave." --Marie Lu, author of the bestselling Legend series "Prepare yourselves for Illuminae." --EW.com "You're not in for an ordinary novel experience. . . ." --Bustle.com "A truly interactive experience. . . . A fantastically fun ride." --MTV.com Don't miss the rest of the series! The Illuminae Files_02: GEMINA The Illuminae Files_03 -- title to be revealed!

    Juvenile FictionHealth & Daily LivingDiseases, Illnesses & Injuries
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  2. The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
    2of the list

    The God of Small Things

    by Arundhati Roy

    The God of Small Things is the debut novel of Indian writer Arundhati Roy. It is a story about the childhood experiences of fraternal twins whose lives are destroyed by the "Love Laws" that lay down "who should be loved, and how. And how much." The book explores how the small things affect people's behavior and their lives. The book also reflects its irony against casteism, which is a major discrimination that prevails in India. It won the Booker Prize in 1997.

    Literary FictionWomen's Fictiondalit
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  3. A Discovery of Witches (Movie Tie-In) A Novel by Deborah Harkness
    3of the list

    A Discovery of Witches (Movie Tie-In) A Novel

    by Deborah Harkness

    Book one of the New York Times-bestselling All Souls trilogy--"a wonderfully imaginative grown-up fantasy with all the magic of Harry Potter and Twilight" (People). Look for the hit TV series "A Discovery of Witches," streaming on AMC Plus, Sundance Now and Shudder. Season 2 premieres January 9, 2021! Deborah Harkness's sparkling debut, A Discovery of Witches, brought her into the spotlight and galvanized fans around the world. In this tale of passion and obsession, Diana Bishop, a young scholar and a descendant of witches, discovers a long-lost and enchanted alchemical manuscript, Ashmole 782, deep in Oxford's Bodleian Library. Its reappearance summons a fantastical underworld, which she navigates with her leading man, vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont. Harkness has created a universe to rival those of Anne Rice, Diana Gabaldon, and Elizabeth Kostova, and she adds a scholar's depth to this riveting tale of magic and suspense. The story continues in book two, Shadow of Night, and concludes with The Book of Life. The story now comes alive in an incredibly lush eponymous TV series, starring Teresa Palmer (I Am Number Four, Hacksaw Ridge) and Matthew Goode (Match Point, The Imitation Game).

    FictionOccult & SupernaturalRomance
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  4. The Other Boleyn Girl (Movie Tie-In) by Philippa Gregory
    4of the list

    The Other Boleyn Girl (Movie Tie-In)

    by Philippa Gregory

    A rich and compelling tale of love, sex, ambition, and intrigue, The Other Boleyn Girl introduces a woman of extraordinary determination and desire who lived at the heart of the most exciting and glamorous court in Europe, and who survived by following her own heart. Touchstone

    FictionHistoricalRomance
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  5. Stepbrother Dearest (Special Edition) by Penelope Ward
    5of the list

    Stepbrother Dearest (Special Edition)

    by Penelope Ward

    THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER THAT STARTED A PHENOMENON... A COMPLETE STANDALONE. You're not supposed to want the one who torments you. When my stepbrother, Elec, came to live with us my senior year, I wasn't prepared for how much of a jerk he'd be. I hated that he took it out on me because he didn't want to be here. I hated that he brought girls from our high school back to his room. But what I hated the most was the unwanted way my body reacted to him. At first, I thought all he had going for him were his rock-hard tattooed abs and chiseled face. But things started changing between us, and it all came to a head one night. Then, just as quickly as he'd come into my life, he was gone back to California. It had been years since I'd seen Elec. When tragedy struck our family, I'd have to face him again. And holy hell, the teenager who made me crazy was now a man that drove me insane. I had a feeling my heart was about to get broken again. Stepbrother Dearest is a standalone novel.

    FictionRomanceContemporary
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  6. The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas
    6of the list

    The Assassin's Blade

    by Sarah J. Maas

    The action-packed introduction to the legendary Throne of Glass series - an irresistible bind-up of all five of #1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas's Assassin novellasCelaena Sardothien is Adarlan's most feared assassin. As part of the Assassins' Guild, her allegiance is to her master, Arobynn Hamel, yet Celaena listens to no one and trusts only her fellow killer-for-hire, Sam.In these action-packed prequel novellas - together in one edition for the first time - Celaena embarks on five daring missions. They take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, where she fights to liberate slaves and seeks to avenge the tyrannous. But she is acting against Arobynn's orders and could suffer an unimaginable punishment for such treachery . . . Explore the dark underworld of this kick-ass heroine and find out how the legend begins in the five page-turning prequel novellas to the New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series.

    Juvenile FictionLove & RomanceFantasy & Magic
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  7. The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
    7of the list

    The Sky is Everywhere

    by Jandy Nelson

    Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life—and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey's boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie's own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they're the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can't collide without the whole wide world exploding. This remarkable debut is perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, and Francesca Lia Block. Just as much a celebration of love as it is a portrait of loss, Lennie's struggle to sort her own melody out of the noise around her is always honest, often hilarious, and ultimately unforgettable. Watch a Video

    Juvenile FictionFamilySiblings
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  8. Brooklyn by Colm Toibin
    8of the list

    Brooklyn

    by Colm Toibin

    It is Ireland in the early 1950s and for Eilis Lacey, as for so many young Irish girls, opportunities are scarce. So when her sister arranges for her to emigrate to New York, Eilis knows she must go, leaving behind her family and her home for the first time.Arriving in a crowded lodging house in Brooklyn, Eilis can only be reminded of what she has sacrificed. She is far from home - and homesick. And just as she takes tentative steps towards friendship, and perhaps something more, Eilis receives news which sends her back to Ireland. There she will be confronted by a terrible dilemma - a devastating choice between duty and one great love.

    Literature & FictionGenre FictionHistorical
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  9. Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf
    9of the list

    Our Souls at Night

    by Kent Haruf

    Addie Moore pays an unexpected visit to her neighbor, Louis Waters. Her husband died years ago, as did his wife, and in such a small town they naturally have long been aware of each other, if not exactly friends; in fact, Addie was quite fond of Louis’s wife. His daughter, Holly, lives hours away in Colorado Springs; her son, Gene, even farther away in Grand Junction. What Addie has come to ask — since she and Louis have been living alone for so long in houses now empty of family, and the nights are so terribly lonely — is whether he might be willing to spend them with her, in her bed, so they can have someone to talk with.

    FictionLiteraryFICTION
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  10. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
    10of the list

    Americanah

    by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

    SHORTLISTED FOR THE BAILEY'S WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 'A delicious, important novel' The Times 'Alert, alive and gripping' Independent 'Some novels tell a great story and others make you change the way you look at the world. Americanah does both.' Guardian As teenagers in Lagos, Ifemelu and Obinze fall in love. Their Nigeria is under military dictatorship, and people are fleeing the country if they can. The self-assured Ifemelu departs for America. There she suffers defeats and triumphs, finds and loses relationships, all the while feeling the weight of something she never thought of back home: race. Obinze had hoped to join her, but post-9/11 America will not let him in, and he plunges into a dangerous, undocumented life in London. Thirteen years later, Obinze is a wealthy man in a newly democratic Nigeria, while Ifemelu has achieved success as a blogger. But after so long apart and so many changes, will they find the courage to meet again, face to face? Fearless, gripping, spanning three continents and numerous lives, the National Book Critics Circle Award-winning 'Americanah' is a richly told story of love and expectation set in today's globalized world.

    FictionHistoricalLiterary
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  11. Dear Emmie Blue by Lia Louis
    11of the list

    Dear Emmie Blue

    by Lia Louis

    'Sweet, sparkling and heartwarming' LINDSEY KELK 'A delightful story... You will love Dear Emmie Blue!' JODI PICOULT 'A sweet, poignant tale of love and friendship. I loved it' BETH O'LEARY Emmie Blue has a secret... A long time ago, Emmie Blue released a red balloon with a secret message hidden inside - and against all odds, across hundreds of miles of ocean, it was found on a beach in France by a boy called Lucas. Fourteen years later, on the eve of her thirtieth birthday, Emmie hopes that Lucas is finally about to kiss her. She never expected him to announce that he was marrying someone else! Suddenly Emmie's dreams are shattered and the one person in her life she can rely on is slipping through her fingers. But what if Lucas isn't her forever? What if her love story is only just beginning... Don't miss the love story that everyone is talking about this summer! Perfect for fans of Beth O'Leary, Josie Silver and Cecelia Ahern.

    Family & RelationshipsSiblingsFiction
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  12. The Duke And I by Julia Quinn
    12of the list

    The Duke And I

    by Julia Quinn

    Simon Basset, the irresistible Duke of Hastings, has hatched a plan to keep himself free from the town′s marriage-minded society mothers. He pretends to be engaged to the lovely Daphne Bridgerton. After all, it isn′t as if the brooding rogue has any real plans to marry - though there is something about the alluring Miss Bridgerton that sets Simon′s heart beating a bit faster. And as for Daphne, surely the clever debutante will attract some very worthy suitors now that it seems a duke has declared her desirable. But as Daphne waltzes across ballroom after ballroom with Simon, she soon forgets that their courtship is a complete sham. And now she has to do the impossible and keep herself from losing her heart and soul completely to the handsome hell-raiser who has sworn off marriage forever!

    FictionRomanceHistorical
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  13. The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold
    13of the list

    The Curse of Chalion

    by Lois McMaster Bujold

    A man broken in body and spirit, Cazaril has returned to the noble household he once served as page, and is named, to his great surprise, secretary-tutor to the beautiful, strong-willed sister of the impetuous boy who is next in line to rule. It is as assignment Cazaril dreads, for it must ultimately lead him to the place he most fears: the royal court of Cardegoss, where the powerful enemies who once placed him in chains now occupy lofty positions. but it is more than the traitorous intrigues of villains that threaten Cazaril and the Royesse Iselle here, for a sinister curse hangs like a sword over the entire blighted House of Chalion and all who stand in their circle. And only by employing the darkest, most forbidden of magics can Cazaril hope to protect his royal charge -- an act that will mark the loyal, damaged servant as a tool of the miraculous ... and trap him, flesh and soul, in a maze of demonic paradox, damnation, and death.

    FictionSagasFantasy
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  14. Replay by Ken Grimwood
    14of the list

    Replay

    by Ken Grimwood

    In 1988 43-year-old Jeff Winston died of a heart attack. But then he awoke, and it was 1963; Jeff was 18 all over again, his memory of the next two decades intact. This time around Jeff would gain all the power and wealth he never had before. This time around he'd know how to do it right . . . until next time. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

    FictionAction & AdventureRomance
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  15. The Awakening by L.j. Smith
    15of the list

    The Awakening

    by L.j. Smith

    Dark, gripping and romantic - perfect for fans of vampire romances and romantasy books that are popular on Tiktok and Booktok! The Awakening is Book 1 in the smash hit Vampire Diaries series from bestselling author L. J. Smith. Elena is the school beauty, but she's bored. Until a new boy turns up in her class. Stefan is dark and mysterious - and she's determined to get to know him better. But Stefan is just as determined to resist her ... until a series of attacks in the area terrify the town and Stefan is held responsible. Elena is the only one who offers to help and, falling in love with her, Stefan tells her his terrible story. He is a vampire, on the run from his evil brother, Damon, who doesn't share Stefan's qualms about drinking human blood. And Damon is the one Stefan suspects of really being behind the recent attacks. Can Elena help prove his innocence - without revealing his secret? Enjoy this dark, dangerous romance you can sink your teeth into!

    FictionFantasyDark Fantasy
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  16. The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black
    16of the list

    The Coldest Girl in Coldtown

    by Holly Black

    Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown's gates, you can never leave. One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses. The only other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and a mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret. Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself. The Coldest Girl in Coldtown is a wholly original story of rage and revenge, of guilt and horror, and of love and loathing from bestselling and acclaimed author Holly Black.

    Young Adult FictionVampiresParanormal, Occult & Supernatural
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  17. The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter
    17of the list

    The Darkest Night

    by Gena Showalter

    All her life, Ashlyn Darrow has beentormented by voices from the past. To end the nightmare, she has come toBudapest seeking help from men rumoredto have supernatural abilities, not knowingshe'll be swept into the arms of Maddox,their most dangerous member--a man trappedin a hell of his own. Neither can resist the instant hunger that calmstheir torments--and ignites an irresistiblepassion. But every heated touch and burning kisswill edge them closer to destruction--and asoul-shattering test of love....

    FictionFantasyRomance
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  18. Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
    18of the list

    Daisy Jones and the Six

    by Taylor Jenkins Reid

    SOON TO BE AN AMAZON PRIME TV SERIES STARRING SAM CLAFLIN, RILEY KEOUGH AND CAMILA MORRONE THE SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER From the author of CARRIE SOTO IS BACK, THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO and the bestselling MALIBU RISING 'I LOVE it . . . I can't remember the last time I read a book that was so fun' DOLLY ALDERTON Everybody knows Daisy Jones and the Six. From the moment Daisy walked barefoot on to the stage at the Whisky, she and the band were a sensation. Their sound defined an era. Their albums were on every turntable. They played sold-out arenas from coast to coast. Then, on 12 July 1979, it all came crashing down. They were lovers, friends, brothers. But they were also rivals. This is the story of their legendary rise and irrevocable fall. A story of ambition, desire, heartbreak and music. Everyone was there. Everyone remembers it differently. Nobody knew why they split. Until now... 'The verdict- Daisy Jones steals the limelight' STYLIST 'New obsession, incoming' TELEGRAPH 'I didn't want this book to end' FEARNE COTTON 'Utterly believable . . . fantastically enjoyable' THE TIMES 'Pitch perfect' SUNDAY TIMES 'Reads like an addictive Netflix documentary meets A Star Is Born - despite being utterly fictional. It's also a call-to-arms that when you find your niche, don't doubt, embrace it' EMERALD STREET 'Well observed, sensitively told . . . a great read' BBC 'A tremendously engaging, and completely believable tale of rock and roll excess... inventive, persuasive and completely satisfying' DYLAN JONES 'I spent a lost weekend in this book. Daisy Jones is an instant icon' ERIN KELLY 'DAISY JONES & THE SIX is a transporting novel - at once a love story, a glimpse into the combustible inner workings of a rock-and-roll band, and a pitch-perfect recreation of the music scene of the Fleetwood Mac era. You'll never want it to end' CECILIA AHERN 'Once in a blue moon you get to discover a book you end up pressing upon many other people to read. Taylor Jenkins Reid has got every nuance, every detail exact and right. I loved every word' PAUL REES 'So brilliantly written I thought all the characters were real . . . I couldn't put it down' EDITH BOWMAN 'Explosive . . . a gorgeous novel and a ravishing read' SUNDAY EXPRESS 'Sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll? You bet, but it's Daisy's refusal to become a mere muse that powers this buzzy music-industry romance' MAIL ON SUNDAY 'The characters leap off the page, seducing you with their dramas, and making you wish the band was real' HEAT 'The heady haze of the 70s music scene, and a perfectly flawed Daisy, combine to create a fresh, rock n roll read. I loved it' ALI LAND, author of Good Me Bad Me

    FictionHistorical20th Century
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  19. My True Love Gave to Me by Holly Black
    19of the list

    My True Love Gave to Me

    by Holly Black

    On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me . . . This beautiful collection features twelve gorgeously romantic stories set during the festive period, by some of the most talented and exciting YA authors writing today. The stories are filled with the magic of first love and the magic of the holidays. My True Love Gave to Me includes stories by: Ally Carter Holly Black Laini Taylor Rainbow Rowell Matt de la Peña David Levithan Stephanie Perkins Kiersten White Kelly Link Jenny Han Gayle Forman Myra McEntire

    Juvenile FictionHolidays & CelebrationsLove & Romance
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  20. Malibu Rising A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid
    20of the list

    Malibu Rising A Novel

    by Taylor Jenkins Reid

    NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - Read with Jenna Book Club Pick as Featured on Today - From the author of Daisy Jones & The Six and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo . . . "Irresistible . . . High drama at the beach, starring four sexy, surfing siblings and their deadbeat, famous-crooner dad."-People Four famous siblings throw an epic party to celebrate the end of the summer. But over the course of twenty-four hours, the family drama that ensues will change their lives will change forever. Malibu: August 1983. It's the day of Nina Riva's annual end-of-summer party, and anticipation is at a fever pitch. Everyone wants to be around the famous Rivas: Nina, the talented surfer and supermodel; brothers Jay and Hud, one a championship surfer, the other a renowned photographer; and their adored baby sister, Kit. Together the siblings are a source of fascination in Malibu and the world over-especially as the offspring of the legendary singer Mick Riva. The only person not looking forward to the party of the year is Nina herself, who never wanted to be the center of attention, and who has also just been very publicly abandoned by her pro tennis player husband. Oh, and maybe Hud-because it is long past time for him to confess something to the brother from whom he's been inseparable since birth. Jay, on the other hand, is counting the minutes until nightfall, when the girl he can't stop thinking about promised she'll be there. And Kit has a couple secrets of her own-including a guest she invited without consulting anyone. By midnight the party will be completely out of control. By morning, the Riva mansion will have gone up in flames. But before that first spark in the early hours before dawn, the alcohol will flow, the music will play, and the loves and secrets that shaped this family's generations will all come rising to the surface. Malibu Rising is a story about one unforgettable night in the life of a family: the night they each have to choose what they will keep from the people who made them . . . and what they will leave behind.

    FictionSagasLiterary
    Buy on Amazon

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Frequently asked questions

What are the best romance books to read?

Our curated list features the top romance books based on reader reviews, critical acclaim, and editorial picks. Top recommendations include "Illuminae" by Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff.

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Enter any romance book you love into BookMatcher's Books Like search. We curate similar reads based on themes, writing style, and atmosphere.

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