Few reading experiences compare to the moment a love story takes hold and you realise it is long past midnight. The best romance novels do more than deliver a happy ending: they create characters you would follow anywhere, banter that crackles on the page and emotional stakes that stay with you for years. Romance is one of the best-selling genres in publishing, and its range is enormous, from Regency drawing rooms to time-travel adventures and modern office rivalries.
In this guide we have gathered the best romance novels for every kind of reader, mixing timeless classics with modern bestsellers by Jane Austen, Diana Gabaldon, Nicholas Sparks, Jojo Moyes, Colleen Hoover, Sally Thorne, Helen Hoang, Talia Hibbert, Casey McQuiston and Emily Henry. Each entry includes the year of first publication and a spoiler-light summary, so you can choose your next read without ruining any twists.
Best Romance Novels at a Glance
- Best Classic: Persuasion by Jane Austen (1817)
- Best Epic Romance: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (1991)
- Best Tearjerker: The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks (1996)
- Best Emotional Read: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (2012)
- Most Talked-About: It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover (2016)
- Best Enemies to Lovers: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne (2016)
- Best Contemporary Romance: The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang (2018)
- Best Feel-Good Romance: Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert (2019)
- Best Romantic Comedy: Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (2019)
- Best Summer Read: Beach Read by Emily Henry (2020)
The 10 Best Romance Novels to Read Now
1. Persuasion by Jane Austen (1817)
Austen’s final completed novel, published shortly after her death, is the quiet favourite of many devoted fans. Eight years before the story begins, Anne Elliot was persuaded to break off her engagement to a young naval officer, Frederick Wentworth. When he returns as a successful captain, the two must share the same social circle again. It is a mature, tender story about regret and second chances, and it contains one of the most famous love letters in English literature. If you have already read Pride and Prejudice, this is the perfect next step among the best romance novels of the classic era.
Persuasion by Jane Austen (Penguin Classics)
- First published 1817
- Second-chance romance
- Penguin Classics edition with introduction
2. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (1991)
In 1946, former combat nurse Claire Randall is on a second honeymoon in the Scottish Highlands when she touches a standing stone and finds herself in 1743. There she meets Jamie Fraser, a young Highland warrior, and is pulled into clan politics and danger. Outlander blends historical fiction, adventure and time travel with a sweeping love story, and it launched a long-running series and a popular TV adaptation. Note that it contains mature and sometimes violent scenes.
- First published 1991
- Time-travel historical romance
- Book 1 of the Outlander series
3. The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks (1996)
Nicholas Sparks’ debut novel made him a household name. Framed by an elderly man reading from a notebook to a woman in a care home, the story follows Noah Calhoun and Allie Nelson, whose summer romance in 1930s North Carolina is tested by class, distance and time. It is short, sentimental and designed to make you cry, and it became a much-loved film in 2004. For many readers, it is the book that first defined the best romance novels.
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
- First published 1996
- Nicholas Sparks’ debut novel
- Inspired the 2004 film
4. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (2012)
Louisa Clark is a cheerful, chatty young woman from a small English town who needs a job. Will Traynor is a wealthy, sharp-witted man whose life changed after an accident left him paralysed. When Lou becomes his carer, their prickly first meetings slowly turn into something deeper. Jojo Moyes writes with warmth and humour, but the novel also explores difficult questions about disability and personal choice, so keep tissues nearby. It was adapted into a film in 2016.
- First published 2012
- Book 1 of a trilogy
- Adapted into a 2016 film
5. It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover (2016)
Lily Bloom has moved to Boston to open a flower shop when she meets Ryle Kincaid, a confident neurosurgeon. Then her first love, Atlas Corrigan, reappears. Colleen Hoover’s novel became a global phenomenon years after publication, thanks largely to readers sharing it online, and it was adapted into a 2024 film. Hoover has said the book was inspired in part by her own family, and it deals directly with domestic abuse, so read with care. A sequel, It Starts with Us, followed in 2022.
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
- First published 2016
- Emotional contemporary fiction
- Sequel: It Starts with Us (2022)
6. The Hating Game by Sally Thorne (2016)
Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman are executive assistants to the co-CEOs of a newly merged publishing company, and they cannot stand each other. When a promotion opens up, their rivalry turns into a battle of wills full of stare-downs and office games. Sally Thorne’s debut is a modern classic of the enemies-to-lovers trope, packed with witty dialogue and slow-burn tension, and it became a film in 2021. It is one of the best romance novels for readers who love banter.
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
- First published 2016
- Enemies-to-lovers office romance
- Sally Thorne’s debut novel
7. The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang (2018)
Stella Lane is a brilliant econometrician who is far more comfortable with data than with dating. Determined to get better at relationships, she hires Michael Phan, an escort, to help her practise. Helen Hoang, who has spoken about her own autism diagnosis, writes Stella, an autistic heroine, with real insight, and the result is sweet, steamy and funny. The book is the first in a loose trilogy that continues with The Bride Test and The Heart Principle.
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
- First published 2018
- Autistic heroine, arrangement romance
- Book 1 of a trilogy
8. Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert (2019)
After a near-death experience, Chloe Brown, a web designer living with chronic illness, writes a list of ways to get a life, from riding a motorcycle to doing something bad. She needs help, and the building’s tattooed superintendent, Redford “Red” Morgan, seems an unlikely guide. Talia Hibbert’s British romantic comedy is warm, sexy and laugh-out-loud funny, with thoughtful representation of chronic pain. It opens the Brown Sisters trilogy.
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
- First published 2019
- British romantic comedy
- Book 1 of the Brown Sisters trilogy
9. Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (2019)
Alex Claremont-Diaz is the son of the President of the United States. Prince Henry is a grandson of the British monarch. After a public incident at a royal wedding, the two rivals are forced to fake a friendship for the cameras, and things get complicated. Casey McQuiston’s debut is a joyful, politically playful love story with brilliant supporting characters, and it was adapted into a 2023 film. It sits firmly among the best romance novels of recent years.
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
- First published 2019
- Rivals-to-lovers romantic comedy
- Adapted into a 2023 film
10. Beach Read by Emily Henry (2020)
January Andrews writes happy endings; Augustus Everett writes serious literary fiction. Both are stuck with writer’s block and living next door to each other in lakeside houses in Michigan for the summer, so they make a bet: each will write a book in the other’s genre. Emily Henry’s breakout novel is funny and romantic, but it also deals honestly with grief and family secrets. If you love it, continue with People We Meet on Vacation and Book Lovers.
- First published 2020
- Rival writers swap genres
- Emily Henry’s breakout novel
How We Chose the Best Romance Novels
We selected books that have had a lasting influence on the genre, sold widely or been adapted for film and television, and that represent a mix of eras, tones and tropes. We checked each title, author and year of first publication and kept summaries spoiler-light. We did not receive copies from publishers. Learn more about how we work in our editorial policy.
How to Find Your Perfect Romance Novel
Start With a Trope You Love
Readers searching for the best romance novels often choose by trope, the familiar story set-up that frames the love story. Enemies to lovers (The Hating Game), second chance (Persuasion), fake relationship (Red, White & Royal Blue) and grumpy meets sunshine (Get a Life, Chloe Brown) are some of the most popular. Once you know which tropes make you happiest, finding the best romance novels for you becomes much easier.
Choose Your Heat Level
The best romance novels range from closed-door stories with little on-page intimacy, such as Persuasion, to much steamier books. Many readers check reviews or community lists before starting a new author. If you are buying for someone else, a classic or a gentle romantic comedy is usually a safe choice.
Historical, Contemporary or Fantasy
Among the best romance novels, historical romance offers escapism and gorgeous settings; contemporary romance feels relatable and often funny; and romantic fantasy, sometimes called romantasy, has exploded in popularity. Outlander is a good bridge between historical fiction and fantasy if you want a little of everything.
Mind the Emotional Weight
Not all of the best romance novels are light. Me Before You and It Ends with Us tackle serious subjects, while Beach Read balances laughter with grief. Many authors now include content notes at the front of their books, and it is worth glancing at them before you start.
Tips for Getting More From Romance Reading
- Read the series in order. Many of the best romance novels launch connected series where side characters get their own stories.
- Join a book club. Romance is one of the most social genres, and online communities are full of recommendations.
- Try audiobooks. Many of the best romance novels shine on audio, and a great narrator can make banter even funnier, especially for dual-narrator romances.
- Pair the book with the adaptation. Read the novel, then watch the film and compare how the love story changes on screen.
- Explore the history. The history of the romance novel stretches from Samuel Richardson’s Pamela to today’s bestselling indie authors.
Why Romance Novels Matter
Romance is sometimes dismissed, yet the genre behind the best romance novels is one of the most commercially successful genres and one of the most innovative. It has long been written largely by and for women, and it centres emotional intelligence, consent and the idea that everyone deserves a happy ending. The best romance novels also reflect their times: Austen examined class and marriage in Regency England, while writers like Talia Hibbert, Helen Hoang and Casey McQuiston have helped bring more diverse heroes and heroines to the bestseller lists.
Best Romance Novels FAQ
What is the best romance novel of all time?
There is no single answer, but Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion are often named among the best romance novels ever written, alongside modern favourites such as Outlander and The Notebook.
What is the difference between a romance novel and a love story?
Romance as a genre traditionally promises a happy or hopeful ending for the central couple. Some books with romantic plots, such as Me Before You, are often shelved as general fiction because they do not follow that rule.
Which romance novel should I read first?
If you are new to the genre, start with a light, funny book such as Beach Read or The Hating Game, then branch out into historical or emotional stories.
Are these romance novels suitable for teens?
Persuasion is suitable for most ages, but several modern titles include mature content and difficult themes, so check reviews and content notes first.
Final Thoughts
The best romance novels remind us why we fall for stories in the first place: unforgettable characters, longing, laughter and the hope of a happy ending. Whether you start with Austen’s quiet second chance or Emily Henry’s sunlit summer, there is a love story on this list waiting for you.
Want more great reads? Explore our list of classic books by women authors, revisit some iconic Hollywood love stories, or browse more books and culture in our Culture section.
