A modern classic of LGBT+ literature, this exploration of first love and sexual awakening is vividly realised, and astonishingly honest. Developed a taste for fiery love stories? Its faced more than its fair share of backlash, derision, and parody, but its impossible to deny that few books have influenced the cultural zeitgeist as much as Twilight. A grittier take on young adult romance, More Happy Than Not goes deep into themes of depression, homophobia, and suicide, while exploring the scientific possibilities of the not-too-distant future. Readers looking for a tentative slow burn and a strong female lead will find a perfect match in Roberts charming Vision in White. Its as gorgeous as it was groundbreaking. why you should read it. A sprawling epic that takes readers across continents in the name of love, Anna Karenina is one of the longest books on this list, coming to an intimidating 800+ pages. How about her new roommates friendly ex-boyfriend? This looks like an average Regency noble, complete with duke, butit has the wackiest plot ever. show more. Beginning during WWI and spanning three generations, Sebastian Faulks Birdsong is an epic novel about the power of war to strip everything from you, whether that be home, family, dignity or love. Fans of dystopian novels (think The Hunger Games) will find a lot to love in The Selection, the first in Kiera Cass Selection series. Will they? So, When Annas father ships her off to boarding school in Paris, shes less than thrilled to be leaving behind her friends in Atlanta especially that cute guy she works with at the multiplex. But as questions about her new relationship, and Ryles stubborn aversion to dating, begin to overwhelm her, Lily cant help but wonder about Atlas Corrigan her first love, and a link to the world she left behind. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. She has only one goal: to take revenge on the FitzHughs who murdered her family. This is the second book in the Secret Scientists of Love series, and the enemies to lovers journey of Letty and Grey hits all the right notes with swoony banter and hot chemistry. Their clash of wills leads to many humorous moments, and their love for each other might be atypical but its delightful. For those of us bookish gals reading historical romance novels, reading about a shy heroine is like finding a kindred spirit. Heart-warming and ahead of its time, North and South isnt just a beautiful romance, it also has a lot to say on politics, gender, and religion, so one for the history buffs, too! Add one sharp-tongued mathematician to an aloof, handsome nobleman. Shes spent the last 12 years being a criminal, as bad as any in the gang. The brave and passionate tale of a young mans sexual awakening, this intensely personal novel was written by Forster in 1914, when homosexual relationships were not only stigmatised, but illegal. Bonus if its a biker or mafia romance with an alpha male hero of course. One of the most well-known and well received historical romance novels of all time, this regency read has had readers seriously hot under the starched collar for 25 years. Reading Hardys Tess of the DUrbervilles is an affecting experience that will stay with you for a lifetime. 1 7,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Sarah MacLean is a New York Times bestselling author of historical romances including Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake and her most recent release, One Good Earl Deserves a Lover. Warning: it was published in 1978, so there are bodice ripper elements. Enchanted by her performances, Nan finally manages to meet Kitty and ends up becoming her dresser. Another Rainbow Rowell novel met with critical acclaim, Eleanor & Park is an urgent, breathless, gut-punch of a love story about two teen misfits and one life-changing school year. Then he falls in love with Ravenna, a stubborn young woman 20 years his junior. Who could have imagined that this steamier-than-a-sauna novel would go on to sell over 125 million copies! Lists are re-scored approximately every 5 minutes. Too bad the only thing shell ever love is Scotland. Baking Me Crazy is a wonderful Friends to Lovers Romance with a heroine in a wheelchair. A last-ditch effort to get a date to the high school dance leads to an unexpected romance in A Walk to Remember, Nicholas Sparks follow-up to smash hit The Notebook. This As Goldman himself writes in the introduction, dollars to donuts youve seen the movie. Every month our team sorts through Neanderthal Seeks Human (Knitting in the City, #1), Attraction (Elements of Chemistry, #1; Hypothesis, #1.1), Nobody's Baby But Mine (Chicago Stars, #3), Lover Unbound (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #5), Capture (Elements of Chemistry, #3; Hypothesis, #1.3), Heat (Elements of Chemistry, #2; Hypothesis, #1.2), The Kiss Quotient (The Kiss Quotient, #1), When He Was Bad (Magnus Pack, #3.5; Pride, #0.75; Smith's Shifter World, #3.5), To the Stars and Back (First Comes Love, #4), What a Dragon Should Know (Dragon Kin, #3), One Good Earl Deserves a Lover (The Rules of Scoundrels, #2), The Countess Conspiracy (Brothers Sinister, #3), Getting Lucky Number Seven (Taking Shots, #1), Marriage of Inconvenience (Knitting in the City, #7), Talk Sweetly to Me (Brothers Sinister, #4.5), Remedial Rocket Science (Chemistry Lessons, #1), Mackenzie's Mission (Mackenzie Family, #2), The Chocolate Temptation (Amour et Chocolat, #6), Dream Chaser (Dark-Hunter, #13; Dream-Hunter, #3), The Australian (Jet-setters & Jeopardy, #2), Bringing Down the Duke (A League of Extraordinary Women, #1), The Dream-Hunter (Dark-Hunter, #10; Dream-Hunter, #1), Intermediate Thermodynamics (Chemistry Lessons, #2), Space (Laws of Physics, #2; Hypothesis, #2.2), The Perfect Rake (The Merridew Sisters, #1), Friends Without Benefits (Knitting in the City, #2), Hearts in Darkness (Hearts in Darkness, #1), Time (Laws of Physics, #3; Hypothesis, #2.3), Under One Roof (The STEMinist Novellas, #1), Rules of Attraction (Perfect Chemistry, #2), Stuck with You (The STEMinist Novellas, #2), Motion (Laws of Physics, #1; Hypothesis, #2.1), Happily Ever Ninja (Knitting in the City, #5), Dukes Prefer Blondes (The Dressmakers, #4), Three For The Bank Job (By The Numbers, #3), The Nerd and the Marine (The Morrison Family, #1), The Greek Demands His Heir (Notorious Greeks, #1), The Golden Spider (Elemental Steampunk Chronicles, #1), Top New Reader-Recommended Romances for March. This wouldnt have been a historical to Heyer herself its one of her contemporary detective stories. if you like this list. Bonus if it's a biker or mafia romance with an alpha male hero of course. The first and only novel by an elusive icon, Emily Bronts Wuthering Heights plunges headfirst into an exploration of the violence of doomed romance. It might now be a rom-com trope, but Pride and Prejudice is one of the oldest and greatest examples of the thin line between love and hate. Below are 24 books which, by virtue of their plot, characters, or setting, stand out from the crowd. Mackensie Elliott is head of her own wedding planning business and firmly believes shes better at capturing other peoples special days than she would be at experiencing her own. Her (very) distant cousin Iain, Lord Randal could not be more different: hes a sophisticated, urbane Englishman who treats Scotland as basically just a hunting box, although his ancestry stems from there too. In this book, watching Melody hold her ground in the face of wayward Jeremy made my heart happyshes funny, smart, and willing to put her heart on the line when it matters. Niffeneggers touching novel is sure to pull at your heartstrings, as she leads us to consider how free will and destiny combine to determine who we end up loving. Following two sisters one wild and impulsive, the other quiet and sensible it brilliantly portrays a world of money and status, gossip and innuendo, where rigid social convention governs the impulses of the heart. 4 As tender and heartfelt as it is intense and passionate, Elio and Olivers love affair begins awkwardly, slowly, and tacitly, before building to unprecedented heights as the summer draws to a close. Romance novels rule the worldwell, . Will they ever be together, or will the seemingly insurmountable obstacles between them keep them apart? 3 An internet phenomenon that has a special place in the hearts of superfans everywhere, Rainbow Rowells young adult romance is as charming as it is candid. But as they work on restoring a rundown traveling circus, their growing influence on each other becomes impossible to ignore. Topics are things like World War 1, dinosaurs, grief, or jazz. The bastard daughter of an innkeeper, Felicia knows she is destined for an uneventful life. A member of a wealthy, free Black family, Galen Vachon has a lot to lose when he decides to become a member of the Underground railroad network, and join the effort to free enslaved Southerners. Who says math cant be sexy? Its a charming and sweet read, but, be warned its another Sparks tear-jerker. Not only does the hunky blast from her past work at the same aerospace company where she's just started in the IT department, he's the CEO's son.Jeremy's got a girlfriend and a reputation as a bad boy, so Melody resolves to keep her distance and focus on building a new life for herself in Los Angeles. . There are some great tidbits about that. The story of Eva, a sexual assault survivor navigating her way to a healthy romantic life is surprisingly heartfelt. Divide by conflicting loyalties and multiply by a daring group of women hell-bent on conducting their scientific experiments. He expects to be bored stiff. One of the most unusual historical romances out there! Analyzing Ari is guarded, angry, and struggling to feel like he belongs. One of my faves :). Victorian rat-catcher Mick Tremore might be handsome, but it isnt his looks Lady Edwina Bollash is interested in. Where the Crawdads Sing Sybil Davison has a genius IQ and has been laid by at least six different guys. In the previous life, Chu Qiao had been obeying her father at home and her husband after she was married. The daughter of a fortune hunter and his impoverished bride, she completely plans to marry for money and shes not shy about it. This is how diplomacy should always work! His multi-ethnic heritage makes him struggle to fit into either world, and its only with Emmaline that he feels whole. . Although the book is more murder mystery than anything else, the romance is satisfying enough and its a must-read for Heyer/Christie fans. Before the summer is out, January must write the next great work of literary fiction, while Gus has to pen a bestselling romance novel. Caustic, dashing Cavalier commander Justin Ambrose is posted to Bunbury in Oxfordshire to cool his heels after insulting one of the Kings favourites. Beautiful Player by Christina Lauren. Caitlin Randal is a passionate Scotswoman, dedicated to the Highlands she was raised in. But they can never be together, because the year is 1811, and an entire continent plus her loyalty to her father lie between them. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Cry No More by Linda Howard. Academy Fantasy World Possession Romance Fantasy. But her willpower and determination are what endear her to Felix, whos sort of an antihero and an arsehole but a very enjoyable one. So whether youre searching for a how-to guide or cautionary tale (and there are plenty of those), youre hungry to read the next rom-com blockbuster before it hits Netflix, or you just want to lose yourself in timeless romance tropes, weve got you covered! From iconic scenes like the balcony soliloquy, to legendary one-liners (A plague o both your houses, anyone? Sara hudson has a series set in Houston around NASA. Now theyre up for the same promotion, and this bitter workplace rivalry is about to reach boiling point. The Main Heroine Likes the Extra. Under a veneer of good-natured idiocy lies a master manipulator who does not intend to let the most interesting woman hes ever met out of his grasp. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is a gay romance filled with warm fuzzies, dry humor, and supportive friendships. I need more badass hacker heroines storylines. Opposites attract when a nerdy computer whiz meets billionaire playboy.The last thing Melody expects when she accepts a dream job offer is to run into her college one-night stand again. I second Beautiful Player by Christina Lauren and How Not to Fall by Emily Foster that others have mentioned, along with {The Countess Conspiracy by Courtney Milan} and anything by Rachel Grant (she writes romantic suspense and all her heroines are very smart), The Countess Conspiracy (Brothers Sinister, #3), By: Courtney Milan | 309 pages | Published: 2013 | Popular Shelves: romance, historical-romance, historical, historical-fiction, fiction | Search "The Countess Conspiracy by Courtney Milan", 88413 books suggested | Bug? If youve seen the incomparable Vivien Leigh bring her to life on screen, its time to meet Scarlett on the page. authors picked Theres only one thing keeping this gorgeous couple apartseveral centuries. She hates him. (Also, if you like dad jokes, there are some great awful math puns in Talk Sweetly to Me. All the better for Adrian, Earl of Shropshire. A pair of English women hire Najja, an African assassin, to protect them. Scorching sex scenes are balanced out by genuine warmth and deeply likeable main characters in this LGBTQ+ erotic novel. As Landon and Jamie slowly find common ground, and an appreciation for one another, A Walk to Remember proves that love can be found in surprising places. The Kiss Quotient Grumbly, protective Quinn is her perfect match and readers are especially lucky because their romance unfolds over not one, but two novels. In six weeks, can she turn a poor working man into one who passes for a viscount? In the opinion of her stern cousin Charles, however, that fresh air feels more like a hurricane. A New York Times bestselling romance novel and a favorite among book clubs and celebrity book-lovers alike, The Proposal is a fun and flirty novel about a second chance at love. The Thorn Birds explores the tangled web of three generations of one Australian Outback family, carefully tracking their loves and losses over the course of 50 years. Lily is a lot more ruthless though. In this story, its Rachel White: hard-working attorney, consummate good girl, and diligent maid of honour to her dazzling best friend Darcy who happens to be marrying the man that Rachel is in love with. 2) A person's undoing 3) Joshua Templeman Lucy Hutton has always been certain that the nice girl can get the corner office. In the course of her duties she meets Colin Faulkner, Earl of Clifton. The best romance novels with brilliant, brainy heroines By Stacy Travis Who am I? Enter: Augustus Waters. Jiang Nian used to be an actress. A devilishly debonair womanizer is suddenly interred in an insane asylum, having suffered a stroke. Theres also a heart-wrenchingly doomed love between a gay man and the oblivious object of his affections, who is straight. )Related list: Brainy/Genius Romantic Heroines. But hes nonetheless smitteneven if Merlins quirkiness tests him at every turn. Enter Lou; bubbly, funny sunshine in human form. This is the dilemma that Sally and Harriet face in Twice in a Lifetime. You cant go wrong when the son of Madame President falls in love with Englands dishy prince. So when Atlas appears in Boston, everything she has with Ryle is suddenly thrown into question. As a participant, we may earn from qualifying purchases made on those sites. Please try again later. In an effort to crack a crippling case of writers block, January, a hopeless romantic, and Gus, who thinks happy endings are for fairy tales, dont swap numbers, but genres. Morganna by Jackie Ivie. Niall, Lord Trevallyan is an Anglo-Irish aristocrat in Ireland during the time of the Protestant Ascendancy. why you should read it. The attraction is instant. Living a quiet life and working in her familys seafood restaurant in late 19th century England, Nan King is happy just the way she is that is until Kitty Butler, a male impersonator and performer, whirls into her line of sight. Her fathers character is basically the whole reason this book is on this list. as one of their favorite books, and they share show more. Youve probably already read Fifty Shades it was the biggest selling book of the 2010s, after all. r/RomanceBooks is a discussion sub for readers of romance novels. pages | Published: 2014 | Popular Shelves: romance, new-adult, kindle, contemporary, contemporary-romance | Search "imperfect chemistry by mary frame", 88333 books suggested | Bug? But the 1930s life it depicts is definitely long gone, so I feel confident in including here. written by Karla Sorensen and Smartypants Romance, narrated by Chris Brinkley and Reba Buhr. DM me! The Love Hypothesis And Pride and Prejudice is by far the English humorists most famous story. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. . What begins as a casual fling becomes something more, and Mackensie has to ask herself if shes willing to step out from behind her cool and collected facade and seize her own happiness. Lucy and Josh have so much chemistry that it manifests as anger, frustration, and, yes, hate. Hero by Samantha Young This slow burn, hate-to-love romance tells the story of a photographer's assistant trying to make up for her father's indiscretions and the corporate mogul who doesn't want to forgive her for her family's mistakes. But he has a huge secret: hes actually biracial, with a black slave mother. Will Sebastian do whats right to save Jessicas reputation, or is he really as unscrupulous as she always suspected? Its often heartwarming, and always hot, but Bared to You is much more than just titillating. Romance is a perennial favorite for readers everywhere, and it isnt hard to see why. A Mr Darcy-come-Robin Hood hero, he rescues an urchin girl from a brawl and employs her as his maid an act which will alter the course of his life for the next twelve books. and From Janie's list on Get the Audible book in a deal **. The whole series has a lot of really sharp ladies. With a few key couples dominating the pages in the style of Anna Karenina, we see the action through their eyes and feel their struggle to maintain hope after endless sacrifices. Stella loves logic. Thats not to say hes been bored: hes passed the time by having no fewer than 622 love affairs, which he has painstakingly recorded in his notebooks. authors picked Clever, rich, beautiful, and utterly deluded, shes determined to meddle with the hearts of her neighbours, but sees no need to find a husband herself. Love in the Time of Cholera (Oprah's Book Club) by Gabriel Garcia Mrquez Buy on Amazon Add to library Florentino Ariza has been waiting for 50 years for his true love to return. This is no easy task for a wealthy, successful woman like Stella, who also happens to have Asperger's. Where the Crawdads Sing, But those who persevere with this colossus of a novel are richly rewarded. Youll find you cant help but root for our heroine as she finds love with the charismatic and equally complicated Gideon. Baking Me Crazy. But will he get what he wants, or will outside forces intervene? Go to jail or marry the mystery man her father has set her up with headstrong Daisy Devreaux chooses the latter. OVER 12 MILLION COPIES SOLD WORLDWIDENOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTUREA NUMBER ONE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERFor years, rumours of the 'Marsh Girl' have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. Press J to jump to the feed. Her new husband, Alex Markov, is a deadpan grade-A jerk who seems to have no patience for Daisys bourgeois tastes and flights of fancy. I go to Newnham College, which is very strongly connected to the issue of female suffrage, and it was great to read a historical romance where Votes for Women is an integral part of the plot. Takes 30 seconds! A kaleidoscope of popular influences, dripping in internet lingo, Ariana Grande references, and memes aplenty, Red, White & Royal Blue is the book we were screaming for. Its too bad the man she left for dead is determined not to let her go. They are not modern, being published in the 70s/80s, but they are very fun, and Amelia Peabody is quite brilliant! Lord of Scoundrels may be the third in its series, but we cant resist including it on this list. Lucy Hutton doesnt dislike Joshua Templeman. A charming, and unremarkably handsome amputee with an alarming optimism for life, Gus is a much-needed plot twist in the story of Hazel Grace. Then he kisses me and asks me out. why you should read it. One of the authoritative classics of the genre, Jane Eyres enduring popularity is testament to the power of its central romance. A dark, twisted tale told almost exclusively as a flashback, Rebecca follows the nameless protagonist and her speedy marriage to a mysterious but charming stranger, Maxim de Winter, whom she meets on a business excursion. Removing this book will also remove your associated ratings, reviews, and reading sessions. Enter Michael, a handsome escort, who usually doesnt do repeat customers. The Hating Game, Allendes novel begins when pregnant widow, Roser, and her brother-in-law, Victor, flee fascist Spain aboard a ship chartered by the poet Pablo Neruda. This book, as well as being a cute romance, was a very interesting look at the racial situation of the time. Her family are in dire financial straits, and she must use every tool at her disposal to save them. Popular and outgoing class president Landon doesnt think he has much in common with the preachers daughter Jamie, until circumstance forces them together. A highflying mathematician, shes never put much thought into finding a romantic partner. 2 of 50. Its told (unusually) in first person, and the setting is so lushly described that I genuinely felt like I was there in 1605. Nothing is more distracting than his attraction to the brilliant, beautiful computer scientist on his team, but hes determined to overcome it since he needs her to help America win. {Rocket Science by Emily Mayer} She's not a genius, but she's an aerospace engineer, aka rocket scientist ;), By: Emily Mayer | 237 pages | Published: ? It is a truth universally acknowledged that any list of the best romance novels must be in want of at least one Jane Austen title (weve gone for three!). Red, White & Royal Blue But when Mackensie hits it off with the seemingly humdrum Carter Maguire, a high school English teacher whos definitely not her type, her friends encourage her to make the first move. Sally Rooney was recognised as both a gifted writer and a perceptive and nuanced observer, when she released her debut novel Conversations With Friends. If youre partial to Rick Riordan (who, incidentally, gave this book a glowing review!) Discover the perfect romance book for you. A recent release thats already considered vintage Allende, A Long Petal of the Sea is suffused with a vibrant sense of time and place as it traces its story through forty years of authoritarian rule in Spain. And the feeling is mutual. The problem is, love isnt logical. BUY INDIE The Opposite of You (Opposites Attract Series) (Volume 1) By Rachel Higginson Contemporary. It takes a special author to cook these stale ingredients into an exciting new dish, and many dont succeed. The story of hunky, troubled billionaire Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele, a nave student who (quite literally) falls headfirst into his life, started out as self-published Twilight fanfiction. 19 ella_nl2672829 2 yr. ago Yes, I've read that one, I loved it! Privacy Policy. Sally Thornes The Hating Game is an unmissable treat for anyone who loves a rom-com about that undeniable spark between nemeses. As an author who writes the underdog-always-wins stories, this attracted me immediately, as did Owens writing, which puts the reader front and center into the ostracized heroines life. Imagine if all your high school crushes suddenly knew every embarrassing thought youve ever had about them. If you want to enter the world of the Borgias and Medicis, this isthebook to read. 80s Wife Is Sweet and Sassy. When Katie Met Cassidy is every inch the classic Nora Efron-style rom-com, with one simple difference both our protagonists are women.