The Best 10 Romance Novels to Add to Your ‘To Be Read’ List
Romance novels have taken on a new light in recent years, serving as a creative outlet and a welcomed escape from reality. Within the pages of these stories, readers seek an undeniable connection, craving narratives that leave them breathless and perhaps even help them rediscover a bit of self-love along the way.
Author Rochelle Bilow sheds light on the often-overlooked value of romance literature, stating, “We have this bizarre requirement that all books have to be deeply educational, academic reading experiences, and sometimes you just want to read, watch, or eat something that makes you feel happy. And there is nothing wrong with that.”
Despite lingering stereotypes branding romance novels as either too risqué or frivolous, Bilow reminds us that there’s merit in consuming content that simply makes us happy.
Here are some of the trending romance novels, according to Goodreads and BookTok:
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
dir=”ltr”>Why did I wait so long to read this?
What’s a book you waited to long to read, and now want every special edition going? #currentlyreading #booklovers #emilyhenry #booktwt #BookTwitter pic.twitter.com/Hy6bGQPgqg— Bookslovereaders (@Bookslovereade1) March 7, 2023
This story unfolds with Augustus Everett, a celebrated author renowned for his intricate literary fiction, and January Andrews, a bestselling writer specializing in romance novels. While January writes stories brimming with happily ever afters, Augustus is notorious for extinguishing the lives of his characters, leaving behind a trail of tragedy. They are complete opposites, but somehow their lives intertwine.
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
Olive and Ethan may appear as newlyweds upon their arrival in Maui, but the truth is far from romantic: they’re nemeses. Unwilling to let a golden opportunity slip away, they begrudgingly decided to make the most of their unexpected vacation. As they soak in paradise’s beauty, shared experiences challenge their preconceptions, prompting them to question if love can bloom unexpectedly.
The Deal (Off-Campus #1) by Elle Kennedy
Hannah Wells has finally found someone who ignites her passions—an intense crush. To catch his eye, she must step outside her comfort zone and tutor the cocky captain of the hockey team in exchange for a fake date. Meanwhile, Garrett Graham dreams of a professional hockey career, but his failing GPA jeopardizes his goals. Willing to play along with Hannah’s scheme to make another guy jealous, Garrett soon finds himself entangled in unexpected desire. With sparks flying, it’s an undeniable connection.
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
As a third-year Ph.D. candidate, Olive Smith doesn’t believe in long-term relationships until her best friend insists on her being in a relationship. Olive faces a problem convincing her best friend that she’s happily in love. To convince her friend, Olive impulsively kisses Adam Carlsen, a renowned professor. Surprisingly, Adam agrees to be her fake boyfriend. Yet, as a turbulent science conference threatens Olive’s career, Adam’s support and charm catch her off guard. As their fake relationship deepens, Olive grapples with newfound emotions. She soon learns that unraveling matters of the heart is far more complex than any scientific theory.
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
Persephone Fraser finds herself reluctantly drawn back to the lakeshore home of her childhood after a decade of avoiding it. Fate intervenes as tragic circumstances force her to confront her past and the man who once defined six unforgettable summers. Reconnecting with her old flame, Sam Florek sparks memories of their shared history. Still, before they can reignite their romance, Persephone must confront the mistakes of her past and their lingering impact on their relationship.
The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
In a whirlwind of panic, Catalina Martín desperately needs a date for her sister’s upcoming wedding. With her fabricated story to her family about an American boyfriend rapidly becoming a tangled web of lies, Catalina faces the daunting task of finding someone to play the part in just four short weeks.
Enter Aaron Blackford, her infuriatingly handsome colleague, who surprisingly offers to be her fake boyfriend. Despite her initial reservations, Catalina reluctantly accepts, realizing that Aaron might just be her best bet to save face with her inquisitive family and friends. As the wedding day approaches, Catalina discovers that beneath Aaron’s arrogant exterior lies a surprisingly decent guy, leaving her questioning whether there might be more to their dynamic than meets the eye.
The Spanish Love Deception is the definition of an enemies-to-lovers trope.
It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
Get ready for a wild ride with Piper Bellinger, the “It-girl.” When a rooftop party gone wrong leads to a stint behind bars, Piper’s stepfather has had enough. Cut off from her lavish lifestyle, Piper and her sister find themselves tasked with running their late father’s dive bar in small-town Washington.
Amidst the rugged charm of Westport, Piper clashes with Brendan, a no-nonsense sea captain who doubts her ability to adapt outside of Beverly Hills. Despite their differences, sparks fly between them, forcing Piper to confront her feelings amidst the backdrop of a town filled with memories.
Join Tessa Bailey in this Schitt’s Creek-inspired rom-com as Piper navigates the clash between her glamorous past and the unexpected allure of small-town life.
It Ends with Us By Colleen Hoover
Which #ColleenHoover book have you read? https://t.co/yfhqJvAtiz
Drop you #blog #link #books #WIP #cover #art & I will RT all.#BooksWorthReading #writerslift #WritingCommunity #AuthorsOfTwitter #writersoftwitter #ShamelessSelfpromo #writerscommunity #ShamelessSelfpromoMonday— Bookworm & Film Buff (@kitapveokuru) October 2, 2023
Meet Lily Bloom, a determined woman who’s never had it easy, overcoming her struggles, she builds the life of her dreams. When she meets the charming neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid, her world is turned upside down. Ryle is confident, brilliant, and undeniably attractive, but his reluctance to commit raises red flags for Lily. Follow Lily on a journey of self-discovery as she grapples with the past and confronts the uncertainties of love and commitment.
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman are locked in a fierce rivalry. This is not just any run-of-the-mill workplace tension, but a full-blown feud of epic proportions. Picture two equally matched opponents, each refusing to yield an inch. In playing a game, the two spark a connection. Is this newfound connection genuine, or merely another cunning ploy in their ongoing game of cat and mouse?
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
Meet Anastasia Allen, aka Stassie, the unstoppable force of Maple Hills skating fame. With a lifetime of competitive figure skating under her belt, she’s here to dominate, with no compromises. Enter Nathan Hawkins, the quintessential problem-solver and captain of the Maple Hills Titans hockey team. Tasked with keeping his team on the ice, Nate’s never met a challenge he couldn’t conquer. When fate throws these two competitors onto the same rink, sparks fly in more ways than one.
Grab your favorite candle and your coziest blanket, and get ready to feel all the feelings. Happy reading.
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