The best romance novels ever written to get you in the mood for love (including all eight Bridgerton books)
There is just something about a good love story that it’s hard not to, well... love. I’m not talking about the conventional 'guy-on-a-white-horse rescues girl, and they live happily ever after' but the stories about love that are filled with ups and downs, hardships and happiness – the ones that are enough to make even the most cynical of us believe in true love.
While Netflix does a pretty good job of giving us the romantic stories we all crave – Bridgerton, anyone? – there’s no better place to lose yourself than in a romance novel. After all, like Bridgerton, most of the best TV shows and movies centred around love have been inspired by books – think Normal People, Pride & Prejudice and Bridget Jones’ Diary. Even if you’ve watched these, trust us – there is nothing quite like reading the scene of Mr. Darcy emerging from the pond and using your own imagination (sorry Colin Firth).
So, we’ve rounded up the very best romance novels that should be on your summer reading list. If you somehow haven’t yet devoured all eight (yes eight!) Bridgerton novels, (here are books one, two, three, four, five, six, seven and eight we’d suggest it as a great place to start – and stay busy for at least the next little while. You can thank us later.
In the contemporary romance novels arena, Sally Rooney's Normal People obviously reigns supreme, while Colleen Hoover's It Ends With Us follows a young girl whose life suddenly seems too good to be true when she falls in love with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid. It's a beautiful love story. The Time Traveller's Wife is another national bestseller: the remarkable story of the passionate love affair between Henry DeTamble, a dashing, adventuresome librarian who travels involuntarily through time and Clare Abshire, an artist whose life takes a natural sequential course.
And if you're looking for romance novels all serve up steam, sex, and real genuine love in abundance, we’d highly recommend Accidentally Engaged by Farah Heron and Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers – if you don’t believe us, Oprah Winfrey recommends them too. We’ve also made sure to include the original steamy book club read – 50 Shades of Grey - because really what romantic novel list would be complete without it?
After more books content? We've got sleep books, cookbooks, poetry books, true crime books, autobiographies, vegetarian cookbooks, mental health books and adult colouring books. We've also got coffee table books, summer books, vegan cookbooks and books by black authors. Don't say we don't treat you.
So assemble your virtual bookclubs and get reading - here are the best romance novels to read now.
Best romance novel about sexuality
When Katie Met Cassidy, £6.99, Amazon
Katie Daniels is a twenty-eight-year-old has just been dumped by her fiance when she meet Cassidy Price, a self-assured woman in New York. This romantic comedy is about gender, sexuality and being who you really are.
Best feel-good romance novel
Accidentally Engaged, £7.37, Amazon
Reena Manji struggles with her family meddling in her private life. When they find her a potential Muslim husband in the form of a British man who lives right across the hall, things could be looking up. But it doesn't take long for them to be completely ruined by parental interference.
Best touching romance novel
It Ends With Us, £6.49, Amazon
Sometimes it is the one who loves you who hurts you the most. It Ends With Us follows Lily, who hasn't always had it easy. That said, she always works hard to get what she wants. She graduated from college, moved to Boston and started her own business - so when she meets a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, it feels as though everything is too good to be true.
Best romance novel to make you cry
Best friends Zoe and Olivia thought they had everything planned out - but their plans didn't include Olivia getting sick. Nor did they include Zoe falling for Calvin, Olivia's crush.
Bestseller romance novel
Emma and Dexter first met on the night of their graduation in 1988. The day after, they went their separate ways. This romantic multi-million copy bestseller takes you through the twenty years that follow. Where would they be in July 1989? And five years after? And ten years after that?
Best classic romance novel
Bridget Jones's Diary, £7.14, Amazon
A classic. Only ever watched the film? Now it's time to read the book. It follows Bridget through her struggles that come with the minefield of your thirties and watches as she asks herself the ultimate question: Daniel Cleaver or Mark Darcy?
Bridgerton romance novels
Bridgerton: The Duke and I (Bridgerton Book 1), £6, Amazon
To an outsider, it would seem that Simon Basset is on the verge of proposing to his best friend's sister - Daphne Bridgerton. What they don't know is that it's all an elaborate plan to keep Simon free from marriage and to buy Daphne more time to attract a worthy suitor. But as they waltz across the ballroom, the pair find it difficult to remember that their courtship is a sham.
Bridgerton romance novels
Bridgerton: The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgertons Book 2), £7.37, Amazon
In book two, Anthony Bridgerton chooses a wife. The only obstacle? His lover's older sister, Kate Sheffield - the most meddling woman to ever grace a London ballroom. By day, she is nothing but a hinderance, but by night, she haunts Anthony's increasingly erotic dreams. Can he resist her?
Bridgerton romance novels
Bridgerton: An Offer From A Gentleman (Bridgertons Book 3), £6.37, Amazon
Sophie Beckett never dreamed that she'd be able to attend one of Lady Bridgerton's famous masquerade balls - and she certainly never dreamed that her Prince Charming would be there waiting for her. Relegated to the role of servant by her stepmother, despite being the daughter of an earl, Sophie has just one night to enjoy feeling like royalty in the arms of Benedict.
Bridgerton romance novels
Bridgerton: Romancing Mr Bridgerton (Bridgertons Book 4), £8.68, Amazon
It's no secret that Colin Bridgerton is one of the most charming men in London, and it's certainly no secret that Penelope Featherington has adored him forever. After a lifetime watching over him, Penelope feels she knows everything there is to know about her best friend. That is, until, she stumbles across his darkest secret. He returns from his trip abroad to find that everything feels a little bit different - including Penelope.
Bridgerton romance novels
Bridgerton: To Sir Phillip, With Love (Bridgertons Book 5), £7.37, Amazon
Sir Phillip Crane thought that Eloise Bridgerton was a spinster. And so, he proposed. Because she'd be quiet, unassuming and very open to marriage, right? Wrong. Eloise, the beautiful woman on his doorstep, was far from everything he expected. And all he wanted to do was kiss her.
Bridgerton romance novels
When He Was Wicked: Bridgerton (Bridgertons Book 6), from £3.99, Amazon
For Michael Stirling, the moment he met Francesca Bridgerton was the moment he knew his life would never be the same again. After a lifetime chasing women, it came as quite the surprise when he fell hard for Francesca. But sadly, her surname was to remain Bridgerton for only thirty-six hours longer than the moment he met her. Yep, she was set to marry his cousin.
Bridgerton romance novels
It's In His Kiss: Bridgerton (Bridgertons Book 7), from £3.99, Amazon
Bridgerton book number seven follows the story of Hyacinth Bridgerton, a girl whom there was no-one else quite like in all of London, and Mr. Gareth St. Clair.
Bridgerton romance novels
On the Way to the Wedding: Bridgerton (Bridgertons Book 8), from £3.99, Amazon
Gregory Bridgerton, unlike many of his friends, believes in true love. In his eyes, the moment he finds the woman of his dreams, he will know she is the one. That, in fact, happened... except Miss Hermione Watson was in love with someone else. Her best friend, Lucy, wants to save Hermione from a disastrous relationship from the one she loves, so offers to help Gregory win her over. But in the process, Lucy falls in love with Gregory! And she's engaged!
Best steamy romance novel
Fifty Shades of Grey, from £2.99, Amazon
In a round-up of the best romance novels, you didn't expect us not to include this... did you? It doesn't need an introduction. A steamy, sexy love story that'll have you gripped 'til the very end.
Best friendship and romance novel
The Giver of Stars, £5, Amazon
Alice Wright marries a handsome American, Bennett Van Cleve, hoping to escape her life in England. But her new life across the pond quickly turns into a disaster, with special thanks to her father-in-law. She starts a job at a travelling library by means of escaping once more, and her new teammates change her life.
Best Nicholas Sparks romance novel
We couldn't not include it. Worth a read if you've only ever sobbed into a box of chocolate over the film, this romance novel follows the heartbreakingly romantic story of Noah and Allie's summer romance.
Best must-read romance novel
The Time Traveler's Wife, £18.95, Amazon
How far will you go to protect unconditional love? The romance novel about the boy who can travel back in time, who meets a girl and who travels back in time to visit said girl throughout her childhood.
Best new release romance novel
A new release for 2021, Honey Girl follows Grace Porter on a girls' trip to Vegas to celebrate her PhD. She wakes up married to a mystery woman after a drunken night out, and must move to New York with her new wife to escape the grasp of her strict, military father.
Best unexpected romance novel
The Kiss Quotient, £15, Amazon
In this modern romance novel, you'll be rooting for the unexpected relationship between a 30-year-old woman with Asperger’s syndrome and a hired male escort. Complete with sex scenes.
Best classic romance novel
Another classic romance novel which follows a teenage governess who falls head-over-heels in love with her boss.
Best modern romance novel
Take a Hint, Dani Brown, £8.19, Amazon
Talia Hibbert returns with another modern romance novel. This time, a charming story about a young woman who agrees to fake date her friend after a video of him “rescuing” her from their office building goes viral...
Best period romance novel
Wuthering Heights, £2.25, Amazon
Wuethering Heights tells the tale of two families who live in the West Yorkshire moorlands: the Earnshaws and the Lintons, and their turbulent relationships with Earnshaw's adopted son, Heathcliff.
Best contemporary romance novel
This million copy bestselling romance novel follows the first love between young Marianne and Connell as they grow up and change eachother's lives.
Best passionate romance novel
The Thorn Birds, £6.48, Amazon
The bestselling book in Australian history (!) is this romance novel by Colleen McCullough. It's a story about a passionate love affair between Meggie Cleary and her forbidden priest, Ralph.
Best Jane Austen romance novel
Pride and Prejudice, £7.27, Amazon
Pride and Prejudice follows the turbulent and passionate relationship between daughter of a country gentleman, Elizabeth Bennet, and Fitzwilliam Darcy, a rich aristocratic landowner. They cannot happily fall in love and marry until they have overcome the sins of pride and prejudice.
Best sexy romance novel
The Marriage Game, £11.09, Amazon
A classic rom-com, this story follows a high stakes wager that pits an aspiring entrepreneur against a ruthless CEO. Sam and Layla face off in close quarters and sparks and sarcasm begin to fly in this sexy love story.
Best historical romance novel
The Fortunate Ones, £8.99, Amazon
A beautiful and gripping wartime love story, The Fortunate Ones is the compelling read of Inge and Felix’s love during Nazi rule in Germany. She has been married off to a Nazi officer by her father and he is Jewish; as he gets transported to the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, she knows she will have to do anything she can to save him – no matter the consequences.
Best romance novel by a celebrity
The Sunday Times Top 20 Bestseller from Georgia Toffolo, this romantic read is set in the heart of London. What starts as a business arrangement between Oliver and Victoria quickly starts to feel like something a lot more real – and a lot more than they bargained for.
Best wedding romance novel
Before You Say I Do, £11.99, Amazon
Abby is planning her perfect wedding to her fiancé Marcus, but when she hires and meets professional bridesmaid Jordan, her breath is taken away – as is any certainty that she’ll walk down the aisle.
Best romance novel to read before you watch
Call Me By Your Name, £15.95, Amazon
Even if you watched the movie, we highly recommend adding this New York Times bestseller to your reading list. It follows the story of a sudden romance that blossoms between an adolescent boy and a summer guest at his parents' cliffside mansion on the Italian Riviera and the intense trajectory that their story takes.
