Once upon a time, before Netflix provided us with our regular romance fix (we’re looking to you Bridgerton), we relied on the humble book to transport us to the heart of mesmerising love stories where our imaginations could run free.
We’re not just talking about the ‘princess meets prince and they live happily ever after’ cliche, we mean true love stories packed with ups and downs, leave us with tears of both laughter and sadness and will make even the most cynical of cynics believe in love.
This ever-popular genre of books has expanded rapidly to spotlight stories told from LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC perspectives, meaning there’s something for everyone when it comes to romance novels.
Fans of the BBC’s Sally Rooney adaptations will love the honest and painful recount of first love in Normal People, whilst those after a cathartic weep will be left heart-broken after reading It Ends With Us.
For a salacious read on your next holiday make sure you pack a copy of The Kiss Quotient and Seven Days in June, both guaranteed page-turners. And, of course, no romance novel roundup is complete without the classics, so it’s time to re-read Pride and Prejudice and enjoy the scene where Mr Darcy emerged from a pond with a soaked through white shirt that Colin Firth perfectly immortalised in our minds.
So, whether you love to get stuck into a regency-era read (lucky for us there are a whopping nine Bridgerton books to keep us busy), or are after something hot-off-the-press that’s too steamy to read on your morning commute, we’ve got you sorted with our top 12 romance novels to add to your basket right now.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
In a nutshell: a young girl fending for herself on the outskirts of a village is accused of murdering a local boy, but the truth is far from straightforward.
If you’re after a book that’s all at once a story of first love, an ode to nature and a gripping murder mystery then this is an absolute must-read. Following the life of Kya Clark, also known as ‘Marsh Girl’ to the unwelcoming villagers, this is an emotional rollercoaster of a book that perfectly encapsulates the social and racial divides of 1950s America.
Having always taken care of herself, Kya is apprehensive to let someone else into her protected life, but as two boys offer her the companionship she craves, she lets her guard down. It’s this action that will have consequences far beyond what Kya could have ever imagined.
After you’ve read the book, the newly released film starring Daisy Edgar-Jones is well worth the watch.
Buy now £5.00, Amazon
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
In a nutshell: a seemingly perfect relationship begins to crack when protagonist Lily has a chance encounter with her childhood sweetheart.
Having grown up in a physically abusive family, successful business owner Lily has worked tirelessly to create a perfect life for herself. When she meets too-good-to-be-true neurosurgeon Ryle she thinks her life is finally complete. However, an encounter with her first love throws a spanner in the works for her new relationship, and Ryle’s hidden secrets from his past begin to torment their relationship.
An absolute compulsive read, make sure you have a box of tissues nearby as this heart-breaking and powerful novel will leave you in floods of tears.
Buy now £4.50, Amazon
Normal People by Sally Rooney
In a nutshell: a modern day love story between two polar opposite teens that form an unbreakable bond.
This is no fairytale novel where boy meets girl and the rest is history, instead it’s the real deal when it comes to love. Set in modern day Ireland, Connell and Marianne couldn’t be more different on paper, but a chance conversation at school leads to a powerful relationship that defines both of their lives for years to come.
Rooney’s writing is delicate and observant and her book portrays everything that comes with first love - infatuation, jealousy and devastation as well as discussions around class and ethics. Prepare to read this book in a day - you wont be able to put it down.
Buy now £4.50, Amazon
One Day by David Nicholls
In a nutshell: after a one night stand in 1988, a friendship is born between Emma and Dexter whose lives and relationships are revisited on the same day for 20 years.
No truly great love story is complete without a dose of tragedy and pain, and One Day delivers just that - a story of complicated love that spans two decades. Emma and Dexter promise to stay friends after a one night stand at the end of university, but this promise becomes increasingly complicated as both follow vastly different paths and deny their feelings for each other.
Each chapter is a year forward from the last, always on July 1, and runs from 1988 to 2008. In just these small snippets, readers acutely feel the hardships each character goes through, making the desire for them to admit their feelings to each other even stronger. The book will leave you feeling elation, sadness and everything in between.
Buy now £7.37, Amazon
Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
In a nutshell: an infamous Hollywood actress chooses an unknown journalist to document and reveal her life story, all with a hidden motive.
Evelyn Hugo’s life has been scrutinised by the media for decades, but her reclusive and private nature has kept the press from ever knowing the real woman behind the glamorous and scandalous Hollywood movie actress facade. Until now. Hugo chooses an unknown New York writer to document her story as she tells it, covering everything from long kept secrets, poisonous love, and of course, her seven husbands.
This is an absolutely spell-binding novel that has dramatic consequences for both Evelyn Hugo and journalist Monique Grant. The perfect pool-side read, it’s glamorous, salacious and devastating.
Buy now £4.50, Amazon
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
In a nutshell: A WWII fighter comes back from war to discover the girl he loved is engaged to another man, so he embarks on a mission to win her back.
If there’s a film scene more iconic than Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams’ embrace in the pouring rain, we’re yet to see it. Long before this cult-classic film, came the book by Nicholas Sparks that tells the story of childhood lovers Noah and Allie who find a path back to each other despite Allie’s engagement and Noah’s enlistment to the army.
Prepare for your heart to break in this emotional rollercoaster of a book that wonderfully depicts the highs and lows of true love.
Buy now £6.44, Amazon
Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman
In a nutshell: an exploration of sexuality and intimacy in this coming of age novel.
Set against the backdrop of the 1980s Italian riviera, a young 17 year old boy sparks an unlikely relationship with a summer guest. The result? Intense desire, forbidden passion and an all-consuming obsession.
Call Me By Your Name is beautifully written; the emotional aspect of the relationship is just as touching and intense as the physical. When it comes to documenting first love, few authors do it as genuinely and heartwarmingly as Andre Aciman.
Buy now £5.89, Amazon
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
In a nutshell: the modern day tale of star-crossed lovers who reunite in a flurry of passion after 15 years apart.
How can you trust someone who broke your heart 15 years ago? This is Eva Mercy, an award winning erotica novelist and single mother’s dilemma when she meets her teenage love Shane Hall at a literary event. Across the next seven days, these two star-crossed lovers reconnect and the chemistry is as electric as you’d imagine.
This modern day love story is as much about trust and complicated feelings as it is physical connection and second chances. The hilariously sexy novel is an absolute page turner with every chapter exuding more love, hope and desire as the last.
Buy now £4.99, Amazon
Bridgerton Books 1-9 Collection Set by Julia Quinn
In a nutshell:Gossip Girl meets Downton Abbey as England’s upper echelons of society mingle, romance and defend their honour.
Hitting our TV screens at some point during the hazy blur of lockdowns, Bridgerton fulfilled a desire we didn’t know existed - salacious regency-era drama. Fans of the show will be pleased to know that there are eight books in the series that follow each one of the Bridgerton family siblings.
Similar to the show, the book features saucy encounters, witty commentary and heart-warming love stories. If you thought the series was too x-rated, be wary of the book as there’s an abundance of detailed sex scenes that can traverse many pages.
Buy now £6.00, Books2Door
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
In a nutshell: a successful woman with aspergers hires a male escort to teach her to win over men, but this business transaction turns into so much more.
If you’ve come anywhere near #BookTok, Tik Tok’s most literary hashtag, you’ll no doubt have seen The Kiss Quotient being raved about. Wealthy and successful Stella Lane is in need of dating experience so hires strapped-for-cash but oh-so charming Michael to provide her with just that. As they get to know one another, both start to fall for each other, hard.
Sure, it’s a predictable read but it’s witty, well written and we love the feminist angle - the protagonist is intelligent, likeable and doesn’t define her success through a man. Delve into Helen Hoang’s steamy world further with similarly written and equally as heart racing novels such as The Bride Test and The Heart Principle.
Buy now £4.31, Amazon
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
In a nutshell: elusive and mysterious Jay Gatsby becomes infatuated with married Daisy Buchanan and risks his life for her love.
A timeless classic, The Great Gatsby tells the story of a wealthy man and his pursuit for his childhood sweetheart, all set against the backdrop of the glamorous roaring 20s. An example of the American Dream in action, Fitzgerald’s novel goes far beyond romance and addresses themes of excessive wealth, human follies and the fragility of life.
This special edition includes a foreword by famed movie director, Francis Ford Coppola as well as exceptional artwork throughout that brings to life Gatsby’s lavish parties and frivolous lifestyle.
Buy now £39.95, Folio Society
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
In a nutshell: a country gentleman’s daughter comes to fall in love with a rich aristocrat in this happily ever after tale.
It’s time for Pride and Prejudice to take centre stage on your bookshelf with this gorgeous clothbound edition from The Folio Society. One of the best romance novels of all time, the relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy is fiery, witty and timeless. The book comes in a beautiful hardback case and features illustrations of iconic scenes throughout.
Part of a set, you can also get your hands on other Jane Austen classics such as Emma and Sense and Sensibility.
Buy now £44.95, Folio Society
