30 Greatest Romance Novels to Read in Your Lifetime

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If you were to ask any avid romance novel reader to name their favorite book of all time, it's unlikely you'll get a straight answer. Every year, thousands of diverse titles are released across subgenres, including favorites like historical, paranormal, erotica, and contemporary. And with even more reads now conveniently available via e-readers and apps, there are infinite escapist love stories—and satisfying happily-ever-afters—to choose from. So you can see why it's an impossible task to choose just one.

We pulled together a list of 30 of the best romance novels anyone should read in their lifetime to help narrow down the greats of the genre. From forever classics like Jane Eyre to the queen of historical fiction, Beverly Jenkins, 21st-century darlings like The Kiss Quotient, and bestselling series-turned-Netflix-breakout-hit Bridgerton, we know there are options here to fit all tastes. And if by book 30 you still haven't found your pick, check out the authors' Goodreads profiles—because they each have plenty more in their repertoire to explore.

A Week to Be Wicked, by Tessa Dare

Minerva is a geologist who just wants to get to Scotland for the meeting of the Royal Geological Society. Oh, and she wants Colin, Spindle Cove’s resident rake, to not court her sister Diana. So Minerva proposes that Colin pretend to elope with her and Francine, her plaster model of a prehistoric lizard foot, and accompany them to Scotland, where she’ll give him the 500=pound prize for best presentation. The catch? Colin cannot sleep alone at night because of a tragic carriage accident in his past, and so Minerva must agree to sleep beside him every night of the trip. Dare is a master of the comic romance, and this wonderful road-trip novel delivers as many laughs as it does sighs.

Burn for Me, by Ilona Andrews

Nevada Baylor runs a private investigative agency with her family in Houston, where magical families have amassed power and wealth. When Nevada gets mixed up in a murder investigation to save the family business, she finds herself unwillingly partnered with one of the most powerful mages in the world, Connon “Mad” Rogan. Rogan may scare a lot of people, but he doesn’t scare Nevada (at least not too much), and as she works with him to track down a killer, she learns how powerful her magic really is and their connection could become. This is the first in a three-book series, and as ever, Andrews delivers urban fantasy at its best, with strong world building and a large, compelling cast of characters.

Act Your Age, Eve Brown, by Talia Hibbert

The youngest Brown sister has never been taken seriously, not by her family and not even by herself. Now, having accidentally run over the B&B owner she just finished interviewing with, Eve knows she has to stay and make things right. Hampered by a broken arm, autistic owner Jacob has no choice but to let her. As they work together, Eve gets to know Jacob as a prickly but deeply caring man and to better understand herself as a neurodivergent woman. The book is laugh-out-loud funny, with banter for days and the sort of slapstick humor that rarely works on the page. This is the last book in the Brown Sisters trilogy; every one is worth a read.

Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen

Arguably the greatest romance novel of all time, Austen's Pride and Prejudice follows the opinionated heroine Elizabeth Bennet as she frequently finds herself at odds with her beau, the uptight Mr. Darcy.

Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë

By exploring themes such as religion, sexuality, and classism, Jane Eyre was a groundbreaking novel during its 19th-century release. Still revered as one of the genre's first novels, Brontë's story of the titular character, Jane, and her maturing emotions and love for her broody boss, Mr. Rochester, is one that readers still have a hard time putting down.

Shanna, by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

A disclaimer—an OG bodice ripper, The Wolf and the Dove was written in the 1970s, and it shows. Readers today may find it a little too long at over 600 pages—and back then, the foundations of consent that are now commonplace in the 21st century were not at the forefront. But with that said, Woodiwiss's work is one of the original historical romance classics, providing a pathway for many of today's favorite reads. Shanna follows its heiress namesake as she escapes to a Caribbean island after being promised in marriage to the lustful criminal Ruark Beauchamp.

Morning Glory, by Lavyrle Spencer

This classic tearjerker by Spencer takes place in small-town Whitney, Georgia, on the eve of World War II. Will Parker is trying to evade the bad luck that comes with his damning reputation. So when he sees a "Wanted" ad in the paper written by a young widowed mother of two (who's also pregnant with her third child) looking for a husband, it seems that Will finally has an answer to his troubles.

Lord of Scoundrels, by Loretta Chase

Notorious sinner Sebastian Ballister, Marquess of Dain, revels in his reputation as an unapologetic scoundrel. And he's perfectly content to live as such—until he comes across Jessica Trent. She's smart and headstrong, determined to save her troubled brother from ruin, but she has to cross Sebastian to do so.

Indigo, by Beverly Jenkins

Years after escaping slavery as a child, Hester is a free woman living in Michigan as an essential worker on the Underground Railroad. One night she's charged with taking in an injured Galen Vachon, also known as Black Daniel, one of the railroad's most valued conductors. As Hester nurses the handsome and arrogant man back to health, their time together proves to be the beginning of an epic romance. Indigo is one of Jenkins's earliest novels, and kicked off a slew of rich historical romances that have elevated her to icon status.

The Viscount Who Loved Me, by Julia Quinn

While we have Daphne and Simon from The Duke and I to thank for starting off this bestselling eight-book series (and eventually, the Bridgerton Netflix craze), it's The Viscount Who Loved Me that never fails to make us swoon. In the novel, shameless rake Anthony Bridgerton has finally decided it's time to find a wife. He has the perfect prospect in the beautiful Edwina, but it's her older half-sister, Kate, who proves to be too tempting.

Delaney’s Desert Sheikh, by Brenda Jackson

After graduating medical school, Delaney sets off for an escape at her cousin's luxurious secluded cabin. But it turns out she's not staying there alone—it's occupied by a gorgeous stranger named Jamal, who also happens to be a sheikh determined to seduce Delaney. Delaney’s Desert Sheikh is the first of Jackson's 30 "The Westmoreland" novels.

Dark Lover, by J.R. Ward

The first of J.R. Ward's ongoing 19 novel series, Black Dagger Brotherhood follows purebred vampire leader Wrath as he unexpectedly falls in love with half-breed Beth, who's quickly introduced to an intriguing paranormal world.

Bet Me, by Jennifer Crusie

Winner of a 2005 RITA Award, the bestselling Bet Me follows Minerva and Calvin. She's jaded and completely convinced that true love is a fairy tale, and he asked her out to win a bet with her ex. Unbeknownst to Cal, Min is fully aware of his wager—and she uses it to her advantage.

A Hunger Like No Other, by Kresley Cole

Despite being tortured for years by vampires, werewolf Lachlain MacRieve discovers that his fated soulmate, Emmaline Troy, is a half-vampire. He whisks her away to his Scottish castle, seducing the innocent Emmaline and awakening her desires.

Slave to Sensation, by Nalini Singh

The first in an extensive repertoire of Singh's bestselling paranormal romance series, stand-alones, and short stories, Slave to Sensation is the introduction to her 15-book "Psy-Changeling" series. It follows Sascha and Lucas, who are on opposite sides of a looming war between their races. Sascha is a member of the Psy, a society that sees desire as a flaw, while Lucas is a Changeling, who proves to bring out the very emotion in Sascha that she's been forced to deny.

Devil in Winter, by Lisa Kleypas

In order to distance herself from her problematic family, the shy Evie is able to get London's most notorious playboy and viscount to agree to a marriage of convenience. And since their union wasn't exactly a love match, Evie is determined to win over Sebastian by agreeing to sleep with him, if he can just remain celibate for three months. What develops is a consuming connection that proves to be a worthy opponent when an enemy from Evie's past reappears. Though this is Kleypas's third book in her "The Wallflowers" series, it's the favorite among many of her fans.

Vision in White, by Nora Roberts

Written by popular novelist Nora Roberts, Vision in White is a highlight in her 200-plus story repertoire. In the first of the "Bride Quartet" novels, wedding photographer Mac Elliot finds herself falling for a bride-to-be's brother, English teacher Carter Maguire. What's supposed to be a casual fling turns into much more.

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake, by Sarah MacLean

Get a lesson in Regency-era rake-dom via Sarah MacLean's debut and her first book in the "Love By Numbers" series. We're introduced to Lady Calpurnia Hartwell, who after years of doing exactly as she's supposed to is finally ready to break the rules and indulge her whims. This is where Gabriel St. John, the Marquess of Ralston, comes in. She enlists the famous playboy's help to assist her on her quest, but if she's not careful, she may fall in love.

The Duchess War, by Courtney Milan

In the first novel of Milan's popular historical series "The Brothers Sinister," Minnie is determined to maintain her wallflower status after events from her past led her to change her name. But then Robert, the Duke of Clermont, enters Minnie's life, and both of their secrets are at risk of being revealed.

The Magpie Lord,, by KJ Charles

After being exiled for 20 years, Lucien returns to England upon the deaths of his father and brother. He's now an earl and must deal with the supernatural enemies and evil that threatened his family. He enlists the help of magician Stephen Day, who Lucien can't help but seduce as Stephen fights to save both of their lives.

Tangled, by Emma Chase

Goodreads' Choice Winner for romance in 2013, Tangled is a classic enemies-to-lovers tale in which rich, dashing businessman Drew finds his weakness in his new coworker, the ambitious and beautiful Katherine.

Glitterland, by Alexis Hall

Ash Winters was once an acclaimed writer, but his clinical depression altered his life forever, ruining his self-esteem and taking away his belief in happiness. In comes the aspiring model Darian, whom Ash meets during a night out. It's Darian who may allow him to believe in love again—but trusting in himself is another story.

Ante Up, by Christina C. Jones

Growing up in a dysfunctional household, Asha is used to relying on herself in order to survive. Her past is exactly what primed her to become a poker player in Vegas, and it's also how she meets the privileged King. But a one-night stand turns into something more—and complicated. Because despite their vastly different backgrounds, their shared passion and sense of struggle are what connects them.

An Extraordinary Union, by Alyssa Cole

In the first of Cole's acclaimed "The Loyal League" series, the formerly enslaved Elle Burns returns to the South as a spy for the Union Army. Soon after her arrival, she meets Malcolm McCall, another undercover agent she partners with in efforts to thwart a plot that would strengthen the Confederacy's standing in the Civil War.

Acting on Impulse, by Mia Sosa (2017)

To distance herself from a dramatic public breakup with her politician ex, fitness trainer Tori Alvarez jets off to Aruba for some much needed me time. But her solo vacation gives way to flirtation when she begins training Carter Stone, who, unbeknownst to her, is a major Hollywood heartthrob.

Hate to Want You, by Alisha Rai

In Rai's debut, Livvy and Nicholas are tied together by a single tragedy, warring families, and the one night a year they succumb to pleasure and forget about it all. But after not showing up for their last tryst, Livvy suddenly appears in town and proves to be an irresistible temptation for Rai.

Long Shot, by Kennedy Ryan

Iris meets and instantly connects with NBA player August during a crossroads in her life. She's a senior in college and ready to kick-start her career in sports marketing. But her basketball-playing college sweetheart and an unexpected life event derail her plans—and keep her and August at a distance. Years later, they meet again, but Iris is unavailable, embroiled in a toxic and abusive relationship that makes a future between them seem unlikely. Long Shot earned Ryan a RITA Award for best long contemporary romance in 2019.

The Kiss Quotient, by Helen Hoang (2018)

This racy romance follows math wiz Stella Lane as she strives to learn more about dating and sex by hiring escort Michael Phan, whom she eventually falls madly in love with. Hoang's debut earned a spot as 2018's Goodreads Choice romance.

Red, White & Royal Blue, by Casey McQuiston

In McQuiston's breakout debut novel—that's a 2019 Goodreads Choice Award Winner—America's First Son and the Prince of Wales begin a publicity stunt that's meant to rehab their public feud. But while they're supposed to be pretending, they actually fall for each other.

The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics, by Olivia Waite (2019)

After watching her ex-lover marry another, Lucy finds a welcome distraction in the opportunity to translate a groundbreaking French astronomy text at the home of the widowed Countess Catherine St. Day. But while an unassuming scholarly project is what connects them on the surface, budding love makes it difficult for the two to remain apart. The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics is Waite's first novel in her "Feminine Pursuits" series.

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