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Book lists by genre

The Best Romance Books to Read Right Now — Organised by Subgenre

Romance is the most-read genre in the world — and for good reason. But the "best romance book" depends entirely on what you are in the mood for, from a breezy rom-com to a sweeping historical or a tear-jerking love story. Here are my favourites sorted by subgenre.

How I picked these

Every book below is one I have read and loved, chosen to be both excellent and welcoming — the kind of romance that wins people over rather than overwhelming them. The list mixes runaway hits with modern classics. Working through a reading challenge? Several of these fit prompts like "a love story" or "a book everyone was talking about" perfectly.

Contemporary romance

  • Beach Read — Emily Henry. Witty, warm and a little bittersweet — the comfort read that launched a thousand TBR piles.
  • The Flatshare — Beth O’Leary. Two strangers share a bed (at different times) and fall for each other by sticky note. Charming and original.

Enemies-to-lovers

  • The Hating Game — Sally Thorne. The definitive office enemies-to-lovers. Sharp banter and irresistible tension.
  • Red, White & Royal Blue — Casey McQuiston. A first son and a prince go from rivals to romance. Funny, swoony and big-hearted.

Historical romance

  • Outlander — Diana Gabaldon. Sweeping time-travel romance with adventure and heat. A genre-spanning epic.
  • The Duke and I — Julia Quinn. The Bridgerton novel that started the phenomenon. Frothy, fun Regency romance.

Romantasy (romantic fantasy)

  • A Court of Thorns and Roses — Sarah J. Maas. The series that defines modern romantasy — lush, addictive and impossible to read just one.
  • Fourth Wing — Rebecca Yarros. Dragons, rivals and sky-high tension. The breakout hit that pulled romance readers into fantasy.

Emotional & book-club romance

  • The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo — Taylor Jenkins Reid. Old-Hollywood glamour and a love story far deeper than its cover. A book-club favourite for good reason.
  • One Day — David Nicholls. Two people, one date revisited across twenty years. Funny, tender and quietly devastating.

Found one to fall for? When you finish, jot the one line you want to remember — the heart of our Read, Remember, Recommend challenge. Or switch it up with the best fantasy books and the best thrillers.

Romance Books FAQ

What are the best romance books to start with?

For an easy, joyful start, try Beach Read or The Hating Game — both are warm, witty and hugely popular. If you want more emotional depth, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a brilliant gateway that also works beautifully for book clubs.

What is "romantasy"?

Romantasy is romance set in a fantasy world, with the love story given equal weight to the magic and plot. A Court of Thorns and Roses and Fourth Wing define the category and have brought a huge new audience to both romance and fantasy.

What is enemies-to-lovers?

It is a beloved romance trope where two characters start as rivals or antagonists and gradually fall for each other. The tension and banter are the appeal — The Hating Game and Red, White & Royal Blue are perfect examples.

Are romance books all the same?

Not at all. The genre ranges from light, funny contemporary rom-coms to sweeping historical epics, emotional literary love stories and fantasy-driven romantasy. The shared promise is an emotionally satisfying central relationship — everything else varies widely.

What does "spice" mean in romance?

Spice refers to how explicit the on-page intimacy is. Some romances are "closed door" with little or none, while others are more explicit. Contemporary and romantasy titles vary a lot, so it is worth checking if that matters to you.

Are romance novels good for book clubs?

Yes — especially emotional and character-driven titles. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and One Day spark great discussion about love, choices and regret. Pair any of them with our book-club question set.

Do I need to read romance series in order?

For series like A Court of Thorns and Roses or Bridgerton, reading in order gives the most payoff, though many historical romance series follow different couples and can be read fairly independently. Standalone contemporary romances need no order at all.

How do I choose my next romance read?

Pick the feeling you want: light and funny (contemporary), crackling tension (enemies-to-lovers), sweeping escape (historical), magic and romance (romantasy), or a good cry (emotional). Match the mood to a subgenre above and start there.