Everyone loves a good love story. A couple overcoming the odds and reaching their happily ever after is always an enjoyable read. The best romance novels of all time have it all: love; intrigue; passion; conflict. They come in a variety of subgenres too, from rom-com to historical to erotica. But, with so many titles to choose from, it\u2019s easy to get a bit overwhelmed when trying to pick out the best romantic novels to read. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To help get you started, we\u2019ve put together an extensive list of some of the best romance novels of all time for every type of reader. So, whether you\u2019re a millennial dater<\/a> looking for inspiration for your love life or a long-distance dater in need of a terrific escapist novel for your upcoming trip, we\u2019ve got you covered!<\/p>\n\n\n\n What is the best romance novel of all time? Answering this question isn\u2019t straightforward. Choosing a favorite depends on what type of reader you are, the subgenres that you enjoy the most, and even the era you grew up in. But, some popular picks consistently come up in the discussion around the best love story books ever written. Check out our 31 top choices below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Always a popular contender for the best romance novel of all time, Jane Austen\u2019s Pride and Prejudice<\/a> continues to inspire authors of contemporary novels. The story follows Elizabeth Bennet, a strong-headed heroine who finds herself frequently at odds with the uptight Mr. Darcy. But, opposites attract and it doesn’t take long for the sparks to begin to fly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This famous romance novel was later adapted for the big screen, with Keira Knightley portraying Elizabeth Bennet and earning herself an Oscar nomination in the process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you haven\u2019t heard of Outlander<\/a> by now, where have you been? Before its arrival as a TV series starring Sam Heughan and Caitr\u00edona Balfe, the popular historical romance was a series of books written by Diana Gabaldon. The story revolves around time travel and follows combat nurse Claire Beauchamp. During a post-WWII holiday to the Scottish Highlands with her husband, Claire finds herself transported back to 1743 Scotland. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Inevitably, she ends up meeting and falling in love with a young, handsome Scottish soldier, Jamie Fraser. Together they must navigate a tumultuous period of Scottish history, amid the Jacobite uprising and revolution, while Claire finds herself trapped between centuries and caught between two men she loves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another famous romance novel that made it onto our TV screens, The Duke and I<\/a> is part of a popular eight-book series. The first novel follows Simon Basset and Daphne Bridgerton as they make their way through the ups and downs of the Regency era. As Daphne begins to fall for the Duke, the two must navigate the gossipy world of London\u2019s elite to find a way to be together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A list of some of the best romance novels of all time wouldn\u2019t be complete without including Charlotte Bronte\u2019s Jane Eyre<\/a>. This groundbreaking novel explores sexuality, religion, and sexism through its titular character and Jane\u2019s strong yet confusing feelings for her moody boss, Mr. Rochester. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The A<\/a>g<\/a>e of Innocence<\/a> made Edith Wharton the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize back in 1921. Her classic novel follows a tormented romance between protagonist Newland Archer and Countess Ellen Olenska against the backdrop of the complex setting of the Golden Age in New York City. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Love in the Time of Cholera<\/a> is a widely acclaimed romance novel that follows Florentino and Fermina as they come to terms with the promises of love they made in their youth. The book explores incredible levels of devotion and touches on the often unrealistic expectations we place on those we love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From the New York Times best-selling author comes a historical romance set in medieval Scotland. Julie Garwood\u2019s The Bride<\/a> follows the romance of a Scottish Highlander who\u2019s ordered to marry an English woman by the King of England. This love story is full of conflict and takes on historical issues such as women not having to consent to marriage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like Water for Chocolate<\/a> follows young lovers Tita and Pedro. Forbidden to marry, this moody, dramatic story infuses some magical realism into its romantic plot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Winner of England\u2019s Booker Prize, A.S. Byatt\u2019s Possession<\/a> is an exhilarating novel brimming with wit and romance. Intellectuals and poet lovers will surely be fascinated by the story of young scholars researching Victorian poets who fall in love while making shattering discoveries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A GoodReads Choice winner in 2013, Tangled<\/a> is a steamy novel that follows the life of businessman Drew. After Katherine Brooks gets a job as an associate at his father\u2019s investment banking firm, Drew\u2019s world is turned upside down as he begins to fall madly in love with his new co-worker, despite their seeming hatred for each other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For fans of the erotic subgenre of romance novels, The Kiss Quotient<\/a> is a top pick. It follows math whiz, Stella Lane, as she tests herself to learn more about romance and sex by hiring a male escort. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After hiring escort Michael Phan, it doesn’t take long before Stella begins to appreciate his kisses and all of the other things he’s making her feel. Their unlikely partnership soon begins to develop into something more and Stella becomes convinced that it\u2019s love, not math, that\u2019s the best kind of logic she needs in her life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this debut novel, Red White and Royal Blue<\/a> follows America’s First Son and the Prince of Wales as they\u2019re united for a publicity stunt. However, it doesn\u2019t take long before they find themselves truly falling for each other\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Notebook<\/a> was Sparks\u2019 first novel about the enduring romance between teenagers Allie and Noah and it still lives on in the hearts years since its debut. Okay, a lot of this probably has to do with that <\/em>famous kiss between Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling in the movie adaptation. Find us someone who didn\u2019t tear up at that moment. We\u2019ll wait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to the best love story books, The Fault in Our Stars<\/a> is a must-read. This Y.A. story follows the love journey between two teenagers \u2014 a young girl named Hazel who has thyroid cancer and Augustus, a basketball player and cancer survivor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2009 novel, One Day<\/a>, follows the lives of Dexter and Emma and their relationship trajectory on the same day of every year. Slowly but surely, the real meaning of this one day is revealed and Dexter and Emma must come to terms with love and life themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prolific storyteller Nora Roberts tackles contemporary romance with her novel Vision in White<\/a>. The story follows a wedding photographer, Mac, who falls for her client\u2019s brother, Carter. Their casual fling slowly begins to become something more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It Ends With Us<\/a> is an emotional romance novel that follows Lily, a college graduate as she meets the aloof Ryle. However, she can\u2019t forget her first love, Atlas. Then, when Atlas unexpectedly reappears, Lily\u2019s relationship with Ryle is put to the test as she starts to rethink what it is she really wants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sally Rooney\u2019s Normal People<\/a> is often hailed as one of the best contemporary romance novels of all time. The renowned book explores the ins and outs of intimacy, love, class, and regret as the story follows two young Irish students, Marianne and Connell, and details their lives from teenagers to adults. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite drifting apart and moving toward other people during their university years, Marianne and Connell always seem to be drawn back together like magnets. It\u2019s a story of fascination, friendship, and love and one that\u2019s sure to keep you hooked throughout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ayesha at Last<\/a> is a contemporary novel that follows the love story of two young Muslims, Ayesha and Khalid. It explores the intimate and complex themes of identity, religion, and gender equality as Ayesha tries to navigate her feelings for Khalid that constantly conflict with how she feels about the rest of his family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For fans of rom-com, The Marriage Game<\/a> focuses on the romance of two young Indian-Americans, Layla and Sam. After their chance encounter, their lives are changed forever as the sparks begin to ignite. But, things aren\u2019t always straightforward and Sam and Layla need to work out what\u2019s really love and what\u2019s not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Wedding Date<\/a> is a fun rom-com that follows attorney Alexa as she accepts to be the wedding date for a stranger named Drew. What starts out as a bit of fun soon becomes so much more as Alexa and Drew connect more deeply than they could have ever imagined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As they go their separate ways after the wedding, their thoughts about each other remain. How can they move on with their lives when they just can\u2019t stop thinking about each other? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Becky has it all \u2013 a great social life and a closet filled with designer clothes. But, her writing career bores her until she finds a story that changes her life forever. Confessions of a Shopaholic<\/a> tells Becky\u2019s story and, page by page, readers uncover how a front-page article kickstarts a series of events that changes Becky\u2019s life \u2014 and the lives of those around her \u2014 forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fans of the Netflix show will love this famous romance novel on which it\u2019s based. Robyn Carr\u2019s Virgin River<\/a> follows recently widowed Melinda. When she accepts a job as a midwife in Virgin River, Melinda\u2019s life is changed forever. Why? It may have something to do with her falling for handsome former Marine, Jack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to the best romantic novels to read, it\u2019s hard to look part Talia Hibbert\u2019s Get a Life, Chloe Brown<\/a>. After an illness nearly kills her, Chloe decides to get a life, which accidentally includes local handyman, Redford \u201cRed\u201d Morgan, who helps her \u201cdo something bad.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n In Hate to Want You<\/a>, protagonists Livvy and Nicholas meet for a night of pleasure once a year to help them forget their haunted pasts. That is, until one year when Livvy fails to show up. As a scandal divides their families, Livvy and Nicholas are forced to figure out their feelings for each other and discover how love can bring them together in seemingly impossible circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shay comes up with a plan to save the local radio station \u2013 a show hosted by exes who used to date each other. However, she\u2019s never dated her co-host, Dominic. But maybe that will change? The Ex Talk<\/a> is a contemporary romance novel that revolves around navigating mixed signals and the importance of truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gone with the Wind<\/a> is an American epic and a classic story about headstrong Scarlett O\u2019Hara. As Scarlett tries to keep her family from falling into poverty against the backdrop of the American Civil War, she enlists the help of the handsome, Rhett Butler. It doesn\u2019t take long for the sparks to ignite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another must-have on a list of some of the best romance novels of all time, Sense and Sensibility<\/a> is an Austen classic. It explores the lives of the Dashwood sisters, Marianne and Elinor, who couldn\u2019t be more different when it comes to love and romance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But, over time, Marianne and Elinor begin to realize that their approaches to love and romance need to be combined with a sensibility to find happiness within a challenging society that places status and money as the rulers of romance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Rosie Project<\/a> follows genetics professor Don Tillman. Having never had a serious relationship, Don comes up with a questionnaire to find the perfect partner. But his plans change when he meets Rosie who doesn\u2019t fit any of his criteria and Don quickly learns that love is no perfect science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ll be amazed if you hadn\u2019t heard of this one. Fifty Shades of Grey<\/a> burst onto the scene back in 2011 as part of three-part series of books. The erotic romance novel follows innocent college grad, Anastasia “Ana” Steele, who winds up in a kinky entanglement with billionaire businessman, Christian Grey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For those looking to spice up their own sex life<\/a>, this one might be a good source of inspiration. For a romantic night in, check out the movie version. All three books in the series were later adapted for the big screen with Dakota Johnson starring as Ana and Jamie Dornan as Christian. <\/p>\n\n\n\n31 of the Best Love Story Books We All Should Read<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Outlander (series) by Diana Gabaldon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Bridgerton: The Duke and I by Julia Quinn<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
7. The Bride by Julie Garwood<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
8. Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
9. Possession by A.S. Byatt<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
10. Tangled by Emma Chase <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
11. The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
12. Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
13. The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
14. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
15. One Day by David Nicholls<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
16. Vision in White by Nora Roberts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
17. It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
18. Normal People by Sally Rooney<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
19. Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
20. The Marriage Game by Sara Desai<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
21. The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
22. Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
23. Virgin River by Robyn Carr<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
24. Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
25. Hate to Want You by Alisha Rai<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
26. The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
27. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
28. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
29. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
30. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
31. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell<\/h3>\n\n\n\n