The 21 Best Romance Novels to Read Right Now | Glamour

Best Romance Novels of All Time -  Epic Love Stories

The Best Romantic Novels of All Time - Beyond the Bookends

The 60 Best Romance Novels of All Time | Reedsy Discovery

A Novel

Una Novela

The story revolves around Alex Claremont-Diaz, a 21-year-old college student and the son of America's first female president. Alex, driven by his ambition for a political career, is living in the White House with his family. The narrative begins with Alex and his sister June about to attend a British royal wedding. Alex harbors a deep-seated dislike for Prince Henry, the younger brother of the groom, due to a past unpleasant encounter. During the wedding, Alex's confrontational antics with Henry, fueled by alcohol, leads to a scandalous incident that forces him into a public display of friendship with Henry to maintain US-UK relations.

As Alex and Henry spend more time together, Alex begins to see a different side of Henry, particularly when Henry shows compassion towards a young cancer patient. An incident involving a loud noise and a forced retreat into a supply closet leads to an emotional confession from Henry about his past and a subsequent exchange of contact details between the two. Later, at their annual New Year's Eve party, a midnight kiss from Henry confuses Alex, who has had relationships with men but never identified as bisexual. This marks the beginning of a clandestine relationship between the two, full of secret meet-ups, flirtatious exchanges, and growing feelings.

However, given the high public profiles of both Alex and Henry, the relationship needs to remain secret. The political landscape is further complicated when Senator Rafael Luna, a close family friend and mentor to Alex, switches sides to join the opposition against Alex's mother's reelection campaign. Despite the turmoil, Alex comes out to his parents and admits his love for Henry. As their relationship intensifies, a leak exposing them to the press throws them into crisis. Following accusations, confrontations, and an emotional rollercoaster, they eventually manage to gain public support and acceptance. In the final scenes, Alex's mother wins the election, and Alex and Henry celebrate their love openly, marking a new chapter in their lives.

Red, White & Royal Blue

Rojo, Blanco y Azul Real

Rumors about a wealthy bachelor, Charles Bingley, moving into Netherfield Park creates a buzz within the Bennet household, a family with five unmarried daughters. The eldest, Jane, wins Bingley's affections at a local ball, while his friend, Mr. Darcy, comes across as arrogant, particularly towards Elizabeth, the second eldest. Over time, however, Darcy finds himself captivated by Elizabeth's wit and charm. A series of social events, misunderstandings, and a rejected marriage proposal from a foolish clergyman, Mr. Collins, who is set to inherit the Bennet's estate, further complicate the relationships between the characters.

As the seasons change, the Bingleys and Darcy leave for London. Jane is heartbroken, Elizabeth's best friend Charlotte marries Mr. Collins, and Elizabeth learns of Darcy's role in discouraging Bingley's affections towards Jane from Wickham, a charming soldier who claims Darcy deprived him of his inheritance. A visit to Charlotte's new home in the spring results in a surprising marriage proposal from Darcy, which Elizabeth rejects, criticizing him for his arrogance and his interference with Jane and Bingley's relationship. A subsequent letter from Darcy explaining his actions prompts Elizabeth to reassess her feelings for him. 

As summer arrives, Elizabeth learns that her youngest sister Lydia has eloped with Wickham. This scandalous event threatens to ruin the family's reputation until news comes that Wickham has agreed to marry Lydia. The source of this resolution turns out to be Darcy. After Bingley and Jane rekindle their relationship and get engaged, Darcy finally confesses his unchanged feelings for Elizabeth, leading to a second proposal, which she accepts. By the end of the narrative, both Jane and Elizabeth are happily married.

Pride and Prejudice

Orgullo y Prejuicio

Best Romance Novels of All Time: Top 60+ Love Story Books

The Notebook

El Cuaderno

Outlander, Book 1

Forastera, Libro 1

Outlander

Forastera

To All the Boys I've Loved Before

A Todos los Chicos de los que me Enamoré

The Time Traveler's Wife

La Esposa del Viajero en el Tiempo

Me Before You, Book 1

Yo Antes de Ti, Libro 1

Me Before You

Yo Antes de Ti

Bride Quartet, Book 1

Cuarteto de Novias, Libro 1

Vision In White

Visión en Blanco

The Song of Achilles

La Canción de Aquiles

Una novela

Call Me by Your Name

Llámame por tu nombre

Raised by her wealthy yet cruel Aunt Reed after her parents' death, young Jane Eyre experiences an unkind childhood, with servant Bessie as her only source of kindness and affection. Following a series of events which lead Jane to believe she has encountered her uncle's ghost, Jane is sent to the Lowood School. Here, she endures harsh conditions and a cruel headmaster, but also forms a bond with the stoic Helen Burns. The latter's tragically premature death and a sweeping illness force the school's restructuring, leading to improved conditions for Jane, who spends another six years there as a student and two as a teacher.

Yearning for a change, Jane accepts a governess post at Thornfield Manor, teaching a vivacious French girl, Adèle. Jane is drawn to the manor's brooding owner, Rochester, and despite her belief that he will marry the beautiful but spiteful Blanche Ingram, he proposes to Jane. Their wedding day is marred by accusations of Rochester's pre-existing marriage to the mentally unstable Bertha, whom he has hidden in the manor. Jane, unable to accept her beloved's deceit, leaves Thornfield Manor in desolation.

Destitute and desperate, Jane is taken in by the Rivers siblings - Mary, Diana, and St. John - at Moor House. St. John, a clergyman, finds her a teaching job and reveals she has inherited a fortune from her uncle, who, astonishingly, is also the Rivers' uncle. Despite St. John's proposal and pressure to accompany him to India as his wife, Jane declines, feeling drawn back to Rochester. Upon her return, she discovers Thornfield burned down by Bertha, who perished in the fire, and Rochester left blind and handicapped. Despite his condition, Jane reunites with him at his new home, Ferndean, where they rebuild their relationship, marry, and live in harmonious equality for the next decade, with Rochester regaining partial sight to see their firstborn son.

Jane Eyre

Fifty Shades of Grey

Cincuenta Sombras de Grey

Indigo

Índigo

The Hating Game

El Juego del Odio

A seventeen-year-old girl, Bella Swan, relocates from Phoenix, Arizona to Forks, Washington to live with her father, Charlie. Her distaste for the rainy town is palpable, but she's aiming to give her mother, Renée, space to enjoy her new relationship with her boyfriend, Phil. Upon joining the local high school, Bella’s attention is drawn to five alluring, mysterious students, Edward, Emmett, Alice Cullen, and Rosalie and Jasper Hale, who are the adopted kids of Dr. Carlisle and Esme Cullen. Bella shares a biology class with Edward who initially shows a cold demeanor towards her, vanishing from school for a week after their first encounter.

Edward's return to school sees him adopt a friendlier attitude towards Bella. She finds herself intrigued by his icy touch and changing eye color, and is utterly bewildered when he swiftly saves her from a near fatal accident in the school's parking lot, exhibiting superhuman strength and speed. Bella's attraction towards Edward grows, and despite him warning her to stay away, he offers to drive her to Seattle after hearing about her plans. At a beach get-together, Bella learns about an old Quileute legend from Jacob Black, a local teen, that portrays the Cullens as non-human-eating vampires, a claim which Jacob himself doesn't believe.

When Bella is accosted by a group of men during a shopping trip to Port Angeles, Edward again proves his extraordinary abilities by rescuing her. It's here that he confesses to being a mind-reader, but admits Bella's mind is the only one he cannot penetrate. Overwhelmed yet undeterred, Bella confesses her knowledge about Edward and his family being vampires, a fact that doesn't change her feelings towards him. As their relationship develops, Bella finds herself in danger when a visiting vampire sets his sights on her. A tumultuous series of events follows, culminating in Bella being bitten by the vampire, and Edward having to make the choice to suck the venom out to prevent Bella from turning. Despite the danger and her desire to become a vampire too, Bella remains committed to Edward, content for now with his promise to stay with her.

Twilight

Crepúsculo

Selection, Book 1

Selección, Libro 1

The Selection

La Selección

The Kiss Quotient

El Coeficiente del Beso

The narrative unfolds with a beautiful maiden named Buttercup, residing on a farm with her parents and their laborer, Westley. A visitation by Florinese royalty triggers a profound realization in Buttercup - she is deeply in love with Westley, a man she has known her entire life. But fate would have it that Westley must leave to seek his fortune in America, only to be reportedly killed by the infamous Dread Pirate Roberts. This leaves Buttercup devastated and she swears never to fall in love again. Meanwhile, Prince Humperdinck is gearing up for his ascension to the throne of Florin post his father, King Lotharon’s imminent demise. After a mishap involving the princess of Guilder, Count Rugen introduces him to Buttercup, who he then decides to marry.

As the narrative proceeds, Buttercup gets kidnapped by a trio of criminals - Vizzini, Fezzik, and Inigo. Their journey takes them to the cliffs on Guilder’s coast, where they are pursued by a mysterious man in black who manages to defeat them. The man in black is revealed to be Westley, the man presumed dead and Buttercup’s lost love. Their reunion, however, is short-lived as they encounter Humperdinck, leading to Buttercup agreeing to return to Florin to save Westley. What follows is a series of events with Westley being tortured, Buttercup pining for her love, and Humperdinck plotting to murder Buttercup to instigate a war.

The climax consists of Inigo and Fezzik embarking on a perilous quest through the Zoo of Death to save Westley. A miracle pill crafted by Miracle Max and his wife brings Westley back to life who then devices a plan to invade the castle. Meanwhile, Buttercup marries Humperdinck, planning to end her life until she finds Westley alive. The climax comprises of Inigo avenging his loss by killing Count Rugen, Buttercup holding Humperdinck captive, and Fezzik appearing with four horses for their escape. Although the narrative ends in uncertainty, it is assumed that the group escapes and lives a rather imperfect happily ever after.

26 Best Romance Books of All Time

Red, White & Royal Blue

A Novel

Pride and Prejudice

The Notebook

Outlander

Outlander, Book 1

To All the Boys I've Loved Before

The Time Traveler's Wife

Me Before You

Me Before You, Book 1

Vision In White

Bride Quartet, Book 1

The Song of Achilles

A Novel

Call Me by Your Name

A Novel

Jane Eyre

Fifty Shades of Grey

Indigo

The Hating Game

A Novel

Twilight

The Selection

Selection, Book 1

The Kiss Quotient

The Princess Bride

Eleanor & Park

Gone With the Wind

The Thorn Birds

Anna and the French Kiss

Something Borrowed

A Novel

The Royal We

Lord of Scoundrels

Scoundrels, Book 4

When Katie Met Cassidy

Sources

What To Read Next

26 Best Romance Books of All Time

Red, White & Royal Blue

A Novel

Pride and Prejudice

The Notebook

Outlander

Outlander, Book 1

To All the Boys I've Loved Before

The Time Traveler's Wife

Me Before You

Me Before You, Book 1

Vision In White

Bride Quartet, Book 1

The Song of Achilles

A Novel

Call Me by Your Name

A Novel

Jane Eyre

Fifty Shades of Grey

Indigo

The Hating Game

A Novel

Twilight

The Selection

Selection, Book 1

The Kiss Quotient

The Princess Bride

Eleanor & Park

Gone With the Wind

The Thorn Birds

Anna and the French Kiss

Something Borrowed

A Novel

The Royal We

Lord of Scoundrels

Scoundrels, Book 4

When Katie Met Cassidy

Sources

What To Read Next

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