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The 27 Greatest Romance Novels to Read in Your Lifetime

Infinite happily-ever-afters await you.

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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 historicals, 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 the best romance novels anyone should read in their lifetime to narrow in on the greats of the genre. The task is clearly a tall order, but we've done our best to compile the books and authors most often selected as favorites by our fellow readers in "Romancelandia." 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 28 you still haven't found your pick, check out the authors' Goodreads profiles—because they each have plenty more in their repertoire to explore.

1
Classic

Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen (1813)

<i>Pride and Prejudice</i>, by Jane Austen (1813)
1
Classic

Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen (1813)

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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. In 2006, Keira Knightley earned an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Bennet on the big screen.

2
Classic

Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë (1847)

<i>Jane Eyre</i>, by Charlotte Brontë (1847)
2
Classic

Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë (1847)

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.

3
Classic Historical Romance

Shanna, by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss (1977)

<i>Shanna</i>, by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss (1977)
3
Classic Historical Romance

Shanna, by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss (1977)

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.

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4
Classic Historical Romance

Morning Glory, by Lavyrle Spencer (1993)

<i>Morning Glory</i>, by Lavyrle Spencer (1993)
4
Classic Historical Romance

Morning Glory, by Lavyrle Spencer (1993)

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.

5
Classic Historical Romance

Lord of Scoundrels, by Loretta Chase (1995)

<i>Lord of Scoundrels</i>, by Loretta Chase (1995)
5
Classic Historical Romance

Lord of Scoundrels, by Loretta Chase (1995)

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.

6
Classic Historical Romance

Indigo. by Beverly Jenkins (1996)

<i>Indigo</i>. by Beverly Jenkins (1996)
6
Classic Historical Romance

Indigo. by Beverly Jenkins (1996)

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 that kicked off a slew of rich historical romances that have elevated her to icon status.

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7
Historical Romance

The Viscount Who Loved Me, by Julia Quinn (2000)

<i>The Viscount Who Loved Me</i>, by Julia Quinn (2000)
7
Historical Romance

The Viscount Who Loved Me, by Julia Quinn (2000)

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.

8
Contemporary Romance

Delaney’s Desert Sheikh, by Brenda Jackson (2002)

<i>Delaney’s Desert Sheikh</i>, by Brenda Jackson (2002)
8
Contemporary Romance

Delaney’s Desert Sheikh, by Brenda Jackson (2002)

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, as 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 Westmorelands" novels.

9
Paranormal Romance

Dark Lover, by J.R. Ward (2005)

<i>Dark Lover</i>, by J.R. Ward (2005)
9
Paranormal Romance

Dark Lover, by J.R. Ward (2005)

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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.

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10
Contemporary Romance

Bet Me, by Jennifer Crusie (2005)

<i>Bet Me</i>, by Jennifer Crusie (2005)
10
Contemporary Romance

Bet Me, by Jennifer Crusie (2005)

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.

11
Paranormal Romance

A Hunger Like No Other, by Kresley Cole (2006)

<i>A Hunger Like No Other</i>, by Kresley Cole (2006)
11
Paranormal Romance

A Hunger Like No Other, by Kresley Cole (2006)

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

12
Paranormal Romance

Slave to Sensation, by Nalini Singh (2006)

<i>Slave to Sensation</i>, by Nalini Singh (2006)
12
Paranormal Romance

Slave to Sensation, by Nalini Singh (2006)

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.

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13
Historical Romance

Devil In Winter, by Lisa Kleypas (2006)

<i>Devil In Winter</i>, by Lisa Kleypas (2006)
13
Historical Romance

Devil In Winter, by Lisa Kleypas (2006)

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.

14
Contemporary Romance

Vision in White, by Nora Roberts (2009)

<i>Vision in White</i>, by Nora Roberts (2009)
14
Contemporary Romance

Vision in White, by Nora Roberts (2009)

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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.

15
Historical Romance

Avon Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake, by Sarah Maclean (2010)

<i>Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake</i>, by Sarah Maclean (2010)
15
Historical Romance

Avon Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake, by Sarah Maclean (2010)

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.

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16
Historical Romance

The Duchess War, by Courtney Milan (2012)

<i>The Duchess War</i>, by Courtney Milan (2012)
16
Historical Romance

The Duchess War, by Courtney Milan (2012)

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.

17
Romantic Fantasy

The Magpie Lord, by KJ Charles (2013)

<i>The Magpie Lord</i>, by KJ Charles (2013)
17
Romantic Fantasy

The Magpie Lord, by KJ Charles (2013)

After being exiled out of the country for 20 years, Lucien returns to England once again 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.

18
Contemporary Billionaire Romance

Tangled, by Emma Chase (2013)

<i>Tangled</i>, by Emma Chase (2013)
18
Contemporary Billionaire Romance

Tangled, by Emma Chase (2013)

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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 co-worker, the ambitious and beautiful Katherine.

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19
Contemporary Romance

Glitterland, by Alexis Hall (2013)

<i>Glitterland</i>, by Alexis Hall (2013)
19
Contemporary Romance

Glitterland, by Alexis Hall (2013)

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.

20
Contemporary Romance

Ante Up, by Christina C. Jones (2017)

<i>Ante Up</i>, by Christina C. Jones (2017)
20
Contemporary Romance

Ante Up, by Christina C. Jones (2017)

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 is what connects them.

Headshot of McKenzie Jean-Philippe
McKenzie Jean-Philippe
Editorial Assistant

McKenzie Jean-Philippe is the editorial assistant at OprahMag.com covering pop culture, TV, movies, celebrity, and lifestyle. She loves a great Oprah viral moment and all things Netflix—but come summertime, Big Brother has her heart. On a day off you'll find her curled up with a new juicy romance novel.

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