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Ah, the hopeless romantic.
Someone who loves love, romantic movies, romance books, flowers, and Valentine’s Day. The person who looks at love and relationships through beautifully tinted, rose-colored glasses. This blog is for you!
Romance books are abundant, and it can be hard for romance fans to know which books to add to their collection. After all, not all romance books are created equal. There are some that are so well-written and beloved that they’ve become timeless classics. There are those that have had their time in the spotlight, even being made into movies, but don’t necessarily age very well (ahem, 50 Shades of Gray).
Today, fans of romance books will get a look at some of the best stories to add to their collection, some of which they’ll come back to year after year.
6 Incredible Romance Books to Add to Your Audiobook Collection
What should a reader look for when searching for a great romance novel? The best romance books have two main components: A central romantic theme and an at least somewhat happy ending (as opposed to one that ends by tragically killing off all of the main characters).
To help readers find the greatest romance audiobooks of all time, this list has been broken down into two categories: Modern stories and the classics.
Oldies but Goodies – Must-Read Classic Romance Novels
These books have been around for years, some of them for hundreds of years. Not many books can boast that! The romance books listed below are some favorites of avid readers, some of whom read their favorites on an annual basis.
1. Pride and Prejudice
No romance list would be complete without Pride and Prejudice. Jane Austen’s timeless story of misplaced pride, misunderstandings, and of course, love, is one of the most epic romance stories of all time. So beloved is the story that it’s been adapted for film approximately eight times, one of which included zombies.
Like Meg Ryan’s character in You’ve Got Mail, fans of Austen’s greatest novel are always on pins and needles wondering if Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy will end up together.
2. Gone with the Wind
Classic characters like Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler are not soon forgotten. While it’s easy to picture Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable in those iconic roles, seeing the movie is no reason to skip the book.
The movie is great, but the actual book has way more depth. Not because the movie wasn’t great, but rather, because authors have more leeway than screenwriters when it comes to time and the number of details and scenes they can create.
3. Jane Eyre
Looking for a gothic romance with a bit of mystery? Jane Eyre is where it’s at.
Like Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre has been developed into more than one film – and for good reason. The story is dark and dramatic, and maybe even a little sensual. The man Jane falls for is brooding and mysterious. Who wouldn’t be intrigued by that?
Despite his brooding orneriness (and even his occasional cruelty towards Jane), the two fall in love and decide to wed. But Mr. Rochester has a dangerous secret and once it’s revealed (on their wedding day, no less), Jane has a choice to make: Follow her heart or her conscience.
Romance in the Modern Era – Newer Romance Books to Check Out
For those who have read all the classic romance books and want a story that’s fresh and new, these stories are a great addition to any romance collection.
1. Kingdom of Exiles
The New York Times listed Kingdom of Exiles as one of the top four most luscious romance books of the year.
Readers who love fantasy and romance will love this story. The main character, Leena, is a tamer of magical beasts and has been exiled for crimes for which she’s innocent.
Unfortunately, that’s not the worst of it for Leena – there’s also an assassin after her. Thankfully, with the help of her magical beast friends, she’s able to overcome the assassin and make a run for her life.
Along the way, she meets Noc, another person (who just happens to be the leader of the Cruor) who is in exile. They strike a deal and work together to save their lives, prove their worth, and remove a curse. Oh, and along the way, they fall in love.
2. Meet Cute
Boy meets girl. Girl falls for boy (but they’re just friends!). Boy betrays girl.
Such is the start for Kailyn and Daxton. After such a history, it’s easy to see how Kailyn would want some distance. However, Daxton now needs Kailyn’s help. Will she be willing to help him and possibly open her heart up to him?
Sigh. It’s hard to stay mad at someone you once loved but is it worth getting hurt all over again?
3. The Fault in Our Stars
The Fault in Our Stars is not a new book, but it’s a must-read just the same.
It’s a YA story of a girl named Hazel who has cancer. In her cancer support group, she meets Gus, a guy with the same type of cancer.
The Fault in Our Stars is one of those books that will leave readers in tears but make them feel fulfilled because these two young adults are determined to make the most of their short time on this Earth.
The Very Latest: Keep an Eye out for These Yet-to-be-Released Romance Books
Fans of romance books need to buckle up because 2020 is proving to be another great year for romance fiction. Everything from cute romantic stories like Mutts and Mistletoe and Royal Holiday to historical mystery romances (The Art of Theft) and steamy stories (Ice Hard) will be coming out soon.
In the meantime, readers should make sure to download all their favorite romances – including those listed in this guide – to tide them over until the new releases are up for grabs.
Can’t get your fill of romance? We can’t blame you! Check out our romance section for some of the best selling romance books of all times, as well as some obscure titles that just might pique your interest.
