50 Romance Books to Read Based on Beloved Favorites

Caitlin wrote: "It's difficult to tell based off of the covers alone and clicking through all of them will take some time, but are there any queer romances listed here? I'm always disappointed when "romance" just ..." Downtime by Tamara Allen in m-m.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips has written a lot of really great books. My 3 favourites are Dream a Little Dream, Nobody's Baby But Mine and Ain't She Sweet. Poignant and funny.

Janet wrote: "Susan Elizabeth Phillips has written a lot of really great books. My 3 favourites are Dream a Little Dream, Nobody's Baby But Mine and Ain't She Sweet. Poignant and funny."

Thanks Janet!

Did you send this to the right person? The only author that I like on the list is Jane Austen and I've already read all of the recommendations.
I wouldn't consider the author of Fifty Shades a romance author in any case.

Christine wrote: "Not sure who made this list up but there many great authors left off and no authors of color or books with characters of color or even bi-raciality. What gives? Only white folks can be represented ..."

There's only ONE book listed - A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole - that features lead characters of color and written by a Black author. Unfortunately, it's not even out yet (though it's definitely my auto-buy).

If this list were made up in the 1970's or the 1980's, I could (kind of) understand the erasure. But this is 2018 and there is NO excuse for this list to be so criminally whitewashed. Contrast this fuckwittery with the list for LGBTQ romances, which includes a LOT of diverse authors and characters. It's sad that romance still equals straight and pretty white people rather than love comes in all shapes, sizes, colors and ages.

Nothing interested me here.

The Virgin and the Gypsy by DH Lawrence. I read it as a teenager and it was a huge influence on my romantic choices. Beautifully understated. Misterious.

Gloria wrote: "Many year's ago I read a book where a woman finds a dress in a trunk and puts it on and goes back in time. I forgot the name and author. I go to a used bookstore and find many old books. I have col..."

The book you are describing is Legend by Jude Deveraux. I love that book.

Mimi wrote: "Why isn't Lisa Kleypas on this list?!"

She ought to be, love all her books.

Harriett wrote: "Gloria wrote: "Many year's ago I read a book where a woman finds a dress in a trunk and puts it on and goes back in time. I forgot the name and author. I go to a used bookstore and find many old bo..."

It’s Legend by Jude Deveraux.

“The painted veil” by Somerset Maugham , not generally considered as a love story, is for me the picture off a difficult love as so many in our lives.

Rosie wrote: "This may sound like a weird choice, but for me it's Mary Stewart's Touch Not the Cat. I absolutely adore the psychic connection between the lovers and Stewart keeps the reader in suspense for a bit..."
Oh, yes, I thoroughly enjoyed that! I came to it after the same author’s Arthurian quartet, very different!

Anya Seton's Green Darkness. I think I'll dig it out and reread it for the umpteenth time.

Janet wrote: "Absolutely anything by Betty Neels! She wrote about 140 books and my sister and I have read and reread them so many times they are falling apart!!! Also a tiny book by R.A. MacAvoy called Tea With ..." Yes, Tea With The Black Dragon was excellent and I liked that the heroine was middle aged. It has been a while since I read it, I don’t recall it bring a romance. Must reread!

Has anybody read Ellie Marney’s Every series? It features a teenage Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson who live in Melbourne in the present day except that “Watson” is Rachel Watts and he is called Mycroft, “Sherlock Holmes’s smarter brother”. But he’s Holmes all right and their romance is sweet.

Krista wrote: "The Winston Brothers Series! I can’t find anything that I love as much."

Anything by Penny Reid!

Oh, The Fault In Our Stars by John Green is my favorite romance novel. It is simply amazing. The writing is really good and the characters' connection with each other is so unique to different love stories you can't help but like their relationship. The characters feel real. They have a depth of character very few authors achieve. It's a must-read!

Gisele wrote: "The Bronze Horseman! And I am looking for something similar if anyone has some recommendations. Thanks"
I assume you read Tatiana and Alexander and the last one, The Summer Garden that completes the story. I would then recommend The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon, The Secret Wife by Gill Paul.

yo amo la trilogia:Fifty Shades of Grey|10818853]Fifty Shades DarkerFifty Shades FreedFifty Shades Trilogy

Go read a Santino Hassell, Five Borough series will make your heart sing. Its M/M but don't let that hold you back. Its one of the best love stories I've read.

The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears wrote: "Christine wrote: "Not sure who made this list up but there many great authors left off and no authors of color or books with characters of color or even bi-raciality. What gives? Only white folks c..."
GRip by Kennedy Ryan
Down by Contact. Santino Hassell
Wildcat. Max Monroe
Subtle but there....anything by Mariana Zapata
The Wedding Date nicely written, but tired trope with bi racial characters

Carrie wrote: "If you like Pride and Prejudice, then I suggest Carolyn Miller's new series: The Elusive Miss Ellison, The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey, and The Captivating Lady Charlotte. I also like Julie Klassen'..."

Thank you! I added those books to my "Austen-ish" book list.

My two favorite romances are Gabriel's Inferno by Sylvian Reynard and Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.

Amf0001 wrote: "Judi wrote: "Five Pines by J. Heather Cross. It's more than a love story--it's like if you took 50 Shades of Grey and threw in a liberal dose of A Course in Miracles along with some really radical ..."

Me Too!

Sue wrote: "Has anybody read Ellie Marney’s Every series? It features a teenage Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson who live in Melbourne in the present day except that “Watson” is Rachel Watts and he is called Mycr..."

I generally cringe when I read the words "teen" and "romance" in the same sentence because the teen subgenre of ANY other genre is so over saturated, but that sounds like an interesting series.

Valeska: The 50 Shades trilogy is NOT romance. It's an excuse for badly written PORN.

@Mary: read "The Wedding Date". The heroine is Black. The hero is White. It was cute, but lost me in some spots.

I loved "Down by Contact". That was my first, but certainly not last, Santino Hassell book. It was great.

I also loved "That Wicked Harlot", a Regency which did feature a biracial heroine. It was one of my surprise favorites from last year.

I'm a big Jeannie Lin fan because historical doesn't mean Europe (at least it shouldn't). I love her romances set in the Tang Dynasty.

Of course, Beverly Jenkins and Alyssa Cole should always be mentioned when speaking of historicals.

I'm working on a much more inclusive list than this one. The hard part is there are definitely plenty of novels with of young angst featuring characters of color.

I agree .I've skimmed thru 50 Shades, and...that was enough for me. I also skip anything --even a Kale cookbook, and CD music-- that has any thing to do with 50 Shades, or could even be a "clone" of it. Since I work in a public library --and have for 30+ years-- I'm aware of the various novel, and skim thru them even though I have no interest in reading those novels for fun.

If you like parodies, though, Janice, I DO recommend 50 Shades of Chicken. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

And the Epic Rap Battles of History channel by Epic Lloyd and Nice peter does mention FSOG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAAp_...

Sue wrote: "Janet wrote: "Absolutely anything by Betty Neels! She wrote about 140 books and my sister and I have read and reread them so many times they are falling apart!!! Also a tiny book by R.A. MacAvoy ca..."
My 98 year old mother-in-law loves everything by Betty Neels. My husband has made a spreadsheet listing all her books - he sends his Mom 6-10 every week. She reads each one a minimum of 3 times.

Diana wrote: "Does anyone know any clean fantasy romance series?"
For some romance mixed with action, add in some sexy elves, I really like Tinker by Wen Spencer. Also really well done are some of the early Sharon Lee and Steve Miller titles like Agent of Change and Conflict of Honors--they are a little more "space opera" than fantasy--but really love them.

For Diana Gabaldon fans I would add Into the Wilderness series by Sara Donate. I haven't finished it but enjoyed the first and second one. They are epic adventures taking place early in the United States history. They have plenty of adventure in addition to some romance.

Janet wrote: "Absolutely anything by Betty Neels! She wrote about 140 books and my sister and I have read and reread them so many times they are falling apart!!! Also a tiny book by R.A. MacAvoy called Tea With ..."

I love Jennifer Cruisie. Her books are so smart and funny.

Tiffany Girl by Deeanne Gist

I am a die-hard fan of Jennifer Armentrout, so of course my favorite romance novel would be written by her. Wait for You is set in modern times in a college environment, and both the main characters have a dark past. Brimming with emotions, humor, and an attractive storyline, Wait for You had me fixated at first glance.

Susan Stoker. All her books are fab! Military or men in uniform. Different shades of suspense. Lots to love. My favourite is the protection series (her first) books one and three (Fiona).

If you want more sex, try Kristen Ashley (Colorado mountain series or Burg series) or Maya Banks KGI series (not so much the first)

I could go on and on 🤓! I read about 100 new books a year and 100 rereads 📚. 98% romance.

Amf0001 wrote: "Judi wrote: "Five Pines by J. Heather Cross. It's more than a love story--it's like if you took 50 Shades of Grey and threw in a liberal dose of A Course in Miracles along with some really radical ..."

Me TOO haha I went and looked it up and just ordered the kindle version sounds great!

LOVESICK by TL Smith, for sure!

Loved Him by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy. Highly recommend

So happy to see my old favorites by Madeleine Brent and Mary Stewart mentioned. I am currently enjoying Susan Elizabeth Philips books very much.

Gisele wrote: "The Bronze Horseman! And I am looking for something similar if anyone has some recommendations. Thanks"
The books written by Paullina Simmons are great, but you can also try to read Theresa Révay and her books about Xenia Ossoline.

I love Lisa :)

LJF wrote: "Emma, no question. Pride and Prejudice is Austen's most well-known novel, but Emma is actually considered her best-written work."

I agree. By far, it's her most ambitious work, and she nails it.

Marissa wrote: "Hello. If you love romance, I recommend Judith McNaught and Jude Deveraux books. They are totally amazing! Linda Howard is also good, if you want romance thrillers, that is. Who agrees with me?"

Me! Add Connie Brockway and Julie Garwood to the list though, lol.

Susie wrote: "Susan Elizabeth Phillips books. Usually make laugh out loud and cry"

I have my first of her books on my side table right now. She's next on my TBR pile!

❤️☘D♡K☘❤️ wrote: "AJ wrote: "Krista wrote: "The Winston Brothers Series! I can’t find anything that I love as much."

The wait for the rest of the series is agonising!"

Hey lovelies :) mind if I ask which books are..."

Here's the link to book one. happy reading!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Christine wrote: "Not sure who made this list up but there many great authors left off and no authors of color or books with characters of color or even bi-raciality. What gives? Only white folks can be represented ..."

The Rose Petal Beach is not a romance but it is a powerful book about a couple. The wife has no idea of the things going on around her. The author is British and a woman of color. The book is very well written. I have read it a couple of time and recommended it to friends.

My favorite romance writers are Tijan, Penelope Douglas, Nora Roberts and Christine Feehan.

Real by Katy Evans. Best fighting sport romance
Wethering the Storm by Samantha Towle gritty musician romance

Kim wrote: "My all time favorite is A Knight In Shining Armor by Jude Deveroux. A wonderful love story with lots of humor."

Oh, I love this book too! I absolutely bawled my eyes out at the end though (no spoilers - so I won't say if this was happy or sad crying). Time travel romances are tricky but this is a really good one.