The Beginner's Guide to Reading Romance

For an authentic and accurate historical romance with genuine, relatable and lovable characters, I highly recommend Mary Balogh.

Shout outs to Tessa Dare, J.R. Ward, Nalini Singh, Karen Marie Moning, Emma Chase and Kristen Ashley (Jill Shalvis and Robyn Carr are also awesome)...but I would recommend Pamela Clare to a romance genre newbie, not only for romantic suspense but she has fantastic books in the historical and contemporary sub genres as well.

I would like to recommend Tracy Cooper-Posey's titles - she has a huge collection within different kinds of genres (historical, paranormal, thriller,...) very entertaining and original.

For those who enjoy Regency romances, Mary Balogh should be at the top of the list, though I suppose it depends upon what you are looking for. Those seeking frequent scenes of graphic and steamy passion, or female heroes able to outfight and outshoot any man, might prefer different authors.

LaVyrle Spencer, Johanna Lindsey, Kristen Hannah, Julie Garwood are my favourite authors.

Raymond wrote: "For those who enjoy Regency romances, Mary Balogh should be at the top of the list, though I suppose it depends upon what you are looking for. Those seeking frequent scenes of graphic and steamy pa..."

Interesting, because I found Balogh included way too many scenes of graphic and steamy passion...

Kirsti wrote: "For an authentic and accurate historical romance with genuine, relatable and lovable characters, I highly recommend Mary Balogh."

totally agree!

Raymond wrote: "For those who enjoy Regency romances, Mary Balogh should be at the top of the list, though I suppose it depends upon what you are looking for. Those seeking frequent scenes of graphic and steamy pa..."

I agree!

I recommend How to Fall in Love by Cecelia Ahern. She is a genius!

Deb wrote: "Raymond wrote: "For those who enjoy Regency romances, Mary Balogh should be at the top of the list, though I suppose it depends upon what you are looking for. Those seeking frequent scenes of graph..."

Too many? Depends on which book you are thinking about, but I agree that such scenes soon become repetitive. They can serve a useful function (to account for changes in attitude and behavior, for example), but restraint is more effective, paradoxically. In her better books, Balogh achieves a reasonable balance, in my opinion.
Actually, I strongly suspect that agents and editors are largely to blame for the proliferation of such scenes, at the insistence of marketing departments, needless to say. Another trend that will wear itself out eventually. I hope.

The Fandom Hearts Series by Cathy Yardley is freaking fantastic! Geek girl romances totally do it for me!

✓ Smart Women
✓ Feminism
✓ Diversity
✓ Positive Female Friendships
✓ Steamy Romance

Kind of missed Sherrilyn Kenyon. I know not ALL of her books touch EVERYONE all of the time. But there are still plenty of great characters that people love and re-read their stories time and again.

In the Romantic Suspense column: Tami Hoag. More specifically her novels from 1992 thru 1997 (Still Waters, Cry Wolf, Dark Paradise, Night Sins, Guilty as Sin, A Thin Dark Line). They blend a good romance with steamy tension, and expertly plotted thrillers (nowadays these are Ms Hoag’s main style of novels, and also well worth a read.)

Jill Shalvis, Susan Mallery, Marie Force, Barbara Freethy and Bella Andre, Brenda Novak and Robyn Carr write great books.

I agree about Mary Balogh and recommend Jo Beverly. Unfortunately, I found her books just when she died, so her back list is all that will ever be. In paranormal, nothing beats the vampires of Joey W. Hill!

What about people who like laughter with their romance?

The hilarious books now on my romcom reread list are —
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

It's a crime that there is not a single Beverly Jenkins book in the Historical romance section.

What about the subgenre "sweet/clean" romance? Or is that a sub-subgenre? Because each of these subcategories have romance that ranges from "squeaky clean" to "graphic smut". I really wish the was a way to know the difference, though half naked people on the cover usually indicates something graphic. 🤷‍♀️

If your looking for humorous romance I love Carly Phillips, Janet Evanovich, Vicki Lewis Thompson, Rachel Gibson, and Jennifer Crusie. Whenever I want to read a romantic comedy I reach for one of their books.

So many great Contemporary Romance authors in the list. Christina Lauren, Penelope Ward and Jojo Moyes each have their own voice. Other CR authors worth mentioning: Penelope Douglas, Jessica Sorensen, Jamie McGuire, Emily Snow.

For historical romance start with Kathleen Woodiwiss' A Rose in Winter. Still one of my very favorites after all these years. Then move on to her other titles, including Ashes in the Wind, Shanna and The Flame and the Flower.

Lucy Score is laugh-out-loud funny, but can also make you cry - heartwarming with hot heroes and feisty heroines in the contemporary romance zone.

For Regency Romance I think everyone should start with Georgette Heyer (and Jane Austin if you haven't already read her) who I feel is modern mother of this genre. Heyer was writing primarily in the '30s and '40s I believe but tells a ripping good story. Her books enjoyed a comeback in the early '60s and most of them have been republished yet again in the 2000s. For those who feel there is too much graphic sex in Mary Balogh's books try finding her earliest books as they have less of that. I find her characters interesting and her historical detail and use of language is good.

For Melissa and others who like geek girl romances, check out Lexi Carmichael - mystery and romance. Absolutely a ton of fun.

For Regency Romance I totally agree with Mary, that the start for new readers should be Georgette Heyer. And, of course, Jane Austin is a given. Mary Balogh's books stay quite true to the period and are well written.

Marcia wrote: "Jill Shalvis, Susan Mallery, Marie Force, Barbara Freethy and Bella Andre, Brenda Novak and Robyn Carr write great books."

I agree and add Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Kristan Higgins.

Joy wrote: "If your looking for humorous romance I love Carly Phillips, Janet Evanovich, Vicki Lewis Thompson, Rachel Gibson, and Jennifer Crusie. Whenever I want to read a romantic comedy I reach for one of t..."

Yes, I really like Janet Evanovich and Rachel Gibson.

Joann wrote: "For historical romance start with Kathleen Woodiwiss' A Rose in Winter. Still one of my very favorites after all these years. Then move on to her other titles, including Ashes in the Wind, Shanna a..."

Kathleen Woodiwiss is one of the first romance authors I ever read. I still think her books are great. The other author that was one of my firsts which I think would be romantic suspense was Victoria Holt.

April wrote: "For Melissa and others who like geek girl romances, check out Lexi Carmichael - mystery and romance. Absolutely a ton of fun."

Thank you for the rec! I just added the 1st book to my list!

Historical I would add Elizabeth Lowell's Medieval Series (Untamed, Forbidden, Enchanted) and Jennifer Blake's Prisoner of Desire.

Let's go back in time and add Mary Stewart, Victoria Holt, Kathleen Woodiwiss, the early Roberta Gellis

I'd add Sherrilyn Kenyon for paranormal romance and she has a few series as an option, also Kelly Armstrong's paranormal romance series that starts with Bittwn

are there any queer romances on this list? I expected to have a sub genre dedicated to them, and I’m definitely disappointed.

For contemporary romance, I would reccomend Louise Bay and for Romantic Suspense, Elizabeth Dyer. Love, Love, Love these two Authors!
And in Contemporary a shout out to Sylvia Day's Crossfire Series.

Two words....Judith McNaught!!!!

I really like Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Rachel Gibson (great characters, fun plots, humor). For paranormal romance I like Ilona Andrews.

Missed my #1 paranormal romance author: Kresley Cole.

And two other great historical romance authors: Elizabeth Hoyt and Sabrina Jeffries

I would recommend Julie Garwood's contemporary novels, Samantha Young, Kristen Proby, Christina Lauren, Alice Clayton and Jill Shalvis.

My all time favorite is Kristan Higgins, she has several stand alone's and her Blue Heron series is phenomenal! Her writing style is fun but the characters have a lot of depth.

I am a huge fan of Lavyrle Spencer, if you are just starting with romance she writes great stories with lots of emotion.

I agree with other posters on the historical side, Georgette Heyer, Mary Balogh, can't go wrong.

Anything by Colleen Hoover! I can’t believe she’s not in this selection 🥺

Any Janye Krentz/Amanda Quick, I agree with message 36 for Susan Elizabeth Phillips

I wholeheartedly recommend Kristan Higgins for contemporary romance. Her entire back catalog and all the way to her latest book "Good Luck with That" are absolutely wonderful. All her characters are realistic and relatable, dialogue is witty and delightful and yet, there are scenes in each book that bring a few tears. She writes books you can share with your mom, daughter, aunt and best friends. I love her writing and I know you will too.

I don't know if anyone could help with this, but I want romance & passion WITHIN a great story. I've read a few romance novels and they're all along the same vein (rich man makes woman's dreams come true in bedroom and financially - BLEH).
I recently read City of Brass (not a romance novel) & LOVED it, but I just wanted some crazy hot sex between Dara & Nahri. I want a good story, bonus if it's funny, and some great romance and erotica kind of sprinkled throughout. Probably not a book with a shirtless man on the front.
Any recommendations?

Rebecca wrote: "are there any queer romances on this list? I expected to have a sub genre dedicated to them, and I’m definitely disappointed."

Sarina Bowen has a few m/m titles that I love! Written with Elle Kennedy, Him and Us are both good ones. The Black Dagger Brotherhood series by JR Ward has an m/m that has such great buildup through the previous books in the series!

Molly wrote: "I don't know if anyone could help with this, but I want romance & passion WITHIN a great story. I've read a few romance novels and they're all along the same vein (rich man makes woman's dreams com..."

For this I go to urban fantasy series like Mercy Thompson, Kate Daniels and The Tales of the Lupi.

I think is the perfect gateway book. A novella length story that has great characterization, drama and smoking hot connection between the hero and heroine. I recommend it to everyone.

Lauren Dane, Carrie Ann Ryan, Maya Banks, Cherise Sinclair are all really good romance writers. Tending toward paranormal and suspense romances, but also contemporary romance and even sci-fi romance.

I read primarily in the paranormal romance genre. Here are my suggestions:
Alien romance: Susan Hayes, Tamsin Ley, Kiersten Fay, and Kate Rudolph.
Angel/Demon romance: Felecity Heaton, Larissa Ione, Adris Bear
Shifter romance: Carina Wilder, Zoe Chant (sweet), R.L. Kenderson, GA Aiken and Alisa Woods
Fairy tale romance: Vivienne Savage, Demelza Carlton, and Jennifer Blackstream
Vampire romance: Dianne Duvall, Felecity Heaton
High Fantasy (general): Thea Harrison, Lisa Blackwood, Danielle Monsch, Jacquelyn Frank
Erotic anything: Evangaline Anderson
And for general romance hi-jinks and fun without drama that are quick, you can't go wrong with Eve Langlais. Another couple of cute and not generally too dramatic authors would be Dakota Cassidy and Kristen Painter (her stuff is probably pretty close to clean).

As you can see, this sub-genre should have sub-genres. Hope this helps out any newbies wanting to fall into the glorious pit that is paranormal romance. WELCOME. We have cookies and fangs. ;)

I enjoy Debbie Macomber books and series of books.

Joann wrote: "For historical romance start with Kathleen Woodiwiss' A Rose in Winter. Still one of my very favorites after all these years. Then move on to her other titles, including Ashes in the Wind, Shanna a..."
I am going to look for her books here.