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Julia Quinn Recommends These Highly Bingeable Romance Series
Author Julia Quinn, it’s safe to say, knows her way around the romance genre. As the author of the incredibly popular Bridgerton series, set in Regency-era London, Quinn has carved out her own elegant empire by writing smart romance novels for smart romance readers. So we were appropriately thrilled when Quinn agreed to share her favorite romance recommendations.
As Quinn notes below, romance books are all about the series format, and here she suggests eight highly bingeable series, including shapeshifters, extraordinary women, and even an heiress in Paris. By the by, season two of the Bridgerton Netflix series premieres March 25 in the U.S. Also, the TV tie-in paperback of The Viscount Who Loved Me is available now in U.S. stores.
As Quinn notes below, romance books are all about the series format, and here she suggests eight highly bingeable series, including shapeshifters, extraordinary women, and even an heiress in Paris. By the by, season two of the Bridgerton Netflix series premieres March 25 in the U.S. Also, the TV tie-in paperback of The Viscount Who Loved Me is available now in U.S. stores.
It's no secret that romance readers love a series. If we fall in love with a duke, it stands to reason that we want to fall in love with his brother, too. And his best friend. And maybe his future brother-in-law.
If you want to read about a group of friends, you can find it in romance. A large family? Sports teammates? We've got you covered. We've got charming duologies, or if you're ready for full-world immersion, you can tear through 15-plus novels in a row. It doesn't matter if you love contemporary, fantasy, or historical—romance has a series for you. There is no shortage of series in romance; there are infinite love stories to tell!
Authors are generally very careful to make sure that readers can enter a series at any point in the cycle, but if you can start at the beginning, why not? In the long-standing tradition of romance series, here are eight of my favorite first-in-series romances that are sure to delight.
I'm not generally one for shapeshifters, but Allen's writing is so terrific, I was sucked right in. I finished this one and went straight on to A Most Unusual Duke, which was just as good!
Set in my home state of Washington, It Happened One Summer (and its follow-up, Hook, Line, and Sinker) are funny and fabulous yet still pack an emotional punch.
Dunmore is my new find in historical romance. Her A League of Extraordinary Women series is, well, extraordinary.
One of the great perks of being an author is getting to read early copies of books. Herrera's publisher sent me this one a full six months before its May 2022 release date, and I'll just tell you right here: "I am a lucky woman!" Actually, we're all lucky, because A Caribbean Heiress in Paris is the first in a new series called Las Léonas.
I tell everyone to read the Pennyroyal Green series. Everyone. Long's characters are richly drawn, her dialogue sharp and witty, and her story lines unique and intricate. If you haven't read her books, what are you waiting for?
MacLean is known for her fierce, feminist heroines, and her debut novel was no exception. But honestly, you can't go wrong with any of her books—she's just that good.
I'm a sucker for a good sports romance, and Martin knows what she's talking about: Her husband played in the NFL for eight years (including two trips to the Super Bowl)!
It's a ripped-from-the-headlines setup: Three women discover they're dating the same guy when one of them live-tweets their date. The result is fun and flirty and full of both friendship and romance.
Which romance series would you recommend to your fellow readers? Let's talk books in the comments!
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Comments Showing 1-50 of 57 (57 new)
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Joshua
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Mar 25, 2022 10:06AM
Cis het romance is so last century.
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Joshua wrote: "Cis het romance is so last century."I hope this is a bad sense of humour… *facepalms*
I never thought I would be quite so prepared for this particular comment... The Kiss Quotient, The Hating Game, anything written by Penny Reid, and, for those loving a slow burn, any book by Marian Zapata! These authors, in addition to those listed above, can and should belong on anyones' shelf!
I'm really enjoying Tessa Dare and Elizabeth Everett. Both are around the same time period as Bridgerton.
Loving Deanna Raybourn's "Veronica Speedwell" series and anything by Grace Burrowes is always a treat.
Loving the “Lonely Lords” series by Grace Burrowes. Her novels are exceptional.
Julia Quinn’s and Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ books are on my permanent bookshelf … I will, and do, reread all of them over & over again!
Er, I may be dumb, but at least 2 of the books mentioned aren't part of a series. Kinda hard to binge a single book.
I love the Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series which developed in the Night Huntress universe. Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter and Psy-Changling series, Christine Feehan's Shadow Rider series, Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter universe. I could go on!
I love anything by Maureen Smith - especially her Wolf Pack Series. Taming the Wolf is the first and one of my favorites. Another title in the series that I love is Recipe for Temptation. A great historical read is Captured by Beverly Jenkins. All of Beverly's books are great. Grace Burrowes, Farah Rochon, Sarah MacLean, Brenda Jackson, Paige Tyler, Maeve Greyson, Erica Ridley and Cat Sebastian are also favorites of mine.
Any of the series by Jen Turano. I started with A Change of Fortune in Turano’s Ladies of Distinction series. I was hooked and after completing them all I was jonesing for some more lovely and funny Turano period stories which led me to the Out of the Ordinary series which did not disappoint. I read so much I had never read about the debutante/social seasons in period era New York (the Astors and the Vanderbilts balls etc.). Apart from the Crowd was the next series I completed. I have two books on my TBR pile from the American Heiresses series but they haven’t hooked me enough to get at them after a cursory glance. Could just be my reading mood changed for a while as I am tearing through the pages of every Julia Quinn period novel I can get my hands/eyes on (thank goodness for library ebooks and my apps, Overdrive and Libby). This after a year and a half almost constant reading diet of mysteries, thrillers and suspense like there’s no tomorrow. Previously I had only read cozy mysteries because I wanted my mysteries funny, light and not too gory. Plus I tend to get oppositional about reading big writers books who have been on bestseller lists (yes, I’m looking at you James Patterson, John Grisham, Tom Clancy, David Baldacci) as it made me think I would be feeding at the mainstream book authors like a cow at a trough. I got over that finally after going from Janet Evanovich to James Patterson and David Baldacci, whose characters had me almost as hooked as Stephanie Plum to Morelli and Ranger!
My romance friends î have two words fo you allLisa Kleypass
Romance Readers these are extremely great recommendations and thank you, also check out The Thornton Mysteries by Ellen Read, its a cosy mystery with an ongoing romance between Alexandra and Benedict. It is a series and just published recently book 4, as far as I know a book 5 is in the making.
I also LOVE Lisa Kleypas! I never read any historical romances before I read one of hers. I was hooked. I have read all of her historicals. Was so sad when she didn't write any (historicals) for several years. But we can all love more than one author. There are lots of great ones. Sorry for spelling Farrah Rochon's name wrong.
Lisa Kleypas “Wallflower Series” and Johanna Lindsey “Mallory Series” are two great series to read. Love both of these authors. Truly heartbreaking to not have anymore Mallory novels as Lindsey passed away in October of 2019.
I have read all the Bridgeton books and wish there were more. They are all 5 star by me.
Love Lisa Kleypas too! The Hathaways are my favorite of her series! The Wallflowers were #1 until I read all of The Hathaway books! I also love Tessa Dare and of course, Julia’s Bridgerton’s 🥰
Fantasyland series by Kristen Ashley, Hunter's Claim : The Alliance series by S.E. Smith.
Anna wrote: "I never thought I would be quite so prepared for this particular comment... The Kiss Quotient, The Hating Game, anything written by Penny Reid, and, for those loving a slow burn, any book by Marian..."I haven't read anything by Marion, but I'm with you on the rest!
Mary wrote: "Julia Quinn’s and Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ books are on my permanent bookshelf … I will, and do, reread all of them over & over again!"Me, too!
Luisaya wrote: "My romance friends î have two words fo you allLisa Kleypass"
Yes!!!
SHERI wrote: "I have read all the Bridgeton books and wish there were more. They are all 5 star by me."Yes, I have read them multiple times! So good!
Janett wrote: "Love Lisa Kleypas too! The Hathaways are my favorite of her series! The Wallflowers were #1 until I read all of The Hathaway books! I also love Tessa Dare and of course, Julia’s Bridgerton’s 🥰"
Yes to all of the above authors & series. :)
Debra Falasco's series; 'Man with' are modern sweet romances with just enough heat; her Chapel Hall books (beginning with Inevitable) are period romances. There is a cute tie-in and neither series is complete. (She also writes more steamy romances as Caprice Langden and there is a link in those as well.)
Love these recommendations! I read Romance from an early age, with my mom, and sister. I stepped away to read many other genre's. Recently I've returned and have scolded myself for abandoning the gener for too long!
The 12 Dukes of Christmas series by Erica Ridley, A Duke, The Lady and a Baby by Vanessa Riley are two series I've enjoyed
For the perfect angst fest my go-to authors are Sherry Thomas and Lorraine Heath.
When I go to book signings I like to check out a few new-to-me authors before the event.. one author that led me to to a series binge fest was Kate Canterbary. Her Walsh family of Boston architects was wonderful!!
Truly any Christine Feehan series is good. Love Tessa Dare. I just love historical romance/ fiction.
Stephanie Laurens - her Cynster series is the bestI
Stella Riley's Rockcliffe series and spinoff Brandon brothers are excellent. Especially in audio.
Really surprised Lisa Kleypas isn't on this list. If you wanna talk about loveable tight-knit endearing family with wit and steamy romance woven throughout read The Hathaways series!
I would have expected her to mention ones that had at least three books available already for readers to binge on if they want. Also, she really needs to pick up some indie authors/titles (both self pubs and indie press)!, especially for contemporaries - Queen Kennedy Ryan for one, King TJ Klune for another (his backlist prior to 2020 and his first Tor titles are all indies).
Lastly, I'm not surprised considering comments she made in the past, that she couldn't be bothered to mention the fantastic Beverly Jenkins her HR peer who was published before she was, or some of the queer historicals making strides out there.
The Love Hypothesis by Alice Hazelwood is a recent favourite.Judith McNaught is credited with creating a modern romance novel. Her historical romances are great. My favourite is “Something Wonderful”. “Whitney, My Love” has a rather disturbing scene. Her “modern” books: “Paradise”, “Remember When”, “Perfect”. Her books were written in the 80s and 90s, so some concepts may be dated, but the emotional impact is superb.
I will read anything by Tessa Dare. “The Duchess Deal” had me laughing throughout the novel. I would love to see that as a Netflix series.
The team Christina Lauren has great modern romances (I’m not a fan of their Bastard series).
Penny Reid’s books (save for a few duds) are delightful.
Susan Krinard’s earlier novels were fantastic. “Touch of the Wolf”, “Body and Soul”, “The Forest Lord” were my first paranormal romances.
The book that got me hooked on romance was Linda Lael Miller’s “The Legacy”.
I listen to a lot of romance novels. If you need more, you can always check out the Romance section in My Books. ;-)
For sapphic, check out Delilah Green Doesn't Care, the first in a series. No list of bingeable series' would be complete without Beverly Jenkins!
Luisaya wrote: "My romance friends î have two words fo you allLisa Kleypass"
Over the years, I've returned and reread her numerous series books. She masterfully creates lovable male and female characters with human flaws and desires. I admire her work tremendously though her two early books are not books I was willing to finish.
I’m a sucker for anything by Loretta Chase, Tessa Dare, Elizabeth Hoyt, Lisa Klepass, Evie Dunmore, and Anne Stuart. I’ve now added Mia Vincy to that list.I’m so indebted to Goodreads members for their recommendations. I would never have found/read those authors I’ve mentioned above if it hadn’t been for Goodreads.
Eloisa James' The Wildes of Lindow Castle, one of my favorite series.
Thank you for the recommendation, I’ll look it up ❤️
Sharlene wrote: "Mary wrote: "Julia Quinn’s and Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ books are on my permanent bookshelf … I will, and do, reread all of them over & over again!"Me, too!"
Mary wrote: "Julia Quinn’s and Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ books are on my permanent bookshelf … I will, and do, reread all of them over & over again!"
me too, plus Mariana Zapata
And of course, the queen of them all, Georgette Heyer.
Paranormal Romance * Nalini Singh:
Psy-Changeling
* Shelly Laurenston:
The Honey Badger Chronicles
* R.J. Blain:
A Magical Romantic Comedy (with a body count)
* Lesli Richardson:
Bleacke Shifters
* Suzanne Wright:
Olympus Pride
Historical Romance
* Jennifer Ashley:
Mackenzies and McBrides
* Jo Beverley:
Malloren and Friends
* Mary Balogh:
Westcott
* Sarah MacLean:
Bareknuckle Bastards
* Lisa Kleypas:
The Ravenels
Contemporary Romance
* Penny Reid:
Knitting in the City
* Helen Hoang:
The Kiss Quotient
* Karla Sorensen:
Washington Wolves
* Talia Hibbert:
The Brown Sisters
* Amy Andrews:
Sydney Smoke Rugby
Romantic Suspense
* Cherise Sinclair:
Sons of the Survivalist
* Lexi Blake:
Masters and Mercenaries
* April White:
Cipher Security
Anne wrote: "And of course, the queen of them all, Georgette Heyer."She’s been on my shelf since I was 15
Absolutely loved On Location by Sarah Echavarre Smith.
Carla Kelly for a fresh take on Regency romance!There weren’t all dukes & lords & ladies during the time period!
In no particular order:Julie Anne Long: The Palace of Rogues
Lisa Kleypas - The Hathaways; The Ravenels; Travis (series)
Grace Burrowes - The Heir, and all it's (many!) connected books
Mary Jo Putney - Lost Lords; Rogues Redeemed
Robyn Carr - Virgin River; Thunder Point; Sullivan's Crossing
Sarah Morgan - From Manhattan with Love
Sarah MacLean - Rules of Scoundrels
Anne Gracie - Merridew Sisters; Chance Sisters; Marriage of Convenience; The Brides of Bellaire Gardens
Mary Balogh: Huxtable Quintet; Survivors' Club; Westcott (series)
Lori Foster: Love Undercover
MaryCade Mandus wrote: "I’m a sucker for anything by Loretta Chase, Tessa Dare, Elizabeth Hoyt, Lisa Klepass, Evie Dunmore, and Anne Stuart. I’ve now added Mia Vincy to that list.I’m so indebted to Goodreads members for..."
MaryCade Mandus wrote: "I’m a sucker for anything by Loretta Chase, Tessa Dare, Elizabeth Hoyt, Lisa Klepass, Evie Dunmore, and Anne Stuart. I’ve now added Mia Vincy to that list.I’m so indebted to Goodreads members for..."
For fun dialog, great characters and all the feels too: Loretta Chase, Suzanne Enoch, Karen Hawkins--great regencies! And for all the above without the Regency, Ilona Andrews. Bingeworthy all!
I agree with a lot of the comments above. Would add Meghan Ciana Doidge - just love the entire universe she has created (start with the Dowser series but you don't have to). She writes great paranormal romance, complex characters and wonderful stories.Two other fantastic paranormal romance authors are Elizabeth Hunter and Chloe Neill. A recently new author is Jacquelyn Benson. I have really liked her Charismatics series so far.
