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A Mega-Huge Romance Recommendations List from the Genre's Biggest Authors
If you spend any time hanging around romance authors (lucky you), you'll soon find that they're just as passionate about matchmaking real-life readers with romance books as they are about ensuring that their fictional characters arrive at a happily-ever-after.
To help you find even more great romance reading this spring, we asked some of the genre's biggest established and up-and-coming authors to share what makes a romance a must-read for them and which eight books they push on absolutely everyone. Consider this a speed-dating round to find a bookish soulmate or two whose recommendations you can trust! Will you match with Tessa Bailey, who needs a good grovel in her love stories? Or Amy Lea, who's always looking for a book that will lead to a good ugly cry. Maybe Kennedy Ryan, who loves mess? Relatable, that.
Take a peek at the author-vetted suggestions below, and don't forget to add their tempting selections to your Want to Read shelf!
To help you find even more great romance reading this spring, we asked some of the genre's biggest established and up-and-coming authors to share what makes a romance a must-read for them and which eight books they push on absolutely everyone. Consider this a speed-dating round to find a bookish soulmate or two whose recommendations you can trust! Will you match with Tessa Bailey, who needs a good grovel in her love stories? Or Amy Lea, who's always looking for a book that will lead to a good ugly cry. Maybe Kennedy Ryan, who loves mess? Relatable, that.
Take a peek at the author-vetted suggestions below, and don't forget to add their tempting selections to your Want to Read shelf!
"What makes a romance a must-read for me? I need a low-down, dirty grovel. It can come from either one of the main characters, but bottom line, I need somebody’s feelings to get hurt. Then I need the character who hurt those feelings to work hard on an apology (aka THE GRAND GESTURE) for the other character. Plan some fireworks, fly their best friend in for a visit, tattoo their name on your forehead to apologize. Just make it count."
Tessa Bailey's recommendations:
Tessa Bailey's recommendations:
"Falling in love with reading romance is what got me into writing romance. Ever since high school, I couldn’t get enough of that feeling you get when reading perfectly done chemistry between two star-crossed lovers. An author has to be skilled to make you believe a relationship can never work out while also convincing your heart that it should and it will. Butterflies in your stomach and the ache in your chest—I chase that feeling with every new title I pick up. Here are a few romances that really delivered. Be ready to laugh and cry and fall hard."
Abby Jimenez's recommendations:
Abby Jimenez's recommendations:
"I'm always looking for what is real and raw in fiction; what plucks at my humanity and tests my limits—in a context where I know it will be OK in the end. That's what romance does for me. It offers a place to explore the difficulties of life, to ask the tough questions, grapple with the unsatisfying answers, to hurt, heal, and even soar with a guaranteed safe place to land. And each of the books below all do that in some shape or form. They marry the messiness of real life with the hope of happily-ever-after."
Kennedy Ryan's recommendations:
Kennedy Ryan's recommendations:
"It will come as no surprise to anyone who’s read my debut, Every Summer After, that I’m drawn to second-chance romances, now and then timelines, and characters who have a bit of a past. Many of my picks here have one or all of these elements. As a reader, I need a clear sense of what draws two people together—a connection deeper than both being super hot. I like drama, but I also want the story to feel real, like I’m snooping on an actual relationship. It’s a tough balance to strike. Bonus points if I can feel a book physically—I often get this strange wave through my chest during particularly tense scenes, and I love that. I like a romance to hurt…just a little."
Carley Fortune's recommendations:
Carley Fortune's recommendations:
"For me, a romance must-read is unputdownable. If I’ve been dormant in one place reading for more than one consecutive hour (probably abandoning all adult responsibilities), I know it’s a good read. One of the things that hooks me in a romance is usually a fun, unique hook from the perspective of a deeply relatable character you can’t help but root for. I’m also a sucker for some tension between the love interests. Some witty verbal sparring with an underlying layer of simmering, sexual tension is my catnip, particularly when it’s rooted in comedy. I also love slow-burn tension—a brief moment of understanding, a lingering gaze, a scorching accidental touch, or a common enemy/obstacle. Last, but certainly not least, I’m always drawn to romances that pack an emotional punch! If I’ve ugly-cried, I know the book has captivated my heart.
The romance recommendations I’ve selected have done at least one of the above. I feel so lucky to have read them."
Amy Lea's recommendations:
The romance recommendations I’ve selected have done at least one of the above. I feel so lucky to have read them."
Amy Lea's recommendations:
"My favorite thing about the romance genre is how you can find books that will take you through the full range of emotions, to the highest highs and the lowest lows, and then leaves you with a soft landing that will give you hope and no small amount of joy. There’s a little something for everyone, no matter what your personal reading tastes or desires may be!"
Katee Robert's recommendations:
Katee Robert's recommendations:
"I read in multiple romance subgenres, but whether it's contemporary or paranormal, character or plot-driven, I'm always looking for stories that feel real—the ones where I'm so invested in the characters, I hold my breath when they step into that dark room and grin like a schoolgirl when they kiss, where I lose myself in a world so immersive, I might as well be an invisible side character. If a book can do that—if it can keep me up all night, breathless for the couple's next touch or the plot's next twist—it's a must-recommend."
Ana Huang's recommendations:
Ana Huang's recommendations:
"I’m a romance reader first and always, and when I look at the enormous list of books in the genre that I adore, there’s a single thread that connects them: They’re all full of big feelings. I want my romances to dial it up to 11, every time. I want them to be absolutely extra: filled with adventure and excitement and the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, and I want to feel wrung out and full of hope at the end. I want my romance novels to be a ride."
Sarah MacLean's recommendations:
Sarah MacLean's recommendations:
"As a lover of romance novels, I want to feel. I'm drawn to romances that make me laugh, make me cry, make my heart race, make me stay up late into the night, and make me fall in love with the characters as if they're my dearest friends. I love books that teach me something new, whether about history or society or even about myself. I love romance novels that have me thinking of them—and how they made me feel—long after I've finished reading."
Liana De la Rosa's recommendations:
Liana De la Rosa's recommendations:
Which of these recommendations caught your eye? What makes a romance a must-read for you? Let's talk books in the comments below!
Find more romance reading recommendations:
Find more romance reading recommendations:
Comments Showing 1-46 of 46 (46 new)
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Ezi
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Feb 13, 2023 12:18PM
I really like this list ❤️
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I started reading contemporary romance novels during the pandemic. I wanted something happy, funny and smart. I love that these newer romcoms include smart, strong women. I might not be the target audience age wise, but I’m hooked. As they say, ‘age is just a number’ and romance is for everyone! 😊
Many of these books just got added to mu tbr list 🥰
Excellent list. I found some new reads to enjoy!
i often wonder what some of the various authors, I read, personally read themselves and now I know. I added 34 really interesting books to my TBR list just now and I can't wait to explore!!!!
Zoe wrote: "I'm a debut romance author, and my novel, The Bookposal, came out December 25 of 2022. Those reading this comment should check it out! : )"ive just added it to my tbr <3
Love seeing what some of my favorite authors are reading. Just added a bunch to my tbr!
My TBR keeps growing! Thank you all for your suggestions. I need time to read more. :)
Thank you for all the great recs! my tbr keeps expanding :)
interesting how i don't see a single sapphic romance here
Any contemporary erotic MMF ménage romance books ?
etherealacademia wrote: "interesting how i don't see a single sapphic romance here"Look closer. Delilah Green Doesn't Care
Becky wrote: "etherealacademia wrote: "interesting how i don't see a single sapphic romance here"Look closer. Delilah Green Doesn't Care"
There are 72 books in this list. 1 sapphic book means 0.013%
My tbr is growing and growing! Beautiful job w/ this amazing list!
Sarah MacLean also has a very extensive list on her website. It has a few contemporary menage titles. For whoever was asking for sapphic romance, she also included The Fiancee Farce on her list.
So many good one on this list!!! My TBR keeps getting longer and longer.
Fangirling because I read 4/8 books Ana recommended 😭😭😭
Perfect timing!/ looking forward to some loved-up seeing rwading. 💓
There is literally nothing I love more than adding books to my never ending TBR. These look so so good!
etherealacademia wrote: "interesting how i don't see a single sapphic romance here"the fiancee farce?
Whoever came up with the brilliant idea for this article deserves a raise...Thanks Goodreads for doing this interview....💕💕
Love the list💜 add a bunch to my tbr hopefully I’ll read them 😅
I have long known this, but it is official....my TBR list will require an internet hook up in heaven!!! Thanks for the recs! 😉😁🙄
I absolutely HATE the cover photo for this list. WHY does it have to be two women's hands entwined? And to check another box, one had to be brown/black and one white! Gotta check those boxes! ugh
Pam wrote: "I absolutely HATE the cover photo for this list. WHY does it have to be two women's hands entwined? And to check another box, one had to be brown/black and one white! Gotta check those boxes! ugh"Because some people are gay, Pam.
List are very good, Need to share with authors.
yazar olucam buna katılıcam on kitabın onu da lgbtqia+ rep olucak.
I am a regency junkie - regencies give me that much needed place to escape (add back in modern plumbing and never having to experience poverty or servitude, and this era becomes almost perfect), Give more regencies with happily ever afters . . .
Pam wrote: "I absolutely HATE the cover photo for this list. WHY does it have to be two women's hands entwined? And to check another box, one had to be brown/black and one white! Gotta check those boxes! ugh"...Do you think it harms anybody to have a picture of two women of different ethnicities, in love with each other? Because I can promise you, it doesn't.
And if you don't think it harms anybody, then why would you "absolutely HATE" something that you agree is entirely harmless?
(Personally, I found the image sweet. In case anybody was wondering.)
Thank you ❣️ I have been trying to find my next must reads. I may have gotten in too deep. 🤣
etherealacademia wrote: "interesting how i don't see a single sapphic romance here"There is: Fiance Farce, I believe is the title
Heather wrote: "Thank you for all the great recs! my tbr keeps expanding :)"
Naiah♡ wrote: "Fangirling because I read 4/8 books Ana recommended 😭😭😭"Me, too. And 2 of them are in my Favorite list.
Toni…glad to see your recommendation. I’m not the target audience either but think I’ll like some of these.
I really have liked this list and some of are in my TBR already but some I have addes rn ...ig I'm gonna love reading this month ❤👀
I've already read quite a few of these books, others are waiting on my reader, or are by authors I love. Amy Lea, Ana Huang, and Katee Robert each chose 3 - 5 books I already own and love, so clearly our tastes coincide. However, there are also a lot of new authors/books here, and quite a few will be added to my wish list.
