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Readers' Top 100 Romances of the Past Three Years
For dedicated book readers, Valentine’s Day always brings to mind a specific book genre. No, not horror; we’re talking about romance! In honor of the impending holiday, we decided to pose a simple but interesting question: What are the most popular recent romance books among Goodreads regulars—let’s say, books published in the past three years?
Well, we crunched the numbers, and the results are below. For this collection, we determined overall popularity based on the books that Goodreads members have put on their Read and Want to Read shelves. (For book series that had multiple titles in the top 100, we included only the book with the most shelvings.)
Veteran romance readers will note the undeniable influence of BookTok here (Hi, Colleen! Hi, Emily! Hi, Rebecca!), as well as the encouraging presence of quite a few self-published romances. And if you click around for a bit, you’ll notice a strong showing from recent popular subgenres like dark romance, sports romance, and romantasy.
Speaking of subgenres, keep in mind that this list represents mass member interest on Goodreads. So if your favorite niche or beloved trope is underrepresented, or you feel too overwhelmed to know where to start here, pop on over to our curated romance recommendations article. Or check out the reading groups on Goodreads, wherein your irrepressible fellow Goodreaders get super-specific with their reading recommendations and lists.
Meanwhile, click on the cover images below for more details about each book, add any good leads to your Want to Read shelf, and feel free to swap further recommendations for books to love in the comments section below.
Now it's your turn! How many of these popular romances have you read? And what are your favorite recent romances?
Check out more romance coverage here:
Check out more romance coverage here:
Comments Showing 1-50 of 77 (77 new)
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E.M.
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Feb 01, 2024 05:43AM
You should really have some Jenny Holiday on there.
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I find it bizarre that there is not a single historical romance on this list. In fact, all the Goodreads lists I've seen recently have completely ignored that subgenre.In terms of contemporary authors, I'm disappointed to see nothing from Lexi Ryan.
Susan wrote: "I find it bizarre that there is not a single historical romance on this list. In fact, all the Goodreads lists I've seen recently have completely ignored that subgenre.In terms of contemporary au..."
The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels is historical fiction
My bad. But one book out of 100 suggests it wasn't classified as such and instead snuck in under some other category. "Historical romance" used to be its own category on Goodreads, but it seems to have been replaced on all the lists by "romantasy" without combining the historicals into the overarching "romance" category. Which is really frustrating when you're looking for more authors like Lorraine Heath, Lisa Kleypas, Grace Burrowes, etc.Edited to note that, yep "Wisteria Society" has the "fantasy" tag as well as the "romance" tag so it's likely here representing "romantasy".
Most of the books on this list are very popular, which makes sense based on the way they were chosen, but just like The Goodreads Choice Awards, they aren't necessarily the best books. However, I do think there is a wide variety of authors even though historical romance is really not represented.
Do y’all know any no spice off this list? Like YA?
Does anyone know of any good adult, (no ya) romance books with baseball?
Would love to see Jenny Hickman in the top 100!!!
To not have a single book by Alexis Hall is a bizarre oversight.
I have a few of these books, the rest looks interesting to me
Amy wrote: "To not have a single book by Alexis Hall is a bizarre oversight."This was my exact thought. Boyfriend Material is my favorite romcom.
Fourth Wing should absolutely be included in romantasy!
Amy wrote: "To not have a single book by Alexis Hall is a bizarre oversight."No KJ Charles either…
I think my summer reading list will be a long one this year!
Looks like 2 MM in the entire list—both good however.
I agree that you need to represent historical romance, I'm not a fan of too many contemporary romance authors.
I can't believe there is no Jill Shalvis on this list.
Colleen Hoover and Emily Henry have dominated the Romance scene in recent years. We highlight Lucy Score's Knockemout series from this list. Maybe Goodreads forgot to include something by Taylor Jenkins Reid in the Top 10? In general, very good compilation.
Berenice wrote: "Does anyone know of any good adult, (no ya) romance books with baseball?"Bromance Book Club is about a baseball player! And an overall great series.
Okay, Okay, you convinced me to try the other books I have not tried yet and pick up the one that I have been meaning to for a while😂
Susan wrote: "I find it bizarre that there is not a single historical romance on this list. In fact, all the Goodreads lists I've seen recently have completely ignored that subgenre.In terms of contemporary au..."
YEAH WHAT ABOUT A CLASSIC LIKE PRIDE AND PREDJUDICE??????????????
Agreed. A Marvelous Light is historical, kind of. It's set in an Edwardian England where magic is real.
at least some Sarah j Maas is on there :)
Wow I already have most added to my TBR and some actually Read...really great list here.
It's like scrolling through booktok
Andi wrote: "Do y’all know any no spice off this list? Like YA?"the cheat sheet! sarah addams' books are almost all ya :)
Andi wrote: "Do y’all know any no spice off this list? Like YA?"i also know lynn painter writes ya, but i haven't read her books yet, tho ive heard they are amazing, specially better than the movies.
Why's Elle's The Deal is missing? Garrett Graham is the universe's boyfriend
Jenny wrote: "Why's Elle's The Deal is missing? Garrett Graham is the universe's boyfriend" HA! I love Garrett. The Only book by the author I like too.
can't read anything that's colleen hoover's, sorry
Fio wrote: "can't read anything that's colleen hoover's, sorry"I'm with you.
Forged in LoveThis is the first book in the wyoming sunrise series. It is a very good romance/mystery, based in the early western world.
I recommend it if you are into western love and mystery.
@Andi Rappeleye Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter is a good YA romance!
Bill wrote: "Looks like 2 MM in the entire list—both good however."And two sapphic romances too. I think Honey Girl is meant to be ace, but I found the writing less than enthralling.
All in all a poor showing for the LGBT+ books. There are so many that are really good too.
Brooke wrote: "Susan wrote: "I find it bizarre that there is not a single historical romance on this list. In fact, all the Goodreads lists I've seen recently have completely ignored that subgenre.In terms of c..."
Pride and Prejudice is my absolute favourite Romance...but I think this list is for the most popular new romances...P& P would be #1 of all time best romance...
Susan wrote: "I find it bizarre that there is not a single historical romance on this list. In fact, all the Goodreads lists I've seen recently have completely ignored that subgenre.In terms of contemporary au..."
Does A Marvelous Light not count? Besides, this was determined by crunching numbers, not by suggestions.
Berenice wrote: "Does anyone know of any good adult, (no ya) romance books with baseball?"Check out Lissa Kay Adams.
Susan wrote: "I find it bizarre that there is not a single historical romance on this list. In fact, all the Goodreads lists I've seen recently have completely ignored that subgenre.In terms of contemporary au..."
"top 100 most popular new romances." That just means it didn't make New romance and top 100. I'm cool with historical romance. Maybe you should make a list for that if you haven't yet. I'd be intrigued.
Andi wrote: "Do y’all know any no spice off this list? Like YA?"Andi wrote: "Do y’all know any no spice off this list? Like YA?"
Hi, Andi. Any book by Sara Jane Woodley might fit the bill. I liked The Right wrong match. The Real fake fiance was okay.
Berenice wrote: "Does anyone know of any good adult, (no ya) romance books with baseball?"It's been a lifetime ago, so I don't remember if good or bad, but there were some romance books with Baseball by Kate Angell
Jennifer wrote: "Fio wrote: "can't read anything that's colleen hoover's, sorry"I'm with you."
Agree. I've only read 4-5 on this list and there are only a handful that kind of interest me.
I'm very concerned about God of Malice being on there. Switch it to God of fury and then we'll talk
How is there no Penny Reid on this list?!?!?!Guys, do yourself a favour and check her out!
Berenice wrote: "Does anyone know of any good adult, (no ya) romance books with baseball?"Caught Up by Liz Tomforde
Wish you would include star ratings with these lists…
Cyn wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Fio wrote: "can't read anything that's colleen hoover's, sorry"I'm with you."
Agree. I've only read 4-5 on this list and there are only a handful that kind of interest me."
Why no Colleen Hoover? I’m intrigued…
