Non-romance books with a romance sub-plot

[rima_reads]

I’m a romance reader trying to branch out into other genres, mainly psychological thrillers and sci-fi but I’m open to other genres.

To ease into other genres, I’m looking for a romance sub-plot, or at the very least, a couple involved as main characters (even if there’s no actual romance and gush involved).

I’m also looking for really well-developed well-written books, not just quick books.

If it helps for psychological thrillers recs, so far l've read The Silent Patient (no romance, but surprisingly I loved it! But tbf, the 2 main characters were in relationships so maybe that element helped haha). I mainly enjoyed this for the plot twist.

I'm also reading Yesterday (no romance but has a couple as the leads too) - I'm liking it okay but l'm getting a bit bored half through.

Thank you!

[Rainbowheart]

The One

[Pony]

I Hunt Killers (psychological thriller)
Time Will Tell (mystery thriller)
Don't Look Back (mystery/psychological thriller)
The Hunger Games (dystopian sci-fi)

All of those involve some romance and/or main characters dating as a sub-plot. They're all Young Adult though.

[Eric]

You might enjoy The Bastille Spy by C S Quinn and King of Kings by Wilbur Smith .

[Jordan]

Mistborn falls nicely into this category, although it’s fantasy and not sci fi. One of my favourite series, well worth a read!

[Gillian]

Rhys Bowen's Royal Spyness series is a historical mystery series with a couple of different romances - Georgie's and her best friend's plus her mother - Her Royal Spyness is the first in the series.

[Gillian]

Ocean's Echo and Winter's Orbit by Winter’s OrbitEverina Maxwell are both gay romances in an SF setting. They're really good.

[Tali]

shatter me!! I'd say it's sci-fi fantasy. didn't love the first book but I loveddd the series and the romantic sub plot is to die for I cried over it so many times