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Most Romantic Classic Literature Book to Read With New Lover

best romance novels all time

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If you were to enquire any avid romance novel reader to name their favorite volume of all time, it'due south unlikely you'll become a straight respond. Every year, thousands of diverse titles are released beyond sub-genres, including favorites similar historicals, paranormal, erotica, and contemporary. And with even more reads at present conveniently available via e-readers and apps, there are space escapist dear stories—and satisfying happily-ever-afters—to choose from. Plus, with 2021's upcoming releases, the list of favorites volition simply continue to grow. And then you tin can see why it'southward an incommunicable chore to choose just one.

So as OprahMag.com'due south resident HEA enthusiast, I pulled together a list of the best romance novels anyone should read in their lifetime to narrow-in on the greats of the genre. The task is clearly a tall club, but I've done my best to compile the books and authors most frequently selected as favorites by my swain readers in "Romancelandia." From forever classics like Jane Eyre to the queen of historical fiction, Beverly Jenkins, 21st century darlings like The Kiss Quotient, and bestselling series-turned Netflix breakout hit, Bridgerton, I hope in that location are options here to fit all tastes. And if by book 28 yous still haven't found your option, check out the authors' Goodreads profiles—because they each accept enough more in their repertoire to explore.

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Classic

Pride and Prejudice past Jane Austen (1813)

Arguably the greatest romance novel of all fourth dimension, Austen'sPride and Prejudicefollows the opinionated heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, as she frequently finds herself at odds with her beau, the uptight Mr. Darcy. In 2006, Keira Knightley earned an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Bennet on the big screen.

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Classic

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (1847)

Past exploring themes such equally faith, sexuality, and classism,Jane Eyrewas a groundbreaking novel during its 19th century release. Still revered every bit one of the genre's commencement novels, Brontë'south story of the titular character, Jane, and her maturing emotions and love for her broody boss, Mr. Rochester, is one that readers yet have a difficult time putting down.

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Classic Historical Romance

Shanna by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss (1977)

A disclaimer? An OG bodice ripper,The Wolf and the Pigeonwas written in the 1970s, and it shows. Readers today may find it a fiddling too long at over 600 pages—and dorsum then, the foundations of consent that are now commonplace in the 21st century were non at the forefront. But with that said, Woodiwiss'southward piece of work is 1 of the original historical romance classics, providing a pathway for many of today's favorite reads.Shannafollows its heiress namesake as she escapes to a Caribbean island after being promised in marriage to the lustful criminal, Ruark Beauchamp.

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Classic Historical Romance

Morning time Glory past Lavyrle Spencer (1993)

This classic tearjerker by Spencer takes identify in small-scale boondocks Whitney, Georgia on the eve of World War 2. Volition Parker is trying to evade the bad luck that comes with his damning reputation. And then when he sees a "Wanted" ad in the paper written past a young widowed mother of two (who'south also pregnant with her third kid) looking for a husband, it seems that Will finally has an respond to his troubles.

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Archetype Historical Romance

Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Hunt (1995)

Notorious sinner Sebastian Ballister, Marquess of Dain, revels in his reputation equally an unapologetic scoundrel. And he'south perfectly content to alive as such—until he comes across Jessica Trent. She'due south smart and head potent, determined to salvage her troubled blood brother from ruin, but she has to cross Sebastian to do so.

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Archetype Historical Romance

Indigo past Beverly Jenkins (1996)

Years after escaping slavery as a child, Hester is a gratuitous woman living in Michigan as an essential worker on the Underground Railroad. Ane night she's charged with taking in an injured Galen Vachon, likewise known every bit "Black Daniel," i of the railroad's nigh valued conductors. As Hester nurses the handsome and arrogant man dorsum to wellness, their time together proves to exist the outset of an epic romance.Indigois one of Jenkins's earliest novels that kicked off a slew of rich historical romances that have elevated her to icon status.

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Historical Romance

The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn (2000)

While we take Daphne and Simon fromThe Knuckles and Ito give thanks for starting off this bestselling eight-volume series (and eventually, theBridgerton Netflix craze), it'due southThe Viscount Who Loved Me that never fails to make united states swoon. In the novel, shameless rake Anthony Bridgerton has finally decided it'south time to find a wife. He has the perfect prospect in the beautiful Edwina, but it'due south her older half-sister Kate that proves to be likewise tempting.

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Contemporary Romance

Delaney'south Desert Sheikh by Brenda Jackson (2002)

Afterwards graduating medical school, Delaney sets off for an escape at her cousin's luxurious secluded cabin. Merely it turns out she'south non staying at that place alone, as it's also occupied by a gorgeous stranger named Jamal—who besides happens to be a sheikh determined to seduce Delaney.Delaney'due south Desert Sheikhis the kickoff of Jackson'south 30 "The Westmorelands" novels.

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Paranormal Romance

Dark Lover by J.R. Ward (2005)

The first of J.R. Ward's ongoing 19 novel series,Blackness Dagger Alliancefollows purebred vampire leader, Wrath, every bit he unexpectedly falls in love with half-brood Beth, who'due south apace introduced to an intriguing paranormal world.

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Contemporary Romance

Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie (2005)

Winner of a 2005 RITA Accolade, the bestsellingBet Mefollows Minerva and Calvin. She'due south jaded and completely convinced that truthful love is a fairy tale, and he asked her out to win a bet with her ex. Unbeknownst to Cal, Min is fully aware of his wager—and she uses it to her advantage.

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Paranormal Romance

A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole (2006)

Despite being tortured for years by vampires, werewolf Lachlain MacRieve discovers that his fated soul mate, Emmaline Troy, is a one-half-vampire. He whisks her away to his Scottish castle, seducing the innocent Emmaline and awakening her desires.

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Paranormal Romance

Slave to Sensation past Nalini Singh (2006)

The starting time in an extensive repertoire of Singh'south bestselling paranormal romance serial, standalones, and brusque stories,Slave to Awarenessis the introduction to her xv-book "Psy-Changeling" series. It follows Sascha and Lucas, who are on opposite sides of a looming war betwixt their races. Sascha is a fellow member of the Psy, a society that sees desire as a flaw, while Lucas is a Changeling, who proves to bring out the very emotion in Sascha that she'southward been forced to deny.

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Historical Romance

Devil In Winter by Lisa Kleypas (2006)

In order to distance herself from her problematic family, the shy Evie is able to get London's nigh notorious playboy and viscount to agree to a union of convenience. And since their union wasn't exactly a love match, Evie is determined to win over Sebastian by agreeing to slumber with him, if he can just remain celibate for three months. What develops is a consuming connection that proves to be a worthy opponent when an enemy from Evie's past re-appears. Though this is Kleypas's 3rd book in her "The Wallflowers" series, it's the favorite amongst many of her fans.

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Contemporary Romance

Vision in White by Nora Roberts (2009)

Written by pop novelist Nora Roberts,Vision in Whiteis a highlight in Roberts' 200-plus story repertoire. In the first of theBride Quartetnovels, nuptials photographer Mac Elliot finds herself falling for a bride-to-be'due south brother, English teacher Carter Maguire. What's supposed to be a "coincidental fling" turns into much more.

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Historical Romance

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah Maclean (2010)

Get a lesson in Regency-era rake-dom via Sarah Maclean'south debut and her get-go book in the "Love Past Numbers" serial. We're introduced to Lady Calpurnia Hartwell, who after years of doing exactly every bit she's supposed to is finally fix to break the rules and indulge her whims. This is where Gabriel St. John, the Marquess of Ralston comes in. She enlists the famous playboy'due south assist to assist her on her quest, but if she's not conscientious, she may autumn in love.

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Historical Romance

The Duchess State of war past Courtney Milan (2012)

In the first novel of Milan'southward popular historical serial "The Brothers Sinister," Minnie is determined to maintain her wallflower status afterward events from her past led her to alter her proper noun. But and then Robert, the Duke of Clermont, enters Minnie's life, and both of their secrets are at gamble of being revealed.

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Romantic Fantasy

The Magpie Lord by KJ Charles (2013)

After beingness exiled out of the country for 20 years, Lucien returns to England once again upon the deaths of his father and blood brother. He's at present an earl and must deal with the supernatural enemies and evil that threatened his family. He enlists the aid of magician Stephen Day, who Lucien tin't aid but seduce as Stephen fights to save both of their lives.

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Contemporary Billionaire Romance

Tangled past Emma Chase (2013)

Goodreads' Choice Winner for romance in 2013,Tangledis a classic enemies-to-lovers tale in which rich, dashing businessman Drew finds his weakness in his new co-worker, the ambitious and beautiful Katherine.

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Gimmicky Romance

Glitterland by Alexis Hall (2013)

Ash Winters was in one case an acclaimed writer, simply his clinical low altered his life forever, ruining his self-esteem and taking away his belief in happiness. In comes the aspiring model Darian, whom Ash meets during a night out. It's Darian who may allow him to believe in love again—simply trusting in himself is another story.

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Contemporary Romance

Ante Up by Christina C. Jones (2017)

Growing upwardly in a dysfunctional household, Asha is used to relying on herself in order to survive. Her past is exactly what primed her to become a poker player in Vegas, and it's also how she meets the privileged King. Simply a 1 night stand turns into something more—and complicated. Considering despite their vastly different backgrounds, their shared passion and sense of  struggle is what connects them.

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Historical Romance

An Extraordinary Marriage by Alyssa Cole (2017)

In the kickoff of Cole'south acclaimedThe Loyal Leagueserial, the formerly enslaved Elle Burns returns to the Due south equally a spy for the Marriage Army. Shortly after her arrival she meets Malcolm McCall, some other undercover agent she partners with in efforts to thwart a plot that would strengthen the Confederacy'southward standing in the Civil War.

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Contemporary Romance

Acting On Impulse past Mia Sosa (2017)

To distance herself from a dramatic public breakup with her politician ex, fitness trainer Tori Alvarez jets off to Aruba for some much needed one-on-in one case. But her solo vacation gives way to amour when she begins training Carter Stone, who unbeknownst to her, is a major Hollywood heartthrob.

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Contemporary Romance

Hate to Want Yous by Alisha Rai (2017)

In Rai'due south debut, Livvy and Nicholas are tied together by a single tragedy, warring families, and the one dark a year they succumb to pleasure and forget about it all. Merely after non showing up for their final tryst, Livvy all of a sudden shows up in town and proves to be an irresistible temptation for Rai.

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Sports Romance

Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan (2018)

Iris meets and instantly connects with NBA player Baronial during a crossroads in her life. She's a senior in college and ready to kickstart her career in sports marketing. Simply her basketball-playing college sweetheart and an unexpected life issue derail her plans—and keep her and August at a altitude. Years afterward they meet again, merely Iris is unavailable, embroiled in a toxic and calumniating human relationship that makes a future between them seem unlikely.Long Shotearned Ryan a RITA Award for all-time long contemporary romance in 2019.

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Contemporary Romance

The Osculation Quotient by Helen Hoang (2018)

This racy romance follows math wiz Stella Lane as she strives to acquire more almost dating and sex by hiring escort Michael Phan, who she somewhen falls madly in dearest with. Hoang's debut earned a spot as 2018's Goodreads Choice romance.

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Imperial Romance

Ruddy, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (2019)

In McQuiston's breakout debut novel—that'southward a 2019 Goodreads Choice Award Winner—America'due south First Son and the Prince of Wales begin a publicity stunt that's meant to rehab their public feud. But while they're supposed to be pretending, they actually autumn for each other.

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Historical Romance

The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics past Olivia Waite (2019)

After watching her ex-lover marry another, Lucy finds a welcome distraction in the opportunity to interpret a groundbreaking French astronomy text at the home of the widowed Countess Catherine St. Day. But while an unassuming scholarly project is what connects them on the surface, budding love makes it difficult for the two to remain apart.The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanicsis Waite's first novel in her "Feminine Pursuits" series.

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Most Romantic Classic Literature Book to Read With New Lover

Source: https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/books/g26090153/best-romance-novels-of-all-time/