I never read romance genre books because I always hate the female lead and the writing sucks. But I need some good romance in my life.
I cannot stand YA or Colleen Hoover or anything with a cartoon cover on the front. What does that leave???
For reference, books I have loved in the past that had great romance are One Day, The Paper Palace, My Policeman, Call Me by Your Name, City of Girls, Normal People, and any of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s newest novels.
(If you haven’t read any of those I suggest you do so now)
by Used-Dream6022
21 Comments
The Song of Achilles
I found Bridget Jones (the first book) to be quite well written. Crazy Rich Asians as well.
Shelly Laurenston is hilarious and a great writer IMO. If you’re up for trying shifter romance, I highly suggest her.
Any romance by Emily Henry. Book Lovers is my favorite.
Ensnared by Kate Quinn is hella spicy but the writing is *chefs kiss*, the mental health rep is🥹, and it’s an indie☺️
My personal favorite is Nora Roberts. Once she dropped from the Romance Writers Guild (because they’re homophobic) her writing really took off. The best way to describe it now is with romantic elements. You’ll get HEA and chemistry, but it won’t be rammed down your throat. You won’t have an insipid little twit or a borderline abusive alpha male. In the last 20 years, she ALWAYS writes strong female characters.
Her standalone novels tend to be suspense. Lately, her trilogies have urban fantasy. But, I would say explore from 2000 forward. She’s a prolific writer, so it will keep you occupied if you like her.
Atonement by Ian McEwan. About the consequences of a young girl’s false accusation and the impact it has on the lives of those involved and it includes a deep and complicated love story.
Us by David Nicholls. About a man taking his family on a grand tour of Europe in an attempt to save his failing marriage.
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee. Not strictly a romance but contains love stories, a multigenerational saga about a Korean family living in Japan.
On Green Dolphin Street, by Sebastian Faulks
Trisha Ashley.
A Good Heart is Hard to Find
Every Woman For Herself
A Leap of Faith
The Magic of Christmas
what the wind knows by amy harmon (actually I’ve read a few books by her, all good)
the seven husbands of evelyn hugo by taylor jenkins reid (not a stereotypical ‘romance’)
Okay this may be a bit out of left field and if you hate any aspect of fantasy then just leave it but ‘The Spear Cuts Through Water’ by Simon Jimanez is incredible. It may not seem like a romance at first but it may be one of the best love stories I’ve ever read. Beautiful and unique writing (shortlisted for Ursula k Le Guin prize). I listened on audio which I recommend in this case especially since the POV changes frequently.
They’re not necessarily the best written but I like Abby Jimenez, she includes a good amount of mental health rep – I like Part of Your World and Yours Truly.
I also agree with the person that shared Emily Henry – her books are relatively light reads and quick.
I don’t care for romances for the same reasons you mentioned. But here are 2 I liked:
Impossible Us
This is How You Lose the Time War
They’re both sci-fi, but the writing is great, the romance isn’t silly, and the main characters are likable.
I really liked Divine Rivals. It seems to be a rather polarizing book but somehow I avoided literally all of the hype and read it because one person recommended it to me! So I was glad I didn’t go in with massive expectations, though they would’ve exceeded mine anyways!
Hunting and Gathering by Anna Gavalda
Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell
Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
The Lesser Bohemians by Eimear McBride
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Julia Gregson has won a couple of awards for her novels as romances. Her writing is great…her romances are practically literary fiction.
A Lady For A Duke by Alexis Hall was really good
For fun, well-written historical romance, Georgette Heyer is great. I specifically recommend The Grand Sophy and Frederica.
If you want the best, though, go straight to Jane Austen.
The front runner – it’s a bit dated now but I liked it a lot. I like easy romance with mediocre writing too, but I think this writing is pretty good and I really love the characters.