Whether you are into historical Victorian-era romances that make you swoon, steamy contemporary love stories, or anything in between, there are plenty of romance books that you are sure to love. Romance novels make up over 34% of the fiction market, so there are hundreds of thousands of romance novels from which you can choose.
Not sure where to get started? Here are some of the best-selling romance novels and love stories of all time:
Pride and Prejudice
Published in 1813, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is one of the most popular and best-selling romances of all time. With over 20 million copies sold worldwide, this romance is also one of the best-selling novels in history. In this Georgian era novel, we see clever, headstrong Elizabeth and her four sisters struggle with love and family when two eligible bachelors move into town.
The Notebook
Nicholas Sparks’ The Notebook, published in 2004, is a beautiful, modern love story. As readers delve into the lives of Noah Calhoun and Allie Nelson, they realize that what starts off as a summer romance can grow into a love story for the ages. This book shows readers that true love will truly last a lifetime. Pick up The Notebook and find out why over 530,000 Goodreads users give this book five stars.
Jane Eyre
Have you ever been drawn to someone you know you should not be with? In 1848, prolific author, Charlotte Brontë, published Jane Eyre, a passionate love story between an orphan named Jane and her married employer Mr. Rochester. In this romance full of twists and turns, we see Jane tame rough, rude, and arrogant Mr. Rochester and teach him how to love. Adored by many, this book is a beloved classic. If you like historical romance, you do not want to miss what one Goodreads reader calls, “the quintessential Victorian novel.”
Outlander
If you want a touch of fantasy with your historical romance, read Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. This story follows married Claire Randall, a British army nurse working in the post-World War II era. Claire faints and when she awakes she finds that she has traveled back in time to the 18th century where she finds adventure and romance with the dashing James “Jamie” Fraser and the two end up falling in love. How is she going to square this with her husband in present day time? Outlander, published in 1991, is the first in this series of eight novels. Readers watch Claire struggle with her affection for Jamie and her desire to remain faithful to her husband, Frank. When you read Outlander, you will quickly realize why 92% of Goodreads users say they love this book.
Gone with the Wind
Published in 1936, Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell presents both an enthralling, coming-of-age, love story and a revisionist history of south. This historical romance takes place during the Civil-War era and follows Scarlett O’Hara, the daughter of a plantation owner, as she navigates love through relationships with Major George Ashley Wilkes and Captain Rhett Butler. With more than 30 million copies sold, Gone With the Wind is one of the best-selling romance novels of all time.
Sense and Sensibility
Another Jane Austen novel, Sense and Sensibility, is a compelling romance about two sisters, Elinor and Marianne who learn important lessons about love. Marianne, impulsive, stubborn, and sensible, opens herself up to rumors and gossip when she lets her love for John Willoughby get the best of her. Meanwhile, her introspective and highly practical sister, Elinor, learns that sometimes you have to have a little sensibility when it comes to romance. But as we all know, the heart does not abide by logic.
The Time Traveler’s Wife
Best-selling author, Audrey Niffenegger, will pull at your heartstrings with her debut novel The Time Traveler’s Wife. This romance highlights the relationship between a man with a genetic disorder which causes him to travel through time without warning, and his wife, who has to hold on to hope and unconditional love as she navigates her husband’s condition and his absences. This contemporary romance has sold over 5 million copies and is held in high-regard today.
A Walk to Remember
If you are interested in sweet, coming-of-age stories about first love, you should read A Walk to Remember. Published in 1999, this Nicholas Sparks romance novel shows the unlikely love between two teenagers with very different personalities. High school senior, Landon Carter, seems to be the exact opposite of the meek, pious Jamie Sullivan. But when he is left with no choice but to take her to a school dance, the two quickly fall in love. This story is, at it’s heart, about love surmounting any obstacle.
Love Story
Written by Erich Segal and published in 1970, Love Story shows the relationship between college students Ollie Barrett and Jennifer Cavilleri. While these two students come from completely different walks of life, they strike and unlikely romance that helps them through the toughest times in life. This is a love story that involves terminal cancer and definitely does not have a happily ever after ending. Love Story has sold over 21 million copies and stayed in the number position on the NY Times bestseller list for 41 weeks when it came out.
Me Before You
Published in 2012 by Jojo Moyes, this controversial, contemporary romance novel shows readers just how far people are willing to go for love. When simple Louisa Clark and adventurous Will Traynor, two people with opposite personalities and interests, meet under unlikely circumstances and fall in love, they are forced to find out what it truly means to love someone more than you love yourself. More than 14 million copies of this book have been sold worldwide, and over 430,000 Goodreads users give this thrilling romance novel five stars.
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