Arts & Entertainment
10 Romance Novels Sure To Make You Swoon
From classics such as "Pride and Prejudice" to contemporary must-reads including "Eleanor & Park," these books are sure to warm your heart.
After a year like 2020, we could all use some feel-good stories in our lives. With Valentine's Day right around the corner, you might have love on the brain, and one good way to accomplish some instant warm fuzzies is with a romance novel.
Romance novels have come a long way since the cheesy covers with shirtless cowboys on them. The stories today are fresh and inspiring, with a little something for everyone. Avid readers will be impressed with the character development, plot lines and twists contained in these approachable tomes, while readers who dabble now and then will find these stories are easy to pick up and put down whenever they choose.
We've rounded up 10 romance novels that are sure to make you swoon. Whether you're a die-hard romance fan or are new to the genre, you'll find something you love on this list.
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#1 "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
Let's start out with a classic. The timeless story of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett has captured hearts for hundreds of years. This is a story about family, social norms in the 1800s, and that man you think you hate but you actually love. If you've seen the movie or BBC adaptation, you may already know the story, but there's nothing like reading it in Austen's poetic prose.
#2 "Outlander: A Novel" by Diana Gabaldon
Fans of historical romance will enjoy this novel, which has since become a wildly successful television series. The story follows Claire Randall, a former British combat nurse, who has just been reunited with her husband. While on a second honeymoon to get reacquainted, Claire accidentally time-travels and is launched into war-torn Scotland and the arms of a man who is most definitely not her husband. Everyone loves a good love triangle, right?
#3 "Eleanor & Park" by Rainbow Rowell
Eleanor is the new girl in town and sticks out in every way possible, from her chaotic family to her bright red hair. Park sits at the back of the bus, trying to be invisible. Slowly, through letters and mix tapes, they fall in love over the course of a school year in 1986. No matter how old you are, this young adult page-turner does an incredible job of evoking those familiar teenage, first-love feelings (or if your teenage years were not so lucky, the feeling of pining over a crush). The story manages to convey sweetness and passion in equal measure, and many will relate to the drama and inherent awkwardness of balancing a new relationship with family obligations and Never. Being. Alone.
#4 "The Notebook" by Nicholas Sparks
This love story set in the 1940s tells the story of Noah Calhoun, recently returned to the rural South after World War II. While restoring a former plantation home, Noah constantly remembers Allie, a girl he spent a single summer with fourteen years earlier. Kept apart by Allie's family and the social conventions of the time, their love story was never able to take flight the way they wanted. Noah is content to live with the memories, until Allie shows up in his small town to see him again. This book is a story within a story and a moving portrayal of first love.
#5 "The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger
Time travel must be inherently romantic and/or sexy, because here's another story that involves the trope. This book is about a kindly yet dashing librarian, Henry, and Claire, the woman who becomes his one great love. While Henry time-travels by accident, Claire lives her life in natural sequence, which becomes a problem once they start to try seeing each other intentionally. If you believe in fate and love conquering all, this book is for you.
#6 "Me Before You" by Jojo Moyes
Without giving away the ending, the book tells the story of Louisa, an ordinary girl living an ordinary life, and Will, a wealthy, well-traveled playboy whose life is turned upside down when he's paralyzed in a motorcycle accident. When Louisa is hired to help care for Will, they butt heads at every turn. Will is moody and bossy, but Louisa refuses to take the bait. They have absolutely nothing in common — which makes for a perfect rom-com dynamic indeed.
#7 "The Wedding Date" by Jasmine Guillory
This must-read romance begins with the perfect meet-cute: girl gets stuck with boy on an elevator, agrees to go to wedding with him as his fake girlfriend. The only problem? They have more fun than they ever thought possible and can't stop thinking about each other. Set in California, this multicultural romance offers a sweet and surprising look at what happens when two career-driven professionals (potentially) fall in love.
#8 "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" by Jenny Han
Lara Jean is a girl who never openly confessed her crushes — instead, she wrote them letters, which remained sealed in a box under her bed, until now. One day, somehow, all the letters to her crushes get mailed, which results in several of her paramours confronting her. Disaster ... or triumph? Standout crush Peter Kavinsky is everyone's high school heartthrob, and there has never been a heroine more endearing than Lara Jean. This is another young adult novel that translates perfectly to an adult read; the themes are universal, and the story is adorable.
#9 "Something Borrowed" by Emily Giffin
If you like complicated entanglements and a hefty dose of drama, this story delivers. Rachel and Darcy are best friends, where Darcy is the superstar bombshell and Rachel is the loyal sidekick. But right before Darcy gets married, Rachel confesses her feelings to Darcy's fiancé. The kicker? He reciprocates. As the wedding gets closer, Rachel has to choose between her heart and her conscience.
#10 "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman
Buttercup and Westley are in love, it's written in the stars — until she's promised to a not-so-handsome and not-so-charming prince. Westley must find and save her after a long separation, battling the evils of the mythical kingdom of Florin so they can be reunited. Along the way, he meets swashbuckling pirates, a royal villain, dwarves, giants, trolls and more. If you like a dose of adventure with your romance and a true tale of love conquering any obstacle, you'll enjoy this story. It's the perfect recipe for escapism, especially if you haven't left your apartment in months.
Browse even more romantic reads on Amazon!
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