10 Best Romance Novels of 2025 Reviewed

Discover the best romance novels with heartwarming tales, unforgettable characters, and swoon-worthy plots that'll steal your heart.

Pride and Prejudice coverMe Before You coverOutlander cover

Love is timeless, and so are the best romance novels. When we pick books for our list of the best romance novels, we focus on captivating stories, unforgettable characters, and emotional journeys that leave a mark. Whether it’s a tale from centuries ago or a modern love story, these books will make your heart flutter and your pages turn. Get ready to embark on an adventure full of passion, humor, and occasional tears.

On this list:

10 Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice cover

  • Genre: Classic Romance
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book
  • Year released: 1813
  • Pages: 279

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Jane Austen’s wit shines in this classic tale of love and social standing. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet’s banter warms our hearts.

9 Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Me Before You cover

  • Genre: Contemporary Romance
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2012
  • Pages: 480

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Lou Clark and Will Traynor’s unconventional love story pulls at our heartstrings and gives us hope, even in tough times.

8 Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Outlander cover

  • Genre: Historical Romance
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1991
  • Pages: 850

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Time-traveling nurse Claire and her adventures in 18th-century Scotland are thrilling and full of passion.

7 The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

The Notebook cover

  • Genre: Romantic Drama
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1996
  • Pages: 214

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Noah and Allie’s enduring love story has become iconic, making tissues a must-have during and after reading.

6 The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

The Hating Game cover

  • Genre: Romantic Comedy
  • Formats: Paperback, E-book, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2016
  • Pages: 384

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Enemies-to-lovers plot at its finest. Lucy and Joshua’s office rivalry gets amusing, spicy, and surprisingly heartwarming.

5 Normal People by Sally Rooney

Normal People cover

  • Genre: Literary Fiction/Romance
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2018
  • Pages: 266

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Connell and Marianne’s complex relationship is both maddening and deeply relatable as they navigate life and love.

4 Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Red, White & Royal Blue cover

  • Genre: Romantic Comedy
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2019
  • Pages: 432

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A charming romance between a prince and the First Son of the USA. A colorful, fresh take on love and politics.

3 The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

The Kiss Quotient cover

  • Genre: Contemporary Romance
  • Formats: Paperback, E-book, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2018
  • Pages: 336

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Stella Lane’s journey to love through unconventional means is heartfelt and steamy, with a sweet twist.

2 Beach Read by Emily Henry

Beach Read cover

  • Genre: Romantic Comedy/Contemporary Romance
  • Formats: Paperback, E-book, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2020
  • Pages: 384

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Authors January and Gus tackle creative block and love while swapping genres, making for an engaging and funny story.

1 The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars cover

  • Genre: Young Adult Romance
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2012
  • Pages: 313

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Heartfelt and poignant, this love story between Hazel and Gus deals with life, death, and the moments that matter.

0 It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

It Ends with Us cover

  • Genre: Contemporary Romance
  • Formats: Paperback, E-book, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2016
  • Pages: 376

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This book tops the list of best romance novels because of its raw and honest portrayal of love, heartache, and resilience. Lily Bloom’s story is gripping, especially as she navigates the complexities of romance with an old flame and the discovery of family secrets. Hoover handles sensitive topics with care, making this a powerful read that sticks with you long after the last page. It resonates because of its mix of light romance and hard-hitting realities, making it a standout in the genre. Plus, the ending makes it impossible not to recommend.

Steve Peterson Cartoonified
Steve Peterson

Hi there! I'm Steve Peterson, a passionate reading enthusiast who loves nothing more than getting lost in a good book. My love for literature spans across genres, from thrilling mysteries and gripping fantasy to thought-provoking non-fiction.

I hope my reviews help you find the perfect next book to dive into!