Beginner’s Guide to Romance BooksLike this list

23 items

• Ayesha at Last

  Jalaluddin, Uzma,

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  Lighthearted romance centering on characters who are Muslim. I love Ayesha so much--the characters really resonate. More of a holding hands romance than a bodice ripper, which is just the speed I’m looking for nowadays. Heat level: None. Recommended…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Flatshare

  O'Leary, Beth,

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  Watching Tiffy and Leon’s romance go from being strangers (despite the fact they share a flat--trust me, it works), to flirty friends, to more, all via notes on Post-its, was so charming. The author deftly weaves heftier topics into the story,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Witness

  Roberts, Nora,

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  Nora Roberts is my favorite and the very first romance author I read when I first moved to the United States. I was still learning English and her books were the perfect aid that I needed. She weaves simple words together, turning them into…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Wedding Date

  Guillory, Jasmine,

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  I flipped back and forth between the eBook and the audio and loved both. It's a fun story, the main character is really likable, and it reminds me of the romantic comedies I loved in the '90s and early 2000s that were reality-based escapism. I love…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Fantasy Lover

  Kenyon, Sherrilyn, 1965-

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  This is the first is a long series that's a mixture of fantasy, action, romance, and myth. Each book centers on a different character. You don't need to read them in any order, but it helps to do so because the books reference other characters. Heat…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Proof by Seduction

  Milan, Courtney

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  I like the lefty politics and class consciousness combined in a way that feels organic. Milan's books are almost all interconnected, with main characters in one book acting as side characters or having cameos in the others. She seems to be a darling…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Shape of You

  Beers, Georgia

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  Georgia Beers is my favorite f/f (female/female) author. She writes a lot of “boss/employee” and “hate-love” romances that have solid chapstick characters (as opposed to lipstick femme characters). I find her characters very relatable, they are easy…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• A Princess in Theory

  Cole, Alyssa,

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  One of my favorite romance novels of the year. It has sizzling chemistry and a charming story that doesn't shy away from the realities of discrimination faced by black women in science. Alyssa Cole is one the best writers in the genre. She hits all…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Kiss Quotient

  Hoang, Helen,

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  This and “Bride Test” are among our favorite romances. The characters are Asian/Asian-American and one of them is on the autism spectrum. There is some serious on-page steaminess! Heat level: Hot. Recommended by Jonathan and Becca.

• Rebel

  Jenkins, Beverly, 1951-

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  I love everything Beverly Jenkins writes. She is the queen of romance and a master at celebrating the history of African Americans through stories of love, devotion, and happily-ever-afters. Heat level: Warm. Recommended by Megan.

• What If It's Us

  Albertalli, Becky,

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  Becky Albertalli is one of my favorite young adult authors for romance meets cuteness! Heat level: Subtle. Recommended by Denise.

• Public Relations

  Heaney, Katie,

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  This has some of my all-time favorite appeal factors regardless of genre: realistic "will-they-won't-they" romance, a real friendship between the main character and her bff (not just to advance the plot!), great banter between the protagonists,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Pride and Prejudice

  Austen, Jane, 1775-1817

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  Pride and Prejudice still makes my heart flutter--excellent writing, hilarious side characters, reasonable plot development, and a great vignette of upper-class Georgian life. Plus a wedding at the end. Several wonderful movie adaptations are also…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Landing

  Donoghue, Emma, 1969-

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  I loved this so much that I've read it twice. It has a happy ending and would make a great film if you ask me. Heat level: Warm. Recommended by Louise.

• The Bromance Book Club

  Adams, Lyssa Kay,

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  Not sure about romance? Neither was Gavin. But he will do anything for a second chance to be with his wife after she kicks him out. At a point of desperation, Gavin begrudgingly joins a group of elite Nashville men secretly reading romance novels to…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Red, White & Royal Blue

  McQuiston, Casey,

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  A favorite among staff, this is a really fun enemies-to-lovers story that imagines the First Son of the United States and Britain’s Prince of Wales falling in love. Fresh, feel good, and so cute we can't stand it! Heat level: Warm. Recommended by…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake

  MacLean, Sarah,

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  Super-hot historical romance written by a feminist. Need I say more? Heat level: Hot. Recommended by Leah.

• Silver Silence

  a Psy-changeling Trinity Novel

  Singh, Nalini, 1977-

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  Nalini Singh writes several types of romances (contemporary, paranormal, and urban fantasy). Her characters and worlds are fleshed out and wonderfully written. She creates interesting, intriguing, and unique worlds for her characters to live in.…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Summer of Jordi Perez

  (and the Best Burger in Los Angeles)

  Spalding, Amy,

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  I used be kind of a snob about romance as a genre but then I had to read this book and I loved it. I was having a rough time personally and a book with a guaranteed happy ending was exactly what I needed. This is the book pushed me to dive into the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Get a Life, Chloe Brown

  a Novel

  Hibbert, Talia,

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  A sweet, hilarious, realistic romance that also deals skillfully with serious subjects of chronic illness. We love Red and Chloe and how their past hurts influenced but didn’t derail their new relationship. Heat level: Warm. Recommended by Lynnanne.