65 Best Books on Romance From All Over the World

From ‘The Notebook’ to ‘Pride and Prejudice’, we have chosen 65 most romantic novels of all times that you must read to get into the mood. So, without wasting any more time, let’s go through the list of best love stories ever told.

Wuthering Heights:

This iconic romantic novel by Emily Bronte is a story of unrequited love of Catherine and Heathcliff. Like all Victorian novels, this also deals with the class keeping the lovers apart. This was the only novel Emily Bronte wrote and has made her unforgettable.

Pride and prejudice:

This cult romantic novel by Jane Austen written 200 years ago can be a love story from a rather feminist point of view of Elizabeth. It’s a love story of rich Mr Darcy and rather poor but self-respecting Elizabeth Bennet.

The Notebook:

Written by American Novelist Nicholas Sparks, this 1996 love story continues to be the favourite of teenagers and young people. It was adapted into an equally successful movie too in 2004.

Outlander:

Published in 1991, Outlander is written by Diana Gabaldon. It is a love story of a second world wartime nurse Claire Randall and a very handsome Scotsman Jamie Fraser whom she meets after a time travel into the past century. She has a husband in her real-time too whom she loves. A very engaging passionate love story that you mustn’t miss at all.

A walk to Remember:

Again written by Nicholas Sparks, this book was published in 1999. A story set in the 1950s in North Carolina, it is about two very different teenagers who eventually fall in love. It was adapted into a movie too later.

Gone With the wind:

This fat book of 1037 pages is probably one of the few cult romances in literary fiction. It is second most read book in America after the bible. This passionate romance between Scarlett and Rhett Butler can make you breeze through the pages.

The Fault in Our Stars:

This young adult romance was a runaway success in 2012 when it was released. Written By John Green, it is a story about terminally ill cancer patient Hazel Grace and Augustus an ex-basketball player who has lost his one leg due to cancer only. How they fill up each other’s lives till it lasts. This tear-jerker is a must-read.

Sense and Sensibility:

On the onset, this Jane Austen novel is a story of Dashwood sisters Elinor and Marianne, but later they go through all the emotions of love, romance and heartaches. Published in 1811, this one should be on your reading list for sure.

An American Marriage:

This book by American author Tayari Jones was published in 2018, and it was chosen by Oprah’s book club. This is a very realistic novel on a modern-day romance. How time and situation can pull apart a perfect romance. You would feel so dried out as you finish this book. Give it a read.

Anna Karenina:

Set in the 19th century Russia this epic Leo Tolstoy has a couple of parallel romantic stories happening in the novel between Anna and Count Vronsky and Kitty and Levin. Besides romance, there are other many good reasons to dig your head into this great fiction.

Romeo and Juliet:

This classic love story about two star crossed lovers which has become synonymous with the young budding romance. This Shakespearean play is performed most frequently around the world even today. This tragedy of a doomed romance between two teenagers from feuding families who, reconcile after their death. If you haven’t read this, please grab it asap.

The Thorn Birds:

If you are aching to feel the longing of a forbidden love then grab the copy of Colleen McCullough’s ‘The Thorn Birds’. It is a love story of Roman Catholic Priest Ralph and a churchgoer Meggie. When they finally kissed, that could be the most amorous description you can find in fiction. You will enjoy the tragic love story of this lovesick couple.

Jane Eyre:

This novel by Charlotte Bronte is a classic 19th-century romance between Jane Eyre and her moody boss Mr Rochester. This is one of the most read romance novels of all time.

Me Before You:

This #1 New York Times bestseller by Jojo Moyes is probably amongst the top 10 most read romantic novels of recent past. It is a love story between an ordinary girl Louisa Clark who falls for her ill-tempered boss who is wheelchair-bound. This certainly would melt your heart. This was adapted into a movie in 2016, which was a runaway success too.

The Time Traveler’s Wife:

American author Audrey Niffenegger’s debut novel ‘The TimeTraveler’s Wife’ is a metaphor for her own failed relationships. This is a love story of a man called Henry who due to a genetic disorder can time travel and his wife who has to put up with his disappearances. This is a story about love and loss.

The Duke and I:

This New York Times bestseller was published in 2000. It’s author Julia Quinn debut novel which was later adapted for a series for Netflix.

Vision in White:

This Nora Roberts best seller is the first of her Bride quartet romance series. It remained The New York Times bestseller for two weeks.

Fifty Shades of Grey:

This 2011 erotic romance novel is written by the British author E.L. James. This fierce romance between a young business tycoon Christen Grey and college graduate Anastasia is explicitly erotic.

A Knight in Shining Armour:

This fantasy romance between Dougless Montgomery and an extraordinary man called Nicholas Stafford who supposedly died in 1564. Released in 1989, it is written by Jude Deveraux.

Love in the Times of Cholera:

This romantic novel by the Nobel prize winner Gabriel Garcia Marquez was written in 1985. A timeless romance between Fermina Daza and Florentino Ariza will help you escape your insipid reality and enter their world.

Forty Rules of love:

This book was published in 2009 is written by Elif Shafak. Its two love stories beautifully weaved in the storyline. One a contemporary man-woman romance in the backdrop of the relationship between Sufi poet Rumi and his Teacher Shamz of Tabrizi.

An Extraordinary Union:

An Epic Love Story of the Civil War: A love story in the times of civil war without any melodrama or any tinted glasses. This Alyssa Cole’s book is about two undercover spies Elle and Malcolm and deals in depth about slavery in the USA.

Love Story:

by Erich Segal must be one of the most read romantic novels of all time. Published in 1970, Segal first wrote it as a screenplay for a movie, later the production house asked him to first release it as novel as a prelude to the movie. And rest as we know is history.

Lolita:

This probably could be one of the most controversial books ever written. This 1955 classic by Vladimir Nabokov is a story of a middle-aged professor who is obsessively in love with a 12 years old Dolores Haze. He calls her Lolita.

Call Me By Your Name:

This instant classic is undoubtedly one of the best romances of recent times. This unrelenting fascinating love story will take you to the Mediterranean summer where the two lovers find true intimacy. This Andre Aciman’s book is a must-read.

Normal People:

This is a relationship story of Connell and Marianne who are childhood buddies but are as different as chalk and cheese. This book spans their relationship for decades. Written by Sally Rooney it dazzles with an insight of being young and in love.

The Giver of Stars:

coming from the best selling author Jojo Moyes of ‘Me Before You’ fame, this romantic novel is set in Depression-era of America and is aa story of five women and their journey.

We The People:

This debut book by Ayn Rand is a story of Kira Argounova, the fierce free-spirited girl in post-revolutionary Russia and her romantic escapades with Leo and Andrei. Their relationships in the book are presented in such uncontaminated manner that you would fall in love with all three characters.

Whitney, My Love:

This book by Judith McNaught is a story of childhood romance which is torn apart by the selfish father of Whitney Stone, who marries her off to a wealthy arrogant Duke. This surely will leave you with a heavy heart.

Bridget Jones’s diary:

It is a story of a woman Bridget Jones whose life changes when two men vie for her attention. This sweet humorous romance is a delight. It was written by Helen Fielding in 1996. Its now a successful motion picture as well.

The Bride:

Released in 1989, in this historical Scottish romance where an arranged marriage translates into a passionate romance. The author Julie Garwood is a New York Times bestseller romantic author.

Lord of Scoundrels:

A Regency romance novel written by American author Loretta Chase was published in 1995. This book is about a feminist heroine who meets an alpha male hero. A must-read again.

Vision in White:

It is a contemporary romance novel with which Nora Roberts became a bestselling author.

The Hating Novel:

Published in 2016, this romantic novel is a Rom-Com, which was nominated for the most romantic book by Goodreads choice awards.

Beautiful Disaster:

Published in 2011, this romantic adult bestseller is written by American author Jamie Macguire.

Perfect Chemistry:

This modern take on a star-crossed lover, is written by Simone Elkeles and was published in 2008.

Twilight:

This novel is a part of a series and was published in 2005. This young adult love story is written by Stephen Meyer.

Thoughtless:

From The New York Times bestselling author S. C Stephens comes a powerful romance. It is a very captivating story of a woman torn between two men.

Bared to You:

This is a best seller erotic adult romance written by Sylvia Day. The story is about two young adults in love with a very abusive past.

Gabriel’s Inferno:

Published in 2011, this erotic romance is written by an anonymous writer Sylvain Reynard.

Anna and the French Kiss:

This debut novel of Stephanie Perkins was released in 2010. This young adult romance was a nomination for Goodreads choice awards.

Persuasion:

It was the last novel written by Jane Austen and released posthumously. This Regency Romance will grip you like all of her other books.

Love Unscripted:

This erotic romance novel was published in 2010. Author Tina Reber has managed to rewrite contemporary Cinderella story.

On the island:

This book is about a teen boy- older woman romance when they are marooned on an island. Tracy Garvis Graves has a winner when it comes to getting you hooked on.

Memoirs of a Geisha:

This almost a classic genre book was published in 1997. It is essentially a love story that is sometimes frustrating. Must read to understand their lives if you may.

Hopeless:

A novel by Colleen Hoover where two people with broken past come together and embark on a passionate love story.

The truth about forever:

Written by Sarah Dessen and published in 2004, it is a captivating love story.

Reason to Breathe:

An addictive and heartbreaking love story from the stable of Rebecca Donovan.

Kiss an Angel:

This Susan Elizabeth Philips romantic novel is a story of a couple trying to find passionate love post marriage. Interesting indeed.

Water for Elephants:

This historical romance novel was written during the NaNoWriMo month. Its author is Sara Greun.

On Dublin Street:

This book by Samantha Young is a racy hot romance bestseller of a woman who wants to start her life again, leaving behind her past.

The edge of Never:

Published in 2012, this hot adult romance is a story of unconventional heroin finding a passionate love.

Leaving Paradise:

This teen romance novel is a racy love story. Published in 2007, it is written by Simone Elkeles.

Emma:

A novel was written by Jane Austen, is a novel about youthful pride and romantic misunderstandings.

This Lullaby:

It is a story of a girl who has no faith in love and how she finds love. Published in 2002, it is written by Sarah Dessen.

North and South:

This Elizabeth Gaskell book is a love story in the backdrop of nineteenth-century class struggle.

Maurice:

this ahead of its time daring novel is about a man coming of age with his sexuality. E.M Foster has dealt with the theme of homosexuality very sensitively.

Tess of the D’urbervilles:

This Thomas Hardy classic is a tragic romance that is so evocatively written by him.

Indigo:

This part history part romance novel talks of the real struggles of black slaves. A must-read, written by Beverly Jenkins.

Ross Poldark:

It is the first book of a 12 books series by Winston graham. This romantic story is set in the post-American revolution times.

A Long Petal of the Sea:

A passionate romance of widow and her brother-in-law in the backdrop of troubled Chilie, this romance of never-ending hope is worth reading. It is written by Isabel Allende.

Delta of Venus:

You can not be a fan of romantic novels if you haven’t read Anais Nin yet. A great novel to pick first.

Eleanor & Park:

This Rainbow Rowell novel is about a love-struck misfit teen in 1986. Do read.

When Katie Met Cassidy:

This pop romance is apt if you want a quick read. It is written by Camille Perri.

Until the End of Time:

This Daniel Steel is the best selling romance. A master of urban stories, this one is surely a pick.