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Romantic books have become one of the most powerful forces in modern storytelling. And if Netflix’s adaptation of People We Meet on Vacation is any indication, we might be headed for a rom-com movie renaissance next, which honestly feels overdue.
You could argue that romance never needed to be “reinstated,” and you’d be right. Romance has always been here, dominating bestseller lists and carrying the publishing industry on its back. But something feels different right now. What we’re seeing isn’t just strong sales or buzzy adaptations—it’s a cultural moment where romantic books are finally being taken seriously for what they’ve always been.
17 Romantic Books to Swoon Over This Season
At their core, these stories zoom in on the most human things: vulnerability, desire, autonomy, and the way love bumps up against society’s expectations. They give us a safe place to feel through complicated situations, challenge tired stigmas, and—especially for women—see our emotional lives reflected honestly and with respect. That matters more than we sometimes give it credit for.
And yes, romance is escapism at its frothiest—and my favorite to turn to when I need to get out of a reading slump. From cotton-candy delights you inhale in a weekend to rich, layered reads you savor chapter by chapter, there’s something deeply comforting about slipping into a world where anything can happen—and where the ending almost always delivers.
But more than just an escape, romantic books reflect something hopeful in all of us. As Emily Henry eloquently puts it, “I sometimes see readers sort of hand-wave off their love of romance as ‘just wanting an escape,’ but I honestly think that minimizes what we’re actually doing when we make and experience this kind of art.”
Ahead, I’m sharing the romantic books I keep recommending, re-reading, and pressing into friends’ hands—perfect for February, cozy weekends, or anytime you’re in the mood to fall a little bit in love.
Classic Love Stories to Revisit
Timeless romances to remind you romance didn’t start on TikTok. Slower, more restrained, often messier—and all the more romantic for it.
Jane Austen
Quiet · Longing · Enduring
Listen, Pride & Prejudice is All Time, but if you want quiet longing done perfectly, this is it. Second chances, emotional maturity, and a love that deepens with time. Austen’s most restrained novel—and, for me, her most romantic.
William Shakespeare
Playful · Chaotic · Romantic
Mistaken identities, disguised lovers, romantic chaos. Shakespeare having fun with love—and reminding us that confusion and desire have always gone hand in hand.
Thomas Hardy
Pastoral · Yearning · Restrained
Not swoony in the traditional sense, but deeply felt. This is a novel about endurance, pride, and choosing wisely. If you like yearning and emotional restraint, it stays with you.
William Goldman
Whimsical · Devoted · Timeless
Yes, it’s funny. Yes, it’s quotable. But underneath the wit is a surprisingly sincere love story about devotion, timing, and choosing love again and again. A classic for a reason.
Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Cozy · Epistolary · Hopeful
I fell hard for this gentle romance that unfolds through letters, friendship, and shared history. Romantic and deeply comforting—and adapted beautifully with a perfect cast on Netflix.
Audrey Niffenegger
Bittersweet · Philosophical · Unforgettable
I know this one divides people, but it’s unforgettable. A romance wrapped in questions about fate, timing, and loss. It hurts a little—but that’s part of why it lingers.
Modern Romances You’ll Devour
These are the books to reach for when you want momentum—strong characters, good banter, and stories that pull you out of your head and into someone else’s world.
Beth Brower
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion
Whimsical · Witty · Cozy
I NEED you to read this series. It’s Jane Austen meets Gilmore Girls, told through Emma’s self-aware journals as she navigates London life, eccentric neighbors, and unexpected romance. Each volume follows two months, which somehow makes the whole thing feel even cozier. These books are like dessert at the end of the day—and don’t even get me started on the yearning.
B.K Borison
Bantery · Nostalgic · Fun
Inspired by Sleepless in Seattle and late-night radio shows, this was such a joy to read. The FMC is likable, her emotional baggage feels earned, and the banter is genuinely good. Suspension of disbelief required for the radio aspect—but the Delilah nostalgia totally works.
Yulin Kuang
Vulnerable · Frothy · Honest
Helen and Grant reconnect years after a shared tragedy brings them together again—this time as adults navigating love and work. Kuang, who also adapts Emily Henry’s novels for film, brings a behind-the-scenes TV writing lens to this emotionally open, modern romance. Sometimes you just want a bi-coastal romp, and this delivers.
Evie Dunmore
Sharp · Romantic · Spirited
If you’re in the mood for a Victorian-era romance with a smart, strong FMC, this checks all the boxes. A suffragist with conviction, a duke with power, and banter that sparkles. An Oxford-set romance that fills your a Bridgerton-shaped hole.
Emily Henry
Nostalgic · Tender · Heartfelt
Emily Henry’s beloved friends-to-lovers story—now a Netflix film that to me, gets it right. A story about timing, friendship, and realizing love has been there all along. Even if friends-to-lovers isn’t your favorite trope, Alex and Poppy are an easy sell.
Ali Hazelwood
Smart · Swoony · Comforting
A modern rom-com classic. STEM heroine, fake dating, slow burn—and it all works. If you want something reliable, charming, and genuinely fun, this earns its hype. Read it before the adaption staring Lili Reinhart comes out this year.
Abby Jimenez
Warm · Grounded · Sincere
A big-city doctor and a small-town hero navigating love, expectations, and identity. This one feels comforting in the best way—low drama, high heart. I listened to the whole thing on a solo road trip and it was the best companion.
Fantasy Romance Favorites
For when I want a little magic—but not a 900-page commitment or a seven-book memory test.
Callie Hart
Fast-paced · Spicy · Entertaining
I didn’t expect to love this as much as I did. The world-building was easy to follow, the enemies-to-lovers arc was executed perfectly, and the banter genuinely made me laugh out loud. You’ll be hooked from page one.
Brigitte Knightley
The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy
Slow-burn · Witty · Tension-filled
A healer and an assassin from rival factions forced to work together. True enemies-to-lovers, a very slow burn, and excellent banter. He falls first (as he should). I loved that this felt contained—though yes, it turns out it’s a duology. Consider me pre-ordered.
Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Humorous · Subversive · Charming
Described accurately as “Once Upon a Time meets The Office,” this playful twist on fantasy romance doesn’t take itself too seriously. Clever, funny, and unexpectedly heartfelt—perfect when you want something light and entertaining. I sped through this series and can’t wait for book 4 this fall.
Kaliane Bradley
Imaginative · Adventurous · Smart
Part sci-fi, part spy thriller, part time-travel romance. A woman is hired to care for a Victorian “expat” pulled into the present, and things get complicated fast. The romance was unexpected in a good way and the the premise is so smart and wild, I’d happily read it again.
If you need me, I’ll be over here adding to my TBR and romanticizing my evenings one book at a time. Whether you’re reading for the swoon, the banter, the escape, or the hope, these romantic books are proof that love stories are alive, well, and worth celebrating.
