The Hunger Games Series

By Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games series isn’t strictly a romance novel in the first place. It’s a dystopian trilogy set in a world where the Capitol, a wealthy and powerful city, exercises control over the rest of the country, namely the districts. Despite this, the relationship between Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark plays a significant and captivating role throughout the books. If you haven’t read The Hunger Games series, we highly recommend it as a gripping tale of survival, love, and rebellion that has captured the hearts of millions of readers all over the world. Yet, don’t expect the typical twists and turns found in the best romance books, as The Hunger Games blends its romantic elements to add depth and complexity to the entire story instead of focusing on them specifically. Oh, if you’re looking for classic romance novels, check out Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, and Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

By Jenny Han

It’s true that there are plenty of YA romance books on the market nowadays. If you’re tired of reading about teenagers who seem too jaded and mature for their age, then To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is a breath of fresh air. It tells the story of Lara Jean Song, a 16-year-old girl who writes love letters to all her crushes but never sends them. However, when the letters are accidentally sent out, she finds herself in a fake relationship with one of the recipients, Peter Kavinsky, and in a sort of love triangle with another recipient, Josh. The book is charming and lighthearted and can easily be called one of the best young adult romance books. In fact, it was named one of the 100 best YA books of all time by TIME magazine. So, if you’re looking for a delightful romantic read, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the perfect choice.

By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept

By Elizabeth Smart

Elizabeth Smart’s autobiographical novel, By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept, recounts her intense love affair with poet George Barker. Although it falls under the genre of romance, it is not a typical romance book, which is exactly why we decided to include it in our list. This poetic prose is praised by critics worldwide as a “work of sheer genius.” It’s a must-read for anyone who loves romance novels and is looking for something that stands out. The book is complex and challenging and requires patience and an appreciation of poetic language. We recommend that you give it a chance.

Sempre

By J.M. Darhower

Goodreads has rated Sempre as one of the best mafia romance books, and it has received great feedback from readers. Thus, we have included it in our list of all the other mafia romance books. The story revolves around a young girl named Haven who is taken captive by the Cosa Nostra and is forced to work as a slave for the DeMarco family. If you’re looking for a combination of a classic mafia tale and a passionate romance, Sempre offers both. It’s also known for its thrilling plot twists that will keep you engaged until the end. In other words, it’s so good it’s criminal.

Crave

By Tracy Wolff

If you’re into paranormal romance books, we’ve got a series that you’ll absolutely love. Crave is a six-book series that’s got it all. By all, we mean all the elements of a classic paranormal romance—relatable characters, intense romance, and a captivating plot that’ll keep you hooked. The story follows Grace, a young girl who’s sent to a boarding school in Alaska after her parents’ death, where she meets Jaxon Vega, a mysterious vampire with a dangerous past. If you’re a fan of the genre, we highly recommend Crave. And if you’re looking for more books featuring vampires, werewolves, witches, demons, and other supernatural creatures, we’ve got plenty of those on BooksRun, too! Just type in what you’re looking for in the search field.

Cry Wolf (Alpha & Omega, Book 1)

By Patricia Briggs

Speaking of werewolves! Cry Wolf (Alpha & Omega, Book 1) is a werewolf romance you might want to read if you’re looking for, well, an intense romance. The story revolves around Anna, a rare Omega wolf, and Charles, the son of the leader of the North American werewolves. If you’ve read something by #1 New York Times bestselling author Patricia Briggs, you should give this book a chance, too. Surely, there are plenty of werewolf stories on the shelves nowadays, but we’re talking romance here. Pretty much a bestseller since its publication, it’s been a hit in the urban fantasy, contemporary fantasy, and paranormal and fantasy romance categories for a while now. So take a note and give it a chance. Alternatively, check a few other werewolf romance books, for instance, Bitten by Kelley Armstrong, Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater, or Feral Sins by Suzanne Wright. 

The Bridges of Madison County

By Robert James Waller

According to Kirkus Reviews, The Bridges of Madison County is “a Hallmark card for all those who have loved and lost.” Set on a farm in Madison County, Iowa, in the 1960s, this is one of the best romantic books for adults. The story revolves around Francesca Johnson, a married woman who feels dead inside and wants to feel alive again. She meets Robert Kincaid, a free-roaming, 52-year-old National Geographic photographer, and the two fall in love. You may wonder why we decided to include this book and not some other from the list of the best spicy romance books. Yet, this story hasn’t become a publishing phenomenon and a #1 bestseller for nothing because it has it all—true love, the impossibility of staying together, and the promise of a bond that stays forever, being both spiritual and physical. Moreover, it has a well-known adaptation starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep. If you’d prefer something more modern, check out post about Best Colleen Hoover Books and you’ll find plenty of page-turners there.

A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Mayhem

By Manda Collins

Next on our list is one of the best thriller romance books published recently, A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Mayhem. The book follows the story of Lady Katherine Bascomb, a newspaper columnist, and Inspector Andrew Eversham, a detective, as they work together to solve a case and find a killer. This book is a unique blend of historical thriller, detective story, and romance, offering everything at once. It has received plenty of positive reviews for its fascinating plot, witty dialogues, and the fire and chemistry between the two characters. If you’ve been looking for a unique blend of romance and mystery, A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Mayhem is an excellent choice. Also, check Murder on the Golden Arrow by Kitty Worthington.

Twilight

By Stephenie Meyer

There are many options when it comes to choosing the best romance series books. However, we believe that featuring the Twilight series would be a fair choice. You might already be familiar with it (maybe you’ve watched it, or heard your friends talking about it?). Although there were other multi-volume vampire stories before it, Twilight has become the ultimate romance novel series. The story revolves around Bella Swan, who moves to Forks, Washington, and falls in love with Edward Cullen, a handsome and wealthy vampire. What made it such a big hit when it was first published, you might ask? (The series has sold over 100 million copies worldwide). Perhaps it’s because it was the first book to make the vampire genre less scary, and more relatable to young adults, while still providing plenty of romance (and plenty of romantic excesses, we’d say). So, it’s not surprising that it’s one of the best vampire romance books out there. If you enjoy reading Twilight, you might also like Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater, Fallen by Lauren Kate, and Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead.

Icebreaker

By Hannah Grace

Finally, if you’re looking for a modern and slow-burning romance novel that revolves around hockey, then you should consider reading Icebreaker. The book tells the story of Anastasia Allen, a competitive figure skater, and Nate Hawkins, the captain of the hockey team. The two of them end up sharing the same rink, and despite initially disliking each other, they eventually fall in love. Icebreaker has been a huge success among readers and has even made it to the New York Times Bestseller list. If you prefer something way spicier, try Pucking Around: A Why Choose Hockey Romance (Jacksonville Rays) by Emily Rath or Mile High (Windy City Series Book 1) by Liz Tomforde.