By BrainFall Staff - Updated: April 30, 2024
There are certain kinds of books that are just best read by a cozy fire. Romance novels filled with either historical romance or slow-burn romance are just that kind of book. You can feel the longing between the characters in those kinds of books. A good romance novel is one that sets up a relationship early on and builds it for the audience as it builds for the characters in the story. Romance readers have some favorite novels that are set in different eras or maybe even feature some paranormal romance.
Maybe it’s someone who realizes their best friend is really their soulmate. Maybe it’s a fake relationship that turns out to be something much more. Or maybe it’s a book set in World War II about corresponding lovers. No matter what kind of romance book you’re into reading, there are plenty of options out there.
So which romance novel should you read next? We’re here to help you figure that out. Take this quiz and answer some questions to get your answer. Then cozy up on your couch, and get ready for a fun reading experience.
Romance novels
A romance novel is one that showcases a love story in it. The best romance novels are ones that take you away and put you into a slow-burn romance. While plenty of people love romance novels, they have often been seen as not very high in society. But there are different levels of romance books. Some of the greatest romance novels of all time have been set up by a chance romance or really captured a love story. But other love stories are just meant to be hot and steamy, and there's a place for both kinds of books.
Some of the great romance authors, like Jane Austen, have superb writing in their love stories. These stories may center around young love or a love affair that adds more spice to the romance. Having love interests engage in a casual fling that turns out to force a growing attraction is a frequent storyline. Beautiful writing and happily ever afters are what most romance readers are looking for.
Which of the Best Romance Novels Should You Read Next?
Embarking on a new romance novel can be a bit like going on a blind date: thrilling, a touch unpredictable, and with the potential for heart-swelling joy. We're here to play matchmaker between you and the myriad love stories vying for your heart's undivided attention. From swoon-worthy dukes to modern-day meet-cutes, the world of romance novels abounds with narratives sure to make even the most stoic, cup-of-tea-clutching reader believe in the power of love.
So, you're cozied up in your favorite nook, channeling your inner hopeless romantic—what next? With so many titles casting a grand ballroom's worth of eligible narratives, we understand it's a feat to find that perfect read that'll have you blushing brighter than your favorite wine. It's not just about finding a story; it's about finding your story. The one where you can almost feel the protagonist's palpitations, their longing glances, and oh, that delectable tension!
Fret not, dear reader, for we're not just tossing you into the library of love without a compass. Our savvy quiz at BrainFall is just the ticket to pair you with recommendations that resonate with your tastes. Whether you lean towards the grand gestures of historical romances or prefer the quirkiness of contemporary tales, we've got the inside scoop. Join us on this literary escapade where we help you discover which romance novel should capture your bookish heart next.
Swoon-Worthy Genres and Tropes
Let's be real; we're all suckers for a good love story that gets our hearts fluttering like a panicked pigeon in a love triangle. Whether you dig the corset-tightening tension of historical romances or the gut-busting giggles of a quirky rom-com, there's a genre and trope tailor-made for your reading delight.
Historical Heartthrobs and Bonnets
Who doesn't love a good game of will they, won't they set against the backdrop of a society ball? Historical romances transport us to a world where Jane Austen is queen, and Pride and Prejudice is our bible. The Regency romance, popularized by authors like Julia Quinn with her scrumptious Bridgerton series, offers us dukes with swagger and heroines with wit sharp enough to slice through any societal constraints.
Contemporary Crushes and Confessions
Fast forward a few centuries, and the romantic comedy still reigns supreme, thanks to Nora Ephron's genius and Emily Henry's knack for crafting a page-turner. The Hating Game sets the bar for love-hate relationships. Ever had a crush on that totally off-limits person? Then Red, White & Royal Blue is your presidential ticket to a heady love story where protocols are passionately disregarded.
Fantastical Flirts and Adventures
If you've ever wanted your love story sprinkled with a bit of magic (and who hasn't?), fantasy romance, or romantasy, is where it's at. Books like The Song of Achilles defy the mundane, whisking us off to worlds where love is both ancient and epic. And let's not forget Outlander, with Claire Randall and James Fraser showing us that time is no barrier when it comes to heart-quaking romance.
Science Fiction Sparks and Space-Time Romance
Lastly, for you starship lovebirds, sci-fi romance beams us up into a galaxy where the heart finds what it yearns for across space and time. The Kiss Quotient proves that the equations of the heart are more complex than the most convoluted quantum physics problem, with a delightful twist of irresistible intimacy.
Unforgettable Characters and Love Lines
When we dive into the world of romance, we're not just in it for the steamy scenes and the butterflies, oh no! We're here for those characters that stick with us long after we've turned the last page, and the love lines that make us sigh and wish we had come up with them first.
Rakes to Riches and the Charming Scoundrels
The dashing rake has been leaving readers breathless since the days of Jane Austen. These charming scoundrels have a knack for breaking rules and hearts with equal aplomb, but they meet their matches in love. Let's tip our hats to the deliciously roguish ways of characters like Simon Bassett from Bridgerton—the series that made us all wish we could call a viscount our own. And what about Talia Hibbert's heroes? They've got that rags-to-riches appeal with a modern twist, making us root for a happy ending that feels entirely deserved.
Quirky Couples and Tantalizing Tension
Our bookshelves are teeming with couples who are anything but cookie-cutter. Remember Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman from The Hating Game? Their battle of wits is the kind of foreplay every office romance aficionado didn't know they needed. You Had Me at Hola's telenovela vibes give us a backstage pass to chemistry that lights up both the screen and the pages. Quirky pairs provide that tantalizing tension that's a prerequisite for a feel-good explosion of confessions and kisses.
Epic Love Stories and Timeless Affection
Sometimes a love story transcends time, and novels like The Thorn Birds prove that epic romances can be as painfully beautiful as they are enduring. A Long Petal of the Sea carries us through decades, reminding us that love is often the best form of resistance. And for the YA hearts among us, Eleanor & Park capture that sweet agony of first love. We cannot forget Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre—a classic tale of love against all odds that continues to inspire with its depth and strength.
