Romance Fiction books

So, with so many romantic fiction books to choose from, how do you know where to start? You could ask your bestie for a recommendation, discuss it with your book club, or check out the latest videos on Booktok to see what gets your heart racing. Whether you’re a hopeless romantic or want to lose yourself in a steamy romance, we have something for everyone. 

Jane Austen, of course, is one of our best-known romantic novelists, with Pride And Prejudice still a bestseller after over 200 years in print, selling over 20 million copies and regularly appearing on reader-voted must-read books lists. Historical romance novels such as Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D.H. Lawrence and Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy allow us to step back in time and experience romance in a different era, where the manners, customs and dresses may be different but the passions, yearnings and heartache remain comfortingly familiar.

The likes of more modern authors such as Elizabeth Hoyt, Lisa Kleypas, Tessa Dare and Josephine Cox explore romance, love and relationships in various eras throughout history, while Julia Quinn offers a modern take on historical romance fiction, with conversations of race, gender and sexuality appearing in her feminist, Regency-era Bridgerton series, which has been adapted into a hit Netflix series. 

Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series combines historical romance with a fantasy romance twist, as Second World War nurse Claire Beauchamp travels back through time to 18th century Scotland, and there makes the acquaintance of Jamie MacKenzie Fraser, a dashing young Highland warrier. The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger takes a different approach to the idea of time travel, as Clare must contend with the difficulties of having a husband who unpredictably and unwilling finds himself pulled both backwards and forwards through time. Clarissa Broadbent’s The War Of Lost Hearts series takes you out of time completely, to a fantasy world of dark magic, fire wielders and fey kingdoms. In this fantasy romance epic of revenge, redemption and passion, can Tisaanah and Max overcome the dark forces that threaten to tear them apart? 

While historical romance novels naturally reflect the morals and beliefs of society in the era in which they’re written, contemporary romantic fiction has the important role of representing love and romance in the ever-changing and often complex modern world. Sally Rooney’s Normal People looks at first love, relationship inexperience and class inequality, while  Conversations With Friends explores the dynamics of marriage, open relationships and the nature of adultery. In Booktok queen Colleen Hoover’s much anticipated It Starts With Us, the sequel to It Ends With Us, the tricky consequences of love are explored as Lily tries to navigate life with her first love with a jealous ex-husband in tow. For a lighter look at love and romance, romantic comedies such as The Chemistry Of Love by Sariah Wilson and The Flat Share by Beth O’Leary are relatable tales of unrequited love, odd flatmates and the need to open yourself up to the possibility of love again after past relationship traumas.

Romantic fiction doesn’t just include the traditional boy-meets-girl love story; LGBTQ+ stories feature prominently in romantic fiction. In Boyfriend Material, the first in Alexis Hall’s London Calling trilogy, what begins as a relationship of convenience for Luc and Oliver turns into something real, but are they both sure of what they want? In At The Deep End by Kate Davies takes a look at sexual awakenings, as twenty-something Julia thinks that maybe she’s looking for love in the wrong places and sets about experiencing all the queer life has to offer.

Young adult romance novels open up the world of romance and relationships to a younger audience. Jenny Han’s heartwarming To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before follows Lara Jean as she has to confront all her past crushes, while Tiktok award-winning Heartstopper by Alice Oseman is a graphic novel that explores LGBTQ+ issues as friends Charlie and Nick embark on a relationship neither of them anticipated. The hit Netflix adaptation of Heartstopper has also spawned a Tiktok exploring all the books read in the series, offering a great way to diversify your reading list with books dealing with modern issues. 

Slow-burn or fiery passion, classic romance or modern classic, it’s never been easier to find the one. We have millions of awesome new and pre-loved cheap romantic fiction books waiting to be read, all available at great low prices with free UK delivery, and we’ll even donate a book to someone in need for every new or used book you buy, so come and explore the awesome power of love.