The Greatest Romance Books Since 2018

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 759 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

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Genres

Romance

The Romance category of books typically involves stories that revolve around romantic relationships between two or more characters. These stories often explore themes of love, passion, and intimacy, and may include elements of drama, suspense, or humor. Romance novels can range from sweet and innocent to steamy and erotic, and may be set in a variety of time periods and locations. Overall, the Romance genre offers readers a chance to escape into a world of love and romance, where anything is possible.

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  1. 76. You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian

    In the backdrop of the 1960 baseball season, Eddie O’Leary, a struggling shortstop, finds himself in a challenging situation. Battling a batting slump and feeling out of place with his new team, Eddie is forced to give interviews to Mark Bailey, a reporter who would rather be anywhere else. Mark, dealing with his own grief and loss, is reluctantly tasked with covering Eddie's season. As they navigate their personal struggles and the bustling city around them, an unexpected bond forms between the two. However, both must confront their fears and decide if their connection can withstand the pressures of their worlds.

    The 10668th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  2. 77. These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean

    After her father’s sudden death, Alice returns to the family’s private Rhode Island island expecting to leave after the funeral. Instead, he has left an ultimatum: the family must stay on the island for a week and complete a series of tasks to inherit his estate. Forced to live under one roof, the siblings confront old secrets, rivalries and grief while their relationships and futures are put to the test.

    The 10678th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  3. 78. Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

    Joan Goodwin, a thoughtful physics and astronomy professor, answers NASA’s call for women astronauts and is selected to train at Johnson Space Center. As she bonds with a diverse group of fellow candidates, Joan discovers new passions and unexpected relationships that lead her to rethink her place in the world. Atmosphere is a character-driven, emotional novel about ambition, friendship, and how life-changing experiences reshape identity.

    The 10705th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  4. 79. Paradise Logic by Sophie Kemp

    In a world where reality and illusion intertwine, a young woman embarks on a journey of self-discovery, navigating the complexities of love, identity, and the pursuit of happiness. As she delves deeper into her own psyche, she encounters a series of enigmatic characters and surreal landscapes that challenge her perception of truth and existence. Through a blend of introspective narrative and vivid imagery, the story explores the delicate balance between the tangible and the ethereal, ultimately questioning what it means to find paradise within oneself.

    The 10718th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org
  5. 80. An Island Princess Starts A Scandal by Adriana Herrera

    Set against the vibrant backdrop of 1889 Paris, this historical romance follows the passionate and daring journey of a Dominican heiress who is determined to live life on her own terms. As she navigates the dazzling world of the Exposition Universelle, she becomes entangled in a whirlwind romance with a captivating and unconventional artist. Their relationship challenges societal norms and personal boundaries, leading to a scandal that forces them to confront their deepest desires and the sacrifices they must make for love and freedom.

    The 10785th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org
  6. 81. Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score

    In this captivating romance novel, a woman finds herself unexpectedly stranded in a small town after her twin sister vanishes, leaving behind a trail of chaos. As she navigates the complexities of her new life, she encounters a ruggedly handsome local who is as infuriating as he is irresistible. Despite their initial clashes, the two form an unlikely bond, uncovering secrets and healing past wounds along the way. Through humor, heartache, and unexpected twists, the story explores themes of love, forgiveness, and the power of starting over.

    The 10890th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  7. 82. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

    In a world where dragon riders are the elite defenders of their realm, a young woman named Violet Sorrengail is thrust into the brutal and competitive environment of Basgiath War College. Despite her frail stature and scholarly background, Violet must navigate deadly trials, form alliances, and harness her inner strength to survive. As she faces treacherous rivals and uncovers hidden conspiracies, Violet's determination and resilience are tested, ultimately revealing her true potential and the power of her bond with a formidable dragon.

    The 11015th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Amazon
  8. 83. First Time Caller by B.K. Borison

    In this heartwarming tale, a late-night radio show becomes the unlikely bridge between two souls searching for connection. A reclusive radio host, known for his soothing voice and insightful advice, finds his world turned upside down when a mysterious caller begins to share her life story on air. As their conversations unfold, both the host and the caller confront their pasts, revealing hidden truths and vulnerabilities. Through the power of words and shared experiences, they embark on a journey of self-discovery, healing, and unexpected romance, proving that sometimes the most profound connections are forged in the most unexpected ways.

    The 11044th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org
  9. 84. The Tokyo Suite by Bruna Dantas Lobato, Giovana Madalosso

    When Maju, a nanny, disappears while caring for Cora, the event destabilizes the child's family and exposes long-held tensions. Fernanda, a driven executive facing her own crisis, her emotionally distant husband, and Maju each confront fears, desires, and the pressures of class and motherhood as the search unfolds. Set in São Paulo, the novel explores identity, maternal guilt, and the strains of contemporary urban family life without revealing key plot developments.

    The 11210th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  10. 85. Empire Of Sand by Tasha Suri

    "Empire of Sand" is a captivating fantasy novel set in a world inspired by Mughal India, where the protagonist, a young woman of noble descent, possesses an extraordinary magical ability tied to the dreams of the gods. Her heritage draws the attention of the empire's religious leader, who seeks to control her power for his own ends. As she is forced into a cruel bargain to use her abilities to maintain the empire's control over its people, she must navigate treacherous court politics, forbidden romance, and her own conflicted desires. With the fate of the empire and the lives of those she loves at stake, she embarks on a journey of resistance, self-discovery, and a fight for freedom against the forces that seek to use her for their own ambitions.

    The 11270th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  11. 86. Song Of Blood & Stone by L. Penelope

    Earthsinger Chronicles, Book One

    In a world cleaved by war and deeply entrenched racism, a young woman with a mysterious magical gift finds herself at the center of an epic struggle between two nations. She possesses the power to open magical gateways, a talent that could be the key to ending the longstanding conflict. When she rescues a spy from the enemy side, the pair must work together to thwart a villainous plot and unite their divided lands. As they journey through treacherous landscapes and confront their own prejudices, they discover that the true power lies in understanding and acceptance, and that love may be the most potent magic of all.

    The 11270th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  12. 87. Homeseeking by Karissa Chen

    Homeseeking follows Haiwen and Suchi, childhood friends from Shanghai whose lives are pulled apart in 1940s China. Over six decades, war, migration, and new circumstances carry them separately to Hong Kong, Taiwan, New York, and California. Alternating between Haiwen’s present-day reflections and Suchi’s memories, the novel examines how choices, memory, and longing shape their search for home and belonging.

    The 11316th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  13. 88. The Living and the Rest by José Eduardo Agualusa

    Um Diário

    Daniel Benchimol retorna à Ilha de Moçambique, onde um festival literário reúne dezenas de escritores. Uma tempestade os deixa isolados por sete dias e, a seguir, uma série de acontecimentos misteriosos começa a desfocar as fronteiras entre realidade e ficção, passado e futuro, vida e morte, inquietando autores e habitantes. O romance explora memória, imaginação e as maneiras como as histórias transformam o real.

    The 11404th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  14. 89. Dial A For Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

    In this delightful and chaotic romantic comedy, a young wedding photographer finds herself in a whirlwind of trouble when a blind date goes disastrously wrong, resulting in an accidental death. With no one else to turn to, she enlists the help of her meddlesome but well-meaning aunties, who are more than willing to lend a hand, albeit with their own unique flair. As they navigate a series of hilarious and unpredictable events, including a lavish wedding and a potential love interest, the family must work together to keep their secrets under wraps while ensuring that love and laughter prevail.

    The 11524th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org
  15. 90. The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow

    Una Everlasting is a nation’s legendary lady-knight whose true life has been lost to myth. Centuries later, historian Owen Mallory becomes obsessed with her story and is sent back through time, where he and Una become bound together by a repeating narrative. As they confront the realities behind the legend, they must decide whether to preserve the familiar story or risk everything to change it.

    The 12075th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  16. 91. Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

    Two writers — optimistic Alice Scott and brooding, well-known Hayden Anderson — travel to Little Crescent Island to compete for the chance to write the biography of Margaret Ives, a reclusive, larger-than-life woman. Margaret invites them for a one-month trial during which she shares only selective memories under an NDA, so they can’t compare notes. As they work to piece together her story, professional rivalry, growing attraction, and the uncertainty of whose version of events to trust complicate the project.

    The 12076th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  17. 92. The Ten Year Affair by Erin Somers

    When Cora and Sam, both happily married young parents, connect at a baby group, their unexpected chemistry splits their story into two parallel timelines — one where they pursue their feelings and one where they resist. The novel alternates between these possibilities, using Cora’s everyday life and relationships to examine marriage, temptation, and the roads not taken without revealing what actually happens.

    The 12082nd Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  18. 93. Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone

    After her best friend Lou dies, Lenny is adrift until she takes a babysitting job for single mom Reese and her daughter Ainsley. The household’s brooding uncle, Miles, offers a deal: he’ll help her tackle a list of things meant to get her living again if she helps him connect with Ainsley and with Reese. As they spend time together, Lenny begins to heal and discovers unexpected connection and the possibility of love.

    The 12106th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  19. 94. A Witch's Guide To Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna

    A Cozy Fantasy with Recipes and Spells

    Sera Swan, a witch who lost much of her magic after resurrecting her great-aunt, now helps run a country inn in Lancashire while managing eccentric guests, a mischievous talking fox, and a strained relationship with the local magical Guild. When an old spellbook hints at a way to restore her power, she teams up with Luke, a historian staying at the inn, and they unravel mysteries, face consequences, and form unexpected bonds. The novel follows Sera’s journey to reclaim her magic and rebuild her life with the help of a quirky, found family—without revealing how it all turns out.

    The 12135th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  20. 95. August Lane by Regina Black

    Luke Randall, a Black country singer who built his career on a hit he didn’t write, returns to his hometown to open for his childhood idol. There he meets August Lane—the woman who actually wrote the song and his teenage love—who forces him into a deal: co-write a new song and perform it or she’ll expose him. As they collaborate, old feelings resurface and August must decide whether to demand a public reckoning or trust the man Luke has become.

    The 12141st Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  21. 96. Running Close To The Wind by Alexandra Rowland

    Set in a world where the seas are both a source of livelihood and danger, the story follows a young sailor who finds themselves entangled in a web of political intrigue and personal discovery. As they navigate treacherous waters and shifting alliances, they must confront their own past and the secrets that threaten to unravel their future. With a blend of adventure, mystery, and a touch of magic, the narrative explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the courage it takes to chart one's own course in a world fraught with uncertainty.

    The 12167th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org
  22. 97. A Tropical Rebel Gets The Duke by Adriana Herrera

    A Caribbean Heiress in Paris

    In 1889 Paris, doctor Aurora Montalban Wright runs an underground women’s clinic and accepts protection from Apollo César Sinclair Robles, the newly anointed Duke of Annan. Their pragmatic arrangement grows into a complicated attraction as Aurora fiercely guards her independence and Apollo navigates his public role. When a threat from their past forces them away to his villa on the French Riviera, they must confront whether their relationship can survive the risks and expectations around them.

    The 12217th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org
  23. 98. The Three Lives Of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan

    In a captivating narrative that intertwines the past, present, and future, the story follows Cate Kay, a woman who finds herself living three distinct lives across different timelines. Each life presents unique challenges and opportunities, forcing Cate to confront her deepest fears and desires while navigating the complexities of identity and choice. As she grapples with the consequences of her decisions in each life, Cate embarks on a journey of self-discovery, ultimately seeking to reconcile the fragmented pieces of her existence into a cohesive whole. This tale of resilience and transformation explores the profound impact of the choices we make and the lives we lead.

    The 12224th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  24. 99. Rules For Ruin by Mimi Matthews

    Euphemia Flite, trained at a secret Academy that teaches women to undermine powerful men, is sent to infiltrate a viscount whose actions threaten women’s rights — succeed and she’ll earn her freedom. Gabriel Royce, a gambling-house owner who benefits from the viscount’s protection, stands in her way, and their clashes grow tangled with an unexpected attraction. From London’s rookeries to Mayfair ballrooms, Euphemia must navigate duty, danger, and the risk of losing her heart.

    The 12236th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org
  25. 100. The Road To Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett

    Sixty-three-year-old PJ Halliday, a lottery winner coping with loss and health problems, decides to drive from Massachusetts to Arizona to win back his high school sweetheart. When he unexpectedly becomes guardian to his estranged brother’s grandchildren, he sets out on a cross-country road trip with his adrift adult daughter and a therapy cat named Pancakes who seems to predict death. The journey forces PJ to confront his past, try parenting again, and search for a second chance at love.

    The 12405th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download

To download this list as a CSV file, please log in to your account. Once logged in, you'll be able to download the data for use in spreadsheet applications.

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