Well, now that Valentine’s Day is over, it seems like an appropriate time to talk about my absolute favourite romances. Of course, I love all didn’t genres, so they’ll be a sprinkling of plenty of different types of books- enjoy!
Wuthering Heights- starting off with one that people tend to love out hate, I completely understand that this is a dysfunctional romance between terrible people… But I don’t care. Not even a little. I simply adore how utterly atmospheric and emotional this book is!
Jane Eyre– I can’t mention one Bronte sister and not another- especially when I’d be forcing myself to choose between two masterpieces. Again, this isn’t necessarily the healthiest relationship- though it’s better than Cathy/Heathcliff (which isn’t saying much)- but it still moves me, no matter how many times I read it or how many adaptations I’ve seen.
Emma– now if those first two were a little out-there, this will be more your cup of tea. The ultimate friends-to-lovers story, I don’t know anyone in literature more right for each other than Mr Knightley and Emma!
Persuasion– ah I couldn’t make this list with just one Austen! And what better choice than beautiful story of love standing the test of time. Described as Austen’s answer to the question “but will they still love each other when the story’s done?” this resonates with the most romantic part of my heart that wants to believe love is eternal.
Memoirs of a Geisha– another story of constancy, this novel touched me with its poignant promise that love will find a way in the end.
A Thousand Splendid Suns– I couldn’t make a list like this without thinking the moving and redemptive love story wrapped up in these pages. Hosseini has a magical way with words that will transport you across time, space and emotion.
Tess of the D’Urbervilles– be warned: this one is a heartbreaker. Doomed from the outset, Hardy’ s evocative writing takes you on a journey across the near-mythical land of Wessex and to all the places of heartbreak along the way.
Noughts and Crosses– a modern star-crossed lover story, with a twist. This powerful, heart-wrenching story will always be favourite. That ending gets me every time.
The High Lord– there aren’t many high fantasy books for me where the romance is the star of the show. This is my exception to that rule. The reason I ended falling for this series was the beautiful (and devastating) romance at its heart.
Daughter of Smoke and Bone– more of a romantic fantasy, Taylor is the expert at getting you invested in characters and finding the beauty in there love. Karou and Akiva’ spirited connection transcends anything of this world… And beyond.
Strange the Dreamer– I said Taylor was the expert, didn’t I? So there’s no need to be surprised that two of her series ended up on this list! If I had thought there was no way she could top the romance in her last series, Lazlo and Sarai proved me wrong.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream– I had to include Shakespeare, doesn’t I? I mean, he was only the finest writer in the English language 😉 Naturally his contributions to romance stand the test of time- none more so than this romantic comedy, filled with mistaken identity, misunderstandings and more than a few moving speeches.
Isla and the Happily Ever After– it’s no secret that this is one of my favourite contemporaries- and that’s cos of the love story!! I’m a massive sucker for discovering love that was waiting in the wings all along and this definitely delivered the *feels* in that department. It is just. so. cute.
Carry On– what is there to say this book that I haven’t already? You guys know I adore Baz and Simon; you know I think it’s the perfect Harry Potter parody. All that’s left to be said about it is there’s soon to be a sequel and I AM LIVING FOR IT.
That was a fun one to do! Naturally my question today is, what are your favourite romances? Let me know the comments!
Great article! I love Rainbow Rowell and Malorie Blackman! Great authors :3
LikeLiked by 2 people
Me too!! 😊
LikeLike
I love Wuthering Heights but I don’t consider it a romance. I’d call it a “destructive love story” before “romance.”
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hehe! I think that’s a fair perspective. I just think that romance can be totally destructive (don’t know what that says about me 😉 )
LikeLiked by 1 person
True. I suppose if we’re talking about “romantic fiction” as a genre there’s one set of criteria regarding what qualifies, (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romance_novel) but if we’re looking at fiction with a strong romantic element, it’s another story entirely.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sure, there’s romanticism too (technically speaking 😉) though I was definitely going for romance in the loosest terms 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, I got that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hate the characters in Wuthering Heights but I love their romance so much and if nothing else it’s very quotable haha. Lovely list ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hehe totally get that and agree!! Thank you! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
So many great reads! Loved seeing A Daughter of Smoke and Bone – that romance was such a great one💕
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks so much!! ❤
LikeLike
Yes to all the Austen’s! Love the romances in them 💕
LikeLiked by 3 people
Ahh me too 😀 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Especially loved your classic choices! So glad to see Tess get some love, that book is wildly underappreciated.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much!! Really agree!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Isla’s book was definitely my favorite from that series!
LikeLiked by 2 people
So glad you agree!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Woewwwwwwww💞💞 You mention all my favourites tooooooooooooo💞
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s brilliant!! So glad you love them too 🙂 ❤
LikeLike
For me it’s the dysfunctional not entirely healthy romances that standout- and the classics seemed to have them in spades!- but on the other hand… I’m so excited for Wayward Son I swear if she messes with them I’m going to be furious!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I completely understand that and totally relate there!! Hehe although the sweet ones work too 😉
LikeLike
I love both the Austen books you mentioned. Especially Emma. One of the reasons I liked Persuasion is that our protagonist’s love interest actually does something for a living. Of course, being a landowner was a respectable profession at the time but one gets tired of the inactivity and lathargy which it must surely entail. I don’t like Carry On ‘because’ it was a parody of Harry Potter. I started it twice and gave it up halfway. I loved Fangirl, though.
Have you read Me before you? Or watched the movie. That’s my all time favourite romance.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m so glad! Really agree with you! That’s a pity.
Yeah I have- I really liked it as well 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh and I saw on some other post (which I’m unable to find again) that you’ve read and loved I capture the castle. I’m so glad to know that someone out there (apart from J K Rowling who recommends it heartily) shares my love for that super awesome book!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I adore that book!! It really is wonderful!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wuthering Heights and Tess are definitely on my list too! I really want to re-read them. And like I told, you made me buy Emma so I’m going to read it just after I read Verity by Colleen Hoover.
LikeLiked by 2 people
So glad you agree! That’s wonderful!! I hope you love it!!
LikeLike
Me too!
LikeLike
I have just started reading Jane Austen and I looove her books!
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s brilliant!! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love it so much! I’ll cry when I’m done with all the books!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Karou and Akiva are everything!💕👏🏻 and you remind me that I need to start reading some classic, what do you recommend to begin with? 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ahh so glad you agree!! Oh gosh hard question- I think if you like romance, you can’t go far wrong with Jane Eyre if you haven’t read it 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s great! Thanks, I’m adding Jane Eyre to my TBR 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brilliant!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the list! =) Totally agreeing that it is difficult to make a list of romance books without mentioning several of Jane Austen’s books! Memoirs of a Geisha and A Thousand Splendid Suns has been on my TBR for such a long time! Really need to get round to start reading them soon!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you! I know right!! Awesome- really hope you love them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would totally agree with any Jane Austen except that I read all the books too close together and can’t distinguish any of the characters and stories. But I remember loving all of them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hehe I can understand that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I should re read them but space them out more. But I’ve also never read Wuthering heights so maybe I need to give that a try first.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh fair enough!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes to all these! Carry On is the cutest gay romance I have ever read except for Simon Vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda!!! Xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you agree!! hehe it’s tough competition between them 😉 xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, I know!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great list!! Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre are absolutely everything! Wuthering Heights especially. It’s such a messed up love story and I absolutely love everything about it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!! Yay!! So glad you agree!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So many classics! I actually don’t think I have read ANY of the books on this list! Sheesh, now I am embarrassed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hehe no worries! Lots to look forward to if you do check them out!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Taylor is definitely an expert; I really loved the relationships between Karou and Akiva and Sarai and Lazlo. I can’t choose my favourite of the two couples (or the two series either).
Also Carry On is one of my all-time favourite books, I love Simon and Baz and I am so thrilled there’s a sequel. It’s release can’t come quick enough.
Great post. 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you think so! Me too!!
Ahh yes, same for me!! I’m so excited!!
Thank you 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Persuasion is one of my favorite romances too! I haven’t read Strange The Dreamer yet but I’m planning to binge the duet this year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you agree!! Awesome- really hope you love it!
LikeLike
Yes! An Isla fan. It was my favorite of the series, but I always felt like I was alone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you agree! And I think there’s a few of us out there 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wuthering Heights!!! I thought I was the only person in the world that adored that book… I don’t know what it was about that tragic romance & the characters doing horrible things to each other that just completely sucked me in… The irony is real since I talk about how problematic many relationships are in books, particularly in YA…
LikeLike
OMG you have so many good ones on here! I’m about to do a buddy read/book club of Wuthering Heights with some of my cast mates and I am so excited to see what the fuss is about. It’s such a polarizing book.
LikeLike
The High Lord!!!! I love that series but especially that book and it kind of broke me, not gonna lie. I mean, it’s been at least 15 years since I read it and I still can’t get over it lol.
LikeLike
I love, love, love Wuthering Heights! Yeah, I’ll agree that it’s twisted as far as romances go but the characters are actually complex rather that simple outlines. One of my favourite romances is The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. It’s probably not as unhealthy as Wuthering Heights but still has that dark element about it 🙂
LikeLike
Geisha is one of those novels I have to remind myself is really fiction. What a superb list!
LikeLike
Love how you go with a lot of classics 🙂 and a definite YES to the romance in Emma!!
LikeLike
Carry On is definitely one of my favorites!
LikeLike
Wuthering Heights is my FAVORITE! It’s so beautiful! I can’t get enough of it! Wonderful list! ❤️
LikeLike
Tess of the D’Urbervilles for sure, but also The Princess Bride, The Time Traveler’s Wife, The French Lieutenant’s Woman, Dr. Zhivago, The History of Love, and Snow Falling on Cedars.
LikeLike
First I thought: yes, yes, yes! I’ve read them all too! But then came Malorie Blackman and bamm! 😂 Okay, will add it to my ever-growing TBR. 😉💕
LikeLike
Two of these are favourites of mine too: Strange the Dreamer and The Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy 🙂 So good! As for others – I’m a sucker for Pride and Prejudice, and I’d probably add Maggie Stiefvater’s The Scorpio Races to my list as well.
LikeLike
Oh be still my heart. The drama, the passion, the romance that belongs to these tales! You really were on quite the romance tag kick. I agree on every one of these that I read too. ❤️
LikeLike
Some really cool picks here. I haven’t read any of them, but you did remind me that I should give Memoirs of a Geisha a shot sooner rather than later! 😮 Great post!
LikeLike