It doesn’t matter whether you’re happily settled in an amazing relationship, or dreaming of finding your perfect someone, we all long for some romance in our lives. If you want to live vicariously through others, or want some inspiration, romance books are great.
I’m a fan of romance, although I’m not sure there’s anyone in the world who could say otherwise. Whether it’s on the screen or within the pages of a book, there’s something so special about witnessing the growth of a relationship between two people, living through their drama with them, and coming out on the other side for better or worse.
Romance books are also the perfect basis for romance movies, and most of the books on this list have been turned into a movie either directly or as inspiration. Some of them have become tropes in their own right, while others have become beloved and classic flicks to curl up and cry over.
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks (1996)
Noah and Allie, two people who meet during the summer and fall head over heels in love with each other, only to be parted by the judgement of others and the end of the season. Except that’s not the end. Noah, sworn in to a promise to build Allie her perfect waterfront home, bumps into her later on when she’s already engaged to another man. Heartbreak, frustration, hope, and true love all feature heavily in this absolute classic.
The Flat Share by Beth O’Leary (2019)
Imagine sharing a one bedroom home with someone that you’ve never met because you work opposite hours. And then imagine falling in love with this person despite having never met them, through their belongings and consideration displayed through notes left around the house. That’s the plot of The Flat Share, and it’s an interesting and very cute read.
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (2003)
If you’re a fan of Doctor Who, this plot might be vaguely familiar to you. Henry has a condition that he can’t control, which sends him traveling through time against his will. Clare has known Henry since they first met when she was six, while in Henry’s mixed-up timeline he meets her for the first time when she’s 20. She spends all of life waiting for him to appear, while he hops around his own timeline. If you’re not put off by time travel and out-of-order storytelling, The Time Traveler’s Wife is definitely worth a read, although it’s quite sad so grab some tissues.
The Love of my Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood (2024)
Let me set the scene: you die in the most embarrassing way you could imagine (choking on a microwave burger) and suddenly find yourself in front of the most attractive person you’ve ever seen in the waiting room which comes before the afterlife. Except he’s not supposed to be dead yet, and is returned to his life. That’s what happens in The Love of my Afterlife and in order to find this mysterious not-quite-dead stranger again, Delphie is sent back down to earth with a 10 day deadline to find him again, and no idea where to begin.
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (1597)
I can’t write a list about romance without including the inspiration for countless more recent books and movies, Romeo and Juliet. Two teenagers from opposing families fall in love, only to be forced apart by their families beliefs. It all ends in disaster, of course, but the fact that this Shakespearian tale has gone on to inspire a whole world of other familiar stories earns it a place on this list.
P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern (2003)
Meeting the love of your life and starting your journey together is a wonderful thing, until it gets cut short by an inoperable brain tumor. However, Gerry had time to prepare for his death and, knowing that Holly will be a mess without him, he organizes some help for her during the grieving process. From notes, to gifts, and even a vacation that reminds her that she has another chance at love, Gerry provides it all from beyond the grave.
A word of warning, you will cry, so make sure to have some tissues on hand.
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (2012)
Lou finds herself out of the job and in need of a new one, and takes on the challenge of being the home carer for Will, who became paralyzed in a motorcycle accident. He’s made a deal with his parents that he will give them six final months before heading to Dignitas in Switzerland to peacefully die. Lou tries to give him a reason to live, and they do fall in love, but it’s not enough to make him change his mind.
Of all the books on this list (and their movie adaptations), this one is the one that absolutely broke me. It’s full of the worst kind of heartbreak, learning to accept others as they are, and respecting the decisions of those you love most, even if you don’t agree with them at all.
The Burnout by Sophie Kinsella (2023)
Burnout is real, and Sasha has hit the wall. Instead of letting it take her down, she goes off to her childhood escape, a beach in Devon. All is well, despite how run down the area has become, until a stranger with his own issues shows up and throws a spanner in the works. After ignoring each other, and then butting heads, the two are drawn together by notes on the beach and then events unfold that neither expected. This is a very cute and fun read, and hugely relatable to anyone who has ever just wanted to get away from life’s hardships.
Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey (2022)
It’s a story that’s been told over and over again; two people fall in love while one of them tries to help the other get the attention of someone else. Fox is a notorious ladies’ man, and his best friend Hannah knows it only too well. However, as he tries to help her attract her co-worker, feelings develop that she can’t ignore. Little does she know that he’s having a very similar problem himself, except neither can be honest about their own feelings.
Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding (1996)
This list would simply be incomplete without the inclusion of the romance novel (and movie) series which shaped adolescence for my entire generation. And now I’m the age that Bridget was when she started her diary, and despite having read this book when it was first published back in the early 2000s, everything makes so much more sense now.
Bridget needs to take control of her life, and she’ll do it through a diary. Everything goes into the diary: successes, heartbreaks, embarrassments, and everything in between. And then there’s Mark Darcy, who is snobby and immediately disliked by Bridget, but they played together as children, so surely he can’t be all bad?
Published: Sep 29, 2024 10:05 am