The Best Romance Books of All Time 

One of the best novels ever written in the English language, Pride and Prejudice remains an enduring classic, balancing profound realism with a heartwarming love story. 

Set in Victorian England, this novel of manners unfolds a classic rivals-to-lovers romance between the sharp, playfully Elizabeth Bennet and the wealthy, arrogant Mr. Darcy. 

Examining class and gender relations, the novel highlights how it is important to learn from one’s faults and let go of prejudices in order to become better lovers, and indeed, better people. Entertaining and thought-provoking, Pride and Prejudice is truly a fine book. 

At over a thousand pages, Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind isn’t what you’d call a short beach read, but it is nevertheless highly satisfying and enriching. 

Easily regarded as one of the Great American Novels, the tangled passions in Gone with the Wind unfold against the vivid backdrop of the Civil War. The story follows the exploits of Scarlett O’ Hara, the daughter of a plantation owner and an icon in her own right. 

Filled with a cast of memorable characters, Gone with the Wind is a masterpiece that’s a must-read for lovers of historical fiction and anyone in the mood for an “epic” experience.

Most of the world’s greatest romances have a tragic twist, which makes those stories all the more poignant. Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is perhaps among the most well-known of tragic love stories, inspiring countless adaptations and renditions. 

At its heart, it is a story of young love between two Italians from rival factions—though the couple tries very hard to be together, their families won’t let that happen, leading to a concatenation of events with tragic consequences. 

If you’ve ever dated someone from a different race, caste, religion, or background and you felt that the outside world was against the union, the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet will definitely resonate.

If you like your love stories served with a hint of magic realism or some timey-wimey shenanigans, The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger is the book for you. 

Told in a somewhat non-linear format, the book narrates the love story between Henry, a man born with a genetic disorder that causes him to time-travel unpredictably, and Clare, the artistic woman he falls in love with. 

With Henry’s frequent disappearances, the relationship naturally gets difficult, even as the duo tries to lead normal lives. Emotionally rich and utterly engaging, The Time Traveler’s Wife is a marvelous read. 

Nicholas Sparks’ romance novels are known to be tear-jerkers, and The Notebook is no different, narrating the poignant love story of Noah and Allie, well into their old age. 

From the time they first met to building a life together and later navigating ageing and chronic illness, The Notebook beautifully chronicles their time together, a portrait of love, tenderness, and wonder. 

Inspired by the love story of the author’s wife’s grandparents, who’d been happily married for over six decades, The Notebook assures the reader that True Love is indeed attainable, though it requires a lot of mutual effort and sacrifices. 

Finally, if you’re looking for something light, fun, and deliciously queer, you’ll have a blast with Casey McQuiston’s Red, White and Royal Blue, an M/M romance between Prince Henry, a British prince, and Alex Claremont-Diaz, the first son of the American President. 

It features the characters grappling with their queer identities, political reputations, and the pressure to keep their relationship a secret, even as they find a way to make it work. 

Filled with hilarity, sexual tension, and light banter, Red, White, and Royal Blue is an extremely enjoyable read.