The best books to fall in love with every time you read them

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been falling in love with love since before I can remember, and it’s been a wild adventure that’s taken me across thousands of miles, one rather splendid husband, and over forty books published. After hitting the USA Today Bestsellers list, I’ve become a full time author and spend at least 12 hours a day falling in love as a job. Each time I read a book, I discover a new way to fall in love—and I adore being able to recommend my favourite authors to new readers, so that they can discover them with me. 


I wrote...

A Governess of Great Talents

By Emily E K Murdoch,

Book cover of A Governess of Great Talents

What is my book about?

Welcome to a brand new and exciting series titled The Governess Bureau from USA Today Bestselling Author Emily E K Murdoch!

When the nobility and gentility of England are at their wits end, they send a discrete note to Miss Vivienne Clarke’s Governess Bureau. Only accepting the very best clients, their governesses are coveted, with every governess following three rules: You must have an impeccable record. You must bring a special skill to the table. You must never fall in love…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Letter from a Rake

Emily E K Murdoch Why did I love this book?

This gorgeous book has everything I want in a romance: hilarious accidents, steaming heat, and complex characters who you absolutely root to fall in love. There’s nothing more than I love than a hero underestimating his heroine! This is the first in a series of thirteen books (at the time of writing!), so if you love Sasha’s style, there’s plenty to dive into.

By Sasha Cottman,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Letter from a Rake as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Millie Ashton thinks London society is full of empty headed, arrogant fools, but when she meets Alex Radley she falls desperately in love with him. Fearing humiliation and rejection, she decides the only sensible thing to do is take her pride and go home to India. Men like Alex do not fall for girls like her, whereas every girl loses her heart to Alexander the Great. Alex Radley, Marquess of Brooke rules the ton like a god, but even gods are known to fall for mere mortals. With his wealth and title, wooing Millie should be an easy task. But…


Book cover of A Touch of Romance

Emily E K Murdoch Why did I love this book?

Love is love, so I always adore recommending historical romances that are queer positive. This series by Merry Farmer of four books (to date) are set in 1920s New York and have the most glorious M/M romances that you have ever read. If you’ve never read a gay romance before, trust me: you’re going to fall in love. 

By Merry Farmer,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked A Touch of Romance as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

He crossed the ocean to escape from love…

Journalist Marcus Albright did not run away from his London home when he accepted an assignment in New York City. His interest in writing a series of articles about the popular club scene of The Bowery has nothing to do with the disastrous end of a long-term relationship, or his desire to stay as far away from love and commitment that he possibly can. His only concern is enjoying the vibrancy and color that The Slippery Slope is famous for.

…but love has other plans…

Jasper Werther loves his wild, flamboyant life,…


Book cover of The Lady's Guide to Scandal

Emily E K Murdoch Why did I love this book?

If you want a little mystery, intrigue, and adventure sprinkled into your historical romance, I don’t think you can find anyone better than Emmanuelle de Maupassant. Her Lady’s Guide series is perfect for you if you want to be rescued by a hero or glorify in a powerful heroine. It’s packed full of mysterious gentlemen, mistaken identity, adventure, travelling across Europe and of course, steamy delightful encounters… 

By Emmanuelle de Maupassant,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Lady's Guide to Scandal as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Madly in love, or just pretending?
Celebrated adventurer Ethan Burnell is keen to return to the jungles of Mexico.
Settling down isn't part of his plan.
But his sister has other ideas, throwing a Christmas houseparty filled with eager debutantes.
The answer? A fake engagement for the duration of the festivities!

With her name mired in scandal, Cornelia Mortmain's marriage prospects are nil.
Burnell is exactly the sort of 'dangerous man' she's sworn off, and posing as his fiancée can only spell trouble.
Or, make her so notorious she'll become irresistible.

Can they convince everyone they're madly in love?
The…


Book cover of Up All Night with a Good Duke

Emily E K Murdoch Why did I love this book?

Who doesn’t love a heroine with a brain? Gone are the days when modern readers are happy to read about characters who never have a unique thought in their minds, which is why I love this series from Amy Rose Bennett. Her heroines are intelligent, witty, and bold—even if they are wallflowers. If you love seeing a duke get absolutely schooled, then this is the book for you. 

By Amy Rose Bennett,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Up All Night with a Good Duke as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"I can think of the perfect way to keep you occupied and your mind diverted," she murmured. "Come to my room. If you're not too tired..."

Lust flashed in his gaze and then he caught her face between his hands and kissed her. "For you, my beautiful Artemis, I'd stay up all night."

Artemis Jones-"respectable" finishing-school teacher by day and Gothic romance writer by night-has never lost sight of her real dream: to open her own academic ladies' college. When Artemis is unexpectedly called upon by a dear friend, a fellow Byronic Book Club member, to navigate her first London…


Book cover of Highlander's Captive

Emily E K Murdoch Why did I love this book?

With almost 3000 positive reviews on Amazon alone, it’s not hard to see that Mariah Stone’s first in series, Highlander’s Captive, is a good book. But why do I love it? Because this medieval highlander romance doesn’t just make me swoon, but it tugs at my heartstrings. There’s such a depth of emotion here that it’s hard to put down, and even when you’re finished, you’re going to want to come back again and again. 

By Mariah Stone,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Highlander's Captive as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Breathtaking, passionate, romantic -- for all fans of Outlander!She must return to her time. He keeps her heart captive.

While chaperoning a high school trip to the Scottish Highlands, Amy MacDougall descends into Inverlochy Castle dungeon. Deep in the crumbling ruins, she touches a magical rock and travels through time to 1307.

Infiltrating the castle, Highlander Craig Cambel imprisons Amy. A MacDougall, she’s his clan’s sworn enemy. But when he’s forced to marry the fierce beauty, he surrenders to desire. Amy needs to return to the twenty-first century, but her feelings for Craig are growing stronger every day. Will the…


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Book cover of Dulcinea

Ana Veciana-Suarez Author Of Dulcinea

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I became fascinated with 16th-century and 17th-century Europe after reading Don Quixote many years ago. Since then, every novel or nonfiction book about that era has felt both ancient and contemporary. I’m always struck by how much our environment has changed—transportation, communication, housing, government—but also how little we as people have changed when it comes to ambition, love, grief, and greed. I doubled down my reading on that time period when I researched my novel, Dulcinea. Many people read in the eras of the Renaissance, World War II, or ancient Greece, so I’m hoping to introduce them to the Baroque Age. 

Ana's book list on bringing to life the forgotten Baroque Age

What is my book about?

Dolça Llull Prat, a wealthy Barcelona woman, is only 15 when she falls in love with an impoverished poet-solder. Theirs is a forbidden relationship, one that overcomes many obstacles until the fledgling writer renders her as the lowly Dulcinea in his bestseller.

By doing so, he unwittingly exposes his muse to gossip. But when Dolça receives his deathbed note asking to see her, she races across Spain with the intention of unburdening herself of an old secret.

On the journey, she encounters bandits, the Inquisition, illness, and the choices she's made. At its heart, Dulcinea is about how we betray the people we love, what happens when we succumb to convention, and why we squander the few chances we get to change our lives.

5 book lists we think you will like!

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