The best romance books with longing so intense, you’ll swoon

Why am I passionate about this?

My dream of writing romance began during a semester in London, where I fell in love with the city, its history, and its pubs. A few years and careers later, I won the Golden Heart Award for Regency Romance, and I’ve been writing ever since. Now I’m living happily-ever-after in Maryland with my family, who try valiantly not to roll their eyes whenever I quote Jane Austen.


I wrote...

Girls Before Earls

By Anna Bennett,

Book cover of Girls Before Earls

What is my book about?

What a girl wants and what an earl needs lead to an irresistible deal…Miss Hazel Lively, headmistress of Bellehaven Academy, has finally realized her dream of opening a school for girls, and the last thing she can afford is a scandal. Which is why she simply cannot enroll the Earl of Bladenton’s troubled niece. But when Blade makes an offer she can’t refuse, Hazel has a demand of her own: the handsome earl must visit his niece every other week.

Blade soon discovers there’s more to Hazel than meticulous lessons. Their sparring leads to flirtation…and something altogether deeper. But their passion poses a threat to Hazel’s school and Blade’s battered heart. They say a good thing can’t last forever, but true love just might…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of When He Was Wicked

Anna Bennett Why did I love this book?

Long before Bridgerton graced screens around the world, I loved this Julia Quinn novel (the sixth in her Bridgerton series) about a man who falls hard for a woman he can never have: his cousin’s wife. Michael is head over heels for Francesca and positively loathes himself for it. His angst is so palpable, it made my chest ache. It’s a slow, hot burn—and totally worth the wait.

By Julia Quinn,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked When He Was Wicked as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In every life there is a turning point ...A moment so tremendous, so sharp and breathtaking, that one knows one's life will never be the same. For Michael Stirling, London's most infamous rake, that moment came the first time he laid eyes on Francesca Bridgerton. A fter a lifetime of chasing women, of smiling slyly as they chased him, of allowing himself to be caught but never permitting his heart to become engaged, he took one look at Francesca Bridgerton and fell so fast and hard into love it was a wonder he managed to remain standing. Unfortunately for Michael,…


Book cover of The Summer I Turned Pretty

Anna Bennett Why did I love this book?

They say you never forget your first crush, and this young adult romance perfectly captures the headiness and angst of falling in love (at any age). Jenny Han pours emotion onto the page, and the love triangle between Belly and the Fisher brothers makes for the best kind of romantic tension. I devoured the whole series.

By Jenny Han,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Summer I Turned Pretty as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

The Summer I Turned Pretty is now a major new TV series on Amazon Prime!

From the author of Netflix's smash-hit movie To All The Boys I've Loved Before, this is the perfect funny summer romance for fans of The Kissing Booth and Holly Bourne.

One girl. Two boys. And the summer that changed everything . . .

Every year Isabel spends a perfect summer at her favourite place in the world - the Fisher family's beach house. It has everything a girl could want: a swimming pool, a private stretch of sandy beach... and two (very cute) boys:

Unavailable,…


Book cover of Again the Magic

Anna Bennett Why did I love this book?

If you’re a historical romance fan, you already know there’s something special about Lisa Kleypas’s writing, and this book is one of my favorites. Aline and McKenna are from vastly different worlds, and they’re so in love it hurts. The only way they can protect each other seems to be to push each other away, but the longing is always there, simmering beneath the surface. Magic, indeed.

By Lisa Kleypas,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Again the Magic as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

She gave him her innocence . . .

Lady Aline Marsden was brought up to marry a man of her own class, but from the moment she meets John McKenna, she risks everything to be with him.

He gave her his heart

Although their love is forbidden, McKenna's passion for the beautiful Aline is too compelling to deny.

When their secret is discovered, their world is shattered. McKenna is forced to leave forever, unaware that the only reason Aline has given him up is to save him.

Now McKenna has returned, a powerful man determined to take revenge against the…


Book cover of The Hating Game

Anna Bennett Why did I love this book?

Lucy and Josh have so much chemistry that it manifests as anger, frustration, and, yes, hate. But don’t be fooled. Sally Thorne’s writing is witty, charming, and sexy too. (Case in point: the elevator scene.) After reading this book, you’ll want an office nemesis just so you can play the game—and drive Human Resources a little crazy in the process.

By Sally Thorne,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked The Hating Game as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Debut author Sally Thorne bursts on the scene with a hilarious and sexy workplace comedy all about that thin, fine line between hate and love. Nemesis (n.) 1) An opponent or rival whom a person cannot best or overcome. 2) A person's undoing 3) Joshua Templeman Lucy Hutton has always been certain that the nice girl can get the corner office. She's charming and accommodating and prides herself on being loved by everyone at Bexley & Gamin. Everyone except for coldly efficient, impeccably attired, physically intimidating Joshua Templeman. And the feeling is mutual. Trapped in a shared office together forty…


Book cover of One Day in December

Anna Bennett Why did I love this book?

I always scoffed at the notion of love at first sight, but this story just might have made a believer out of me. Laurie falls for Jack in an instant, but their road to a happy ever after is long and twisted, funny and poignant. One chapter could wreck me and the next would have me sighing happily. So much pining…but guaranteed to leave you smiling.

By Josie Silver,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked One Day in December as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?


#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “Get ready to be swept up in a whirlwind romance. It absolutely charmed me.”—Reese Witherspoon (A Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick)

“The perfect book to get lost in . . . Josie Silver’s characters sneak their way into your heart and stay.”—Jill Santopolo, author of The Light We Lost

Two people. Ten chances. One unforgettable love story.

Laurie is pretty sure love at first sight doesn't exist anywhere but the movies. But then, through a misted-up bus window one snowy December day, she sees a man who she knows instantly is the one. Their…


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Hotel Oscar Mike Echo

By Linda MacKillop,

Book cover of Hotel Oscar Mike Echo

Linda MacKillop Author Of Hotel Oscar Mike Echo

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

For decades I have volunteered in different capacities, helping the hurting and those living on the margins by tutoring and teaching literacy to the formally incarcerated or homeless, teaching parenting in a maximum-security jail, and teaching ESL to resettled immigrants. Because my own suburban father fell into homelessness at the end of his life due to depression, job losses, divorce, and more, I feel tremendous compassion for anyone in this situation. And as the mother of four grown sons, we filled our home with books—especially books that taught compassion so our sons would grow into men with big hearts towards others. I believe we succeeded.

Linda's book list on hard family circumstances for middle-grade readers

What is my book about?

Home isn’t always what we dream it will be.

Eleven-year-old Sierra just wants a normal life. After her military mother returns from the war overseas, the two hop from home to homelessness while Sierra tries to help her mom through the throes of PTSD.

When they end up at a shelter for women and children, Sierra is even more aware of what her life is not. The kind couple who run the shelter, Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin, attempt to show her parental love as she faces the uncertainties of her mom’s emotional health and the challenges of being the brand-new poor kid in middle school. The longer she stays at the shelter, the more Sierra realizes she may have to face an impossible choice as she redefines home.

Hotel Oscar Mike Echo

By Linda MacKillop,

What is this book about?

Home isn’t always what we dream it will be. 

Eleven-year-old Sierra just wants a normal life. After her military mother returns from the war overseas, the two hop from home to homelessness while Sierra tries to help her mom through the throes of PTSD.  

When they end up at a shelter for women and children, Sierra is even more aware of what her life is not. The kind couple who run the shelter, Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin, attempt to show her parental love as she faces the uncertainties of her mom’s emotional health and the challenges of being the brand-new…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in romantic love, best friends, and summer?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about romantic love, best friends, and summer.

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