The most recommended adult romance books

Austen writes sisters like no one else, and the dynamic between tempestuous Marianne and practical Elinor is the template for so many novels that have followed.

Austen keeps the two sisters from becoming caricatures by making them more alike than different, and the love that anchors their relationship is at the heart of the novel.

I first read this as a freshman in college, and I still think about it every time I’m writing sisters. A classic.

Equally, pick a sapphic romance trope, and Georgia Beers will likely have written one of my favourites.

She has a wonderful balance of cosy with enough tension and angst to keep you flying through the pages. She has written many, and I so admire that she’s still producing her best work. Her recent Camp Lost and Found is one of my favourites yet.

For second chances, I’ve gone with Flavor of the Month. This one has so many wonderful ingredients. Small-town setting, food focus, chemistry, angst. A romance to snuggle up with.

Although I can’t say much about the book’s cover, this is a wonderful sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. It answers the question many readers have about life at Pemberly after Elizabeth and Darcy marry. Set at the end of the Regency period in England in 1814, it follows the courtship of Darcy’s younger sister, Georgiana, and deals with the issues faced by women of that day. I must confess, I have an attraction for strong female characters who must battle the norms of their society in order to find true happiness. If you have the same attraction, you’ll like this book. 

The inspiration for the movie Metropolis, a city is torn between an elite upper class, and a working-class, who toil in agony underground. It begins with Freder, the son of the powerful Metropolis leader who encounters a working-class prophet named Maria. Freder feels drawn to the woman and searches for her. Meanwhile, Freder’s father visits a bitter adversary named Rotwang. A mad scientist type, Rotwang tells him that he’s built a robot replica of a woman they once both loved, whose name was Hel. Like an enigma wrapped in a mystery, the robot creates a dense and secretive narrative. Divulging old motivations and riddles behind the characters, adds to the story, but the robot becomes both ethereal and powerful, a form of immortality and the path to destruction.

Could I love someone with a permanent, life-altering disability? This question was presented early on as Greer Landon, a well-known and highly regarded art gallery owner, meets Hayden Rowe, an autistic young woman and extremely talented artist. Told in first person from Greer’s perspective, the subject was handled with sensitivity and insight, drawing me further into the story. An early confrontation with Hayden’s mother painted a stark picture of emotional abuse, and I wanted to throttle the mother for her callous disregard for Hayden. This was especially true after I “met” Hayden’s grandmother and brother.

As the relationship between Greer and Hayden developed, Greer made seemingly straightforward decisions that had unforeseen consequences and changed the milieu surrounding both Hayden and herself. I could relate to that particular situation and was immersed in the dance of conflict and discovery that permeated this novel. The characters were drawn with honest strokes of… show more.

I read this book as a teenager, and it was the writing rather than the story itself which made a huge impression on me. It made me feel afraid in parts, not because the book is a scary story, but the location is so real, I can feel the presence of spirits in the paths that Rachell walks! The island itself is as much a character as Rachell, the kick-ass heroine. It is about pain and loss and love and passion and, magic. 

In this dystopian novel, the apocalyptic event is the financial collapse of the United States. In the neighborhood of Logan Pond, the neighbors must work together to survive while hiding from the tyrannical government which has usurped authority after the collapse. I loved this book because the characters were so genuine, I almost believed they were real. If it weren't for the horrifying situation these characters found themselves in, I think I would actually enjoy the challenge of living off-grid in a community like this. The ending of the story was satisfying, not exactly a happy ending, mind you, but a hopeful one all the same. This is a must-read for anyone who likes the post-apocalyptic/dystopian genre or is worried about the financial stability of our country. Highly recommended! 

Diana Gabaldon has written a whole series of long books—the Outlander series.

My favorite of these is the second novel, Dragonfly in Amber, in which the events from the first novel culminate in Clare and Jamie trying to prevent the Battle of Culloden in 1745. Jamie and Clare work tirelessly to help Bonnie Prince Charlie and his forces, though they know historically the Jacobites are doomed.

Their efforts are not intended to place Charles Stuart on the throne that is rightfully his so much as to prevent the destruction of the Scottish soldiers. As a result, they are forced to make some very difficult decisions and even hurt people they care about who do not understand their actions.

Since I write historical romances set in the American West, it shouldn’t be a surprise that I enjoy reading books in that genre. I’ve enjoyed Jody Hedlund’s other series, but when I saw that she had one set in Fairplay, Colorado, a town I’ve visited, I suspected they’d be among my favorites. I was right.

I was hooked from the first of them, A Cowboy for Keeps, and thought the next three were excellent, but this one, the final book in the series, surpassed the others, giving readers a deep emotional connection to the characters and their plights. Oh, how I hated to see the series end.

This book combines romance and suspense, humor, and action, all in one package. Shane, a P. I., and Gabriel, a security expert, are separately investigating a person of interest. They eventually cooperate to catch their villain. This is a slow-burn romance with a stiff-upper-lip Brit, working for Cipher Systems in Chicago and an amputee who takes no prisoners. Their explosive mix makes for an exciting ride with a great love story. 

I loved that both Gabriel and Shane live in The Manor, which is the former British consulate. I’d live there myself if I could afford it. Having characters situated in neighborhoods that I know makes the reading experience more authentic. I also loved how Shane handles being an amputee. Her scenes with her prosthetics designer are hilarious.