My 5 Favorite Romance Novels

While I enjoy a good romance novel regardless of the season, summer is the perfect time for a reader less familiar with the genre to pick up one of these much-maligned gems. Romance novels are perfect for taking to the beach or the pool, as they are generally frothy, fun reads with satisfyingly happy endings. For more on the excellent qualities of the romance genre, I highly recommend Dr. Pamela Regis's genius A Natural History of the Romance Novel. If you're ready to jump right in, the following are my five personal favorite romances (in no particular order).



I've enjoyed many of Lisa Kleypas' novels, particularly including Where Dreams Begin. However, Dreaming of You is definitely my favorite. It tells the story of a writer named Sara Fielding and a man called Derek Craven, who is the result of an endearing rags-to-riches upbringing. Sara is a relatable heroine for those with a love of books and/or writing.



Julia Quinn is, without question, my favorite romance novelist. This is one of her newer titles, and it proves that her work continues to only get better. Jack Audley, the hero of this novel, is a highwayman somewhat remniscent of Robin Hood. Like all of Quinn's novels, The Lost Duke of Wyndham features a healthy dose of humor and some of the best writing in the romance genre.



The Black Swan was one of the first romance novels I ever read, and it remains one of my favorites. It takes place in Ireland, which sometimes serves as a rustic and wild setting for historical romances; it's an excellent alternative to the more often used England, and Seymour takes full advantage of the opportunities it offers to enrich her plot. The novel tells the story of Cormac Riordan and Claire O'Donnell, each the product of one of two feuding Irish clans. Their union is threatened by a curse that has supposedly haunted the Riordan clan for generations. The Black Swan evokes aspects of the classic Romeo and Juliet story, but it has a much happier ending!



I love this novel in part because of its significant inclusion of historical events. The heroine, Rosamond Marshal, is the ward of King Henry III's sister. The course of The Marriage Prize incorporates both real events and real people from the history of England's Plantagenet dynasty. There is, of course, also a heartmelting romance between Rosamond and the novel's hero, Rodger de Leyburn, as well as a romantic subplot among secondary characters.



With my great affection for Quinn's writing, it is only natural that more than one of her novels would be featured on any list of my favorites. This novel is just one of the books in Quinn's fabulous series about the Bridgerton family. An Offer From a Gentleman holds a special place in my heart because it is a re-telling of the Cinderella story, but all of the novels in the Bridgerton series are wonderful and should be explored by even the most casual reader of the romance genre.


***Note: My five favorite romance novels happen to all be historical romances. This is due to personal preference, and I encourage readers to try contemporary romances as well!