BookRank
Where to start

Romance novels to read

Not sure which romance novels to read? We ranked 200 of them using 104,190 reader ratings; the average is 7.9/10. Below: three books to start with, then short reads, series starts, new books, and classics.

If you read only one, make it The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (8.5/10). If you prefer a series: The Shepherd King starts with One Dark Window.

Start here

Three romance novels that many readers rate highly — each one a first volume or a book that stands alone.

  1. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn HugoTaylor Jenkins Reid · 2017 · 400 pages8.5/10 · 3,555 ratings
  2. The Song of AchillesMadeline Miller · 2011 · 386 pages8.5/10 · 2,969 ratings
  3. Shield of SparrowsDevney Perry · 2025 · 528 pages8.4/10 · 280 ratingsShield of Sparrows · book 1 of 3

Short reads: under 300 pages

For a weekend or a commute. 12 of the rated romance novels are this short; these score best.

  1. Six Scorched RosesCarissa Broadbent · 204 pages8.2/10 · 198 ratings
  2. The Very Secret Society of Irregular WitchesSangu Mandanna · 2022 · 290 pages8.2/10 · 817 ratings
  3. PersuasionJane Austen · 1817 · 288 pages8.0/10 · 856 ratings
  4. The Blue CastleLucy Maud Montgomery · 1926 · 257 pages8.0/10 · 114 ratings

Series worth starting

The first volume of each series, with the full reading order one click away.

  1. One Dark WindowRachel Gillig · 2022 · 400 pages8.2/10 · 803 ratingsThe Shepherd King · book 1 of 2 · Reading order →
  2. Moon CalledPatricia Briggs · 2006 · 308 pages7.8/10 · 430 ratingsMercy Thompson series · book 1 of 14 · Reading order →
  3. OutlanderDiana Gabaldon · 1991 · 764 pages7.9/10 · 996 ratingsOutlander series · book 1 of 9 · Reading order →
  4. Mile HighLiz Tomforde · 570 pages7.7/10 · 289 ratingsWindy City · book 1 of 5 · Reading order →

New in 2025 and 2026

The best-rated new books with at least 50 reader ratings.

  1. AtmosphereTaylor Jenkins Reid · 20258.4/10 · 649 ratings
  2. AlchemisedSenLinYu · 2025 · 976 pages8.2/10 · 342 ratings
  3. The Enchanted GreenhouseSarah Beth Durst · 2025 · 384 pages8.2/10 · 115 ratings
  4. The Knight and the MothRachel Gillig · 2025 · 400 pages8.1/10 · 310 ratings

Classics from before 1976

Still read, still rated: the older books that hold up best.

  1. Pride and PrejudiceJane Austen · 1813 · 367 pages8.3/10 · 4,447 ratings
  2. RebeccaDaphne du Maurier · 1938 · 397 pages8.2/10 · 991 ratings
  3. Jane EyreCharlotte Brontë · 1847 · 452 pages8.0/10 · 2,188 ratings
  4. Anna KareninaLeo Tolstoy · 1877 · 586 pages8.0/10 · 1,018 ratings

Liked this? Try that

Pairs from our similarity data: the same kind of story, a different author.

If you likedtry
A Court of Mist and FurySarah J. MaasMore like this in “Find a book” →One Dark WindowRachel Gillig · 8.2/10
The Time Traveler's WifeAudrey NiffeneggerMore like this in “Find a book” →OutlanderDiana Gabaldon · 7.9/10

How long are the rated romance novels?

Under 300 pages12
300–499 pages107
500 pages or more42

161 of 200 rated titles with a known page count. Largest group: 300–499 pages.

Narrow it down with “Find a book”

“Find a book” holds 214 romance novels. Pick a shortcut — the filters are already set:

Romance novels in a series76Standalone romance novels139Short romance novels (under 220 pages)11New romance novels23Romance novels, mood: moving135Romance novels with a film or series15
All romance novels in “Find a book” →

Questions readers ask

What romance novels should I read first?

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid: 8.5/10 from 3,555 ratings, and it needs no earlier book. Next on our list: The Song of Achilles and Shield of Sparrows.

What is a good romance novel under 300 pages?

Six Scorched Roses (204 pages, 8.2/10) is the highest-rated one under 300 pages.

Which romance novel series should I start?

The Shepherd King: begin with One Dark Window, the first of 2 books. The reading order page lists every volume.

What are the best new romance novels?

Atmosphere (2025) leads the recent titles at 8.4/10 from 649 ratings.

How are these books chosen?

Only books with enough reader ratings to be ranked (at least 50) are picked. The score is a weighted average across independent rating sources, pulled toward the category average when ratings are few.

Go further

Other genres: where to start

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