With a surge in romance shows and movies like “Heated Rivalry” and “Wuthering Heights,” reading romance novels has never been more popular. If you’re craving more, consider picking up and starting one of these romance novels; Whether you’re single, taken or in some kind of situationship, these books will make you feel love in one way or another.
“Out on a Limb” by Hannah Boanam-Young
In its 336 pages, readers will go from laughing to crying every other chapter. A traditional contemporary romance, “Out on a Limb” can be hit or miss due to its tropes. The novel follows Win and Bo, forced together due to unexpected challenges and life events that intertwine their lives for better or for worse. Their problems and struggles are relevant enough to make the characters feel real and shed light on issues that are not often talked about. By the end of the book, you will want to find a love like the two main characters have.
“Unsteady” by Peyton Corinne
This self-published novel is the first in a four-book series that is still in the works. If you’re on your hockey romance kick, “Unsteady” will definitely give you your fix. This book is full of raw emotions, heavy topics and will leave you crying after every chapter. With a storyline set in college, many of the topics, such as family, mental health and trauma struggles, hit home for college students. This romance between two athletes r follows Rhys and Sadie as they navigate their personal lives and find each other as they navigate their pasts. The events and topics brought up can be triggering to some; read at your own discretion.
“Dance of Thieves” by Mary E. Pearson
Recently read by the UNR BookBees club, “Dance of Thieves” is the first book in a duology and a spin-off from Pearson’s “The Remnant Chronicles.” This novel encapsulates many fantasy genre qualities. A great introduction to the genre, Kazi, a thief-now-royal guard, and Jase, an outlawed ruler, are tied together in a battle that could lead to their deaths. The tropes hold tension for multiple chapters and the adventures will leave you wondering what will happen next. The development of both main characters is slow but worth it, and this book leads seamlessly into its sequel, “Vow of Thieves”.
“Done and Dusted” by Lyla Sage
The first in a four-book interconnected standalone series, “Rebel Blue Ranch,” “Done and Dusted” redefines the genre of cowboy romance and breaks stereotypes that often come with it. Readers praise this book due to ADHD representation in the main female character, Emmy, and for her champion role rather than the typical male lead. These characters are easy to fall in love with, and the book as a whole will only take you a couple of hours due to its readability and captivating plot. Set in your typical small town in Wyoming, the plot moves just as fast as the romance. You don’t even have to like the cowboy life to love this book, and each book in the series just gets better.
“A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” by Holly Jackson
Suspense is the name of the game in this murder mystery young adult book; with romance as a side plot. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is the first book in its series, but can be read on its own. This book will leave you on the edge of your seat, and although the murder is far more entertaining than the romance, everything falls together perfectly for our characters; you will absolutely be rooting for the unsuspecting match. Turned into a limited series on Netflix in 2024, this book takes you through a teen girl’s school project that slowly turns into a full-fledged investigation into a small town’s unsolved murder, with a plot twist you won’t see coming.
Romance novels are not just about love, many bring up topics that are important to talk about and relevant to society. Each of these novels diverge subjects that are not always translated well in movies or shows. Books, especially romance, allow for greater explanations through the internal monologue of characters that is not always translated well in the media content. Picking up the book counter part of these media crazed romances will further involve yourself into the genre to reveal the complexities that a camera lens often overlooks.
Article was revised on February 15th, 2026
