Romance Novels to Make You Believe in Love
A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall
A beautiful story of best friends reconnected under wildly different circumstances, with Viola finally getting to live as her true self after Waterloo separated her from her former life. Gracewood and Viola are spectacular, their love and chemistry transcendent, and the story absolutely spectacular.
Seduce Me At Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas
Beautiful, sweeping, Kleypas magic, the story of two people who grew up together after Kev, the Romani boy, was abandoned. Win is sickly, but comes back stronger than ever. The absolute tension, both romantic and sexual, is phenomenal throughout, and the love above all else is on full display.
(I’ve seen some talk that there are some problematic bits with the Romani rep; I didn’t personally pick up on that, but I’ve only read this once, so I thought I’d put that as an fyi)
Regretting You by Colleen Hoover
One of CoHo’s books I feel like is not as talked about, this is still a great one. A tragic car accident throws two people who went to high school together back into each other’s orbit. Secrets are revealed, hearts are broken, and love is found. It’s all very Hoover-esque, love from tragedy, with a lot of pining and some truly romantic moments.
Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Currently on my fifth reread of this book, I will never stop recommending this one. The story of the son of the US President and a Prince of England going from enemies to friends to lovers, all with beautiful writing, character revealing and warmly erotic masterpieces of sex scenes, and the kind of love that changes the world, this is book that cannot be skipped.
Too Wilde to Wed by Eloisa James
An engaging story between a future Duke and his former fiancee whose “betrayal” separated them for years now crash back together in dramatic fashion. I love a second chance story, and the pair getting to learn about the other person in ways they never did before makes for delicious storytelling and a beautiful love.
The Seduction of Elliot McBride by Jennifer Ashley
Yet another story of childhood friends reconnecting (huh, I may have a bit of a thing with that on this list…), Elliot sweeps into Juliana’s wedding and marries her for himself. Elliot is suffering after seeing some terrible things, and Juliana is the balm for his tattered soul. It’s a story that strikes deep in your heart and stays there.
Highland Bride by Hannah Howell
A woman who is being pursued — aggressively — by three men who want her for her land, she ends up choosing the obvious right one (gorgeous, chivalrous, funny), after a bit of fun at all their expense. But things aren’t smooth sailing at first, and there’s something really special about watching a married couple have to fight to make it work, and finally choose each other freely.
The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn
Miranda has loved Turner since she was a little girl, but his first marriage made him bitter. Despite obvious attraction to his little sister’s best friend, Turner acts like a prize idiot until he gets his head on straight. By that time, Miranda is way more ready to stick up for herself. I absolutely love how they interact, and the yearning is top tier.
Scoundrel of My Heart by Lorraine Heath
Kathryn has to wed a titled man. Griff is a second son. But he’s game to help her marry a Duke, but as usually happens, it’s Kathryn and Griff who get a little too close for comfort. What makes this one unique is how it delays things, puts interesting obstacles in their paths, and eventually leads them back to each other as better people and better for each other.