Are you looking for great romance books to get lost in this weekend?
I’ve compiled a list of the best romance novels, mixing sweet, intense, and thrilling stories that will captivate you from start to finish.
Keep reading to discover your next favorite love story!
11 Best Romance Novels
- Love by Design (The Lilac Lake Inn Series) by Judith Keim
- Love Between the Lines (The Lilac Lake Inn Series) by Judith Keim
- Love Under The Stars (The Lilac Lake Inn Series) by Judith Keim
- A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
- Toxic: A Dark Romance by Nicole Blanchard
- Hooked: A Dark, Contemporary Romance (Never After Series) by Emily McIntire
- Scarred (Never After Series) by Emily McIntire
- Wretched (Never After Series) by Emily McIntire
- Twisted (Never After Series) by Emily McIntire
- Crossed (Never After Series) by Emily McIntire
- Hexed (Never After Series) by Emily McIntire
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1. Love by Design (The Lilac Lake Inn Series) by Judith Keim
Love by Design transports you to the scenic Lilac Lake Inn in New Hampshire, where Dani Gilford and her sisters inherit a cottage with a promise to uphold their grandmother’s legacy.
As Dani navigates her life in this quaint town, she reconnects with Brad Collister, who’s grieving the loss of his wife. Their paths intertwine in a delicate balance of grief, ambition, and unexpected love.
The setting is charming, the characters are relatable, and the romantic undertones are subtle yet effective. Keim explores themes of family, commitment, and second chances, delivering a heartwarming story of resilience.
This book beautifully blends family drama with light romance, making it a perfect read for those who enjoy clean, feel-good fiction.
2. Love Between the Lines (The Lilac Lake Inn Series) by Judith Keim
This book follows Taylor Gilford, the youngest of the sisters, as she seeks refuge at Lilac Lake to battle her writer’s block.
The story highlights Taylor’s emotional struggles as she faces a critical editor and yearns to rebuild her creative spark.
The familial relationships take center stage, especially as Taylor bonds with her sisters while rediscovering herself.
Keim expertly mixes personal growth with light romantic elements, leaving readers with a satisfying tale about finding love in unexpected places.
The book stands out for its focus on inner transformation, making it appealing to readers who appreciate stories about self-discovery and second chances.
3. Love Under the Stars (The Lilac Lake Inn Series) by Judith Keim
Whitney Gilford escapes Hollywood’s pressures and her tumultuous relationship with a drug-addicted co-star to find solace at Lilac Lake.
As Whitney helps renovate the family cottage, she rekindles old feelings for a man she once admired. Keim keeps the suspense alive with danger lurking, testing Whitney’s resolve and deepening her connection with her sisters.
The novel emphasizes the importance of family bonds and healing past wounds, all wrapped in a light romance.
Readers looking for a mix of suspense, emotional growth, and romantic fulfillment will find this book engaging, especially if they enjoy the close-knit dynamic between the Gilford sisters.
4. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
The sequel to A Court of Thorns and Roses is an emotional rollercoaster.
Feyre’s journey is a deeply introspective one, as she grapples with trauma, guilt, and her identity as a newly transformed High Fae.
Maas’s world-building is intricate, and her characters are multifaceted. Feyre’s relationship with Rhysand is explored with intensity, balancing the romance with political intrigue and power struggles.
The novel tackles complex themes like recovery from abuse, finding one’s strength, and the dynamics of power. Readers are drawn to Feyre’s growth as she steps into her power and navigates her complicated relationship with Rhysand.
The book is darker and more mature than its predecessor, making it a compelling read for fans of high-stakes fantasy romance.
5. Toxic: A Dark Romance by Nicole Blanchard
Toxic is a gripping dark romance that delves into the dangerous, forbidden attraction between a nurse and a brutal inmate.
Blanchard delivers a tense, suspenseful narrative as the protagonist falls into a passionate, twisted relationship with a man who notices her hidden bruises.
The chemistry between the two leads is electric, and the narrative pulls no punches when exploring themes of abuse, obsession, and escape.
Blanchard’s writing creates a visceral experience, keeping readers hooked on the unraveling story. This book is ideal for readers who enjoy high-stakes, intense romance with dark undertones.
6. Hooked: A Dark, Contemporary Romance (Never After Series) by Emily McIntire
McIntire reimagines Peter Pan in a dark and seductive light, where James, aka Hook, seeks revenge on Peter through his daughter Wendy.
The plot is fueled by vengeance, but as James and Wendy’s relationship grows, revenge takes a backseat to their intense attraction.
The story plays with the theme of seeing beyond one’s exterior, as Wendy finds herself drawn to James despite his dark side.
McIntire weaves an addictive tale of betrayal, love, and power struggles. This book is perfect for readers who enjoy morally gray characters and forbidden romance in a modern, twisted fairy-tale setting.
7. Scarred (Never After Series) by Emily McIntire
In Scarred, McIntire revisits the themes of power, betrayal, and forbidden love, this time set against the backdrop of royalty.
Prince Tristan’s desire for revenge against his brother is complicated by his attraction to Lady Sara, his brother’s fiancée.
Their forbidden romance adds tension to an already intense plot about rebellion and the fight for the throne.
The characters are complex, each driven by their own conflicting desires.
McIntire’s portrayal of Sara and Tristan’s chemistry is both dangerous and alluring, making this book a captivating read for fans of dark royal romance.
8. Wretched (Never After Series) by Emily McIntire
A reimagining of The Wizard of Oz, Wretched gives us Evelina, a brilliant botanist running her family’s drug empire, and Nicholas, an undercover DEA agent with his own vendetta.
Their one-night stand evolves into a complicated, dangerous attraction as Nicholas works to bring down Evelina’s empire.
The book explores themes of vengeance, moral ambiguity, and forbidden love, all while keeping the tension high.
McIntire’s portrayal of these two deeply flawed characters makes for a thrilling read, as their worlds collide in unexpected ways. This book is ideal for readers who crave dark, gritty romance with layers of intrigue.
9. Twisted (Never After Series) by Emily McIntire
Twisted draws inspiration from Aladdin, centering on Yasmin, the pampered daughter of a wealthy man, and Julian, her father’s ruthless right-hand man.
Their relationship begins as a power play, with Julian seeking control and Yasmin fighting against her father’s arranged marriage plans.
As their dynamic shifts, the book explores themes of power, desire, and betrayal. McIntire’s writing immerses readers in a world of luxury and danger, making Twisted an addictive read for those who enjoy stories about manipulative relationships and twisted love.
10. Crossed (Never After Series) by Emily McIntire
In Crossed, Father Cade Frédéric’s holy dedication to the church is challenged by his obsession with Amaya, a dancer with a mysterious past.
The contrast between Cade’s righteousness and his growing temptation creates an intense, internal battle that’s riveting to watch unfold.
McIntire expertly balances dark romance with themes of faith, sin, and redemption, giving readers a complex narrative that explores the lengths people go to for love.
This book will appeal to readers who enjoy taboo romance, particularly when it’s interwoven with religious undertones.
11. Hexed (Never After Series) by Emily McIntire
Hexed brings together Venesa, a cunning woman involved in her family’s crime syndicate, and Enzo, a powerful underworld prince.
Their mutual attraction is forbidden, complicated by family loyalty and personal ambitions.
The book’s darker themes—rooted in mafia culture—add depth to their romance, while McIntire’s portrayal of their chemistry keeps the tension high.
This novel is a great pick for readers who enjoy romance with a blend of danger, power plays, and forbidden desires.
Final Thoughts
Which romance book are you reading next?
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