The top 100 romance books of all time

The best known and most beloved romance of all time, performed by Academy Award nominee Rosamund Pike. Need we explain why we ardently admire and love it?

Casey McQuiston’s debut is an alternate-history love story between the snarky First Son of the United States and the poised Prince of England. It’s impossible to listen to this one and not smile.

Has there ever been a more perfect match between narrator and story? We don't think so. Hamilton's Phillipa Soo sparkles in Lily Chu's effervescent romantic debut.

This enemies-to-lovers romance between a literary agent and her book editor nemesis, featuring a dynamic performance from Julia Whelan, is a love letter to people who love stories.

Though this novel scandalized England—and led to a wild obscenity trial—it also brought erotic fiction out of the shadows and into the cultural discourse. For that, we thank it.

This feel-good rom-com combines so many of our favorite tropes—childhood sweethearts, a small town, a second chance, and more. Bonus? It's performed by legends Andi Arndt and Zachary Webber.

A legacy-shattering bigamy scandal kicks off a beloved extended-family Regency series to rival the Bridgertons, voiced by the master of historical romance narration, Rosalyn Landor.

Thandiwe Newton performs the achingly romantic Gothic tale we all had to read in high school. There’s no better way to revisit this Brontë classic.

A depressed heir, his two death-obsessed young charges, and an astronomer-turned-governess make for an unconventional family and one of our all-time favorite romances from Tessa Dare.

The title says it all. Jacob Morgan and Elena Wolf don’t hold back in their performance of this forbidden love that erotic romance fans can’t stop talking about.

Crazy Rich Asians meets Weekend at Bernie’s in this madcap rom-com about an accidental murder that leads to a happily ever after, from prolific talent Jesse Q. Sutanto.

When he was a teenager, Will Sterling fell in love with a voice (we can relate!). And now his uncle’s will has brought him back to the mystery woman he heard all those years ago in this swoony charmer.

This fake-dating delight featuring a scoundrel financier and the daughter of an earl set in New York's Gilded Age has everything we love about Joanna Shupe.

This list wouldn’t be complete without an enemies-to-lovers, Sebastian York-narrated, sexy-boss romance courtesy of Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward.

What starts as a classic sunshine vs. grump romance turns into an unexpected thriller as a glaciologist and a research station worker run for their lives across Antarctica.

Lisa Kleypas (and historical romance fans) can't get enough of the simmering chemistry between Rhys and Helen. And Mary Jane Wells's Welsh accent has us swooning!

Amy Daws’s Harris Brothers series is made even better by duet narration from Will M. Watt and Charlotte Cole. You won’t stop listening until you’ve gotten to know this entire football-mad crew.

This age-gap romance was the first of many hilarious and sexy Jana Aston stories. Performed by Erin Mallon, one of the best rom-com narrators in the business.

Evie Dunmore's remarkable debut introduced us to a fierce group of Oxford-based suffragists and the men who initially stand in their way, until falling to their knees before them.

Two haunted people try to rescue each other from the secrets of their pasts in this racy Regency. Kate Reading makes the chemistry between Lord Vere and Ellisande feel palpable.

Though not published until after his death, this Forster classic imagined a future that likely would have seemed impossible to him in his lifetime: a happily-ever-after for his two leading men in pre-WW1 Britain.

This f/f, asexual romance by Jae hits all the right notes as a burned-out pop star finds love in her hometown. Performed by mega-talent Angela Dawe.

This gender-swap reimagining of Pride and Prejudice (with some Indian-royalty flair) is our favorite from the auto-download pairing of Sonali Dev and Soneela Nankani.

Elena Armas’s smash debut about rival colleagues Catalina and Aaron who enter a fake dating relationship had us ready to board the next flight to Spain.

One of Beverly Jenkins's earliest novels, this epic tale kicked off a slew of rich historical romances that have elevated her to icon status.

Talia Hibbert expertly tackles insecurity and chronic pain while still delivering a laugh-out-loud love story, with heartfelt narration from Adjoa Andoh (of Bridgerton fame).

The stars align in Alexandria Bellefleur's charming queer rom-com debut as Lauren Sweet, one of the best voices in romance, delivers a pitch-perfect performance.

Husband-wife writing team Ilona Andrews starts off a new classic series about a witch running an inn for otherworldly visitors, complete with a good-fun love triangle.

An enchanting story, narrated by the incomparable Jim Dale, that leaves the listener with the feeling that magic must be just around the corner.

A high-stakes and high-concept sci-fi adventure with swoon-worthy language and a Romeo and Juliet twist, beautifully delivered by Cynthia Farrell and Emily Woo Zeller.

Growing up and having crushes is hard. Jenny Han captures the joys and struggles of high school through the singular eyes of Lara Jean and voice of Ali Ahn.

Narrator favorites Saskia Maarleveld and Will Damron's dual narration here is nothing short of perfection in this enchanting time travel love story.

Louise Bay's entire Royals series is amazing, but we especially love Ryder and Scarlet’s transatlantic love story performed by the brilliant duo of Shane East and Saskia Maarleveld.

Winner of the 2022 Romance Audie Award, Kennedy Ryan's cinematic love story features deeply emotional performances from Eboni Flowers, Jakobi Diem, and Nicole Small.

When we talk about perfect author-narrator pairings, Molly Harper and Amanda Ronconi are permanently on the list. They make magic together with Jonathan Davis in the Mystic Bayou series.

KJ Charles shines when it comes to lovable characters and laugh-out-loud banter, masterfully handled here by Cornell Collins. Plus, you always get a great mystery to solve.

What does it take to fall in love? Can love at first sight really be possible? Nicola Yoon and a set of fantastic narrators will make you believe it could be true.

An enchanting story that immerses you in a Japanese fairytale. Perfect for those looking for an effervescent escape, delivered to you by narrator Ali Ahn.

Joining talents, Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed show that if you have the passion, you can make a difference, no matter how old you are, in this moving and quirky YA gem.

Lambda Literary Award winner Kacen Callender delivers a heartfelt journey of self-discovery as a Black trans student finds love through a catfishing revenge scheme gone wrong.

Fall in love with Vermont in this USA Today best-selling series.

The last person Griffin Shipley expects to find stuck in a ditch on his Vermont country road is his ex-hookup. Five years ago, they’d shared a couple of steamy nights together. But that was a lifetime ago.

At 27, Griff is now the accidental patriarch of his family farm. Even his enormous shoulders feel the strain of supporting his mother, three siblings, and a dotty grandfather. He doesn’t have time for the sorority girl who’s shown up expecting to buy his harvest at half price.

Vermont was never in Audrey Kidder’s travel plans. Neither was Griff Shipley. But she needs a second chance with the restaurant conglomerate employing her. Okay—a fifth chance. And no self-righteous lumbersexual farmer will stand in her way.

They’re adversaries. They want entirely different things from life. Too bad their sexual chemistry is as hot as Audrey’s top secret enchilada sauce, and then some.

Warning: This stand-alone novel contains growly alpha farmers, gourmet yumminess, a steamy outdoor shower, and proof that farmers don't mind getting dirty.

We first fell in love with Ashley Poston for her nerderific teen rom-coms, but her debut adult romance stunned us with its heart-squeezing poignancy.

Get lost in an epic three-series crossover from Krista and Becca Ritchie. Erin Mallon takes us on this journey, and with more than 20 love stories, it’s a family saga like no other.

Jasmine Guillory crashed onto the rom-com scene with this charming debut, brought to bold and bubbly life by narrator Janina Edwards.

More than a decade later, this debut still feels fresh with its fiercely feminist heroine—just the type of character we’ve come to expect from Sarah MacLean.

Nicholas Boulton narrates this hilarious and touching LGBTQIA+ Regency about a shy duke who falls for the twin brother of his fiancée from the author of Boyfriend Material.

A summer study program in Taiwan with zero supervision? Emily Woo Zeller narrates the thrilling adventure ahead for overachieving teens who are more than ready to let loose.

Performed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, this coming-of-age tale combines topics of identity, masculinity, and injustice with a story of learning how to love yourself the way you are.

Delilah Green Doesn’t Care isn’t just a sapphic romance filled with tension, flirtation, and steaminess—it’s also a story about healing, growing, and love in all its forms.

Excellently narrated by Jennifer Ikeda, this retelling of Beauty and the Beast delivers action, drama, and faerie politics wrapped in the budding romance between Feyre and Tamlin.

The highly talented team of Julia Whelan and Zachary Webber deliver everything we expect from Abby Jimenez—wit, snark, sweetness, angst, an HEA, and, of course, there’s always a dog.

Stina Nielsen’s narration immerses listeners in a layered, high-stakes adventure with a tale of loneliness, friendship, love, and the power of choice at its center.

From the creator of Heartstopper, this feel-good story shows how romance is a spectrum—following an asexual/aromantic heroine on her search for platonic love.

This slow-burning, steamy, opposites-attract, small-town romance is a perfect listen for fans of Schitt's Creek. Charlotte North's performance perfectly matches all of the emotions in this story.

Karissa Vacker and Andrew Eiden infuse a satisfying sweetness to this dual-POV, opposites-attract-in-forced-proximity rom-com full of lovable characters, small-town busybodies, and undeniable chemistry.

Jennifer Ikeda's memorable narration takes us on a magical journey through this forbidden romance filled with a mix of history, science, secrets, and enchanted love.

This funny, honest, and empowering exploration of angst, love, and sexuality is told through the alternating voices of two teens, performed by Kirby Heyborne and Julia Whelan.

Jenna Lamia and David Ledoux take turns narrating this engrossing, rapturous, and bittersweet tale of romance between Grace and her wolf boyfriend, Sam.

The Winston Brothers series, about six handsome brothers living in the Smoky Mountains, kicks off with identical twins Beau and Duane—and the lovely lady caught in this love triangle.

This girl-next-door loves boy-next-door romance is one of our favorites from L.J. Shen, a spellbinding story of why you sometimes need to grow apart before you grow together.

An enemies-to-lovers story set in the Alaskan wild offers a sweet escape, and Rebekkah Ross's lively performance makes you feel like you're really there.

Sally Thorne burst onto the romance scene with a hilarious rivals-to-lovers workplace comedy that feels as fresh and charming today as it did in the days of actual office politics.

On the surface, Cake may seem like the typical rock-star romance, but the sexy banter between Andi Arndt and Joe Arden make it an absolutely essential listen.

This essential urban fantasy series is more than a romance. Lorelei King transports us into a world saturated with fae, vampires, witches—and lots of sarcasm and humor.

It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say Twilight sparked a whole new generation of romance fans. Ilyana Kadushin's seductive narration satisfies our thirst for supernatural love.

Thérèse Plummer’s narration brings to life the first listen of this hit series and the quirky cast of supporting characters that make its titular small town so charming.

A quick-witted beauty goes toe-to toe with a dastardly marquess in this simmering period romance, perfectly narrated in Kate Reading’s posh tones. Yes, please.

As this CoHo romance thriller twists and turns, you wonder who’s telling the truth, and Vanessa Johansson and Amy Landon’s narration makes the journey to find out unpauseable.

If you like your enemies-to-lovers stories with a shot of science, look no further. This writing duo always knows how to bring the chemistry, and to add to the delight, Patti Murin narrates.

Richard Armitage’s sexy accent steals the show in this impossible-to-resist romance about a career-driven American in Paris falling for her charming translator.

A listen that blends Nora Roberts’s romantic expertise with elements of investigative crime for a fast-paced, heart-racing story set in a small Alaskan town.

Written and performed by Julia Whelan, Thank You for Listening is a witty, fun rom-com that embraces fans and skeptics of the romance genre alike.

Four narrators delightfully portray four totally unique and quirky characters on a road trip to Scotland where sparks—and hilarity—ensue in this sweet romantic tale from Jojo Moyes.

This welcome, fresh spin on royal romance brings an African prince together with a smart, practical science student in a surprising fairytales-do-come-true romp performed by Karen Chilton.

A renowned writer runs away from an obsessed fan only to run smack dab into a missing-person case—and the arms of a sexy new neighbor. Hillary Huber's narration keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Rosalyn Landor’s emotive narration is a perfect match for this story about a wallflower with a hidden, scandalous past and the politically radical duke who falls for her.

Andi Arndt portrays a hunted woman who tries to piece her life together—with the help of a sexy ex—after an attack leaves her with amnesia in this captivating second-chance romance thriller.

In this swoon-worthy bestseller-turned-smash TV hit, narrator Davina Porter brings pitch-perfect accents to every delicious time-traveling moment of Diana Gabaldon's epic love story.

For fans of Bridgerton, Book 2 in the series is a must-listen. You'll fall in love all over again hearing Rosalyn Landor give voice to Anthony and Kate's unexpected love story.

Christian Coulson slays as narrator of this 18th-century LGBTQIA+ coming-of-age romance adventure that dips into some light piracy, European history, medicine, and more.

A perfect marriage of YA and romance, this charming debut from Sandhya Menon is a full-on immersive listen. You fall in love with these characters as they fall in love with each other.

Originally published in 1855, North and South is perfect for fans of Pride and Prejudice who don’t mind a little more grit. Juliet Stevenson adds depth to the story, with her penchant for dialects.

Tia Williams delivers a delicious plot, compelling characters, and steamy sex scenes in this second-chance romance about high school sweethearts reunited in adulthood.

This inclusive and sex-positive listen about a neurodivergent woman who hires an escort to learn about love is authentic and raw but delivers the warm fuzzies as well.

This sweet Audible Original is a love story between two people, but it’s also a love story about Minnesota, small-town living, romance novels, and the joys of audio.

Cara Bastone's laugh-out-loud rom-com about a romance that sparks from a customer service call is cleverly told through phone conversations, text messages, and online chats.

Thanks to Callie Dalton and Teddy Hamilton’s warm narration, everything about Olive and Adam feels vivid and real in Ali Hazelwood’s love story that shines a light on being a woman in the STEM world.

Jakobi Diem and Adenrele Ojo bring all the sexy to Alexandria House’s steamy romance between a buttoned-up professor and a retired football player set at an HBCU.

We're jealous we didn't think of a bromance book club first. Andrew Eiden and Maxwell Caulfied do a brilliant job of bringing the irony of the premise to life with their performances.

Tracy Wolff and Avery Flynn, along with narrator Sophie Amoss, unite to give us an unexpected love story with a heroine we can all relate to when we're down on our luck.

A runaway bride starts over in a new town aided by the resident bad boy and his adorable basset hound in this sexy opposites-attract love story, performed by dreamy duo Lila Winters and Sebastian York.

Dan O’Grady’s Aussie accent puts you in the story with Dan and Rosie as they uncover the mysteries of themselves and each other in this neuro-diverse romance.

Jim Frangione's velvety voice sucks you in (pun intended) to this first installment of J.R. Ward's quintessential vampire series about a passion-fueled race against time.

The always elegant January LaVoy voices the audiobook reissue of this debut romance from Selena Montgomery, a.k.a. Stacey Abrams, about a brilliant undercover agent and her smoking-hot colleague.

With sizzling dual narration, Helena Hunting's cat-and-mouse game between two headstrong and hilarious lovers showcases a softer (sexier) side of professional hockey.

Nigerian author Akwaeke Emezi's first romance novel charts a widow's journey of self-discovery that finds her falling in love with the person she least expects, powerfully narrated by Bahni Turpin.

After taking the romance listening community by storm with his signature baritone, fan-favorite narrator Joe Arden impresses with his debut novel—self-narrated, of course.

With a BIPOC main character from Santo Domingo, Adriana Herrera's culturally-diverse historical romance is incredibly refreshing in a genre dominated by all-white casts.

You've certainly heard of it, and may have seen the movie, but Becca Battoe's performance of this erotic worldwide sensation is not to be missed.

This paranormal reimagining of Romeo and Juliet dives into the tension that exists in a society where two races with completely opposing worldviews live—and love—together.