20 Best Romance Audiobooks to Lose Yourself In

There’s hardly a genre better suited for audio than romance. Whether it’s an innocent story of first love, a wonderfully torturous slow burn, or a whirlwind, passionate affair, listening to narrators at the top of their game carefully unspool the threads of a love story is our favorite way to consume these enchanting stories. In this list, you’ll find tropes of every kind, diverse and distinct characters, and remarkable, innovation audio recording and performances. Here are the 20 best romance audiobooks in our catalog.

Outlander

Outlander, Book 1

By: Diana Gabaldon

Narrated by: Davina Porter

Series: Outlander, Book 1

Length: 32 hrs and 38 mins

Release date: 07-13-06

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 60,622 ratings

A runaway best seller turned smash TV hit, Outlander features both time travel and an alluring historical romance set in medieval Scotland and 1940s England. While fans may argue that Outlander is not a true romance because it incorporates so many elements of other genres (historical fiction, adventure, drama, and more!), it’s exactly these diverse story elements that make it feel so immersive. In this swoon-worthy adventure, Hall of Fame Narrator Davina Porter’s pitch-perfect accents bring characters from different time zones and countries to life. She switches between English and Scottish accents with ease and introduces and maintains distinct character voices for the entirety of the audiobook, making the listening experience entirely irresistible.
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Bared to You

A Crossfire Novel, Book 1

By: Sylvia Day

Narrated by: Jill Redfield

Series: Crossfire, Book 1

Length: 11 hrs and 32 mins

Release date: 06-22-12

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 10,700 ratings

In Bared to You, you’ll be introduced to Eva and Gideon—both successful financially and a bit of a mess personally—and things get intense right from the start. As the pair grapples with their overwhelming chemistry, they also struggle to cope with their own dark pasts, slowly realizing it may be possible to learn to trust again. One of the best parts of a great romance is its all-encompassing, can’t-stop-listening nature, and Bared to You definitely channels that quality. Narrator Jill Redfield brings a thrilling edge to this book through her expert narration; at times, the story grows so intense it feels like half romance and half psychological drama, leaving listeners blushing and breathless.
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Pride and Prejudice

By: Jane Austen

Narrated by: Rosamund Pike

Series: Audible's Jane Austen

Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins

Release date: 12-08-15

Language: English

5 out of 5 stars 15,528 ratings

Potentially the most well known and universally loved romance of all time, Pride and Prejudice brought us the timeless love story of bright, enchanting Elizabeth Bennett; surly, brooding Mr. Darcy; and the endlessly entertaining cast of characters around them. Academy Award nominee Rosamund Pike—who first played Jane Bennett in the 2005 film adaptation and now performs the audiobook—clearly loves the story as much as listeners do. As those familiar with Austen know, a performance of her work is incomplete without a narrator who can highlight the subtle, nuanced humor that shines through in her prose. Thankfully, Pike does exactly that, and her narrative style wonderfully conveys the satirical side of both Bennett's story and of the sometimes silly nature of romance. It’s truly a novel that holds up listen after listen.
The Duchess Deal

Girl Meets Duke

By: Tessa Dare

Narrated by: Mary Jane Wells

Series: Girl Meets Duke, Book 1

Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins

Release date: 08-22-17

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 1,790 ratings

Romance fans will be familiar with the trope that begins this audiobook. The Duke of Ashbury needs an heir, which means a wife is necessary. Enter Emma Gladstone, and there you have it: a marriage of convenience. What follows is an impeccably written tale filled with real, heartfelt emotion, a dash of humor, and yes, plenty of steamy moments. The Duke begins their arrangement with lots of rules to maintain emotional distance (no questions about his battle scars, for a start), but Emma comes prepared with rules of her own (dinner every evening, with conversation, whether the Duke likes it or not) and it doesn’t take long for the romance to begin. Tessa Dare is one of the current reigning queens of the romance genre, and she’s well-matched with performer Mary Jane Wells, whose characterizations of the two protagonists fill this story with the humor, tension, and tenderness it deserves.
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Burn for Me

By: J.H. Croix

Narrated by: Muffy Newtown, Aiden Snow

Series: Into the Fire, Book 1

Length: 6 hrs and 22 mins

Release date: 08-14-18

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 294 ratings

With Burn for Me, New York Times best selling author Ilona Andrews launches a brand new series called Hidden Legacy, which blends noir, fantasy, and love in its daring debut.The story follows detective Nevada Baylor on a mission to bring in fugitive Prime—the most dangerous type of magician there is. As though that wasn’t a challenge enough, she’s then kidnapped by the equally powerful (and tantalizingly attractive) Connor Mad Rogan...who happens to be after the same dangerous target. As these reluctant partners embark on their mission, they encounter a cast of colorfully diverse characters that narrator Renee Raudman plays with dynamic voices and distinct personalities, making this story even easier to get lost in.
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Pucked

By: Helena Hunting

Narrated by: John Mclaren, Muffy Newtown

Series: Pucked, Book 1

Length: 10 hrs and 16 mins

Release date: 02-23-16

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 3,368 ratings

When Violet Hall meets Alex Waters, professional player (of both hockey and women), she’s pretty sure she knows what she’s gotten herself into. That’s why she allows herself to enjoy what she thinks will be a one-night stand and prepares to write Alex off just like the rest. But when he turns out to be smarter, quicker, and more interested than she anticipated, Violet unexpectedly finds herself trying to resist falling for him—and falling into the whirlwind of his player lifestyle, where she knows she’s likely to get hurt. As though the insane romantic tension between Violet and Alex wasn’t enough, Pucked is narrated via alternating performances between Nathan Everett and Muffy Newtown, who perfectly capture the pair’s banter, miscommunications, and mutual attraction in a way that will leave you with butterflies.
Roomies

By: Christina Lauren

Narrated by: K. C. Sheridan

Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins

Release date: 12-05-17

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 1,371 ratings

In this modern twist on the marriage of convenience trope, Holland Baker, a 25-year-old New Yorker, weds veritable stranger and Irish immigrant Calvin McLoughlin. Her motivation? To save her uncle’s Broadway show and pay Calvin back for rescuing her from a subway attack. The big-city setting and chemistry between the characters adds a zing to this sweet story, but the true highlight is narrator K.C. Sheridan’s easy delivery and Irish accent, which lends authenticity to Calvin’s character. Adored by listeners worldwide, the gentle, tender love that grows from these unconventional roots will touch your heart in a lasting way.
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Wanderlust

By: Lauren Blakely

Narrated by: Richard Armitage, Grace Grant

Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins

Release date: 02-06-18

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 3,944 ratings

Wanderlust is a dual-narration romance rich with chemistry, tension, and sexy accents, all from the mind of Lauren Blakely, one of the most beloved names in romance. Grace Grant plays the enthusiastic, career-driven American in Paris, but it’s the charming tenor of British actor Richard Armitage who steals the show as her translator, Griffin (especially as he switches easily from English to French—swoon!). Joy begins her trip determined to keep things professional; afterall, with this being Griffin’s last assignment before he takes off to travel the world, both expats know now isn’t the time to be making new commitments. But within just a few conversations, it’s only too obvious just how natural the pair’s chemistry is. Complete with a setting in the most romantic city in the world, this love story is all but impossible to resist.
Evvie Drake Starts Over

A Novel

By: Linda Holmes

Narrated by: Julia Whelan, Linda Holmes

Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins

Release date: 06-25-19

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 3,560 ratings

Best known for hosting NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast, Linda Holmes has turned her considerable storytelling talents to the romance genre in Evvie Drake Starts Over. Julia Wheelan narrates Holmes’s words with a steady, thoughtful tone that complements the way the story gracefully handles the two main characters’ different, intensely personal tragedies that become the bond that brings them together. Listeners arrive in the story’s coastal Maine setting alongside Dean, a struggling MLB pitcher whose crippling anxiety has forced him to take a hiatus from his career and the media whirlwind back in New York. When he moves into the apartment at the back of recently widowed Evvie’s property, the two form a friendship that quickly blossoms into something more.
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Stuck-Up Suit

By: Vi Keeland, Penelope Ward

Narrated by: Joe Arden, Maxine Mitchell

Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins

Release date: 04-11-16

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 6,064 ratings

In Stuck-Up Suit, dual authors Keeland and Ward flesh out a daydream that most listeners can identify with—the one in which we see a good-looking stranger on the train and imagine introducing ourselves, flirting, and starting an epic romance. At first, Soraya hates everything about the loud, rude, arrogant man across from her on the train (except his looks, of course). But when he drops his phone, Soraya picks it up on a whim and drops it off at his office—though not before leaving a steamy little photo on it to remember her by. She never expects him to respond, but when he does, it doesn’t take long for things to start heating up. This listen is pure fun and seductive storytelling; the two narrators expertly heighten the chemistry between the leads, increasing the romantic tension at a tantalizing pace that leaves the listener feeling breathless.
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Black Sheep

By: Meghan March

Narrated by: Andi Arndt, Sebastian York

Series: The Dirty Mafia Duet, Book 1

Length: 6 hrs and 28 mins

Release date: 07-02-19

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 2,985 ratings

Cannon Freeman becomes the black sheep in his infamous criminal family when he shifts his loyalty from his family to the love of his life, Drew Carson. This fast-paced crime-romance starts off with a daring set of audiobooks in which Cannon and Drew defend their love—and their lives—from the notorious Cassos. The world March has built is just as captivating as the leading couple’s electric chemistry. The back-and-forth performance by Hall of Fame Narrator Andi Arndt and fan-favorite Sebastian York is not only irresistibly sexy, but also perfectly captures the drama, intrigue, and danger of the Mafia world.
One Day in December

A Novel

By: Josie Silver

Narrated by: Eleanor Tomlinson, Charlie Anson

Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins

Release date: 10-16-18

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 11,532 ratings

Keep your tissues nearby for this one, as it’s a full-on, lifelong love story that follows Laurie and Jack from their first almost-meeting through a decade of heartbreak, hope, and love. Narrators Eleanor Tomlinson and Charlie Anson are ceaselessly charming, and their sweet performance is definitely likely to elicit some warm, fuzzy feelings in listeners. A selection in Reese Witherspoon’s much-adored book club, One Day in December is a story of missed connections and fated coincidences that’s at turns utterly devastating, hilarious, and heartwarming. It’s easy to feel like you’re listening to an additional storyline from Love Actually with this title, all the wonderful Christmas cheer included.
Red, White & Royal Blue

A Novel

By: Casey McQuiston

Narrated by: Ramon de Ocampo

Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins

Release date: 05-14-19

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 2,421 ratings

This is a love story that spans the Atlantic—on one side, listeners have Alex, First Son of the first female President of the United States, and on the other, Henry, the Prince of Wales, youngest grandson to the Queen of England. We never wanted to leave the world lovingly constructed by author Casey McQuiston, and we’re not sure we’ll ever be ready to let go of Alex and Henry’s sweet, sexy, enthralling love story. Superb narrator Ramon de Ocampo not only lends a unique voice to each character, but also guides listeners through intense depths of emotion. As Alex and Henry tackle some of their lives’ toughest issues—divorce, depression, coming out, and their relationship with fame, to name a few—Ocampo reads the third-person point of view almost as a loving caretaker, making us feel as in love with the couple as they are with each other.
Fifty Shades of Grey

Book One of the Fifty Shades Trilogy

By: E. L. James

Narrated by: Becca Battoe

Series: Fifty Shades Trilogy, Book 1

Length: 19 hrs and 48 mins

Release date: 04-03-12

Language: English

4 out of 5 stars 33,656 ratings

Fan favorite, best seller, listened to by millions—you’ve certainly heard of it, and if you haven’t already, consider this your invitation to dive into the worldwide sensation that is Fifty Shades of Grey. The young, mild-mannered Anastasia Steele is a literature graduate and now reporter, which is evident in the way the character articulately describes her experiences with the mysterious Christian Grey. Becca Battoe is a perfect choice to play the naive ingenue being led out of her comfort zone and into the sexual unknown, crafting a genuine performance that makes Steele and Grey—as well as the exploits they share—feel all the more real.
Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs

Half-Moon Hollow, Book 1

By: Molly Harper

Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi

Series: Half-Moon Hollow, Book 1

Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins

Release date: 02-19-10

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 9,985 ratings

Paranormal romance superstar Molly Harper turns the good-girl-gone-bad trope on its head in this unexpectedly funny vampire romance book. Jane Jameson, who’s been nothing short of an angel her whole life, finally gets fed up one day after being fired disrespectfully. She goes out drinking to blow off some steam, and the next thing she knows, she’s woken up as a vampire. Hearing the protagonist figure out her new life and her new, very inconvenient thirst for blood is laugh-out-loud funny thanks to narrator Amanda Ronconi’s perfect delivery of the wry, witty writing. Throw in a love story and a murder-framing plot that add more layers of comical complication to Jane’s life, and you have the recipe for a truly refreshing take on the vampire romance.
Northern Lights

By: Nora Roberts

Narrated by: Gary Littman

Length: 15 hrs and 5 mins

Release date: 06-10-08

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 4,187 ratings

There are few names as widely recognizable in both the romance and mystery genres as the prolific Nora Roberts. With Northern Lights, she blends her romantic expertise with elements of investigative crime for a fast-paced, heart-racing story. Set in the beautiful small town of Lunacy, Alaska, the story brings together two fiercely independent spirits: Nate Burke, a hardened chief of police running from his past, and the private, capable Meg Galloway, who prefers the company of her huskies over that of men. But an unexpected New Year’s kiss seems poised to change everything—until Nate uncovers evidence that a long-lost killer may actually still be in their midst.
The Hating Game

A Novel

By: Sally Thorne

Narrated by: Katie Schorr

Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins

Release date: 08-09-16

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 4,588 ratings

There are few romance tropes better known (or better loved!) than the tension of enemies slowly becoming friends. Sally Thorne takes this favorite trope to the workplace and introduces us to Lucy and Joshua, two ambitious individuals stuck together in a corner office who are vying for the same promotion. They’re constantly trying to one-up each other, and when their games go too far, they’re both left to wonder if that burning they feel for the other person is hate—or something else entirely. The Hating Game is a slow burn of a tale that narrator Katie Schorr voices with mischief and humor. If a classic and clever will-they-or-won’t-they romance is right up your alley, this is the listen for you.
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A Princess in Theory

By: Alyssa Cole

Narrated by: Karen Chilton

Series: Reluctant Royals, Book 1

Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins

Release date: 04-12-18

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 630 ratings

Naledi Smith keeps getting emails from an African prince claiming to be her betrothed. Like any sane person (and especially like the smart, practical grad student she is), Naledi thinks they’re spam and sends them to the trash immediately. But when it turns out that they aren’t, she finds she’s in for quite the unexpected royal adventure. Fresh and whip-smart, author Alyssa Cole’s razor-sharp wit keeps their burgeoning relationship sexy and fun. Masterfully performed by Karen Chilton, who captures the essence of both the regal Prince Thabiso and skeptical Naledi, this audiobook provides a much-needed refresh to the overwhelming Eurocentric sameness of royal romances.
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The Kiss Quotient

A Novel

By: Helen Hoang

Narrated by: Carly Robins

Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins

Release date: 06-05-18

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 6,573 ratings

Stella Lane values logic and math above all else, a temperment only further reinforced by her Asperger’s syndrome. Nonetheless, she’s decided that as a highly successful 30 year old, the only thing she has left to learn are lessons in the love department. She does what anyone looking for expert advice and guidance would do, and hires a professional: escort Michael Phan. What follows is a charming and utterly unique romance as Stella applies her characteristically logical approach to the task of learning, one by one, everything there is to know about love and sex. Narrator Carly Robins has the difficult task of making love scenes sound clinical and sexy at the same time; she manages it so flawlessly that by the time Stella starts to realize she’s developed feelings for her unconventional tutor, it’s likely that listeners are feeling it too.
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Broken Knight

By: L. J. Shen

Narrated by: Savannah Peachwood, Jacob Morgan, C. J. Bloom, Christian Rummel

Series: All Saints High, Book 2

Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins

Release date: 08-20-19

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 2,081 ratings

This girl-next-door loves boy-next-door story isn’t like most we’ve heard before. Broken Knight carries all the sweetness of childhood love between neighbors Luna and Knight, who grew apart as they grew into different cliques, but kept their love for each other. But it also addresses a weighty plotline filled with tragedy and angst—and the couple at the center is more authentic, emotionally raw, and compelling for it. Unique among titles we’ve chosen for this list is the large cast of narrators who perform this audiobook; in fact, each character is narrated by a different performer. The full cast works perfectly to underline the central couple’s struggle to find each other in the suffocatingly opinionated confines of their small town.

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