in the mood for love

 

BookBub, a free online book discovery website, asked it’s readers:  what’s the most romantic book you’ve ever read?  Here’s what they said!

 

Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Casey says: “I read Red, White & Royal Blue lately and found it lovely! The characters just felt really authentic and the relationship really genuine. I felt like I’d been wrapped up in a warm hug!”

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Kathi says: “The love that develops between Jamie and Claire is truly pure. There was attraction from the start, but the wedding night? Pure love! 💕”

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

Hannah says: “This book doesn’t start with romance. It starts with cold and winter and fear. But then an unfeeling god warms, a struggling soul frees itself, and together, they find love over the three books. Stellar.”

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Heidi says: “They are each (relatively) normal people who don’t really believe they are worthy of being loved but have an emotional connection, which draws them together. They are facing dire circumstances that heighten the angst, which helps to up the romance factor.”

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

Beth says: “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford is one of the most heartbreakingly romantic books. Henry and Keiko are torn apart during WWII [and] as Japanese Americans were placed in internment camps. Henry saves Keiko’s family photo albums and, though he marries and has children of his own, still holds out love for her. It’s a beautiful depiction of how circumstances and time don’t always change love.”

The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali

Margaret says: “This book is rich with the culture of Iran, the immigrant experience in America, and the sorrow of love lost, then found. Beyond that, for me it explored the reality that love and romance are not neat and tidy. That unforeseen trauma, grief, and just the struggle of life may crush our hopes and dreams of a future together, but do not diminish love.”

Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright

Amber says: “This was a story of love that resonated so personally to me. It tells of a love that went beyond the romance of a husband and wife, but explored the love between siblings, as well as between parents and children. Whenever I’m asked [for] my recommendation, this story is at the top of my list, with a side order of tissues.”

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Lana says: “It was a beautiful love story about redemption and grace.”

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Hannah says: “They’re in a fight to the death, but they’d rather sacrifice themselves than the other. So beautiful and heartbreaking!”

Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Charles Sheffield

Trevor says: “Great love and sacrifice set in a science fiction background.”

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

Jane says: “Showing the love through the years. In good and bad times, in sickness and in health.”

Don’t Die, My Love by Lurlene McDaniel

Marnie Elizabeth says: “It’s a book from my teen years, but I reread it every few years. Pure high school love can be so powerful.”

Saving Grace by Julie Garwood

Cydni says: “You laugh and you cry. All of her historical romance books are incredible.”

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

Carole says: “My heart. This is the sweetest coming of age story. We get to watch Felix, this talented, sensitive, smart Black kid as he navigates all different aspects of his identity, including his gender, his relationship with his father, and the agony and hope of first love. One of the most special parts of this book is how it it defies expectations. It kept me surprising me to the very end. Loved it.”

Mrs. Mike by Benedict and Nancy Freedman

Mary says: “Years ago, I loved Mrs. Mike. It was a fun escape read about a Canadian Mountie.”

The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker

Kaitlyn says: “I really enjoyed the relationship between the main characters, Ahmad and Chava, in The Golem and the Jinni. They’re not a traditional romance by any means, but they’re definitely each other’s ‘person’ and bring out the better parts of one another. I’m interested to see how their relationship develops in the sequel!’

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

Lindsay says: “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe was a very sweet and healthy slow burn that felt very realistic and relatable. It’s so nice to read a well-done LGBT book that ends on a positive and hopeful note.”

Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D.H. Lawrence

Marcia says: “Their emotions were so real, and she never let Mellors think he was beneath her class.”

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

Maria says: “I loved, loved, loved this book. It was sexy and steamy, heartwarming and beautiful. I devoured the book in less than 24 hours.

An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole

Rihaneh says: “Ms. Cole delivered an extraordinary story that will stay with me for a long time... Both characters’ personal journey and their understanding of their world grow with each challenge they faced... [It] is about the love story of two people not allowed to be free to love each other by either race, territory, or time. ”

The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans

Dana says: “I really enjoyed The Horse Whisperer. When the plot *has* romance, but the romance isn’t THE thing, I am so much more interested in it.”

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

Seabrooke says: “This is a graphic novel, but it’s a perfect feel-good romance. I love how sweet the relationship is and that the characters aren’t afraid to be themselves.”

All the Truth That’s in Me by Julie Berry

Sarah says: “At its core is the story of Judith’s yearning for the boy she once hoped might love her and now fears she has lost forever. Berry’s writing is wonderful; she does not shy away from the harsh realities of Judith’s plight, and Judith is a character who I fell in love with instantly and wanted good things for. It’s a wonderful read. Much recommended.”