Best Romance Books for Beginners

1. 1

   

   One Last Rainy Day: The Legacy of a Prince

   Ravenhood Legacy • Book 1

   by Kate Stewart

   ★ 4.81 BLT Score (55.7K ratings)

   ★ 4.53 Goodreads (55.7K)

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   Get the Book → Start Listening →
2. 2

   

   The Last Letter

   by Rebecca Yarros

   ★ 4.78 BLT Score (538.1K ratings)

   ★ 4.49 Goodreads (538.1K)

   426 pages • 2019

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   Get the Book → Start Listening →
3. 3

   

   It Ends with Us

   It Ends with Us • Book 1

   by Colleen Hoover

   ★ 4.65 BLT Score (4.7M ratings)

   ★ 4.08 Goodreads (4.7M)

   373 pages • 2016

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   Get the Book → Start Listening →
4. 4

   

   The Things We Leave Unfinished

   by Rebecca Yarros

   ★ 4.64 BLT Score (459.3K ratings)

   ★ 4.31 Goodreads (459.3K)

   400 pages • 2021

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   Get the Book → Start Listening →
5. 5

   

   Me Before You

   Me Before You • Book 1

   by Jojo Moyes

   ★ 4.62 BLT Score (1.8M ratings)

   ★ 4.26 Goodreads (1.8M)

   369 pages • 2012

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   Get the Book → Start Listening →
6. 6

   

   November 9

   by Colleen Hoover

   ★ 4.60 BLT Score (1.3M ratings)

   ★ 4.1 Goodreads (1.3M)

   310 pages • 2015

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   Get the Book → Start Listening →
7. 7

   

   The Awakening

   The Dragon Heart Legacy • Book 1

   by Nora Roberts

   ★ 4.59 BLT Score (73.7K ratings)

   ★ 4.17 Goodreads (73.7K)

   435 pages • 2020

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   Get the Book → Start Listening →
8. 8

   

   Funny Story

   by Emily Henry

   ★ 4.57 BLT Score (1.3M ratings)

   ★ 4.19 Goodreads (1.3M)

   395 pages • 2024

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   Get the Book → Start Listening →
9. 9

   

   Across the Vanishing Sky

   Starlight Grove • Book 1

   by Catherine Cowles

   ★ 4.57 BLT Score (10.3K ratings)

   ★ 4.54 Goodreads (10.3K)

   432 pages • 2026

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   Get the Book → Start Listening →
10. 10

    

    Bad Bishop

    Society of Villains • Book 1

    by L.J. Shen

    ★ 4.54 BLT Score (53.8K ratings)

    ★ 4.24 Goodreads (53.8K)

    448 pages • 2025

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    Get the Book → Start Listening →
11. 11

    

    Call Me

    Call Me By Your Name • Book 1

    by André Aciman

    ★ 4.53 BLT Score (604.6K ratings)

    ★ 4.1 Goodreads (604.6K)

    248 pages • 2007

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    Get the Book → Start Listening →
12. 12

    

    The Unfinished Line

    by Jen Lyon

    ★ 4.51 BLT Score (2.6K ratings)

    ★ 4.59 Goodreads (2.6K)

    422 pages • 2024

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    Get the Book → Start Listening →
13. 13

    

    Red, White & Royal Blue

    by Casey McQuiston

    ★ 4.51 BLT Score (1.2M ratings)

    ★ 4.05 Goodreads (1.2M)

    443 pages • 2019

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    Get the Book → Start Listening →
14. 14

    

    Every Summer After

    Barry’s Bay • Book 1

    by Carley Fortune

    ★ 4.51 BLT Score (884.1K ratings)

    ★ 4.17 Goodreads (884.1K)

    320 pages • 2022

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    Get the Book → Start Listening →
15. 15

    

    Flock

    The Ravenhood • Book 1

    by Kate Stewart

    ★ 4.50 BLT Score (293.2K ratings)

    ★ 4.09 Goodreads (293.2K)

    354 pages • 2020

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    Get the Book → Start Listening →
16. 16

    

    Wait for It

    by Mariana Zapata

    ★ 4.49 BLT Score (115.9K ratings)

    ★ 4.28 Goodreads (115.9K)

    418 pages • 2016

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    Get the Book → Start Listening →
17. 17

    

    Persuasion

    by Jane Austen, Deidre Shauna Lynch, James Kinsley

    ★ 4.49 BLT Score (786.9K ratings)

    ★ 4.15 Goodreads (786.9K)

    249 pages • 1817

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    Get the Book → Start Listening →
18. 18

    

    Gold

    by E.J. Noyes

    ★ 4.48 BLT Score (3.4K ratings)

    ★ 4.34 Goodreads (3.4K)

    283 pages • 2018

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    Get the Book → Start Listening →
19. 19

    

    Confess

    by Colleen Hoover

    ★ 4.48 BLT Score (619.8K ratings)

    ★ 4.06 Goodreads (619.8K)

    320 pages • 2015

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    Get the Book → Start Listening →
20. 20

    

    Book Lovers

    by Emily Henry

    ★ 4.47 BLT Score (1.6M ratings)

    ★ 4.09 Goodreads (1.6M)

    377 pages • 2022

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    Get the Book → Start Listening →
21. 21

    

    The Headmistress

    The Headmistress • Book 1

    by Milena McKay

    ★ 4.46 BLT Score (4.8K ratings)

    ★ 4.4 Goodreads (4.8K)

    280 pages • 2021

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    Get the Book → Start Listening →
22. 22

    

    Dear Reader

    Devil's Backbone • Book 1

    by Tate James

    ★ 4.46 BLT Score (31.2K ratings)

    ★ 4.3 Goodreads (31.2K)

    368 pages • 2025

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    Get the Book → Start Listening →
23. 23

    

    From Lukov with Love

    by Mariana Zapata

    ★ 4.46 BLT Score (289.3K ratings)

    ★ 4.18 Goodreads (289.3K)

    493 pages • 2018

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    Get the Book → Start Listening →
24. 24

    

    The Plight Before Christmas

    Holiday Hijinx Series • Book 1

    by Kate Stewart

    ★ 4.46 BLT Score (63.5K ratings)

    ★ 4.18 Goodreads (63.5K)

    374 pages • 2021

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    Get the Book → Start Listening →
25. 25

    

    Ugly Love

    by Colleen Hoover

    ★ 4.46 BLT Score (2.3M ratings)

    ★ 3.99 Goodreads (2.3M)

    330 pages • 2014

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    Get the Book → Start Listening →

Found your lane? Romance readers tend to go deep into subgenres — once you know whether you lean contemporary, historical, or fantasy romance, the recommendations get even better.