25 Romance Novels for People Who Don’t Like Romance Novels

This is the place I all the time begin out with non-romance readers. Some would possibly say this isn’t technically a Capital-R Romance as a result of the principle character doesn’t meet her closing love curiosity till nearly midway via the e book, however every part about it screams romance. The major character, Feyi, is coping with an prolonged interval of grief after the lack of a associate and is managing it the one approach she will: numerous sexual companions and no emotional attachment. When a “friend” (her phrase, not his) invitations her to the islands for an prolonged go to, it’s there she meets a person she will’t cease desirous about. Do you want mess? This is the mess for you, written in Emezi’s enrapturing writing type.

Emily Henry might be a kind of authors whose books you’ve seen in Target and airports, or on tables on the entrance of Barnes & Noble. Her first grownup romance, Beach Read, was a runaway hit, drawing in readers of every type. But in my view, that is her greatest work. Starring two New York Book People who discover themselves in the identical small city, Book Lovers is a love letter to books, writing, bookstores, readers, and, properly, e book lovers. (Also, if you happen to like audiobooks, Julia Whelan’s narration is high notch.)

If your grievance about sports activities romance is the truth that the creator is aware of nothing about sports activities, let me introduce you to KD Casey, whose information of the sport is lovingly scripted into each catcher’s mitt and easter egg on this e book, and all the remainder. I’ve referred to this e book as “the baseballiest of all baseball books” and I stand by that assertion. It additionally includes a major character who’s dealing in solitude with horrible anxiousness, and far of the story has as a lot to do with how he works via that as how he finds his approach again to the romantic relationship at its middle. 

Some persons are postpone by modern romance as a result of each different particular person is a billionaire and no person is coping with precise real-life crises. Well, Thirsty is the answer. Both of the principle characters — considered one of whom is doing comparatively properly for herself however not properly sufficient, the opposite of whom has solely not too long ago gotten out of jail and has excessive monetary anxiousness — really feel like actual individuals coping with actual issues, however that doesn’t imply they don’t have time to fall in love. And the opposite two books on this collection, Trashed and Tanked, don’t maintain again from exploring how regular individuals with excessive setbacks would possibly be capable of come out on the opposite aspect. 

Some individuals don’t wish to learn romance as a result of they don’t wish to be shocked by intercourse. There are a whole lot of selections a reader could make to make sure they’re studying closed door or non-explicit romance, and a kind of is to select up a romance centering a personality who’s asexual. (Bear in thoughts, an asexual character doesn’t all the time imply the e book has no intercourse, however on this case, it does.) Joy is head over heels in love along with her BFF, however can’t deliver herself to confess it. When he invitations her out to a lake home for an extended weekend, she thinks it’s lastly time — till he reveals that it’s to satisfy the brand new girl he’s courting, and to maintain her good friend busy. Cue shenanigans. 

In addition to everybody being a billionaire, it looks as if everyone seems to be within the utmost state of good well being. So how a few romance during which the principle character begins her personal rest room paper firm as a result of the stuff that was on the market simply wasn’t working for her points with a persistent digestive sickness. (The creator has Crohn’s, however I don’t bear in mind a selected sickness being named within the e book.) The incontrovertible fact that she has to enter enterprise along with her ex-boyfriend they usually should all cope with that fallout is only a bonus. 

An audiobook narrator who wrote a romance novel about audiobook narrators and narrates it? You need this.

I learn the unique version of this e book a number of years in the past and to at the present time my overview is solely: “I’m crying. Why am I crying?” There are some books I’d attempt to reel you in with subjects and hooks and “not like other girls books” however this one? It’s simply that spectacularly written. It doesn’t matter that it’s trope-filled goodness, the right actuality present story for any romance reader to like. It’s simply…that good.

Maybe you don’t learn romance as a result of there isn’t sufficient horror? Here, have a haunting. 

Whitney and her sister inherited a haunted B&B, they usually’ve reached their final resort: calling within the Ghost Punters. But that actuality present is something however actual, which doesn’t prove so properly when it seems their ghost is. And a person from Whitney’s previous is right here to movie all of it. 

Speaking of ghosts. This Victorian-era historic romance additionally features a haunting, and there are undoubtedly some horrifying moments. But alongside the components you undoubtedly wish to learn with the lights on, you get to expertise the sluggish romance of Alva, the titular widow, and Sebastian, the lovable genius who desires to satisfy her ghost. 

One factor that units this romance apart from so many others is the period of time every of the characters will get by themselves. There are a whole lot of romances during which the characters spend a whole lot of time in one another’s pockets; they meet and might’t cease being round one another, or are trapped collectively for no matter cause. What in regards to the reverse of pressured proximity? (Forced distance? Maybe.) The different factor that units this e book aside is that it’s a historic romance set in China, that includes a Chinese girl who has been adopted by a British Emigre, and a Black American sailor-scientist attempting to determine a telegraph line.

This is among the best books ever written, and I intend to face by that. Not romance. Book. It spans a lot of years, beginning out with Ox, the narrator, assembly Jack once they’re each very younger. You desire a sluggish burn? Watch these two children develop into themselves, residing for themselves and one another, till they’ll acknowledge their roles as soulmates as adults. I don’t even know if I’m describing it properly, however you simply should learn it. 

Intrigue? Drama? Danger? History? You get all of these with the books in The Loyal League. In the primary one, Elle Burns (impressed by Mary Bowser, an actual life spy for the Union), should associate with a Pinkerton detective to infiltrate a Confederate family. They don’t get alongside. So that’s enjoyable. This trilogy will get higher and higher with every e book, so undoubtedly try A Hope Divided (my favourite of the three) and An Unconditional Freedom. 

I do know, statistically, there aren’t as many haunted romances as there appear to be in my record, however this one particularly stands out for me — partially as a result of Katrina Jackson is considered one of my favourite authors and he or she put her foot into this story; partially as a result of the particular person doing the haunting can also be a protagonist. I’m not going to inform you how that works; you simply should test it out.

There are individuals who suppose a romance novel that includes an aromantic protagonist is an oxymoron, however Anna Zabo reveals how attainable it’s. Zavier doesn’t expertise romantic love like different individuals, however he can nonetheless care about individuals and have profitable relationships. Zabo is the kind of author who will make you care about something they put to paper, together with drumming. 

I needed to choose a Talia Hibbert e book, so I picked this one. It most likely has essentially the most Feelings. And Feelings are one thing Talia does fairly magnificently total.

We meet Laura within the first Ravenswood e book, A Girl Like Her, via her horrible husband. When she takes off and hides away the place she thinks nobody will discover her, she doesn’t anticipate finding solace within the arms of a person she spent one magnificent summer season with as a teen.

This e book is about love. Love of self, love of household, love for a associate, love of your work. Anna loves her music, nevertheless it doesn’t love her. She loves her boyfriend, however he desires to take time aside. She loves her household, and falls deeply into the position of caretaker. Anna doesn’t put herself first, however possibly, sometime, she’s going to. And Quan will assist with that.

Two surgeons butt heads so onerous they should go to couple’s remedy about it. This is one about Big Feelings and love languages, whereas additionally being in regards to the ache of relationships whereas within the medical occupation. 

Sarah MacLean has taken the Regency romance and constructed an empire. In the collection that begins with Bombshell, we meet a gaggle of ladies who’ve the potential to make issues occur, whether or not legally or…much less so. They’ve established their very own type of sisterhood, decided to assist those that are unable to assist themselves, after which a person is available in and messes that each one up. 

Look. The vibes on this e book are simply good, okay?

Fine, I assume I’ll inform you what it’s about, too: A stolid baker and his sunshine nemesis have bakeries proper throughout the road from one another. This was executed on function: she needed to show to the person who closely dissed her baking on a contest present that she might succeed, and he or she desires him to see each single second of it.

Lucy Parker is nice at combining comedy and grief, and is so good at that grumpy/sunshine vibe. A+ character creation.

Roan Parrish is a grasp of her craft, who will make you are feeling issues it doesn’t matter what sort of story she’s writing. Best Laid Plans gives compelling characters and catalyzing occasions that deliver the right quantity of pleasure and surprise to life. 

As a fats Black girl, it’s a little bit of a minefield to learn books about fats Black girls. This one is a protected area. Yes, it’s about health, and the principle character’s health journey, nevertheless it’s approached in a approach that’s joyful and physique optimistic. Also, I simply wish to be Britta’s good friend. 

If you wish to learn one thing that digs into the social inequalities and life experiences of Indigenous Americans, you’ll be able to nonetheless learn one thing that has an HEA! This is the primary in a trilogy of books about Native individuals residing within the metropolis and on the rez, and the totally different points they should endure. 

Do you know the way onerous it was to select a Beverly Jenkins e book? The Queen of Words, First of Her Name, has been writing historic romance centering Black characters since 1995. By her personal admission, Something Like Love is her favourite e book, so why not begin there? You’ll be taught extra in regards to the historical past of Black individuals within the United States than you ever did at school, and also you’ll have enjoyable doing it. 

Best buddies Liza and Jo are doing their greatest to make ends meet in Manila. One a gross sales clerk, the opposite a intercourse employee, they discover themselves questioning what they actually need from life and one another when considered one of them has the chance to alter her life and that of her household’s perpetually.