Whether you’re an avid reader getting through several books each week or someone who just prefers to reads on the beach, everyone is different. Fantasy and thriller novels are proving to be popular at the moment, with authors like Freida McFadden and Rebecca Yarros loved on BookTok.
Romance is another genre loved by many, with Emily Henry, Colleen Hoover and Ali Hazelwood all publishing bestselling romance novels in recent years. But with so much choice, you might feel a little lost when trying to pick your next read. Whether you’re new to the genre or wanting something out of your comfort zone, Romancing the Data’s list of the top romances of all time could help you pick your next read.
This ranking, published in October 2024, was compiled using data from 26 other romance book lists published in 2022 or later, including Audible, Time and Reader’s Digest.
Topping the list is Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston, a Goodreads Choice award-winning romance between America’s First Son and a British prince. The 2019 novel was also turned into a film starring Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine, and a sequel is on the way.
Coming in second is a novel many might have expected to see in first place: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. This 1813 classic tells the story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, who must overcome their initial prejudices and pride to find love.
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, which sees a World War Two nurse mysteriously transported to 18th-century Scotland where she’s torn between two men, is third on the list of the best romances of all time.
In fourth is Get A Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert, a story about a chronically ill woman who creates a list to help herself “get a life” and finds romance in an unexpected place when she asks for a charming artist’s help.
The best romance novels of all time
- Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
- Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
- Get A Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
- The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
- The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
- Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
- The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
- Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
Just missing out on the top 10 are Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman and An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole.
You can find the full list of the best romance novels of all time on Romancing the Data. For more book recommendations, reviews and news, you can also click here to subscribe to our free weekly newsletter, The Bookish Drop, on Substack.