This list of tips can assist first-time romance readers in finding modern and perfect romance novels.
Have you always wanted to read romance but feel overwhelmed by the many books available? Have the vibrant, fun covers caught your eye, but you’re unsure where to begin or what kind of romance books you’d enjoy? If yes, then you are at the right place. Romance readers are always eager to share their favorites with newbies. Use the tips below in this blog to pick a romance novel, and you’ll be an avid romance reader in no time.
Sign Up for TBR
Would you like personalized recommendations for the finest modern romance novels? Who would not? Sign up for Book Riot’s Tailored Book Recommendations (TBR) to have a professional bibliologist pick a romantic novel for you. Here’s how it works: when you sign up, you tell them about the types of books you enjoy and what you want to read. A bibliologist (also known as a reading expert) selects three books and sends those recommendations to you. You may even sign up to receive actual hardcovers rather than just recommendations.
Read Book Riot’s Romance Posts
Book Riot is a forum for romance fans, and they write a lot of recommendation posts. Frequently, posts are organized around a specific trope, such as enemies to lovers, baseball romances, single-parent love stories, and so on. They also have quizzes.
Listen to Romance Podcasts
You may not be surprised that Book Riot has a romance podcast called When in Romance. The podcast is released biweekly and covers romance news as well as recommendations. Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, one of the best romance blogs out there, also offers a podcast called Smart Podcast, Trashy Books, which always includes a few recommendations.
Follow Romance Bookstores on Social Media or Visit In-person
If you are not following Los Angeles-based romance bookshop The Ripped Bodice on social media, you are missing out on the ah-mazing romances. They have a lively, active Twitter feed and an Instagram account delving deeply into how they create their stunning window displays. They also highlight what’s new in the store, which will help you select the perfect romance novel for your TBR.
North America’s only romance-focused bookshop is The Ripped Bodice; however, your local bookshop might have a romance section with staff who can help you choose a great book—it never hurts to ask.
Follow Romance Writers on Social Media
Browsing the online romance community, sometimes known as Romancelandia, will help you choose the perfect romance book to read. Many romance writers provide details about their most recent books or ongoing work on Twitter and Instagram. With writers encouraging one another, it may also be quite a helpful community.
On social media, some great romance writers to follow are Jasmine Guillory, Penny Reid, Courtney Milan, Sarah Maclean, and Rebekah Weatherspoon.
Read the Cover and Description
If you want to purchase a perfect romance novel, you should read both the description and the cover page. While reading them, you will realize exactly what the book you are about to purchase consists of. Before making a decision, make sure to read the description.
Before purchasing a romance novel, look at the front cover or page. The front cover will correspond to the tone or title of the story.
Read a Sample
Before purchasing any novel, it is necessary to read a sample. Various retailers can provide you with a sample before you make a purchase. There are also some contemporary romance books available for avid readers who want to learn more about the authors.
Shop Tried and True Friends
There are numerous publishers out there, and before you choose the best novel, you need to make sure that you know which of the finest publishers to trust. You can research to find the greatest top-rated publisher that provides the best romantic novels.
Ask a Friend
If you enjoy reading novels, you will likely be familiar with some of the best books. Before buying one at the bookstore, ask your friends if they know any of the best romance novels. If someone has heard or read certain romance books, they will recommend them to you, and you will undoubtedly know which romantic novels you should buy.
Signup for a Romance Book Subscription Box
There are numerous book subscription services available. Thus, specific romance book subscriptions are designed to assist you in finding the next perfect romance novel to read. Fresh Fiction, a monthly book box, starts at $24.95 monthly. Reveal Book Box offers signed romance novels for $12.95 every month. Bookcase.Club allows you to choose a theme for your box, romance. Bubbles and Books gives you a combination of romance novels, romance ebooks, and bath products.
Search by Trope
Like much genre fiction, romance contains tropes or recognizable conventions, plot devices, themes, or character types. Do some research, and you might find that particular trope appeals to you. This is an excellent approach to finding a perfect romance novel!
Romance tropes are recurring themes or plot elements that frequently influence the storyline and character dynamics. Familiarizing yourself with these tropes will help you choose a novel that matches your reading preferences.
Here are some popular options to consider:
- Enemies to Lovers: This trope involves characters who begin as adversaries but eventually develop feelings of love for one another. The tension and eventual transition from hatred to affection can be especially intriguing, providing a gripping narrative arc that is both fierce and poignant.
- Second-Chance Romance: This trope is ideal for people who believe in rekindling old flames. It depicts characters reconciling and rediscovering their love after a long separation. It usually reflects the essence of reflection, growth, and redemption, which appeals to readers who value stories with emotional depth and maturity.
- Fake Relationship: Characters in this trope pretend to be in a relationship for various reasons, including impressing family or gaining a professional benefit. The thrill is brought from watching pretend feelings grow into real emotions, frequently resulting in entertaining and touching moments.
- Friends to Lovers: This trope explores the slow development of romantic feelings among friends. The shift from friendship to romance provides a complex emotional journey filled with lovely moments and the sincerity of long-term relationships.
- Forbidden Love: For readers who prefer high stakes and drama, forbidden love stories feature characters whose romance is restricted by external factors such as family feuds, social classes, or existing relationships. The tension and intrigue of overcoming such challenges can make for an intense and compelling read.
Whether you prefer the tension of an enemies-to-lovers story or the nostalgia of a second-chance romance, recognizing these patterns will help you find novels that appeal to your unique tastes.
Book Riot offers primers on various tropes, including friends to lovers, millionaire heroes and heroines, forced proximity, and arranged marriage. Or, take a quiz to determine which trope best represents you. Goodreads also has lists of many tropes (for example, an enemies to lovers list).
If enemies to lovers are calling your name, it’s highly recommended Casey McQuiston’s latest queer romance, Red, White, and Royal Blue.
Ask a Librarian
Librarians are here to help! They may be able to lead you to brand-new popular romances or show you how to search the catalog to get precisely what you’re looking for.
Judge a Book by Its Cover
Romance novel covers are so much fun that looking through bookshop websites or Goodreads is recommended to find one that appeals to you. Bright illustrated covers like The Hating Game and Well Met might pique your interest. You may find something that subverts your expectations of a romance story, such as Sarah MacLean’s Never Judge a Lady By Her Cover.
Read Romantic Blogs and Book Reviews
Smart Bitches, Trashy Novels is one of the most popular romance blogs, with reviews, podcasts, information about romantic deals, and even a recurring column to help readers find novels whose titles they can’t quite remember. You might want to check out Heroes and Heartbreakers, Gay Book Reviews, or Buzzfeed Books’ romance coverage.
It’s also becoming more common to see romance novels reviewed in mainstream media. The New York Times now features a regular romance columnist.
Browse Goodreads
Once you’ve read and enjoyed one romance novel, browse its Goodreads page to see what additional books the algorithm recommends. For example, Christina Lauren’s The Unhoneymooners is a good read, so when you visit the “Books similar to this book” page (you’ll find this link on any book’s main Goodreads page, on the right-hand side of your screen on desktop). You will find a long list of great recommendations.
FAQ’s – Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I find a romance novel that totally resonates with me?
Are you into slow-burn romance, or does a dash of forbidden love make your heart flutter? Do you crave historical ballrooms or modern coffee shops? Pin down the tropes you adore and the settings that excite you, then let the search begin! Knowing what makes your heart skip a beat will help you find that perfect “book soulmate.”
2. What are some romance subgenres I should check out?
Romance isn’t a one-size-fits-all! Maybe you want a dreamy historical with ball gowns and candlelight or a quirky rom-com in a big city. There’s a paranormal romance for a supernatural spark or romantic suspense if you’re craving love on the edge of your seat. Trying a few subgenres can be like speed dating with stories—one will surely steal your heart!
3. Do online reviews really help me find a good romance book?
Online reviews are like your friends dishing out hot gossip on the latest romances. Peek into reviews from readers with tastes like yours—they often spill the beans on what tropes or twists to expect. Plus, if they loved the book for the same reasons you might, chances are it’ll be a match made in book heaven. Just remember, everyone’s got different tastes, so go in with an open heart!
4. Should I stick to romance authors I know and love?
Why not? When it comes to romance authors, you might already know who’s got the style that keeps you hooked. If one book swept you off your feet, chances are others will, too! Some authors are like that friend who always tells the best love stories—you can count on them to give you what you’re looking for.
5. How can I dodge those overdone romance cliches?
If love triangles and “we met on a rainy day” aren’t doing it for you, try the indie scene or new authors who love to shake things up. Search for novels with unique twists on classic tropes or read reviews that hint at fresh takes. Sometimes, a little digging reveals hidden gems that rewrite the rules of romance and make every page a surprise.