★best-of-all-time.comAll 50 lists

The top 50

Romance novels of all time

50 standout choices selected for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

What earns a placeChemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value. Every pick combines lasting value with current availability.
#1

Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

Why It Ranks →
#2

Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

Why It Ranks →
#3

The Notebook

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#4

The Kiss Quotient

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#5

Red, White & Royal Blue

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#6

Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades, #1)

Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades, #1) by E.L. James is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#7

Beautiful Disaster (Beautiful, #1)

Beautiful Disaster (Beautiful, #1) by Jamie McGuire is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#8

Twilight (The Twilight Saga, #1)

Twilight (The Twilight Saga, #1) by Stephenie Meyer is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

Why It Ranks →
#9

The Notebook (The Notebook, #1)

The Notebook (The Notebook, #1) by Nicholas Sparks is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

Why It Ranks →
#10

Perfect Chemistry (Perfect Chemistry, #1)

Perfect Chemistry (Perfect Chemistry, #1) by Simone Elkeles is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#11

Outlander (Outlander, #1)

Outlander (Outlander, #1) by Diana Gabaldon is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#12

Thoughtless (Thoughtless, #1)

Thoughtless (Thoughtless, #1) by S.C. Stephens is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#13

Bared to You (Crossfire, #1)

Bared to You (Crossfire, #1) by Sylvia Day is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#14

Gone with the Wind

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#15

Easy (Contours of the Heart, #1)

Easy (Contours of the Heart, #1) by Tammara Webber is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#16

Gabriel's Inferno (Gabriel's Inferno, #1)

Gabriel's Inferno (Gabriel's Inferno, #1) by Sylvain Reynard is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#17

The Time Traveler's Wife

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#18

Slammed (Slammed, #1)

Slammed (Slammed, #1) by Colleen Hoover is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

Why It Ranks →
#19

Anna and the French Kiss (Anna and the French Kiss, #1)

Anna and the French Kiss (Anna and the French Kiss, #1) by Stephanie Perkins is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#20

A Walk to Remember

A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#21

Wuthering Heights

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#22

Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, #1)

Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, #1) by Richelle Mead is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#23

Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #1)

Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #1) by J.R. Ward is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

Why It Ranks →
#24

The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

Why It Ranks →
#25

Hush, Hush (Hush, Hush, #1)

Hush, Hush (Hush, Hush, #1) by Becca Fitzpatrick is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#26

Persuasion

Persuasion by Jane Austen is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#27

Sense and Sensibility

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

Why It Ranks →
#28

The Host

The Host by Stephenie Meyer is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#29

Divergent (Divergent, #1)

Divergent (Divergent, #1) by Veronica Roth is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#30

City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1)

City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1) by Cassandra Clare is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

Why It Ranks →
#31

Obsidian (Lux, #1)

Obsidian (Lux, #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#32

Love Unscripted (Love, #1)

Love Unscripted (Love, #1) by Tina Reber is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#33

On the Island (On the Island, #1)

On the Island (On the Island, #1) by Tracey Garvis Graves is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#34

Hopeless (Hopeless, #1)

Hopeless (Hopeless, #1) by Colleen Hoover is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#35

Memoirs of a Geisha

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#36

On Dublin Street (On Dublin Street, #1)

On Dublin Street (On Dublin Street, #1) by Samantha Young is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#37

Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls, #1)

Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls, #1) by Maggie Stiefvater is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

Why It Ranks →
#38

Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress, #1)

Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress, #1) by Jeaniene Frost is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#39

Water for Elephants

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#40

The Bronze Horseman (The Bronze Horseman, #1)

The Bronze Horseman (The Bronze Horseman, #1) by Paullina Simons is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

Why It Ranks →
#41

The Truth About Forever

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#42

It Had to Be You (Chicago Stars, #1)

It Had to Be You (Chicago Stars, #1) by Susan Elizabeth Phillips is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#43

Kiss an Angel

Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#44

Reason to Breathe (Breathing, #1)

Reason to Breathe (Breathing, #1) by Rebecca Donovan is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#45

Emma

Emma by Jane Austen is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

Why It Ranks →
#46

The Edge of Never (The Edge of Never, #1)

The Edge of Never (The Edge of Never, #1) by J.A. Redmerski is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

Why It Ranks →
#47

Flat-Out Love (Flat-Out Love, #1)

Flat-Out Love (Flat-Out Love, #1) by Jessica Park is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

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#48

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, #1)

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, #1) by Cassandra Clare is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

Why It Ranks →
#49

Leaving Paradise (Leaving Paradise, #1)

Leaving Paradise (Leaving Paradise, #1) by Simone Elkeles is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

Why It Ranks →
#50

A Kingdom of Dreams (Westmoreland, #1)

A Kingdom of Dreams (Westmoreland, #1) by Judith McNaught is a durable novel choice, recognized for chemistry, emotional payoff, influence and reread value.

Why It Ranks →