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The 38 best non-cringy romance books to add to your reading list
Romeo and Juliet isn't the only option, you know
As Valentine's Day approaches, we don't know about you but sometimes there's nothing better than cosying up with a big mug of tea and the latest rom-com novel, while avoiding all other aspects of the love-filled day. And before you groan at the idea of cringy romantic books about love, the last few years has seen a serious revamp of the genre with plenty of non-cringy romance novels. Whether you want a story of forbidden love to read poolside, or fancy a story of enemies to lovers on your commute, we've got you covered on the love front.
We've put together 38 non-cringy, alternative suggestions to read if you're feeling like you need a little bit of romance in your life.
Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell
Having grown up reading Rowell's teen romcoms, having a novel aimed at adults was music to my ears, and this one will seriously tug at your heartstrings. Shiloh and Cary are best friends all throughout high school, and yet when Cary ships off to the navy everything changes.
14 years later, with two kids and one divorce, Shiloh is stunned to run into Cary at a friend's wedding. Can a past love be reignited?
This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune
Carley Fortune is known for her page-turning romance novels, and I inhaled this one in one sitting. It's set on Prince Edward Island and follows the love story of Lucy who meets her best friend's brother Felix when visiting Bridget's hometown. Every summer they reunite in secret, but how long can this secret romance last?
Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan
This is the first of two Kevin Kwan novels on the list, because what can I say? The man writes a good romcom.
In Lies and Weddings, we meet Rufus, the future Earl of Greshamsbury, who is also the son of a former Hong Kong supermodel. He faces a lot of pressure from his mother to get married to the right woman (aka someone very rich), but his heart is set on the girl next door (quite literally) Eden. The pair grew up together but Rufus' mum won't hear anything of it.
The story takes us across the world to a number of weddings, where we see Rufus and Eden's relationship develop, but will his interfering mother cause the end of their love?
Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth
Part coming-of-age tale, part devastating romance, you need to pick up a copy of Sunburn stat.
The novel follows Lucy. It's the 1990s and she lives in a small Irish town. She doesn't fit in with the conventions of her familiar village and so when a connection sparks with school friend Susannah, Lucy dives in head first.
But with the end of school looming, Lucy must think about who and what she wants to be.
Call It What You Want by Alissa Derogatis
Ever had a gut-wrenching, love of your life situationship? Well then you'll probably relate to Call It What You Want. Sloane is in her final year of college and has an exciting future in New York planned for herself. And then Ethan enters the picture. He's tall, mysterious, and beyond handsome. He's guarded, but that doesn't stop Sloane from falling head over heels, will the pair ever be able to meet each other we're they're at?
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Essentialy the OG enemies ot lovers tale, if you've never read any Jane Austen, start here. Pride and Prejudice follows the lives of Elizabeth Bennet and her sisters. In a society where women must marry well to survive, Elizabeth is firm in the belief she will only marry for love. She meets Fitzwilliam Darcy, they both judge each other instantly, but slowly through many months of misunderstandings, family dramas and plenty of balls, they may just come to love each other.
Everything's Fine by Cecilia Rabess
Everything's Fine is set against the backdrop of Trump's first presidential campaign, so the timing is just right to pick it up now. Jess is almost always the only Black woman in her class at university, which is where she meets the beyond privileged chino-wearing Josh. They end up working together at the same bank after graduation, and soon they begin sleeping together, everything is going to turn out fine, right?
Writers & Lovers by Lily King
I will read anything written by Lily King, and this novel is the reason why. Casey is lost, she's in a job she hates, is writing on the side and is dealing with the death of her mother. Then within the space of a few weeks she meets two intriguing but very different men. There's Silas, kind, handsome and most importantly interested. But then there's also Oscar, an older guy, with two children of his own. Stuck in a love triangle, Casey must decide which man and future she wants, oh, while also finishing up her novel of course.
Talking at Night by Claire Daverely
Will and Rosie meet when they're teenagers and are opposite in every way. Will is Rosie's twin brother's closest friend, and so Will and Rosie keep their relationship a secret, with late night phone calls and secretive strolls. But one day tragedy happens, and their future together is shattered. And yet, over the years they find themselves constantly drawn back to each other, can they ever find a way to make it work?
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
Caleb Azumah Nelson's debut novel tells the story of two young Black British people who fall in love after meeting in a pub in South East London. They have a lot in common, they both had scholarships to private schools, where they didn't fit in, and now both are artists. They seem destined to have crossed paths and fallen into a deep love. However, these two can also be torn apart by fear and violence.
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
Calling all historical romance fiction fans, this needs to be on your TBR list. Evangeline Fox has always believed in a happy after, but her dreams are crushed when she discovers the love of her life is marrying someone else. So, she makes a deal with the Prince of Hearts, in order to stop the wedding and heal her heart. The Prince requests three kisses from Evangeline to be given at the time of his choosing. But after her first kiss, Evangeline soon discovered there's a price to be paid when making a deal with the devil.
Wild Things by Laura Kay
El is stuck in a dead-end job, in love with her best friend Ray and in desperate need of a change. So when the opportunity for herself, Ray, and their two best friends Will and Jamie to move into a house in the middle of the English countryside, she jumps at the chance. But how exactly is El going to cope living in such close proximity to the love of her life, without giving the secret away?
One Day by David Nicholls
Loved the Netflix series? Now read the book it was based on and be prepared to cry all over again as you see Dexter and Emma fall in love over a 20 year period, checking in with their lives on the same day - 15 July - every year to see how their relationship has progressed. Warning: you'll probably cry more than in the series.
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
TV writer Sally is sick of her ‘average-looking’ male friends dating successful, famous women. It never happens the other way around, right? That is until pop star Noah takes an interest in Sally. If you’ve dreamed about marrying a celebrity this one is for you.
Happy By Place by Emily Henry
Harriet and Wyn are the perfect couple. They’re spending their holiday with their best friends in a dreamy cottage. The problem? Harriet and Wyn actually broke up six months ago, but don’t want to let their friends dow. How hard can it be to fake a relationship for a week?
The No-Show by Beth O'Leary
From the author of The Flat Share comes the story of triple-timing man, with three women expecting the same date on Valentine's Day. Except none of the women can actually find their date - the elusive Joseph Carter. It's a tear-jerker of a novel, full of heartbreak and moments of joy.
The Three of Us by Ore Agbaje-Williams
Told in three parts and set over the course of one day, The Three of Us confronts a problem no one wants to deal with. What happens when your husband and best friend love you, but hate each other? This is a story full of humour, intrigue and betrayal.
The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
If you're a fan of the "fake boyfriend" trope then you need to be reading The Spanish Love Deception. Catalina Martín is in desperate need of a date for her sister's wedding, especially as her ex-boyfriend and his new fiancée will be there too. You'd think that when the gorgeous Aaron offers to accompany her, Catalina would jump at the chance. Except, Catalina finds Aaron insufferable. At least, she does for now.
Gwen & Art Are Not In Love by Lex Croucher
Set in Camelot, where Gwen and Arthur are betrothed. However, Gwen is fantasising about the kingdom’s only female knight, and Art is far more interested in kissing boys. When they discover each other’s secrets, they hatch a mutually beneficial plan.
Thirty Things I Love About Myself by Radhika Sanghani
Thirty Things I Love About Myself is a slightly different kind of romance novel, as, as the title suggests, its all about the discovery of self-love and accepting who you really are. On the night of her 30th birthday Nina Mistry finds herself accidentally in a jail cell. Taking inspiration from an abandoned self-help book in the cell, can Nina find 30 things she loves about herself?
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