9 Must-Read Romance Books of the Past Decade

For those of you who have been meaning to catch up on the latest, best romance books this upcoming Valentine’s Day but don’t know where to start, we’ve made it easy for you! Check out our top ten romance picks from the last decade.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
A lighthearted, comedic romance that was the Goodreads Choice 2019 winner. In this rivalry-turned-romance, the son of America’s first, female president falls for the prince of England. With both political and LGBTQ themes, Red White & Royal Blue is a timely pick for the end of the year.

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
A heartwarming, refreshing debut that made it onto Washington Post’s 50 Notable Works of Fiction in 2018. When an autistic woman who cares more about math than romance hires an escort to explore the mystery of intimacy, romance ensues—and she realizes love may be the best kind of logic. The Kiss Quotient offers appeal to math-lovers and those who struggle with disabilities.

The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
A debut novel from a lawyer-turned-author, The Wedding Date is a fun and flirty multicultural romance. When a groomsman finds himself minus a plus one, he asks the woman in an elevator with him on a whim, where they’re soon bound to discover if a fake date can go the distance. If you missed having this year’s wedding season, this pick is sure to make up for it!

Normal People by Sally Rooney
A best-seller from Irish author Sally Rooney, Normal People explores the complicity of friendship and family and the electricity of first love. In this irresistible book, we see the bond forged between two people through trauma and insecurities, and the way they always manage to return to one another. This pick might be a little heavier than your average romance, but we promise it’s 100% worth it.

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
A best-selling debut from author Sally Thorne explores the fine line between love and hate. The Hating Game takes on the classic trope of enemies-to-lovers, and it’s hilarious and sexy in this workplace comedy. What makes Thorne’s book different is her fully conceived characters that come alive and make the concept anything but stale. If you’re looking for something familiar and refreshing, we recommend picking this one up!

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
It Ends With Us is an unforgettable love story that was an instant New York Times Bestseller. Bold and deeply personal, Hoover’s novel is a heart-wrenching story that combines all-too-human characters with a captivating romance that comes at the ultimate price. If you’re looking for a romance that’s powerful and inspiring, we recommend picking up Hoover’s novel right away.

A Bollywood Affair by Sonali Dev
A debut from Sonali Dev, A Bollywood Affair is deeply emotional and vividly explores modern India. An honest story of loss, love, and second chances where a woman finds out her life and marriage was a lie, Dev’s too-real characters and compelling writing are sure to keep you turning the pages.

An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole
A Publisher’s Weekly pick for one of the best books of 2017, An Extraordinary Union is the first of three books in a historical romance trilogy. The novel follows a courageous pair of spies in the Civil War as a former slave risks her freedom to preserve the Union Army. A gripping, richly detailed tale of suspense that explores raising the stakes of love on a whole new level.

Glitterland by Alexis Hall
Another debut pick, Hall’s book is a hard-won love story. With themes that include mental illness and LGBTQ, and speculation that the language alone could pass it as literary fiction, Glitterland is sure to enthrall anyone who starts reading. As an unlikely pair gets together, drama ensues—and who knows how it’ll end?

Have you read one of Night Heron’s picks, or think we missed one? Let us know in the comments!

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By Krynn Hanold, Intern

Krynn is a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay and holds a B.F.A. in Writing and Applied Arts. She enjoys reading literary and upmarket fiction, sci-fi, and narrative nonfiction. She's incredibly passionate about publishing, and looks to start a career in the field.