The Top Romance Books To Snag For Your Kindle, Per Amazon Reviews
Voracious readers know that, while it can be a lot of fun to take a chance on an undiscovered literary gem, sometimes you want to reduce your chances of wasted time, wasted money, and overall disappointment by opting for a book that's got public approval behind it. Not every bestseller will turn out to be your personal favorite, but there must be a reason so many people like it, right?
This urge to find crowd favorites can be especially true in romance circles, where many lovers of love tear through both new releases and established authors' back catalogs with all-consuming intensity, leaving many romance readers on a constant hunt for unexplored titles.
Sound like you? Whether you're looking for novels to consume for TikTok's favorite reading challenges or you simply need a fresh read to overcome your latest book hangover, there's always room for a few more high-quality romances on your Kindle wishlist. Luckily, Amazon reviewers are here to point you in the right direction. From fantasy romance to sporty romcoms, here are some of the top romance books that other readers recommend for your Kindle library.
Best contemporary romance: The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
Ashley Poston is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, so it should come as no surprise that this charming novel earned her a spot on Amazon's "Best Romance Books of 2023" list. "The Seven Year Slip" is hailed as warm and charming, telling the story of Clementine, a stressed book publicist who catches strong romantic feelings for her roommate. But this isn't your average roomie romance, as Clementine's dreamy Southern roomie actually lives seven years in the past.
"Ashley Poston sure knows how to write a poignant narrative within a magical realism context. This was the perfect story of the right person/wrong time, personal change, and loss that had my heart aching and [me] kicking my feet and squealing at the swoony bits," wrote one pleased reviewer of the 4.5-starred book. So, if you're looking for a satisfying novel that ticks all these boxes plus some, enjoy the collision of time-travel hijinks and sweet, genuine relationship building as Clementine and Iwan try to navigate the strange reality in their apartment and intrusions from the real world outside.
Best BIPOC-led romance: Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
Two writers, fifteen years since their lost romance, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reconnect: "Seven Days in June" by Tia Williams is a second-chance romance for the ages — and whether or not you're a member of the BIPOC community makes no difference when it comes to appreciating the emotional depth and breadth of this fan-favorite love story.
Follow single mother and erotica author Eva Mercy as she once again comes face to face with celebrated novelist Shane Hall, the greatest love hiding in her past. While this meeting reopens old traumas, it also plunges them both into a journey of healing and new beginnings. "It's a lovely story about youth, resilience, pain, loss, and love," wrote one reviewer, and other readers seem to agree, with the book earning a 4.4-star average from more than 17,000 ratings.
Best fantasy romance: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
While this series has been a staple of the fantasy scene for years, there are still plenty of folks who haven't read it yet, landing it on this list. The first book, "A Court of Thorns and Roses," has racked up over 163,000 reviews on Amazon, culminating in a stellar 4.6-star rating. Plus, if you're new to romance's popular fantasy subgenre, this book — loosely inspired by the familiar tale of "Beauty and the Beast" — is the perfect way to get your feet wet.
When huntress Feyre is dragged into a magical and scary realm of faeries, she has a lot to contend with. This includes not one but two steamy love interests: noble but rage-filled Tamlin and wicked, witty Rhysand. But something is stirring in the land of the fae, and romance may be the least of Feyre's worries. As one reviewer wrote, "Sarah J. Maas has created a masterful blend of romance, adventure, and faerie lore. With her lyrical prose and clever twists, she transports readers to a world that is both enchanting and perilous. This book is a captivating page-turner that will leave you yearning for more."
Best small-town romance: Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams
Nice girl? Check. Bad boy? Check. Heart-palpitating plot device that keeps throwing them into romantic entanglements? Check, check, and check. In "Practice Makes Perfect" by Sarah Adams, florist Annie Walker keeps striking out in the love department and decides her dating moves need practice. And who better to safely tutor her in the ways of romance than stunning but emotionally unavailable bodyguard Will Griffin? Of course, you know what they say about the best-laid plans, and it's not long before the chemistry between Annie and Will starts to break down the barriers of their agreement.
Featured on Amazon's list of "Best Romance Books of 2023," this satisfying novel from Sarah Adams has a 4.3-star rating from 8,000 Amazon customers, plus a 4-star rating from over 88,000 readers on Goodreads. As one Amazon reviewer wrote, "This book was a warm hug, a book that made me feel giddy and excited. I laughed and cried. ... A simple, beautifully executed story!"
Best time-travel romance: What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon
If you're a fan of time-twisting historical romances like "Outlander," here's another title for your to-read list: "What the Wind Knows" by Amy Harmon. During a trip to spread her grandfather's ashes, Anne Gallagher finds herself pulled back through the years into 1920s Ireland — a nation embroiled in conflict as the Irish people fight for independence. Stranded in the past, Anne soon finds herself drawn to Thomas Smith, a doctor caught up in the tides of the rebellion. But will she tie her fate to his or try to find a way back to the life she left behind?
"A beautifully told story of love and patriotism," praised one reader in their Amazon review. "Harmon's writing style had me hooked from the first page all through the end." It's no wonder, then, that this deeply moving novel has earned an impressive 4.6-star rating from more than 56,000 reviews.
Best LGBTQ+-led romance: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Like your love stories with a bittersweet edge? Don't miss "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo," as author Taylor Jenkins Reid has the fix you're looking for. This New York Times bestseller is more than an LGBTQ+ story — it's a sweeping narrative of love, loss, and old Hollywood glamor. When iconic star Evelyn Hugo decides to reveal the ups and downs of her long and storied career to a young magazine reporter, what follows is a lifetime of marriages and secrets spanning from the 1950s all the way up to the '80s. But there's no bigger reveal than the heart-wrenching story of Evelyn's truest love.
"This is one of the best books I've ever had the privilege to read. It is probably in the top five for best books I've ever read in my entire life," gushed one reviewer. "When I say that this book is life-changing, I truly mean it." This glowing praise is echoed in the book's 4.6-star rating, which stems from an awe-inspiring glut of over 213,000 Amazon ratings. So, if you're seeking a poignant, emotion-rich tale for your next read, add "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" to your shortlist ASAP.
Best billionaire romance: The Stopover by T. L. Swan
While some love stories hit you right in the heart, others opt for a more pulse-pounding approach. Take "The Stopover" by T. L. Swan. This steamy romance — the first book in the "Miles High Club" series — pits an entitled billionaire against his sassy employee in a push-and-pull dynamic that sends sparks flying. When Emily Foster had an unforgettable one-night stand with a stranger on her flight, she never expected to meet him again a year later — and she certainly didn't expect him to be the billionaire CEO at her new workplace.
Brimming with banter and sexual tension, "The Stopover" is a hit with readers, who praise the characters' sizzling chemistry. "This was such a perfectly crafted storyline with well-defined characters, more sexual chemistry, more laughs, more tears, and more angst that I have encountered in any two books," wrote one reviewer. "[I] openly wept when this gem of a book ended. I can hardly wait to read more in this series." And this reader wasn't the only one impressed. More than 67,000 Amazon customers have rated this spicy romance, earning it an average of 4.4 stars.
Best sports romance: Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
When it comes to sporty romances, "Icebreaker" by Hannah Grace is a perennial favorite. Get your dose of two sports for the price of one, as this spicy novel features both figure skating and ice hockey. Competitive figure skater Anastasia is gunning for a spot on Team USA. But when her partner suffers an injury, Anastasia is forced to seek help from Nate, the infuriating captain of her college hockey team. Can they keep it cool and professional on the ice, or will things soon heat up?
"Icebreaker is a fun, frenemies-to-lovers hockey romance with a panty-melting factor of 100! Their chemistry is off the charts and their banter is spot-on. This author brought us the best of the best with these characters," wrote one reviewer, revealing why more than 63,000 ratings have given this book an average of 4.4 stars. "The book that will kickstart your hockey romance obsession," predicted another reader, adding, "Do you like hockey? Well, you do now."
Best STEM romance: Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
Didn't know that STEM romance was even a genre? Hold onto your lab coat because this novel from Ali Hazelwood is about to make you a believer. Another diamond from Amazon's "Best Romance Books of 2023" roundup, "Love, Theoretically" follows underpaid adjunct physics professor Elsie Hannaway, who supplements her meager income as a hirable fake girlfriend. But her faux romance gets tangled with real attraction and a longstanding grudge when she meets a client's older brother. Jack Smith is not only the physicist who tanked her mentor's work but also the man who holds the keys to Elsie's dream job at MIT. Too bad Elsie can't seem to keep her distance.
As one reviewer summed it up, "I loved the way the author narrates the evolution of the relationship. The tension is off the charts, the slow burn romance almost gave me instant combustion, their deep emotional connection is everything, and their clever and funny dialogues are in a league of their own." Altogether, "Love Theoretically" has charmed countless readers, including nearly 15,000 Amazon customers who have given this novel a 4.4-star rating.
Best clean romance: The Fall Back Plan by Melanie Jacobson
For readers who prefer less spice in their love stories, author Melanie Jacobson has you covered. "The Fall Back Plan" is sweetly satisfying without the smut, leaving you free to enjoy this closed-door romance in peace. But that doesn't mean that there's no tension; on the contrary, anticipation abounds as once-bashful Jolie McGraw goes toe to toe with town sheriff and single dad Lucas Cole. Events just keep throwing them together — she's a suspect in a preponderous local crime, while he has a daughter who needs a female role model. And with so much attraction between them, it's only a matter of time before something has to give.
"I loved all the romance and flirty banter ... but even more than that, I loved how real and genuine both the characters and their connections were in this story. There is so much character growth," wrote one reader. Another reviewer called it a "Hallmark movie in a book" and praised the wholesome story. And if finishing this book leaves you wanting more, good news: "The Fall Back Plan" is actually the second standalone novel in a string of books called "The Sweater Weather Series."
How we selected products
One of the best ways to find good books is to ask other readers, especially if you want to more or less guarantee that you're not wasting your moeny. So, when we wanted to create a list of must-have romance novels, we turned to the unbiased feedback of Amazon reviewers to help keep our Kindles stocked with well-executed love stories.
We began by looking for highly rated and thoroughly reviewed titles in a number of our favorite subgenres, from fun contemporary romances to tear-jerking historical pieces. Then, we took a deep dive into ratings, plot descriptions, best-of lists, and detailed readers' reviews. While we were spoiled for choice in many categories, in the end, we came out with a selection of swoony, BookTok-worthy reads that hopefully offer something for every romance lover.