Disclaimer: I’ve been reading romance novels since I was 8 or 9 years old. I’ve forgotten many. If I don’t have your favorite here, I may not remember reading them or they’re not my cup of tea. And that’s okay. Plenty of romance to go around. Over the years, I've discovered I much prefer paranormal romance and romantic thrillers to anything else. I explain why in my Amazon Kindle Single "Romance Novels Ruined Me." *plug plug*
I cannot guarantee that the books on the lists below are “good” or that they are without issue. They may not even be the best of their kind. I cannot guarantee these books are feminist or have a diverse set of characters. I strongly suggest you do your own research at places like:
Women of Color in Romance
Romance Novels in Color
Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
Romance Junkies
Or visit The Ripped Bodice in Los Angeles, California, currently the only bookstore dedicated exclusively to romance.
IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER
Historical:
The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss
The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen Woodiwiss
The Last Duke by Andrea Kane
The Bride by Julie Garwood
Midnight Angel by Lisa Kleypas
Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole
The Brightest Day (an anthology)
Destiny’s Embrace by Beverly Jenkins
Seduction by Amanda Quick
Various books by Victoria Holt/Philippa Carr/Jean Plaidy
Paranormal:
Succubus series by Richelle Mead
Dark Swan series by Richelle Mead
Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost
Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones
Vampire Huntress series by L.A. Banks
The Others series by Anne Bishop (light/chaste romance)
Southern vampires/Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris
Sabina Kane series by Jaye Wells
The Afotama Legacy series by Holley Trent
Shrew and Company series by Holley Trent
Elemental Assassin series by Jennifer Estep
Sin Eaters by Kai Leakes (part of a series but haven’t read next in line yet)
Riley Jenson series by Keri Arthur
Hell on Earth series by Jackie Kessler
Chicagoland Vampire series by Chloe Neill
Alex Craft series by Kalayna Price
The Phoenix Chronicles (series) by Lori Handeland
Black Wings series by Christina Henry
Otherworld series by Kelley Armstrong (inspired the Bitten tv show)
Thrillers:
Almost anything by Lisa Jackson, Linda Howard, Kendra Elliott, Nora Roberts- including the “In Death” series by J.D. Robb, Sandra Brown, Heather Graham (not the actor)
Erotic Romance:
Basically anything by Rebekah Weatherspoon but especially the Fit series and Haven.