Literary Romance Novels
Throughout 2025, Kirsten and I started to notice a trend. Literary romance novels are making a comeback. I am so excited about this trend and wanted to make a list of my favorites.
In the years of Jane Austen and the Brontë sisters, literary romances were common. In fact, they were part of a romantic movement that moved across Europe and into North America by the 1900s. Since then, there have been a lot of changes to literature.
We are seeing so much more romance, fantasy, and sci-fi than ever before. It seems that we have come full circle and are back in the era of embracing a literary romance novel. These are novels with deep themes and story lines, characters with equal parts flaw and depth, and perfectly paced plots that have the reader hoping for a happy ending.
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The Best Literary Romance Novel
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
The Best Modern Literary Romance Novel
Heart the Lover by Lily King- Jump to Section
The Best Classic Literary Romance Novel
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen- Jump to Section
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Literary Romance Novels
Heart the Lover
Author: Lily King
Year: 2025
Genre: Literary Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author of Writers & Lovers
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This coming-of-age tale is told in three parts as our intrepid narrator (nicknamed Jordan) tells the story of her time in college, impacted by the relationships she has with Sam and Yash – best friends who let her into their off-campus world. Told with astounding insight with prose that will have you highlighting each page, Jordan’s college life is as mundane as it is monumental – especially in the decisions she makes after graduation.
As time progresses, Jordan shows us the beginnings of her marriage and early parenthood when an unexpected visitor comes to see her, and then a brief, but earthshattering few days in the future that collide with the ripple effects of her post-graduation choice.
Trigger Warnings
Cancer
Why Kirsten loves it
I started this book at 9:30 at night, forced myself to stop 2 hours in, and had it finished by 10 am the next morning. When I say I couldn’t put it down, I mean it. I was reading it while brushing my teeth, walking on the treadmill, and eventually I turned off notifications on my phone so I could devour this incandescent story without distraction.
I ran an emotional gauntlet while reading this story, and even at the 95% mark, I was still on pins and needles with so much anxiety I could scarcely breathe. It is a hauntingly beautiful tribute to the impact of first love. It would make an EXCELLENT book club book too, because I bet people will have FEELINGS about some of the choices our dear heroine made. #gifted by Grove Press.
Find this book in: Best Fiction Books of 2025 / Best Books for Book Club / Books Set in College / Books Inspired by The Life of A Showgirl / Giftable Books / Best Books of 2025 / Literary Romance Novels
Laws of Love and Logic
Author: Debra Curtis
Year: February 17, 2026
Genre: Literary Fiction
More info: Debut Novel
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Lily and Jane Webb grew up embracing math, science, history, and philosophy from their mother, who encouraged a love of learning. When she dies, her loss leaves a hole in the lives of her daughters. Jane, gifted and brilliant, finds escape in advanced quantum mechanics and drugs.
Lily has found love with “the boy,” who is a star athlete and is headed to college on scholarship. When another tragedy strikes, they are torn apart. Lily tries to overcome these two losses. When she meets Marshall, an ornithologist and professor, she knows they may be able to make a life together. But then the boy appears in her life again.
Trigger Warnings
Drug use, death of a parent, Alzheimer’s
Why Jackie loves it
This debut novel is wonderful, and I cannot wait to see what comes next. There are so many themes in this book about love, loss, and family. This is a powerful love story that is not only about the love between lovers, but also about love for family- flaws and all. I will be thinking about this book for years to come.
Find this book in: Literary Romance Novels
Full Bloom
Author: Francesca Serritella
Year: 2025
Genre: Literary Fiction Romance
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Iris is fresh out of a break-up with the man she thought was going to marry, is facing stagnation in her job, and is stuck in life. She is desperately in need of a fresh start when she goes to her elderly neighbor and gets a custom perfume that has an almost magical effect on her body. With her newfound confidence, she gets a new account at work and attracts the attention of more men than ever before.
As she embarks on a journey of self-discovery, she also finally addresses childhood trauma related to the death of her parents, her feelings toward her cousin (who has a drug addiction issue), and her quest to freeze her eggs so she can be a parent someday. Her custom perfume is the impetus for romantic entanglements that give her validation and create more drama than she can keep up with.
Is wearing the perfume and all its rewards worth the hassle? Should she go back to being boring old Iris? Can she figure out who she is at her core and, more importantly, what she wants out of life? And when she does, will she have the courage to reach for it? Each of these questions will be addressed when this book comes to a fantastic conclusion.
Trigger Warnings
Infertility, Fire
Why Kirsten loves it
My obsession with this book is real. I couldn’t put it down. The imagery was so beautifully written that I could picture each scene vividly in my mind as if I were watching a movie. The story is rich, the imagery is lush, and it’s easily one of my favorite books of the year. Gifted by Ballantine Books
Find this book in: Best Fiction Books of 2025 / Giftable Books / Best Books of 2025 Literary Romance Novels
Finding Grace
Author: Loretta Rothschild
Year: 2025
Genre: Literary Fiction Romance
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Honor, her husband, Tom, and their daughter Chloe seem like a perfect family. Still, Honor and Tom’s marriage is beginning to show the strains of repeated fertility issues, when something catastrophic happens that will forever alter their future.
Years later, Tom makes a decision that will impact every aspect of his life as he manipulates information, hides truths, and flat-out lies his way into someone’s orbit because of their connection with is family.
Trigger Warnings
Infertility
Why Kirsten loves it
I can’t say much about this story without ruining it, but I will say this. The end of the first chapter had me re-reading because I was so shocked. I cried, I winced, and I felt every moment of this deeply moving literary romance in my bones. I’ve never read a story quite like it. It will be one of my favorite books of the year. I just know it. #Gifted by St. Martins Press
Find this book in: Books About Mothers / Beach Reads 2025 / Best Books of 2025 / Literary Romance Novels
Dandelion is Dead
Author: Rosie Storey
Release Date: January 13, 2026
Genre: Fiction
More info: Debut Author
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
When Poppy breaks her phone, she decides to go to her late sister’s apartment to get her phone. Then she decides to respond to a stranger on Dandelion’s dating app and then meet him for a date on what would have been Dandelion’s 40th birthday. But the minute she meets Jake, she feels a connection to him, almost as if she pretends to be Dandelion, then Dandelion is not really gone.
Now, Poppy is living a double life. In one, she is in a committed long-term relationship with someone who loves her. And in the other, she is Dandelion- fun, carefree, and alive. She has to determine who she really is and what kind of life she wants for herself. Can she live her life when her sister is gone?
Trigger Warnings
Death of a sibling, grief
Why Jackie loves it
This is an unforgettable book about love, grief, and finding yourself and your path. It is also beautifully written and feels like the ups and downs Poppy experiences mimic real life. I was invested in the story the entire time with these imperfect characters whom I loved. #gifted
Find this book in: Novels About Grief / Literary Romance Novels
The Love Scribe
Author: Amy Meyerson
Year: 2023
Genre: Romance
More info: Bestselling author of Bookshop of Yesterdays
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Where do I even start with this amazing magical realism book? When Alice’s best friend has yet another horrible breakup, Alice wants to make her feel better by writing her a letter, the way she used to when they were young. Instead, she finds herself writing a story and as if by magic, Gabby meets the man of her dreams.
Soon, Alice is writing stories for everyone as her gift pours from her. When she is sent a letter that brings her to a mysterious mansion, she meets Madeline who wants to have a special story written for her. Alice is forced to deal with her own past in order to move forward.
Why Kirsten loves it
From the first page, I could not stop reading this book. As soon as I started, I told Jackie that she had to read the book. She loved it as much as I did. We knew it was a perfect book club book because of the amount of time we spent discussing it.
Why Jackie loves it
This book is so compelling I could not put it down. I love the writing but I also love the story within the story. Kirsten and I have had endless discussions about this book and the ending.
Find this book in: Magical Realism Books / Fiction Books about Writers / Best Books by Jewish Writers and Authors / Best Books for Book Clubs / Romance Books About Books / Literary Romance Novels
Loved One
Author: Aisha Mahurrar
Year: 2025
Genre: Literary Romance
More info: Most Anticipated Book of the Summer: New York Times Book Review
Emmy-Award Winning Writer
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Julia and Gabe met in Barcelona and became each other’s first love. Years later, they reconnect in L.A., where they become best friends. When Gabe dies suddenly and tragically at the age of 29, Julia embarks on a trip across the ocean to recover his possessions. Some are meaningful to his mom, and one, in particular, is meaningful to Julia.
The story moves back and forth from the past to the present and Julia tries to reconcile their past, their imperfect friendship, and what the future might have held for them.
Trigger Warnings
Sudden death
Why Jackie loves it
This is a beautifully told love story that feels relatable and real. Muharrar does an incredible job of creating characters with depth and her writing immediately drew me into the story. #gifted PRH Audio
Find this book in: Best Romance Books of 2025 / Literary Romance Novels
Classic Literary Fiction
Pride and Prejudice
Author: Jane Austen
Year: 1813
Genre: Classic Romance
Spice Rating:💋
More: December 2025 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Age Range: 12+
Plot
We love this classic love story. This love story has everything you could want. Elizabeth Bennet is a smart and stubborn woman who was ahead of her time. With five Bennet girls, one of them must marry well to support the other sisters.
Why Kirsten loves it
There are so many new and wonderful adaptations of this novel, that we did an entire post on it. And you don’t want to miss the other Jane Austen adaptations in the post as well. Austen is a master of romances, and this book is the original enemies-to-lovers novel! It’s my favorite of all the Jane Austen books.
Adaptations
If you are a fan of the book, you probably have very strong feelings about which adaptation you like more – the 2005 Keira Knightley version or the 1995 version with Colin Firth. In 2025, filming started on the latest adaptation, which will become a series for Netflix. The cast includes Emma Corrin (Elizabeth Bennet), Jack Lowden (Mr. Darcy), and Olivia Colman (Mrs. Bennet). Rufus Sewell, Freya Mavor, Jamie Demetriou, Daryl McCormack, Rhea Norwood, Siena Kelly, and Louis Partridge are in the supporting cast.
Find this book in: Books About Sisters / Enemies-to-Lovers Books / Jane Austen Books in Order / Grumpy Sunshine Books / Classic Romance Novels / Books Like Bridgerton / Books Becoming Movies / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2025 / The Best Queen Camilla Book Club Books
Romeo and Juliet
Author: William Shakespeare
Year: 1598
Genre: Literary Romance
More info: The Original Classic Literary Romance
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
Romeo and Juliet is usually covered during the high school years, but if you haven’t learned about this classic book, you need to read it!
Shakespeare’s beloved story is a tragic romance set in Verona, Italy. It’s about the children of two warring families, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, who start meeting in secret away from their parents’ machinations.
In their attempt at finding a life together, tragedy strikes. This is the original star-crossed lovers story.
Trigger Warnings
suicide
Why Kirsten loves it
It is a classic for a reason. I read it in school, and it’s crazy to think that Juliet was supposed to be 13-years-old.
Why Jackie loves it
This play has a new meaning as an adult. I cannot believe how young Romeo and Juliet were. I have a new appreciation for this book after seeing the Broadway play, & Juliet.
Find this book in: Books Like Disney Movies / Classic Romance Novels / Literary Romance Novels
Gone with the Wind
Author: Margaret Mitchell
Year: 1939
Genre: Literary Historical Romance
More info: Winner of the Pulitzer Prize
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This is an epic historical literary romance set during the Civil War in Georgia. Scarlett O’Hara is a Southern belle who will secure her future at any cost during a turbulent time. Rhett Butler is determined to win Scarlett’s heart.
This book examines poverty and loss through a woman who was ahead of her time.
Why Kirsten loves it
This classic book has a solid place in a list of the best romance novels of all time. I read this book in college and absolutely fell in love with Scarlett and Rhett. His passion to win her and then her determination to win him back set my adolescent heart a flutter.
Find this book in: Literary Romance Novels / Best Romance Novels of All Time
Expert Tip
If you love romance books, this is a list of books that should be a “must” on your TBR. Do not get intimidated by the term literary. These books will capture your heart in a whole new way.
- If you’re unsure about which book to pick, have a look at the descriptions. Kirsten and I read all of these books. We give a description and our thoughts. This is a really good way to help you pick a book you will love.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a literary romance novel, and how is it different from other romance novels?
A literary romance novel is a literary work of fiction with a love story component. These are complex plots with deep themes and characters throughout. Literary romance novels often have strong emotional components to them. A non-literary romance novel may be more predictable and follow a clearer formula. Romance novels often have a HEA (Happily Ever After) or an HFN (Happy For Now) ending.
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Epilogue
What is your favorite literary romance book? Are there more books I should add to my list?
