Fall into worlds where love is a given with these swoon-worthy romance book series
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25 Romance Book Series That Will Make You Swoon
Updated Sep. 25, 2024
The Brown Sisters by Talia Hibbert
Series starter: Get a Life, Chloe Brown
For fans of: The Well Met series by Jen DeLuca
Talia Hibbert’s The Brown Sisters series is a spectacularly romantic trilogy of books set within the same universe and featuring three sisters: Chloe, Dani and Eve. You can read them in any order, but to experience them as the author intended, start with 2019’s Get a Life, Chloe Brown. The titular protagonist is chronically ill, but she’s determined to follow a list of ideas that will help her “get a life”—have meaningless sex, for example. Enter neighbor Red Morgan, a motorcycle-riding artist who agrees to help Chloe complete her list. As feelings between them grow, Chloe begins to see through Red’s hardened exterior. The books are fun escapes all year long, but they make especially great beach reads.
“Talia Hibbert’s Brown Sisters trilogy is a rare series where I’m hard-pressed to pick my favorite book from it: They’re all perfection. So you may as well start with the first in the series, Get a Life, Chloe Brown,” says Caitlin O’Neil, the co-owner of Tropes & Trifles romance bookstore in Minneapolis. “Hibbert always strikes the perfect balance between genuinely hilarious characters and interactions, a genuine sensitivity for the tougher situations that the characters are experiencing and smoking-hot intimate scenes. I first read this book in the middle seat of an airplane, sandwiched between two complete strangers, and man, they may have wondered why I was blushing so hard, but nothing could have stopped me from finishing this book in one go.”
O’Neil isn’t alone in her love for this series. She isn’t even the only romance bookstore owner to tell Reader’s Digest that this series is an absolute must-read. “Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert continues to be one of our bestselling books, even five years after its publication, because it is a perfect entry point into contemporary romance, showcasing the genre at its very best and appealing to a wide range of readers,” says Leah Koch, the owner of The Ripped Bodice romance bookstore. “Relatable characters, witty dialogue and, of course, chemistry and love make this a can’t-miss.”
Maple Hills by Hannah Grace
Series starter: Icebreaker
For fans of: The Playbook series by Alexa Martin
With more than a million copies sold of 2023’s Icebreaker, the first in Hannah Grace’s Maple Hills series, it’s safe to say the forced-proximity romance between a hockey player and a figure-skater is a hit. Two more books‚ Wildfire and Daydream (which came out in August 2024), round out the trilogy. You don’t have to read these books in order, so pick whichever plot and pairing most appeal to you. But if spice isn’t your thing, be warned: While they may look like YA books, these are definitely intended for mature audiences.
Knockemout by Lucy Score
Series starter: Things We Never Got Over
For fans of: The Maple Hills series by Hannah Grace
An uberpopular three-book romance novel series, Knockemout has nearly 2 million ratings on Goodreads. (For the uninitiated: Yeah, that’s a lot.) All set in the quaint town of Knockemout, Virginia, these books are perfect for fans of small-town romances, strong female leads and the grumpy-sunshine trope. Start with Things We Never Got Over, in which the town’s consummate bad boy, Knox, absolutely refuses to fall for good girl Naomi (except, of course, he does!). Full of drama, passion and even an evil twin, Lucy Score’s novel keeps readers on the edge of their seats for a whopping 500-plus pages.
A League of Extraordinary Women by Evie Dunmore
Series starter: Bringing Down the Duke
For fans of: The Bridgertons series by Julia Quinn
With the release of Bringing Down the Duke in 2019, Evie Dunmore sent historical fiction fans clamoring for more high jinks in the Victorian era. Each of the series’s four books focuses on a different suffragette studying at the University of Oxford. The series starter introduces readers to Annabelle, a strong-willed scholar who intends to recruit politically minded Sebastian Devereux to the rising women’s suffrage movement. Sebastian is a duke who shouldn’t be falling for a commoner, but he can’t seem to pull himself from Annabelle’s orbit. The most recent of the novels (The Gentleman’s Gambit) released late last year and is as deliciously entertaining and heart-melting as the rest.
“The love story in Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore is great, but even more than that, I love the friendship between four women with very different approaches to activism,” says O’Neil. “And of course, they each get their own book! Spoiler: If you know your history, you know that women did not gain the right to vote in the United Kingdom until several decades after the series ends, but if you read them all, there is a crying-through-happy-tears epilogue to the final book where you get to fast-forward to that date.”
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Las Léonas by Adriana Herrera
Series starter: A Caribbean Heiress in Paris
For fans of: The Luna Sisters series by Liana De la Rosa
Get ready for Dominican heroines and squee-worthy antics set in the Victorian era. Adriana Herrera’s first novel in this book series was published in 2022, and the third (A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke) is set to release in 2025. In A Caribbean Heiress in Paris, Luz Alana Heith-Benzan learns that she won’t have access to her trust fund until after she marries, but Luz isn’t in any rush to tie the knot. Her ultimate goal is to expand the family’s rum business. But a constant slew of rejections from men who don’t want to do business with a woman of color proves to be a challenge, and a marriage of convenience to James Evanston Sinclair, the Earl of Darnick, may be the only way to meet both parties’ needs.
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
Series starter: Once Upon a Broken Heart
For fans of: The Fair Isle Trilogy by Tessonja Odette
For those craving a romance with fantasy elements, Stephanie Garber’s Once Upon a Broken Heart series is a must-read. It follows Evangeline Fox, who makes a twisted deal with the devilish Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, and ends up with more than she bargained for in the form of cursed magic. Now that Evangeline is in Jacks’s debt, she’s forced into following his plans, which could either lead her toward a happily ever after or unfortunate tragedy. The first book was released in 2021, with the final installment hitting shelves in 2023—good news for readers who love bingeing romance book series that are complete.
London Calling by Alexis Hall
Series starter: Boyfriend Material
For fans of: Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
The first book in Alexis Hall’s hilarious queer rom-com series, Boyfriend Material introduces readers to Luc O’Donnell. He’s the son of famous parents, a target for scathing tabloid headlines and, as author Talia Hibbert so accurately put it, a “certified chaos demon.” Oliver Blackwood is a perfectly respectable gentleman and kind human. In other words, he’s the perfect fake boyfriend to help improve Luc’s appearance in the public eye. He is also, as far as Luc is concerned, a menace. But will fake feelings soon turn real? After you race through this 2020 bestseller, pick up the second book, Husband Material. The third of Hall’s legitimately funny books in this series, Father Material, is expected to come out in 2025.
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
Series starter: The Summer I Turned Pretty
For fans of: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
Though the Summer I Turned Pretty series is a fairly new addition to Amazon Prime Video’s TV lineup, the story has been winning readers over in novel form since 2009. The sweet and summery YA book series follows 15-year-old Belly Conklin, a teen who spends her summers at Cousins Beach with her brother, her mother and her mother’s best friend, Susannah. Then there are Susannah’s two boys, Jeremiah and Conrad. The pair couldn’t be more different, yet each owns a part of Belly’s heart. You might pick up this teen book for the swoon-worthy summer romances, but you’ll appreciate its depth in the parental subplot. Just come ready with tissues—you may experience a few tears during the series!
“Considering I’m recommending this to romance fans, you’d think my favorite thing about Han’s series would be the love stories. They’re great—especially if you’re looking for coming-of-age romances and a wonderful depiction of falling in love while figuring out who you are,” says Reader’s Digest Books Editor Tracey Neithercott. “But what sets this series apart is everything happening around the romance storylines. A subplot with one of the parental figures is particularly poignant and a reminder of how love can both hurt and help during hard times.”
Bridgertons by Julia Quinn
Series starter: The Duke & I
For fans of: The Wallflower series by Lisa Kleypas
If you’re the type to pick book recommendations based on TV shows, you’ll want to grab this whole series, which inspired the massively popular Netflix show. Beloved by historical fiction fans, this Regency-era romance is the perfect series to start while you wait for Bridgerton Season Four. There are currently nine books in the Bridgertons book series, which began with The Duke & I in 2000. The series debut follows Daphne Bridgerton, a kind, intelligent young lady who is hoping to find a suitable match among eligible bachelors, though none have shown real interest. While Simon, the Duke of Hastings, doesn’t plan to marry, he’d like to get the eager mothers of the ton off his back. So he agrees to fake-date Daphne, improving her reputation among suitors while placating those eager to see him married off. But this is a romance, so naturally, real feelings get involved.
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Series starter: Outlander
For fans of: The Wilderness series by Sara Donati
Start with fascinating historical fiction, add some time travel and throw in a sweeping romance. What do you have? Diana Gabaldon’s bestselling romance book series, which begins with 1991’s Outlander. (And yes, there’s a TV adaptation. It first premiered on Starz in 2014.)
There are nine books in the Outlander book series, which follows Claire Randall, a former British combat nurse who’s taking a second honeymoon in Scotland in 1945. During her trip, she’s accidentally transported to 1743, where she meets the charming and handsome Jamie Fraser. In the war-torn Scotland of the past, Claire becomes divided between two men—her husband and Jamie—and two vastly different periods of time.
Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
Series starter: Heartstopper Vol. 1
For fans of: The Simonverse series by Becky Albertalli
If you’re hunting for feel-good books, look no further than Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper graphic novels. This sweet YA romance book series follows shy, sensitive Charlie and amiable, rugby-loving Nick. The two boys navigate high school friendships, bullies and family, all while discovering a hint of a spark that’s growing between them. The problem? Charlie is out, but Nick is still discovering his sexuality. Oseman has written five books in her Heartstopper book series, and the first and second were adapted into a hit Netflix TV series, with the third season on the way.
The Lillys by Xio Axelrod
Series starter: The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes
For fans of: Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
In the first book of Xio Axelrod’s romance novel series, which came out in 2021, Toni Bennette is the lead singer of an indie rock group set to break out—that is, if she can handle the pressure of her first love being the band’s manager. “The Lillys series by Xio Axelrod is perfect for anyone who loves rock star romance and strong female leads,” says Carley Morton, the owner of Under the Cover Romance Bookshop in Kansas City, Missouri. “Axelrod has experience in the music industry, so she writes with the behind-the-scenes knowledge you look for in a rock star book. I really loved reading these and getting to know the characters and feeling what it would be like to be in an all-girl indie band on the rise.”
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Series starter: Shatter Me
For fans of: The Divergent series by Veronica Roth
Here’s another oldie but goodie for readers who gobble up romance book series. Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me series is heavy with yearning—which may be why it has recently seen a resurgence on BookTok. The first in this YA book series was published in 2011, and six more novels and a handful of novellas followed in its wake.
So what’s caught everyone’s attention (again)? Seventeen-year-old Juliette has been locked away by the Reestablishment and told she’s cursed: Anyone she touches dies. But then there’s Adam, handsome and steely and understanding, who becomes Juliette’s cellmate and opens her mind to what’s really happening in this dystopian world. Of course, there’s more to the romance than a simple Adam-Juliette bond (hello, Warner).
Slammed by Colleen Hoover
Series starter: Slammed
For fans of: The Twisted series by Ana Huang
Colleen Hoover book series are few and far between—the bestselling author mostly writes stand-alone fiction. But ask Booktok readers, and they’ll tell you that these are some of the best romance series books ever written. Yup, like the rest of Hoover’s work, Slammed is big hit.
Here’s what you’re in for when you pick up the first book, published in 2012: Eighteen-year-old Layken is struggling to be there for her mother and brother after the death of her father, but it’s difficult. Then she meets Will Cooper, a neighbor with a passion for slam poetry. The two form an intense emotional connection only to discover a shocking secret that pulls them apart. But Will and Layken can’t seem to suppress the feelings they have for each other, and it becomes impossible to stay away. Hoover is currently the No. 1 bestselling romance author, so you’re going to want to get your hands on this series.
The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez
Series starter: The Friend Zone
For fans of: The Kiss Quotient series by Helen Hoang
You can read the books in Abby Jimenez’s four-book series as stand-alone romance novels, but because they take place within the same world and feature familiar characters, it’s worth a full-series binge. If you’re someone who enjoys romantic movies, this one’s for you.
The first book, 2019’s The Friend Zone follows Kristen and Josh. A sarcastic, smart entrepreneur, Kristen likes no strings attached when it comes to men. Josh is instantly drawn to her charisma, but she insists they can only be friends. She knows she needs surgery that will make it impossible for her to have kids, and Josh has expressed interest in having children. But as their chemistry grows, Kristen isn’t sure she can stay away. Pick up the rest of the novels in the series to find out how side characters—aka your new bookish friends—find their happily ever afters.
“I recommend The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez to everyone!” says Eliza Evans, the author of The Christmas Café. “The emotive writing will tug at every heartstring, making you laugh and cry and fall in love with the relatable characters. Jimenez has a gift for crafting stories with heart and depth but also seamlessly weaves in wit and humor to lift your spirits. I guarantee the twists and turns in this one will keep you turning the pages. I read it in two days!”
Sookie Stackhouse by Charlaine Harris
Series starter: Dead Until Dark
For fans of: The Hollows series by Kim Harrison
You might recognize this paranormal romance book series by its TV adaptation name: True Blood. The first in the 13-book series was published in 2001, giving readers romance with a little bite. (Yep, it’s a vampire book.) The novels are set in a small town in Louisiana, where Sookie Stackhouse is a cocktail waitress living a totally normal life—until she meets and falls for a vampire.
Old West by Beverly Jenkins
Series starter: Forbidden
For fans of: The Texas Trilogy by Lorraine Heath
Dive into history—the Old West, to be exact—with Beverly Jenkins’s three-book romance series. It’s a must for romance readers looking for books in the genre by Black authors. The first entry, 2016’s Forbidden, follows Rhine Fontaine, a man whose success relies on him passing as white. But after he rescues Eddy Carmichael from the desert, he wishes he could put a stop to the charade. All Eddy wants is to save enough money from cooking to move to California, but she can’t deny that there’s an unsatiated yearning between them. Their attraction might be reckless, but is that enough to keep them away from each other?
Reluctant Royals by Alyssa Cole
Series starter: A Princess in Theory
For fans of: The American Royalty series by Tracey Livesay
Alyssa Cole’s Reluctant Royals romance book series begins with A Princess in Theory. First published in 2018, the book introduces readers to Naledi Smith, a grad student who has received a slew of emails claiming she’s an African princess. Yeah, right! She may have grown up in foster care, but she isn’t buying into that fairy-tale scam. Prince Thabiso sets out to find his true betrothed, and when Naledi mistakes the heir to the Thesolo throne for a commoner, Thabiso can’t resist dipping into a reality that lies outside his royal responsibilities. But what happens when the truth is revealed?
Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
Series starter: The Wedding Date
For fans of: Asking for Trouble by Elizabeth Young
Published in 2018, the first book in Jasmine Guillory’s six-book series introduces readers to Alexa Monroe, who accidentally gets stuck in an elevator with charismatic Drew Nichols. And when he asks her if she’ll play the part of his fake girlfriend at his ex’s wedding? Well, she agrees. But after they have an incredible time together, they’re forced to return to their real lives in separate cities. The problem is, they can’t seem to stop thinking about each other.
Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams
Series starter: The Bromance Book Club
For fans of: Real Men Knit by Kwana Jackson
There are currently five books in Lyssa Kay Adams’s binge-worthy series, which began with the 2019 publication of The Bromance Book Club. The first novel introduces readers to second baseman Gavin Scott, who discovers his wife, Thea, has been faking orgasms. With their relationship already in turmoil, Thea asks for a divorce. The request prompts Gavin into action, and he seeks coaching from an unlikely place: an alpha-male romance book club. A steamy read and some book club discussions with his new pals seem just what Gavin needs to become his own hero and win Thea back. But it’s going to take a lot more than romantic gestures to fix their problems.
“We recommend The Bromance Club by Lyssa Kay Adams several times a week,” says O’Neil. “It’s the perfect book for readers trying romance for the first time. If you’re not sure what a trope is, the dude-bros in this book will have you shouting along with them that ‘it’s time for the grand gesture!'”
The Ravenels by Lisa Kleypas
Series starter: Cold-Hearted Rake
For fans of: The Spindle Cove series by Tessa Dare
Fans of Regency romance and the enemies-to-lovers trope will enjoy Lisa Kleypas’s rich London-set world within this seven-book series. In the first novel, published in 2015, readers meet Devon Ravenel, a rake who has inherited an earldom. But the estate is in shambles and, even worse, has the late earl’s three sisters—including Lady Kathleen Trenear—living there. She sees right through Devon’s devious wickedness and won’t fall for any of his scoundrel-like antics. Or so she thinks. She soon finds that, when it comes to Devon, her heart is in trouble.
Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
Series starter: Written in the Stars
For fans of: Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake
If you’re looking for LGBTQ books, don’t miss Alexandria Bellefleur’s Written in the Stars series, the first book of which published in 2020. There are currently three books, each following a different set of characters connected within the same world. In the first, readers meet Darcy Lowell, a no-nonsense skeptic who lies to her well-meaning brother about her latest date, telling him it was a success. Elle Jones is a popular online astrologer who’s baffled to hear from Darcy’s brother that the two of them hit it off when, really, the opposite happened. Darcy convinces Elle to play along over the holidays to save face, but soon the pair discover they’re developing real feelings—even though they’re faking a relationship.
Virgin River by Robyn Carr
Series starter: Virgin River
For fans of: The Search and Rescue series by Katie Ruggle
If you’re watching the Netflix TV show of the same name and waiting for the next season to begin, consider starting the book series it’s based on. The first book released in 2007, and since then, Robyn Carr has published 21 more titles in the Virgin River book series, so it’s sure to keep you busy.
Experience lush Northern California through the fictional town of Virgin River. To escape the heartache of losing her husband, Melinda Monroe finds herself with a fresh start in the sleepy town. She hopes the move will revive her love for nursing—and life. But the rental cabin is atrocious, and the local doctor isn’t exactly welcoming. Just when she thinks she’s made a mistake, an unexpected discovery makes her reconsider. And a blossoming romance makes her stay.
The Luna Sisters by Liana De la Rosa
Series starter: Ana María and the Fox
For fans of: The Dangerous Damsels series by India Holton
The Luna Sisters by Liana De la Rosa is a delightful Victorian-set Latinx series that follows a trio of Mexican heiresses seeking refuge (and political support) in London during the French occupation of Mexico. Start with 2023’s Ana María and the Fox, and enjoy a slow-burn forbidden-love story full of sisterly antics.
“Book one follows the ‘perfect daughter’ as she accidentally catches the eye of an austere politician who should really be focusing on his campaign to abolish the Atlantic slave trade,” says Becca Title, the owner of Meet Cute Romance Bookshop in San Diego. “Book two is a romp featuring the wallflower middle sister, who takes it upon herself to unofficially spy on the British aristocracy, only to find that an actual British spy is unofficially spying on her. Book three follows the youngest of the trio and is out next year!”
Kings of Sin by Ana Huang
Series starter: King of Wrath
For fans of: The Legacy of Gods series by Rina Kint
Ana Huang’s four-book series about filthy-rich men and the women who love them has been a TikTok sensation since it first came out in 2022. This one is for romance readers who like the steam turned up to 10. If you can’t get enough of Kings of Sin, don’t fret: The New York Times bestselling author has promised that three more books in the series are coming in the very near future.
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At Reader’s Digest, we’ve been sharing our favorite books for over 100 years. We’ve worked with bestselling authors including Susan Orlean, Janet Evanovich and Alex Haley, whose Pulitzer Prize–winning Roots grew out of a project funded by and originally published in the magazine. Through Fiction Favorites (formerly Select Editions and Condensed Books), Reader’s Digest has been publishing anthologies of abridged novels for decades. We’ve worked with some of the biggest names in fiction, including James Patterson, Ruth Ware, Kristin Hannah and more. The Reader’s Digest Book Club, helmed by Books Editor Tracey Neithercott, introduces readers to even more of today’s best fiction by upcoming, bestselling and award-winning authors. For this piece on romance book series, Farrah Penn tapped her experience as an author and a journalist who covers book publishing to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Caitlin O’Neil, co-owner of Tropes & Trifles romance bookstore in Minneapolis; email interview, August 2024
- Leah Koch, co-owner of The Ripped Bodice bookstore in Brooklyn, New York, and Culver City, California; email interview, August 2024
- Becca Title, owner of Meet Cute Romance Bookshop in San Diego; email interview, August 2024
- Carley Morton, owner of Under the Cover Romance Bookshop in Kansas City, Missouri, and host of the Smut Stuff podcast; email interview, August 2024
- Eliza Evans, author of holiday rom-coms including The Christmas Café; email interview, August 2024
Originally Published: March 13, 2024
