Romance should never be dull and these stories certainly aren’t. Here are 20 of the very best romance authors who will spice up your life with unforgettable novels. From international bestsellers to hidden gems, these must-read books belong on your reading list.
Melissa Toppen is a USA Today bestselling author who has written over 40 books. Her main genre is fantasy contemporary romance, and some of her most popular books include You and I Always, Watch Me Burn, and The Road to You.
You and I Always is about Anna Blake, a 21-year-old who becomes a dancer at a very exclusive club in town. When she meets Bentley Reed, she doesn’t know just how much he will change her life. He’s rich and successful, and he’s never met a girl like Anna before. Once they meet, the two can’t seem to stay away from each other.
Samantha Young is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author best known for writing contemporary romance. Her books feature fantasy, mystery, and suspense, all while following a romantic plot.
On Dublin Streetis the first of her very popular Dublin Street series about Jocelyn Butler. Jocelyn moved to Ireland to try and escape her troubled past, and her new life is going well until she meets Braden Carmichael. He is intent on getting what he wants, and their attraction to each other is undeniable.
Beneath This Mask is about a woman named Charlie who avoids relationships. Other than the friends-with-benefits relationship she has with Con (her boss), she steers clear of men. That is, until she meets Simon, a former Navy Pilot and successful businessman who is set on making her his.
L.A. Casey is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with over 30 books to her name. Some of her most-loved novels include Dominic, Until Harry, and Her Lifeline.
Her Lifeline follows Erin, a girl who has a crush on her brother’s best friend, Ward. But Ward suddenly goes missing from Erin and her brother’s lives, breaking both their hearts. When Erin’s brother is almost killed in a car accident, she and Ward are suddenly thrown back together and he’s determined to make amends. But he’s waited so long and Erin has tried to move on…is he too late?
Ashley Jade is the author of over 40 works of new adult romance. The Words, The Choice, and Twisted Fateare some of her most popular books.
Twisted Fate is about Dev, a sassy and smart woman who knows what she wants. When she meets Tristan Blake, she knows that they have an undeniable connection, and she can’t stop herself from falling for him.
R.S. Grey is a USA Today #1 bestselling author with over 20 books published. She’s best known for writing romantic comedies that feature witty banter, indisputable passion, and forbidden love. If you like Shantel Tessier’s work, you’ll love R.S. Grey’s daring novels.
Paper Princess is an ongoing series about Ella Harper, a girl who feels completely alone after her mother’s death. When Callum Royal brings Ella to live in his mansion, she meets his five sons who all hate her. They don’t think she belongs with the Royal family, and Ella thinks maybe they’re right.
But Ella begins taking a liking to Reed Royal, one of the oldest sons, despite his flaws.
Jamie McGuire is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who mainly writes new adult fiction and romance. Her books are suspenseful, mysterious, and angsty, and they’re sure to keep you entertained. Some of her crowd favorites are Beautiful Disaster, Beautiful Oblivion, andProvidence.
Rina Kent is an international bestselling author of over 50 books. Her stories feature enemies-to-lovers plots, suspense, darkness, and most importantly, passion. The most popular of her books are Deviant Kingand Vow of Deception.
Deviant King is the first in a long series by Rina Kent. It’s a dark bully romance about Elsa and Aiden, a bad boy who wants to sabotage Elsa as much as possible. The issue is, he also likes Elsa a lot, and would do anything to make her his.
Where Waves Break follows June, a woman who’s just started nannying for a single dad/retired rock star, Diego. The job was supposed to only last a week, but it turns into a summer-long gig as Diego and June start falling for each other. But as things progress, June is left wondering what will happen when the summer ends and her job there is over.
Little Devil is about Jordyn, who has her life laid out for her: Graduate high school, marry a good guy, and take over her mother’s company. She’s not excited about that life, but she figures it’s easier to just keep that to herself. But then she meets Xander, a daring bad boy who doesn’t follow the rules, and wonders if she should take a risk after all.
Tillie Cole is the author of many different contemporary and dark romance novels. Her books are sweet and heartfelt, but still have just the right amount of angst and suspense. Her most-liked novels include A Thousand Boy Kisses, It Ain’t Me Babe, and Raze.
A Thousand Boy Kisses follows the story of two people who were meant for each other: Rune Kristiansen and Poppy Litchfield. We are taken on a heartfelt journey as we discover the nuances of their love story and what it means to love.
Sam Mariano is the author of over 45 novels, all of which are spicy, dark and emotional. Some of her most-loved stories include Untouchable, Descent, and Beautiful Mistakes.
Untouchable is about Zoey, a high school student who got a star football player suspended for exposing what he did to her. The students despise her for it, but Zoey stands by what she did. When Carter Mahoney hears about what Zoey said, she becomes his target.
Samantha Lovelock is a USA Today bestselling author who writes sassy, sarcastic, and emotionally charged romance novels. Her most popular books include Fragile Thingsand The Sky at Night.
Fragile Things is the first in a series about Stella, who is going to visit the only family she has. When she meets Poe Holliday she doesn’t expect to fall in love with him, but fate has a funny way of working out. While Stella tries to navigate this new love, she is also haunted by a past that she never knew existed, and she has to figure out the mystery.
Michelle Heard is a Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Amazon bestselling author. Her romance books are emotional and intense, some of the most popular being Taken By A Sinnerand Merciless Saints.
Taken By A Sinner is the first in a long-running series by Michelle Heard. Tessa wants to get out of the Greek Mafia and become a film producer, and she won’t let anything stand in her way. But when Nikolas, AKA the head of the Greek Mafia, becomes her stepbrother, he is intent on ruining her plans. Tessa is determined to get her way, but it’s hard when she can’t stop her stomach from doing flips at the sight of the man that is trying to bring her down.
Fallen Crest High is about Samantha, whose life is filled with drama. She has issues with her mom; her boyfriend is cheating on her; and her parents are getting divorced so she’s moving in with her mom’s new boyfriend and his two sons (the Kade brothers).
R. Holmes has 20 romance novels that you won’t be able to stop reading. Some of her most popular include Jingle WarsandImmoral Confessions.
Jingle Wars may take place during Christmas, but it can be loved all throughout the year. It follows Finn Mayberry, a man in a small town who is trying to keep his Grandparent’s Inn running. When Freya Anderson shows up and puts a 5 star resort right next to their place, Finn knows it’s time for a competition. But he’s at a loss when they start falling for each other, and they need to figure out what to do next.
Abbi Glines is the author of over 80 books and is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She is known for writing contemporary romance with angsty bad boys and witty banter. Some of her most-loved works include Fallen Too Far, Until Friday Night, and Existence.
Tracy Lorraine is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance. Some of her most popular books include Falling For Ryan, Inked, and Resolution: Exposure.
Falling For Ryan is a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance about Ryan and Molly. They have been best friends for years, going through many things in life and helping each other along the way. When they start falling for each other, it’s uncharted territory, but they are ready to risk everything to be together.
All of Shantel Tessier’s books are very well-loved by many, but some of her most popular are The Ritual and The Sinner.
What should I read if I like Shantel Tessier?
Shantel Tessier specializes in dark, suspenseful contemporary romance. If you like her books, you will probably love any of the books that we’ve mentioned in this article. If a book has romance and angst, it will surely be reminiscent of Shantel Tessier.
How many books does Shantel Tessier have?
Currently, Shantel Tessier has 30 novels, but she is bound to have more in the future. Currently, Shantel Tessier has 30 novels, but she is bound to have more in the future.
Freya grew up in Portland Oregon and still resides there now. She has been reading for as long as she can remember, and loves that books allow you to escape into someone else’s reality for a little while. When she is not writing or reading she enjoys playing piano, baking, and going outside.
