20 romance novels you must read

Chocolates, roses, soft music and the cupid’s bow... cliches are repeated for a reason. They are popular and strike the right chord! Numerous books from numerous genres have been written and loved, but the romance genre is something that will never grow old, and is a permanent resident in bestseller lists around the world. To show that love can never vanish, here is a list of 20 bestselling romance novels that you cannot afford to miss!

Photo: Pexels

This widely acclaimed classic by Shakespeare is regarded as a work of excellence by critics and readers alike. After all, you can’t claim yourself to be familiar with romance if you aren’t familiar with this evergreen masterpiece!Making it to the top of the list, the play continues to be most people’s ‘idea of true love’ and despite of its antiquated English, it calls for a reading!

Photo:CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Remy is sorted in her notions of love, marriage and commitment, which are a direct outcome of her mother’s four failed marriages, and the upcoming fifth one. Confining herself to friendships and a single boyfriend with whom she broke up in the nick of time, she is extremely perturbed by the hurt that every failed relationship afflicts on her mother and the fact that her father is dead. Continuing with her cold hearted ways, Remy comes across Dexter, who might be her idea of ‘love’, but Remy is reluctant to admit this fact. As her friends attempt to storm her emotional fortress, Remy’s prejudice towards love undergoes a change.

Photo: Penguin Random House

Revolving around the life of Disha, the story delves deep into the the idea of following one’s heart, the true meaning of friendship and chasing one’s dreams. At ‘sweet 16', Disha develops a huge crush on one of her schoolmates. However, things begin getting out of hand as she discovers her impotence apropos exercising any control over her situation. Eighteen years later, Disha finds herself torn between a dull life and an opportunity to relive her colourful teenage, what choice will she make?

Photo: Westland

Set in the backdrop of the second world war, this book by Nicholas Sparks puts forward questions of social status and rank apropos the idea of love, true love being the central thrust. As Allie falls in love with Noah who is a mill worker, their relationship fails to garner her father’s approbation. When Noah leaves the country to fight in the war, Allie finds herself attracted to another man. However, as Noah returns, the realization of true love dawns upon her as she finds herself still in love with him.

Photo: Grand Central Publishing

Is death the end of love? When two cancer afflicted teenagers fall in love with each other, they decide to spend the remaining time of their lives together. Having nothing in common except for extreme fondness for an author and a Cancer Support group, love is a life-changing experience for Hazel and Augustus make the reader realise the importance of every minute, every day and most importantly, life, that most people spend complaining and cringing about.

Photo:Penguin Random House

One of the earliest novels written by the most celebrated author and poet of India, "The Boat-wreck" is set in Tagore’s home state of Bengal and is the story of an unfortunate incident in which a boat overturns. Of the rescued survivors, is Ramesh’s newly wedded wife whose face he has never seen. Ramesh mistakes another woman for Kamala, his wife and doesn’t realise as he falls for her. Kamala shares Ramesh’s oblivion and love, until both realize the trick that life played. Eloquently describing the nuances and nature of arranged marriage in India, this romance is a must read for all age groups.

Photo: Harper Perennial

Love turns a blind eye to age, culture, religion and all other disparities that hinder its way. But "Shiver" transcends to a different domain altogether, where love overlooks species and form, so much so that a girl ends up falling in love with a wolf! Sam Roth is a werewolf and Grace Brisbane, hitherto unfamiliar to his human form is completely in love with him since childhood when Sam saved Grace's life. When she meets him in Sam's human form, as he comes to her doorstep, wounded and shot, she recognizes the ‘yellow eyes’ that her saviour wolf had.

Photo: Scholastic Inc.

One of Jane Austen’s most acknowledged works, "Pride and Prejudice" beautifully portrays the Bennets’ microcosm, presided over by Mrs Bennet, whose sole objective is to marry her five young daughters off to affluent, men. Fitting the description perfectly, is Mr Bingley whom they had previously met at a social meeting and are set to meet again at a ball and eyed by Mrs Bennet for her eldest and most beautiful daughter, Jane. As Jane and Bingley are drawn to each other instinctively, Bingley’s friend Mr Darcy and Elizabeth, next in beauty and age to Jane, explore the tacit bonding that they share.

Photo:Penguin Books; Penguin Classics edition

After losing her job, Louisa Clarke has to take another one, unwillingly. Her new job demands her to take care of a bedridden, money-minting banker who now lies paralysed after a tragic accident. Pragmatic, cynical and indifferent, Sam almost gives up on life until Louisa makes him realize that life should be enjoyed and cherished. As this journey continues, Sam falls in love with the gleeful Louisa, who also finds herself drawn to Sam. The book has also been adapted into a movie with the same title and stars the dragon queen, Emilia Clarke.

Photo:Penguin Random House

Is seeing believing? Based on the very question, Cecelia Ahern conjures this magical book that will force one to question their intrinsic logic and rationality. Dealing with the life of a thirty-something Elizabeth Egan, who has no one but only a 6-year-old nephew in her life, the book brings forth her repulsion for frivolity, hope and love, since she holds these very emotions responsible for distancing her from her kin. Things change when Elizabeth’s nephew finds an imaginary friend, Ivan, who is not only accepted, but adored by her.

Photo:Hachette Books

The debut novel and biography of the author, Ravinder Singh, this book is a heart-wrenching love story that starts on the online matrimonial portal, ‘Shaadi.com’. As Ravin meets Khushi, their conversations turn into friendship which soon develops into love, followed by their families’ assent and a betrothal. Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? It isn’t. Things take a turn when Khushi meets with a road accident which changes the lives of Ravin, Khushi, and their families, forever.

Photo: Penguin Random House

When Deep goes for an internship to Hong Kong, he meets Ahana who is many things-sweet, confident and visually impaired. Being a typical nerd, an introvert and socially awkward, Deep bonds with Ahana as he guides him through the literal dark doorways of her life and she allows him to escape the metaphoric darkness that he harbours within him in the form of insecurities. As both hold each other’s hand while exploring the beautiful country of Hong Kong, they witness their bond strengthen, as love knocks at their door.

Photo: Penguin Random House

Running parallel to the American Civil War is the war that Scarlett and Ashley are fighting. Scarlett wishes to marry Ashley, who instead marries a plain looking cousin of Scarlett, because she is more similar to him, whereas Scarlett and Ashley are stark opposites. Enraged and hurt, Scarlett plans to turn the tables on Ashley as she gets married to a man she barely likes, loses him to the war and delivers his baby until she returns to where she started.

Photo: Scribner

From the world of fiction and mystery comes the Forever Series by Novoneel Chakraborty. Including two books- "Forever is a Lie" and "Forever is True", the series take the reader down the lane of a dark romance as the protagonist, Prisha Srivastav ventures into idiosyncratic love affairs. The first is with a man twice his age, and dreaded by the entire city of Bangalore, while the other is with a man who is as mysterious as the fatal incident in which she was pushed to death.

Photo: Penguin Random House

Set in the Indian context, this book by Madhuri Banerjee provides a subtle critique of the Indian concept of marriage and the unrealistic expectations that it comes with, especially for women. Worshipped as goddesses, women are expected to part with their human characteristics and instincts and not express their carnal desires openly. Does marriage ensure love? Can people fall in love after marriage? What if the relationship loses its spark after the formal commitment or it never had one? Such are the questions raised by this book as it explores the many facets of love.

Photo: Rupa & Co

Anastasia Steele, a graduate student comes to interview the contemporary business magnate Christian Grey. Instinctively and instantly drawn to each other, they plunge into an affair in which Anna discovers that Christian’s sexual predilections are as enigmatic as him. Made into a major movie, this book by E.L. James has been followed by two sequels following the extremely good response that the book garnered.

Photo: Penguin Random House

Set in the 80s of Nebraska, the novel is a young adult romance narrating the story of two teenagers who meet for the first time on their school bus. Park saves Eleanor from the embarrassment of breaking into tears as children trick her into being reprimanded by the bus driver on her very first day of school. Park manages to set himself apart from the others by his helpful gesture and Eleanor’s academic intelligence draws Park to her. The two end up sharing a beautiful bond over cassettes and comics, rendering the novel a magical touch of the 80s.

Photo: St. Martin's Griffin

Adapted into a movie with the same name, "A Walk To Remember" explores love and the uncertainties that are inextricably entwined with each other. Having disparate personalities and outlooks, Jamie and Landon end up falling in love with each other during high school. Despite of not being fond of Jamie, Landon falls heads over heels for her and later, marries her. This turns out to be equally surprising and fulfilling for both the protagonists, more so for Jamie, who narrates this life changing event in a manner that will enchant the reader.

Photo:Grand Central Publishing; Reprint edition

As an adopted child and an orphan, life was never a bed of roses for Heathcliff, who was brought to be raised among his own children by Mr Earnshaw. Catherine is amiable, warm and welcoming towards Heathcliff whereas her brother Hindley is insecure and despises Heathcliff for replacing him as his father’s beloved son. As Lockwood finds out everything about the residents of Wuthering Heights, a manor owned by Heathcliff, the reader is gripped to this intense tale of envy, love and revenge.

Photo: Penguin Classics

Brimming with an inherent autobiographical tone and candor, "Two States" is set in the culturally diverse land of India, and enlists the struggles and compromises that an intercultural marriage entails. It is the story of the TOI Write India author, Chetan Bhagat’s marriage to his two year long girlfriend whom he meets at IIM and ends up falling in love with. Krish, Chetan’s character belongs to a typical Punjabi family whereas Ananya hails from a Tamil Brahmin family, thus the title. Shedding light on the fact that love solely can never ensure a marital union in India, the book is every bit delightful as it shows Krish and Ananya make their way through trivial and grave disagreements among their families.

Photo: Rupa & Co