Hello Booknerds!

So it's February, and we have officially stepped into the ‘month of love’! Valentine’s day has just been around the corner. Thus romance is like “the chosen one” in terms of literary themes this month.

And if you are worrying about which romance book to pick next, we are here with the solution. Many of us are often in a dilemma about whether to pick a classic novel or to choose a contemporary romance when it comes to any genre. Hence for this week, we are providing you with a bunch of romance recommendations from both classic and contemporary fiction.

Let’s have a look at the classic ones first, shall we?


Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

“He’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”

Sounds tempting, right?

Written in 1847, this book is an all-time classic which will haunt you for a long time. It had received mixed reviews back when it was released. It narrates the tale of two upper-class British families, namely the Earnshaws and the Lintons. Gradually, there emerges the conflict with Heathcliff, who was adopted by the Earnshaws.

Well, I can go on and on about this one, but let’s not give away any spoilers.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

“In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”

Isn’t such a declaration of love not worth gushing over? And yes, we are talking about the renowned ‘most eligible bachelor’ of English literature, Mr Darcy. Austen’s Pride and Prejudice has clearly withstood the test of time. And if you haven’t read it yet, you are definitely missing out.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Back in 1847, Jane Eyre’s brazen declaration of “Reader, I married him” was more than enough to shock the sensibility of readers at that time. But even today, the book remains a timeless classic enthralling us with its impeccable narrative and brilliant character sketches.

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

“I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be.”

Pip and Estella’s unconventional romance, coupled with the quintessential Dickensian writing makes the book yet another immensely popular classic.

Well now that we know what classics qualify as a ‘must read’ in the romance genre, let us delve deeper into some contemporary romances which have made it to our list. Here goes!

Birthday by Meredith Russo

Reading this book by Russo can be a fascinating experience for anyone. It is a tale of two kids, Morgan and Eric who share the same birthday. They gradually strive towards attaining their identity as adults. The narrative style sort of pulls the reader’s attention in a very unique way. The plot gives one a glimpse into the six consecutive birthdays of Morgan and Eric and articulates their journey over their teenage years. I should also mention that romance falls in the LGBTQ spectrum. Last but not the least, just saying that reading this book was a wholesome experience would just be an understatement. You should definitely pick this up sometime soon!

A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks

Well, how can we talk about romance recommendations in February without mentioning Nicholas Sparks? Among his other distinguished books, this one is my personal favourite. Set in North Carolina, it depicts the blooming romance between teenagers Landon Carter and Jamie Sullivan. But beware, this book is going to break your heart without a doubt.

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

This one is an unputdownable romance between researcher Olive Smith and professor Adam Carlsen. Ali Hazelwood is known for etching out female characters in STEM and academia. Hence, this book is like a breath of fresh air on the face of the typical mushy romantic narratives which often portray women in an objectifying light. Don’t forget to add it to your TBR if you are looking for a good and steamy contemporary romance.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

“He is half of my soul, as the poets say.”

Madeline Miller has authored one of the greatest romances of all time with this book. Set during the Trojan War of the Greeks, this is a retelling of Homer’s Iliad from the point of view of Patroclus. The book traces the emergent relationship between Patroclus and the Greek hero Achilles from their initial interactions in their childhood. This is yet another romance bound to break your heart through its narrative of innocent recklessness and love and loss.

We hope these recommendations help you to pick up an enjoyable romance this month.

This week Team Booknerds is reading Ranabir Sen’s Tears of my Motherland, which is a diasporic tale, as the title suggests.

Do let us know what you are reading in the comments section. Also, don’t forget to share how you liked these romance books if you pick one.

Happy reading!