Best Romantic Novels Of 20th Century

Best Romantic Novels Of 20th Century

Here’s a list of our favourite and probably the best romantic novels of 20th century, curated especially for you!

Love Story by Erich Segal

Love Story by Erich Segal

This romance classic follows two people who inhabit completely opposite worlds who fall in love with each other.

The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller

The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller

This mature love story follows the shortlived romance of a married woman and a handsome photographer.

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

Every romance lover knows this book – it follows a heartbroken narrator as he reflects on his memories with his wife who know has Alzheimer’s.

Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Written in Marquez’s characteristic passionate and superlative style, this is the story of two young lovers who get separated.

The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera

The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera

This book explores the romantic relationships between four people – the married couple Tereza and Tomas, and Sabina and Franz.

The Bridge Across Forever by Richard Bach

The Bridge Across Forever by Richard Bach

This is an autobiographical account of the love story of the pilot author and his movie star soulmate.

Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchells

Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchells

This book follows a character called Scarlett, who is a pampered child who must make adjustments to a new life of poverty.

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

It follows Newland Archer’s love affair with Countess Olenska after she returns to New York after a broken marriage.

Sea Swept by Nora Roberts

Sea Swept by Nora Roberts

In this book, Quinn the boat racer returns to his hometown much like the Prodigal Son and falls in love with a social worker.

The Bride by Julie Garwood

The Bride by Julie Garwood

In the backdrop of the Scottish countryside, this follows the life of a mismatched couple who find love despite their differences.

Flowers from the storm by Laura Kinsale

Flowers from the storm by Laura Kinsale

This is a historical romance which takes us through the love story of the reckless and scandalous Duke of Jervaulx and Maddy Timms.

Dream Man by Linda Howard

Dream Man by Linda Howard

Orlando Police Department’s detective Hollister falls in love with a woman with exceptional forensic powers.

Ravished by Amanda Quick

Ravished by Amanda Quick

This regency romance follows Miss Harriett Pomeroy, as she falls in love with Viscount St Justin, and deals with a villain threatening to break the perfect romance.

Messages in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks

Messages in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks

In this book, two lonely people communicate with each other via coincidences with messages in a bottle thrown across the sea.

Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D H Lawrence

Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D H Lawrence

This way-ahead-of-its-times masterpiece is the exploration of an extramarital love affair with explicit scenes.

Prisoner of My Desire by Johanna Lindsey

Prisoner of My Desire by Johanna Lindsey

Rowena Bellame must find a father to sire her child or risk losing her fortune, and knight Warrick is the perfect choice.

The Morning Gift by Eva Ibbotson

The Morning Gift by Eva Ibbotson

Viennese Ruth’s life and romance is shattered by WW2, but a marriage of convenience with a young professor may just salvage it.

Truly Madly Yours by Rachel Gibson

Truly Madly Yours by Rachel Gibson

Our protagonist Delanie returns to her hometown for the reading of her father’s will, and discovers her enticing ex-lover Nick.

The Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer

The Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer

This book by the queen of regency romance follows the love affair between Horatia Winwood, who isn’t conventionally attractive and the perfect Earl of Rule.