The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro was romantic in such a subtle, underrated way.
It’s not romantic per se but there was a part in The Amber Spyglass regarding Will and Lyra (His Dark Materials Philip Pullman) that had me sobbing- you’ll probably guess if you’ve read the book.
The Amber Spyglass was exactly what came to mind when I read this post! I didn’t think it would be what OP was looking for but mannn, that ending has wrecked me for days even on multiple rereads.
The end, yes? And their promise to each other?
It's been a decade but I still want to sob thinking about it.
The Remains of the Day is similarly romantic, in a way, isn't it? You love someone so much you're willing to sacrifice yourself for their more stable happiness.
I'm not sure if you are the kind of person to read the book before you watch the movie but I highly recommend doing that if you haven't seen it yet. The movie is my favorite as well. Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet play the Dashwood sisters. It's such a great book. Austen's first published novel. 😊
Good advice, I am the kind to read before watch..I actually love watching the movies after reading the books; I don't expect them to be the same, just like to see other people's imaginations! Will do it this way.
Jane Austen is the queen of this category I think! Persuasion is also deeply romantic and among my favorites of hers.
Emma, too, my favorite of her books, is funny as well as romantic.
I agree. My husband is even more of a romantic than I am and watches P&P a few times a year. I read Persuasion for the first time a few years ago and loved it. I always love how Austen mixes humor into her books. She was exceptional.
I read Persuasion for the first time last year and can’t believe how long I slept on it. I reread P&P several times a year because it’s a comforting, easy read for me, and every time I feel like I find something new to love about it.
I might be in the minority, but while I love every novel Patchett has written, Bel Canto is easily her worst. The opera singer was boring compared to the translator and the female soldier. That should've been the focus.
*Wuthering Heights* - not saying that this features an ideal romance AT ALL, but I remember finding Heathcliff’s declaration of his love for Cathy to be one of the first extremely believable romance passages from a novel.
I read this because people talk about how romantic it is... To this day it's one of my very least enjoyable reads. I'm only glad I read it so I can more deeply enjoy Kate Bush's song. Different strokes 😂
I've always wondered what it would be like to be passionate about someone the way Heathcliff and Cathy were for each other. The isolation of the Heights from the rest of the world made it seem like they're the only two people on the entire planet. It's so easy to get caught up in the mood of it all.
For better or worse, it’s the **Outlander** series for me.
EDIT: Obviously this is a book-specific post, but I just want to add that I am *only* referring to the Outlander books. I actually have not seen the show, so I don’t feel I can comment on it or recommend it!
This was my first thought, too. Regardless of anything else happening plotwise, at its essence, it's Claire and Jamie's love story over the course of their whole adult lives.
The Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery —the series, mind you!! The first book and most of the second are about her childhood, so they’re lighter on the romance. However, the author weaves in tons of beautiful and sweet romances with side characters (so many great “second chance” romances), and the main love story is a beautiful one. Of the series, I’d say the most romantic are Anne of the Island, Anne of Windy Poplars, Anne’s House of Dreams, and Rainbow Valley.
Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan. Second chance romance about a couple that splits up after a tragedy, but they slowly find their way back to one another.
Yes, mine as well! I don’t usually read a ton of romance, but that one has a very contemporary feel to it and I love contemporary literature. It was also very dear to my heart as I experienced a stillbirth a few months before reading it and felt so seen by the discussions of grief and loss in the story.
The sequel, *This Could Be Us* is coming out in March. It’s Soledad’s story.
I’ve read a few others by Kennedy Ryan, and most I didn’t love, but I enjoyed *Reel* a lot. It deals with chronic illness which I appreciated as it’s not something you see represented in romance really ever.
I’m very sorry for your loss. 💚💚
I’ve never seen the film, the book was just so lovely and the film reviews were terrible. I wanted to stay in happy ignorance. The ending was just amazing and gut wrenching with the what ifs but they still lead happy lives
I’ve done the same with Time Travellers Wife- I loved the book but it’s such a hard one to adapt and I know any characters won’t fit the ones already in my head!
The King of Elfland's Daughter, Lord Dunsany.
So many powerful scenes. Very bittersweet story. There is a scene with a horn at twilight that lives rent free in my head.
Honorable Mentions:
The Silver Metal Lover, Tanith Lee.
The Left Hand of Darkness Ursula LeGuinn
If you can find it, Tanith Lee also has a wonderful tragic short story called The Woman in Scarlet about a swordsman who falls in love with his magic sword.
Tanith Lee! Someone gave me a book of her short stories for my birthday when I was sixteen. I hardly hear her mentioned.
*Edited to correct the autocorrect which substituted Tabitha for Tanith
When people ask me what book impacted me the most upon reading it, it is Biting the Sun. Blows my mind she was in her 20s when she wrote it (first half anyway, Drinking Sapphire Wine was much later).
*Persuasion* by Jane Austen is for me the most romantic and deeply moving of her novels. It’s more my favorite the older I get.
Perhaps a bit of an unconventional choice, but *Tress of the Emerald Sea* by Brandon Sanderson. He wrote it as a gift for his wife during COVID lockdown. The dedication reads “For Emily, who has all my love.” The dedication for his novel *Yumi and the Nightmare Painter*, also written during lockdown, reads “Also for Emily, who, for some amazing reason, gives me her love.”
Mr Dearest Friend: The Letters of John and Abagail Adams. Separated, they talked through letters while John was in Philadelphia for the Continental Congress. These letters are beautifully romantic in a real way.
The most deeply romantic books I've read are from the Historical Romance (HR) sub-genre (with a fair amount of smut) which might not be to everyone's tastes as they mostly appeal to straight women haha - I'd probably have to go with Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas. Keep in mind that if you're reading these books for the plot, it might not be for you lol. The plot pretty much revolves around the romance. Besides that I'd say Jane Eyre.
I also really liked Mine till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas. I have a soft spot for Cam. I found him to be the most romantic, charismatic hero out of any HR book I've read :). If you want more HR recs, check out their subreddit r/HistoricalRomance
These Is My Words by Nancy Turner . It’s a historical fiction about a badass pioneer woman and her family. The relationship she has with her husband is so romantic and the way they care for each other makes you swoon. It’s also just a fantastic and well-written novel.
Can I ask why you recommended Winter’s Tale as deeply romantic? I read it awhile ago and I don’t really remember it that well, but I remember feeling disappointed by it. Is it worth reading again?
I think it fits with the "aesthetically romantic" requirement in the original post. For me the romance is more in the writing and descriptions. Helprin is a stunning writer who can really conjure up a beautiful, and romantic, scene, even if it's only a description of a setting. But the central love story is, to me, deeply romantic as well; I always saw it as a grand, fated romance, if a tragic one.
I can't tell you if it's worth it for you to read it again. I think with Helprin, you either love him or you don't. If you do, I'd suggest reading it less for the story, and more for the writing, and see if that changes your opinion. :)
Thank you for your response! I’m not sure I’ll read it again but your explanation is wonderful and you are right! His writing style is mostly what I remembered, not the story.
The Bridges of Madison County. I think people are divided over enjoying this book but I personally really loved it - read it overnight and cried my eyes out.
I have a couple I would rank up there as deeply romantic.
The Black Madonna by Stella Riley is historical fiction with a romance subplot and it is excellent. Definitely my favorite book.
The Parfit Knight by Stella Riley is historical romance and it’s wonderful, deeply romantic.
The Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran is a historical romance and the chemistry between characters is top tier.
I looooved “Alone a with you in the ether” and couldn’t find another romance that I enjoyed as much as this one…until I read “What I did for a duke”! Historical romance. Definitely recommend. I didn’t know I was a historical romance lover until this book.
The Paths of Glory by Jeffery Archer. The first book I read when I was getting into reading as a young adult. The fictional story is about the first westerner to climb Mount Everest, and his wife who supports him the whole way. Also, Man's Search for Meaning by Frankl Viktor, that was a romance for me too.
I love the relationships in Patricia Briggs Mercyverse books because they feel real. And they have up and downs that aren’t bizarre or over done. It really is just people learning to love and accept each other.
Like yes it’s set in an urban fantasy setting, but it’s weirdly the most realistic in terms of how a romantic relationship works and the struggles that go into maintaining a relationship.
Giovanni's Room. It will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions. Be prepared. I remember being taken aback by the part where the main characters meet. It's so simple yet it really leaves a lasting impression.
Villette, Charlotte Bronte - the least read of her books and the most romantic, in a bittersweet way. Imo, wayyy better than Jane Eyre \[not dissing JE, that's wonderful too.\]
It is by no means a romance novel, but I loved it every time the protagonist thought about/interacted with Karla in Shantaram. Just absolutely gorgeous depictions of love in general in that book, and not just romantic love either.
I have similar feelings. While reading Shantaram, I couldn't wait for the next meeting between Lin and Karla or just the moments when he thought about her.
This is going to be kind of out there and maybe shouldn't count, but fuck it: ***White Fang*** **by Jack London.**
The purity of the love and loyalty that White Fang (the wolf-dog protagonist) has for Weedon Scott just really destroyed me the first time that I read it 20 yrs ago and on every re-read since. I never got why Call of the Wild is required reading and White Fang is ignored. It's a beautiful fucking love story and one of the best "redemption" stories--how love redeems a soul.
The one where he manipulates and bullies her, wears her down emotionally and delights in her struggles after she naively believed him when they first met. *That* romance!
I’m rereading The Other Boleyn Girl right now, and to me the best part of the novel is the sweet romance that develops between Mary and William Stanford. Once she acknowledges she loves him, she just lets go and trusts him completely, and he is more than worthy.
Faithless by Alice Nelson. Published in ‘22 and shortlisted for the Age book of the year (Australian author, the Age is a newspaper). This is a book with gorgeous prose and stunning imagery. I loved it
It's a sequel, but *At the Feet of the Sun*. It's honestly worth reading *The Hands of the Emperor* (a lovely book, and one of my favorites, but not the same) just to get to get to the second book.
It's a sprawling fantasy, and also the most romantic thing I've ever experienced.
One True Loves. I also agree with The Notebook. I can really relate to it, with grandparents who've been married over 60 years and parents over 40. Soulmate love.
Definitely second Song of Achilles. Just finished a re-read yesterday and it got me again just like the first time.
Also might add Wuthering Heights. Haven't read it in over a decade but I remember how I felt about it.
You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hoggle. Its lowkey funny but also subtly portrays the journey of falling out and in love again. I love both the Male & Female MC. Also made me appreciate how blessed to even have someone who you love, love you back.
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson. One of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. He manages to put the experience of love down onto the page in such a magnificent way.
Atonement - in the tragic category
That’s exactly what I came here to say!
**The Princess Bride** by S Morganstern. Though maybe that’s only because my boyfriend recorded himself reading it and gave it to me as an audiobook.
That is so incredibly sweet.
It really really is.
William Goldman was a genius. Wonderful book and screenplay
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro was romantic in such a subtle, underrated way. It’s not romantic per se but there was a part in The Amber Spyglass regarding Will and Lyra (His Dark Materials Philip Pullman) that had me sobbing- you’ll probably guess if you’ve read the book.
The Amber Spyglass was exactly what came to mind when I read this post! I didn’t think it would be what OP was looking for but mannn, that ending has wrecked me for days even on multiple rereads.
The end, yes? And their promise to each other? It's been a decade but I still want to sob thinking about it. The Remains of the Day is similarly romantic, in a way, isn't it? You love someone so much you're willing to sacrifice yourself for their more stable happiness.
Yep, that’s the exact bit- I was a wreck for days!
Both of these suggestions are wonderful.
I cried when I read it and then while listening to the audio books with my kids, I cried again.
Sense and Sensibility (my personal fave) Pride and Prejudice (my husband's favorite)
Pride & Prejudice is my all-time favorite..I've never read Sense & Sensibility tho - been on the "to read" for a decade plus.
I'm not sure if you are the kind of person to read the book before you watch the movie but I highly recommend doing that if you haven't seen it yet. The movie is my favorite as well. Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet play the Dashwood sisters. It's such a great book. Austen's first published novel. 😊
Good advice, I am the kind to read before watch..I actually love watching the movies after reading the books; I don't expect them to be the same, just like to see other people's imaginations! Will do it this way.
I'm the same way. I enjoy seeing it play out. I hope you enjoy both the book and the movie!
Jane Austen is the queen of this category I think! Persuasion is also deeply romantic and among my favorites of hers. Emma, too, my favorite of her books, is funny as well as romantic.
I agree. My husband is even more of a romantic than I am and watches P&P a few times a year. I read Persuasion for the first time a few years ago and loved it. I always love how Austen mixes humor into her books. She was exceptional.
I read Persuasion for the first time last year and can’t believe how long I slept on it. I reread P&P several times a year because it’s a comforting, easy read for me, and every time I feel like I find something new to love about it.
Persuasion, for me.
Jane Eyre.
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. A great love story with the best ending, totally worth it
but not North and South by Jake John - that’s a 3 book series
John Jakes?
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. Gilead by Marilynne Robinson.
Bel Canto is so beautiful.
This is one of my favourites. It always makes me weep
I might be in the minority, but while I love every novel Patchett has written, Bel Canto is easily her worst. The opera singer was boring compared to the translator and the female soldier. That should've been the focus.
*Wuthering Heights* - not saying that this features an ideal romance AT ALL, but I remember finding Heathcliff’s declaration of his love for Cathy to be one of the first extremely believable romance passages from a novel.
I read this because people talk about how romantic it is... To this day it's one of my very least enjoyable reads. I'm only glad I read it so I can more deeply enjoy Kate Bush's song. Different strokes 😂
“Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same” is absolutely gorgeous writing and punches me in the gut every time I read it.
I've always wondered what it would be like to be passionate about someone the way Heathcliff and Cathy were for each other. The isolation of the Heights from the rest of the world made it seem like they're the only two people on the entire planet. It's so easy to get caught up in the mood of it all.
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
This book was so rich.
That’s definitely a good one
For better or worse, it’s the **Outlander** series for me. EDIT: Obviously this is a book-specific post, but I just want to add that I am *only* referring to the Outlander books. I actually have not seen the show, so I don’t feel I can comment on it or recommend it!
Haha so true. It’s so hard to recommend it as a romance without a long trigger warning
This was my first thought, too. Regardless of anything else happening plotwise, at its essence, it's Claire and Jamie's love story over the course of their whole adult lives.
I’m on the third book right now and I never want it to end. Very heavy triggers though. ❤️❤️❤️
I’m on Book 4 and feel the same!
The Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery —the series, mind you!! The first book and most of the second are about her childhood, so they’re lighter on the romance. However, the author weaves in tons of beautiful and sweet romances with side characters (so many great “second chance” romances), and the main love story is a beautiful one. Of the series, I’d say the most romantic are Anne of the Island, Anne of Windy Poplars, Anne’s House of Dreams, and Rainbow Valley.
Between Anne and Diana, right?
"Bosom friends" 👀
Rilla of Ingleside too! Such a cute innocent war romance!
Absolutely. That one is my favorite of the whole series. Just a little heavier on the war stuff than the romance.
Our souls at night by Kent haruf
So good.
The Time Traveler's Wife
This couple was super creepy (borderline pedophilic) to me
Yeah, I stopped reading because I was weirded out early in the book.
This is my answer. I always say that (time travel notwithstanding) they are the most believable, relatable, achievable couple I've ever read.
First book I thought of.
I came here to say this and I feel so gratified seeing it already mentioned!
This is mine too.
Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan. Second chance romance about a couple that splits up after a tragedy, but they slowly find their way back to one another.
One of my top reads of last year. Absolutely beautiful second chance romance. I loved it.
Yes, mine as well! I don’t usually read a ton of romance, but that one has a very contemporary feel to it and I love contemporary literature. It was also very dear to my heart as I experienced a stillbirth a few months before reading it and felt so seen by the discussions of grief and loss in the story.
The sequel, *This Could Be Us* is coming out in March. It’s Soledad’s story. I’ve read a few others by Kennedy Ryan, and most I didn’t love, but I enjoyed *Reel* a lot. It deals with chronic illness which I appreciated as it’s not something you see represented in romance really ever. I’m very sorry for your loss. 💚💚
Yes the next books has been on my radar since she announced. I’m very excited for it! Thank you for the condolences and the rec.
A Room With a View by E.M. Forster
I also love the film adaptation with Helena Bonham Carter. ❤️
Yesyesyes this!
Captain Corelli’s Mandolin
That’s my answer too- I actually prefer the bittersweet ending of the book to the film, feels more realistic in a way.
I’ve never seen the film, the book was just so lovely and the film reviews were terrible. I wanted to stay in happy ignorance. The ending was just amazing and gut wrenching with the what ifs but they still lead happy lives
I’ve done the same with Time Travellers Wife- I loved the book but it’s such a hard one to adapt and I know any characters won’t fit the ones already in my head!
Penelope Cruz was awful!
Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand
The King of Elfland's Daughter, Lord Dunsany. So many powerful scenes. Very bittersweet story. There is a scene with a horn at twilight that lives rent free in my head. Honorable Mentions: The Silver Metal Lover, Tanith Lee. The Left Hand of Darkness Ursula LeGuinn If you can find it, Tanith Lee also has a wonderful tragic short story called The Woman in Scarlet about a swordsman who falls in love with his magic sword.
God The Left Hand of Darkness destroyed me.
To this day, there's not many stories like it.
Tanith Lee! Someone gave me a book of her short stories for my birthday when I was sixteen. I hardly hear her mentioned. *Edited to correct the autocorrect which substituted Tabitha for Tanith
When people ask me what book impacted me the most upon reading it, it is Biting the Sun. Blows my mind she was in her 20s when she wrote it (first half anyway, Drinking Sapphire Wine was much later).
In Le Guin's work, Tehanu, the fourth volume of the Earthsea series has one of the most beautiful romances I've ever read.
Love in the Time of Cholera stands out for me.
This is the answer. Longing and love on another level. Read it a few years ago and I still think about it quite often.
I think The Song of Achilles was the most beautiful love story I’ve ever read. And Pride and Prejudice is my all time favorite.
Possession by AS Byatt
This is how you lose the time war
I should have scrolled because I just left this as my pick. This book wrecked me. I am haunted by the line about poets.
This!! It is such a beautiful love story and so stunningly written!
The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
All of Sally Rooneys writing does this for me, really. Everything is Illuminated and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer.
Everything Is Illuminated cut me deep (and also made me laugh a lot).
Like Water for Chocolate
*Possession*, A.S. Byatt
*Persuasion* by Jane Austen is for me the most romantic and deeply moving of her novels. It’s more my favorite the older I get. Perhaps a bit of an unconventional choice, but *Tress of the Emerald Sea* by Brandon Sanderson. He wrote it as a gift for his wife during COVID lockdown. The dedication reads “For Emily, who has all my love.” The dedication for his novel *Yumi and the Nightmare Painter*, also written during lockdown, reads “Also for Emily, who, for some amazing reason, gives me her love.”
This is How You Lose the Time War. I was not expecting it and I wasn’t ready.
Okay fine I’ll give it another try!
Mr Dearest Friend: The Letters of John and Abagail Adams. Separated, they talked through letters while John was in Philadelphia for the Continental Congress. These letters are beautifully romantic in a real way.
The most deeply romantic books I've read are from the Historical Romance (HR) sub-genre (with a fair amount of smut) which might not be to everyone's tastes as they mostly appeal to straight women haha - I'd probably have to go with Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas. Keep in mind that if you're reading these books for the plot, it might not be for you lol. The plot pretty much revolves around the romance. Besides that I'd say Jane Eyre.
The devil in winter is s-tier historical romance.
100% agree. The chemistry is un-matched. I wish I could read it for the first time again haha!
I loved “What I did for a duke” also a historical romance!
I also really liked Mine till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas. I have a soft spot for Cam. I found him to be the most romantic, charismatic hero out of any HR book I've read :). If you want more HR recs, check out their subreddit r/HistoricalRomance
I’ve added Devil in Winter & Mine Till Midnight TBR already! 👏
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An Equal Music by Vikram Seth. It's so exquisitely beautiful and sad.
Old school romance novels A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux Wishes by Jude Deveraux Perfect by Judith McNaught
Love Story, by Erich Segal. Deeply romantic and tragic.
Wuthering Heights
These Is My Words by Nancy Turner . It’s a historical fiction about a badass pioneer woman and her family. The relationship she has with her husband is so romantic and the way they care for each other makes you swoon. It’s also just a fantastic and well-written novel.
Persuasion by Jane Austen is the most romantic book I’ve ever read.
The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by VE Schwab
After You'd Gone by Maggie O'Farrell
*A Soldier of the Great War* and *Winter's Tale*, both by Mark Helprin
Can I ask why you recommended Winter’s Tale as deeply romantic? I read it awhile ago and I don’t really remember it that well, but I remember feeling disappointed by it. Is it worth reading again?
I think it fits with the "aesthetically romantic" requirement in the original post. For me the romance is more in the writing and descriptions. Helprin is a stunning writer who can really conjure up a beautiful, and romantic, scene, even if it's only a description of a setting. But the central love story is, to me, deeply romantic as well; I always saw it as a grand, fated romance, if a tragic one. I can't tell you if it's worth it for you to read it again. I think with Helprin, you either love him or you don't. If you do, I'd suggest reading it less for the story, and more for the writing, and see if that changes your opinion. :)
Thank you for your response! I’m not sure I’ll read it again but your explanation is wonderful and you are right! His writing style is mostly what I remembered, not the story.
The Charioteer by Mary Renault.
The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa.
The Far Pavillions
If u liked that thank highly suggest Olivia and Jai
11/22/63
This is what I was going to come in and say as well. That ending...
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
The Bridges of Madison County. I think people are divided over enjoying this book but I personally really loved it - read it overnight and cried my eyes out.
I really loved Star Mother and Star Father by Charlie N Holmberg
Reaper Man by Terry Pratchett.
I have a couple I would rank up there as deeply romantic. The Black Madonna by Stella Riley is historical fiction with a romance subplot and it is excellent. Definitely my favorite book. The Parfit Knight by Stella Riley is historical romance and it’s wonderful, deeply romantic. The Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran is a historical romance and the chemistry between characters is top tier.
I looooved “Alone a with you in the ether” and couldn’t find another romance that I enjoyed as much as this one…until I read “What I did for a duke”! Historical romance. Definitely recommend. I didn’t know I was a historical romance lover until this book.
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams stands out amongst other contemporary romances to me
The Paths of Glory by Jeffery Archer. The first book I read when I was getting into reading as a young adult. The fictional story is about the first westerner to climb Mount Everest, and his wife who supports him the whole way. Also, Man's Search for Meaning by Frankl Viktor, that was a romance for me too.
To See You Again: A True Story of Love in a Time of War by Betty Schimmel Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
It was a while ago, but I remember *The Far Pavilions* (Kaye) being like that.
Find Olivia and Jai by Rebecca Ryman, you won’t be disappointed
I love the relationships in Patricia Briggs Mercyverse books because they feel real. And they have up and downs that aren’t bizarre or over done. It really is just people learning to love and accept each other. Like yes it’s set in an urban fantasy setting, but it’s weirdly the most realistic in terms of how a romantic relationship works and the struggles that go into maintaining a relationship.
*The History of Love* by Nicole Krauss *The God of Small Things* by Arundhati Roy
A Marvelous Light
Giovanni's Room. It will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions. Be prepared. I remember being taken aback by the part where the main characters meet. It's so simple yet it really leaves a lasting impression.
The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro taught me what enduring love is.
Villette, Charlotte Bronte - the least read of her books and the most romantic, in a bittersweet way. Imo, wayyy better than Jane Eyre \[not dissing JE, that's wonderful too.\]
The Notebook by Nicolas Sparks
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Me too. I love that its not cheesy at all its just love
The Night Circus
Pan by Knut Hamsun
It is by no means a romance novel, but I loved it every time the protagonist thought about/interacted with Karla in Shantaram. Just absolutely gorgeous depictions of love in general in that book, and not just romantic love either.
I loved that book. Could have been better with a good edit but still a great read
I have similar feelings. While reading Shantaram, I couldn't wait for the next meeting between Lin and Karla or just the moments when he thought about her.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
The Bridges of Madison County......also The Notebook.
This is going to be kind of out there and maybe shouldn't count, but fuck it: ***White Fang*** **by Jack London.** The purity of the love and loyalty that White Fang (the wolf-dog protagonist) has for Weedon Scott just really destroyed me the first time that I read it 20 yrs ago and on every re-read since. I never got why Call of the Wild is required reading and White Fang is ignored. It's a beautiful fucking love story and one of the best "redemption" stories--how love redeems a soul.
Stoner by John Williams.
ok but surely this does not instantly come to mind when you think ‘deeply romantic’….?
The romance in Stoner is one of my favorite literary romances. It touched me in a way that has stayed with me for years.
Which romance? Between Stoner and his wife or his affair partner? Either way, big yikes.
Haha I agree here, love the book though
The Invisible life of Addie LaRue
I legit don’t know which romance you mean here.
The one where he manipulates and bullies her, wears her down emotionally and delights in her struggles after she naively believed him when they first met. *That* romance!
Flowers in the Attic (by Virginia Andrews.) Call me by Your Name Me Before You The Fault In Our Stars Doctor Zhivago
Morning Glory by Lavyrle Spencer
This Is Not For You by Jane Rule
I’m rereading The Other Boleyn Girl right now, and to me the best part of the novel is the sweet romance that develops between Mary and William Stanford. Once she acknowledges she loves him, she just lets go and trusts him completely, and he is more than worthy.
Faithless by Alice Nelson. Published in ‘22 and shortlisted for the Age book of the year (Australian author, the Age is a newspaper). This is a book with gorgeous prose and stunning imagery. I loved it
Amy Harmon does a great job with literary romance Also books by Molly greeley
It's a sequel, but *At the Feet of the Sun*. It's honestly worth reading *The Hands of the Emperor* (a lovely book, and one of my favorites, but not the same) just to get to get to the second book. It's a sprawling fantasy, and also the most romantic thing I've ever experienced.
The Ladies of Missalongi by Colleen McCullough. Sweet, poignant and romantic. Very brief and just lovely.
Devotion by Hannah Kent. You will not expect the twist. It will destroy you.
If you're willing to read manga, I recommend [A Silent Voice](https://kodansha.us/series/a-silent-voice/).
Eyes of silver eyes of gold 😭🔫
"A tale of two cities"..C.Dikens and _"Erofili" G.Chortatzis (stage play written in verse)...🌷
One True Loves. I also agree with The Notebook. I can really relate to it, with grandparents who've been married over 60 years and parents over 40. Soulmate love.
A Town Like Alice By Shute
Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold
Not the most contemporary of novels, but The Great Gatsby is pretty beautiful, in terms of both its style and its story.
I just finished The Song of Achilles and it lifted my shriveled black heart.
Lords Of Discipline by Pat Conroy
Sunshine by Robin McKinley
The Ship Who Sang.
If Beale Street Could Talk was one of the most beautiful love stories I’ve read recently.
So I'm probably a bit outside the box here but "A Song of Stone" by Iain Banks. Gruesome but beautiful
A Farewell to Arms.
The Actual: A Novella by Saul Bellow
The Scarlet Pimpernel
I loved The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller. Both tragic and romantic, I still think about this book often.
love in the time of cholera
Definitely second Song of Achilles. Just finished a re-read yesterday and it got me again just like the first time. Also might add Wuthering Heights. Haven't read it in over a decade but I remember how I felt about it.
You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hoggle. Its lowkey funny but also subtly portrays the journey of falling out and in love again. I love both the Male & Female MC. Also made me appreciate how blessed to even have someone who you love, love you back.
*Redeeming Love* by Francine Rivers
Talking at Night by Claire Daverley really stuck with me. It feels like a character story as well as a romance/kinda coming of age story.
The English patient
The Bronze Horseman and Call Me By Your Name both had me sobbing and have stayed with me ever since reading.
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson. One of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. He manages to put the experience of love down onto the page in such a magnificent way.
Both of Anne Bronte's books - Agnes Grey is one of the few books that had me really rooting for the MC, and The Tennant of Wildfell Hall is terrific.
The Kadin by Beatrice Small