Romance Books
Love stories for every kind of reader
Romance books capture love in all its forms. From slow-burn feels and high-spice romance to first loves and second chances, romantic novels invite readers into worlds defined by emotion, intimacy and connection.The genre spans heartfelt rom-coms, historical love stories, fantasy-infused romance and timeless classics. Discover stories from a wide range of perspectives, including LGBTQIA+ love stories and First Nations romantic fiction. Whatever your type, we'll help you find your next great love story.
The life-affirming new medical romance by the bestselling author of The Lightning Ridge Ladies.
NOW AN INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER!
Two strangers. One night. Temptation has consequences . . .
A debut Australian romantic comedy with the wittiest banter you’ll read all year – for readers of Emily Henry and Zoë Foster Blake.
What’s your favourite romance trope?
Romance stories may all lead to love, but how the characters get there is half the fun. From rivals who can’t resist each other to friendships that turn into something more, romance tropes capture the relationships, tensions and twists we love to read.
Discover some of the most popular romance tropes and find your next love story.
❤️ Enemies-to-Lovers / Rivals-to-Lovers: Characters start with intense hostility, competition, or disdain before falling in love (Try Pride and Prejudice).
💕 Friends-to-Lovers: Longtime platonic friends realise their deep connection has turned romantic (Try People We Meet on Vacation).
☀️ Grumpy / Sunshine: An optimistic, bright character pairs up with a cynical, brooding, or serious partner (We'd recommend Beach Read).
🧲 Opposites Attract: Two people from drastically different backgrounds, personalities, or social circles balance each other out.
💘 Love triangle: Three characters are caught in a web of romantic tension and competing affections (You'd love, The Summer I Turned Pretty)
💍 Fake dating: Two characters pretend to be a couple, only for fake feelings to become real.
🚫 Forbidden romance: Two people fall in love despite circumstances or expectations keeping them apart.
🏠 Forced proximity: Two characters are thrown together, giving their attraction and chemistry nowhere to hide.
The Romance Edit
What Penguin editors are loving right now
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Book of the month: Crown of Olympus by Kate Asher |
Find your kind of love story
Romance unfolds in many ways, and our editors’ picks reflect the breadth of the genre. From contemporary love stories and historical romance to imagined worlds, LGBTQIA+ stories and comforting Sunday reads, explore our collections and discover the kind of romance you love.
Fall in love with Penguin’s selection of the best romance fiction. Explore our diverse list of new favourite reads, from YA favourites to Australian classics.
Get your Romance fix with some sample chapters from these new and upcoming 2026 reads.
What is hockey romance? Why is BookTok obsessed? Check out this article for everything you need to know.
Check out some of the best romantasy books that are trending on TikTok.
Looking for your next great love story? From timeless favourites like Pride and Prejudice to contemporary romance such as People We Meet on Vacation, there are love stories for every kind of romance reader. Our pick of 20 of the best romance novels spans sweeping historical romances, witty rom-coms, Australian love stories and emotional tear-jerkers.
From contemporary rom-coms and sweeping historical romances to emotional tear-jerkers, there are plenty of romance authors worth discovering. Popular names include Emily Henry, Marian Keyes, Jane Austen, Diana Gabaldon, Jojo Moyes and Rebecca Yarros, alongside Australian authors such as Lauren Jackson.
Not sure where to start? Discover 20 of our favourite romantic fiction novels and find an author to fall in love with.
Romantasy blends the magic, adventure and world-building of fantasy with a central love story, giving readers the best of both genres. Expect everything from magical realms and dangerous quests to irresistible chemistry, high-stakes relationships and plenty of romantic tension.
Ready to escape into another world? Discover our must-read romantasy books.
Some of the most-loved romance tropes include enemies-to-lovers, friends-to-lovers, fake dating, forced proximity, second-chance romance and slow burn. Not sure which is for you? Explore romance books by trope above.
If you like your romance novels with a bit (or a lot) of steam, there are plenty of spicy reads to choose from. From fake dates to enemies-to-lovers romances, discover must-read books packed with swoon-worthy moments, captivating characters and plenty of spice.
Looking for something a little steamier? Explore our spicy romance and erotic fiction books.
Romance books resonate because they centre on something both universal and deeply personal: the desire for connection. These stories offer comfort and a sense of escape while also reflecting the complexities of companionship in ways that feel recognisable and emotionally true.
Romance provides a particular kind of narrative satisfaction. Through moments of vulnerability or the promise of a happy ending, it creates anticipation and emotional payoff that keeps readers invested. At the same time, these books explore growth, resilience and how people change through their relationships. Above all, romance endures because it offers hope. It reminds us that connection is possible, people can find one another despite obstacles and even the most complicated journeys can lead to understanding, belonging and love.
Start with your mood. Whether you are looking for warmth and familiarity or a more immersive reading experience, letting your feelings guide you is a good place to begin. Consider the story dynamics you enjoy. Childhood sweethearts, love triangles or whirlwind romances, if you know what you love, use it as your guide. Revisit authors you trust. If a romance novel has made you laugh, reflect or stay up past midnight, that writer is likely to have more for you to discover.
Browse curated collections above or our popular books selection is a useful place to see what others are reading and find your next romance book.