This week, I'm solo (Jenna) with an update to a blast-from-the-past episode from 2021 on what romance books I'd recommend to people who've never read romance but are willing to give it a try, with my updated picks for 2026.
Yes, many of these are oldies but, IMO, goodies. Younger romance readers who haven’t checked any of these “classic” (1990s) romances, I encourage you to give them a try.
Let us know in the comments what romance books you’d recommend to a reader who's never read a romance.
BOOKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW
Classic Romance
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Persuasion movie
Contemporary Romance
Big Rock by Lauren Blakely
Can't Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan
Category Romance
The Return of Rafe MacKade by Nora Roberts
Historical Romance
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
Paranormal Romance
First Grave to the Right by Darynda Jones (for some reason, the cover on this book is weird on Amazon, although the covers for the other books in the series are right.)
Dark Lover by J.R. Ward
Romantic Suspense/Mystery
Envy by Sandra Brown
Naked in Death by J.D. Robb (there are now over 60 books in this series!)
The Doucet Series by Tami Hoag
Sweet Romance
Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense (Sept 2026)
Romcom
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
Chicago Stars Series by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Welcome to Temptation/Bet Me (2 books in one) by Jennifer Crusie (Jennifer has several books co-written with Bob Mayer that are fun too).
Romantacy
A Court of Thorn and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
TENDER & TEMPTING TALES
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ILLICIT LIAISONS PRODUCED & HOSTED BY
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Jenna Harte
Outline and Show Notes: T.A. Leederman
Editing: Jenna Harte
