Romance Book Guide // Romance for Beginners

Previously on She's Got Books on Her Mind I wrote up a Horror Book Resource Guide. This time around we are going in the complete opposite direction - romance. I wanted to create this beginner's guide to romance because it's a genre I love but I am still navigating my way through. Since I'm usually a YA romance reader and I am reading more and more adult romances this is a resource guide for those doing the same. Those who don't know where to start can start here.

This isn't a comprehensive list. It's what I could find and what appeals to me. I plan to add more in the future and if you have any suggestions let me know in the comments.

Publishers

Avon

Berkley

Bethany House (Christian)

Carina Press

Entangled Publishing

Forever

Harlequin

Spartypants Romance

Awards

The Ripped Bodice Award for Excellence in Romantic Fiction

RITA Award (now the Vivian Award)

The Romantic Novel Awards

Authors

Note: There's obviously a lot of romance writers. These are just those that stand out to me that I want to read, have read, or have popular books in the genre. I'll put the book(s) that got them on this list below the author's name. Also, I have categorized the authors based on whether they write Christian, contemporary, historical, indie and/or LGBT+ romances. Lots of authors write at least two out of the four categories so I'll indicate that next to their name.

• Tessa Afshar (Historical/Chrisitan) 
• In the Field of Grace/Harvest of Rubies

• Ilona Andrews (Paranormal) 
• Magic Bites
• Blood Heir

• Kelly Armstrong (Paranormal) 
• Bitten

• Patricia Briggs (Paranormal) 
• Moon Called

• Alyssa Cole (Indie/LGBT/Historical) 
• A Princess in Theory
• An Extraordinary Union
• Once Ghosted, Twice Shy

• Connilyn Cossette (Historical/Christian) 
• Counted with the Stars

• Tessa Dare (Historical) 
• Say Yes to the Marquess
• The Duchess Deal

• Alexis Daria (Contemporary) 
• You Had Me at Hola

• Lynette Eason (Contemporary/Christian) 
• Collateral Damage
• Acceptable Risk

• Jeaniene Frost (Paranormal) 
• Halfway to the Grave
• Shades of Wicked

• Jody Hedlund (Historical/Christian) 
• A Reluctant Bride

• Adriana Herrera (Contemporary/Indie/LGBT) 
• American Dreamer
• Mangoes and Mistletoe
• Here to Stay

• Emily Henry (Contemporary) 
• Beach Read

• Talia Hibbert (Contemporary/Indie) 
• Get a Life, Chloe Brown
• A Girl Like Her
• Mating the Huntress

• Elizabeth Hoyt (Historical) 
• Scandalous Desires

• Angela Elwell Hunt (Historical/Christian) 
• Daughter of Cana

• Eloisa James (Historical) 
• Say No to the Duke
• Wilde Child

• Beverly Jenkins (Contemporary/Historical) 
• Rebel
• Destiny's Embrace

• Elle Kennedy (Contemporary/Indie) 
• The Deal
• The Chase

• Jayci Lee (Contemporary/Indie)
•  Temporary Wife Temptation
• Secret Crush Seduction
• A Sweet Mess

• Sarah MacLean (Historical)
• The Rogue Not Taken
• A Rogue by Any Other Name

• Courtney Milan (Historical) 
• The Duke Who Didn't

• Tracie Peterson (Historical/Chrisitan) 
• What Comes My Way
• Secrets of My Heart

• Morgan Rogers (Contemporary/ LGBT) 
• Honey Girl

• Kennedy Ryan (Contemporary/Indie) 
• Queen Move
• The Kingmaker

• L.J. Shen (Contemporary/Indie) 
• Pretty Reckless
• Vicious

• Joanna Shupe (Historical)
•  The Rogue of Fifth Avenue
• The Prince of Broadway

• Nalini Singh (Paranormal) 
• Angel's Blood

• Kandi Steiner (Contemporary/Indie)
• The Wrong Game

• K.A. Tucker (Contemporary/Indie)
• Burying Water

• Jen Turano (Historical/Christian) 
• After a Fashion
• Storing Up Trouble

Bloggers

The Book Boutique

Falling for Romance

Hannah's Book Obsession

Romance Schmomance

Scorching Book Reviews

Sea Reads

Booktubers

Chandler Ainsley

chelseadollingreads

LaceyBooklovers

PeaceLoveBookxo

Remarkably Lisa

Riley Marie

Steph's Romance Book Talk

Let me know what you think of this guide.

Am I leaving someone out that is an essential romance author?