5 Romantic Novels to Read Today

By Djridings @fivethingsnow

Yesterday I attended the annual romantic novel of the year award ceremony. This glitzy event was held in The Reading and Writing room at The Gladstone Library in Whitehall. This event celebrates the best in romantic writing and prizes this year were presented by Darcey Bussell CBE.

The Reading and Writing room at The Gladstone Library

Scattered Books – Who will win?

5 Romantic Novels to Read Today 

Here are the different categories of romantic novel with the winner highlighted in  blue!

One: The Contemporary Romantic Novel category is for mainstream romantic novels set post-1960 and includes genres such as chick lit, paranormal and romantic suspense.

Helen Chandler, Two for Joy, Hodder & Stoughton

Susan Elliot Wright, The Things We Never Said, Simon & Schuster

Veronica Henry, A Night On The Orient Express, Orion

Lisa J Hobman, Bridge Over The Atlantic, 5 Prince Publishing

Lisa Jewell, Before I Met You, Arrow

Pippa Wright, The Foster Husband, Pan

Two: The Epic Romantic Novel category contains serious issues or themes, including gritty, multi-generational stories.

Jessica Blair, The Road Beneath Me, Piatkus

Mary Fitzgerald, The Love Of A Lifetime, Arrow

Emma Fraser, When Dawn Breaks, Sphere

Kate Lord Brown, The Perfume Garden, Atlantic (Corvus)

Jennifer McVeigh, The Fever Tree, Penguin

Lucinda Riley, The Midnight Rose, Pan

Three: The Historical Romantic Novel category is for novels set in a period before 1960.

Charlotte Betts, The Painter’s Apprentice, Piatkus

Christina Courtenay, The Gilded Fan, Choc Lit

Liz Harris, A Bargain Struck, Choc Lit

Joanna Hickson, The Agincourt Bride, Harper Collins

Carol McGrath, The Handfasted Wife, Accent Press

Annie Murray, The Women Of Lilac Street, Pan

Four: The Romantic Comedy Novel is for consistently humorous or amusing novels.

Jenny Colgan, Christmas At The Cupcake Café, Sphere

Jenny Colgan, The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris, Sphere

Margaret James, The Wedding Diary, Choc Lit

Milly Johnson, It’s Raining Men, Simon and Schuster

Ali McNamara, Step Back In Time, Sphere

Fiona Walker, The Summer Wedding, Sphere

Five: The Young Adult Romantic Novel features protagonists who are teenagers or young adults.

Liz Bankes, Irresistible, Piccadilly Press

Christina Courtney, New England Rocks, Choc Lit

Alex Gutteridge, Last Chance Angel, Templar Publishing.

Imogen Howson, Linked, Quercus

Marie-Louise Jensen, Smuggler’s Kiss, Oxford University Press

Beth Reekles, The Kissing Booth, Corgi

and one more………..

Six: RoNA Rose Award - the finalists do not contest the Romantic Novel of the Year Award - recognises the best in category/series and shorter romance that focus on developing a love affair between the hero and heroine.

Louise Allen, Forbidden Jewel of India, Harlequin Mills & Boon

Caroline Anderson, Snowed in with the Billionaire, Harlequin Mills & Boon

Liz Fielding, Anything But Vanilla, Harlequin Mills & Boon

Joanna Fulford, His Lady of Castlemora, Harlequin Mills & Boon

Kate Hardy, Bound by a Baby, Harlequin Mills & Boon

Kate Hardy, Her Real Family Christmas, Harlequin Mills & Boon

The award winners gather with Darcey Bussell

Thank you for reading.

David Ridings