Best Romance Books April 2025

Beren and Lúthien

Delve into the enchanting world of Middle-earth with Tolkien’s timeless tale of love and sacrifice. Beren, a mortal man, falls hopelessly in love with the immortal elf-maiden Lúthien. Their forbidden romance sets off a perilous quest to retrieve a Silmaril from the Dark Lord’s crown. Filled with lyrical prose and mythic resonance, this story captures the essence of Tolkien’s legendarium. As you turn each page, you’ll feel transported to a realm where magic and destiny intertwine, leaving you spellbound until the very end.

The Shape of Water

Dive into a mesmerizing tale of love and acceptance set against the backdrop of Cold War-era America. A mute janitor forms an unexpected bond with an amphibious creature held captive in a top-secret research facility. As their connection deepens, she risks everything to save him from a cruel fate. Del Toro and Kraus weave a hauntingly beautiful narrative that explores the power of empathy and the transformative nature of love, leaving readers spellbound until the very last page.

Her Fearful Symmetry

Twins Julia and Valentina inherit their aunt’s London flat, a mirror image of their own. As they settle in, they’re drawn into the building’s mysterious past and the lives of its eccentric residents. Niffenegger weaves a haunting tale of love, loss, and the blurred lines between life and death. With each page, I found myself more entangled in the sisters’ eerie world, unable to shake the feeling that something wasn’t quite right. A beautifully crafted ghost story that lingers long after the final page.

Beautiful World, Where Are You

Sally Rooney’s “Beautiful World, Where Are You” is a poignant exploration of modern relationships and existential angst. Through the intertwined lives of four young adults, Rooney deftly navigates the complexities of love, friendship, and self-discovery in a world teetering on the brink. Her razor-sharp prose and keen observations of human nature left me pondering long after I’d turned the final page. It’s a book that feels both timely and timeless, capturing the essence of what it means to be alive in our beautiful, messy world.

Half of a Yellow Sun

Adichie’s masterful storytelling weaves together the lives of five characters against the backdrop of Nigeria’s tumultuous Biafran War. Through their eyes, we witness love, loss, and the shattering impact of conflict on ordinary people. The author’s vivid prose brings 1960s Nigeria to life, exploring themes of loyalty, identity, and the human cost of political upheaval. This poignant tale lingers long after the final page, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Time’s Convert

Deborah Harkness’s “Time’s Convert” weaves a spellbinding tale of love, history, and vampiric transformation. As Marcus MacNeil grapples with his past and future, readers are transported between revolutionary America and modern-day Paris. Harkness’s rich prose brings to life the complexities of immortality, family bonds, and the weight of centuries-old secrets. I found myself completely immersed in this world, unable to put the book down as I followed Marcus’s journey of self-discovery and redemption. A must-read for fans of paranormal romance and historical fiction alike.

The Book of Life

Deborah Harkness’s “The Book of Life” weaves a spellbinding tale of love, magic, and ancient secrets. As Diana and Matthew return from their time-traveling adventure, they face new challenges that threaten their future. With richly drawn characters and a world steeped in history and lore, Harkness captivates readers, drawing them into a mesmerizing blend of romance, suspense, and supernatural intrigue. I found myself completely lost in the pages, savoring every twist and turn of this beautifully crafted conclusion to the All Souls trilogy.

Shadow of Night

Deborah Harkness’s “Shadow of Night” plunges readers into a captivating world of time travel and supernatural intrigue. As historian Diana Bishop and vampire Matthew Clairmont journey to Elizabethan London, they’re thrust into a dangerous web of politics, magic, and secrets. Harkness’s meticulous research brings the past to life, while her deft storytelling keeps you on the edge of your seat. I found myself completely lost in this rich, atmospheric tale, unable to put it down until the very last page.

The Snow Child

Mabel and Jack, a childless couple, venture to 1920s Alaska seeking a fresh start. One snowy night, they build a child from snow, only to find it gone by morning. Mysteriously, a wild young girl appears in the forest. As they grow to love her, they wonder: Is she real or a fleeting dream born of their longing? Ivey’s haunting tale weaves frontier grit with magical realism, exploring the power of hope and the fragility of happiness in a harsh, beautiful landscape.

The Absolutist

“The Absolutist” is a haunting tale of love, loss, and the devastating consequences of war. John Boyne masterfully weaves a poignant narrative set against the backdrop of World War I, exploring the complex relationship between two young soldiers. Through vivid prose and raw emotion, Boyne delves into themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the struggle to maintain one’s principles in the face of unimaginable horror. This gripping novel will leave readers pondering the true meaning of courage long after the final page is turned.