It feels like with Bridgerton, romance novels are all of a sudden “cool” to read, but we have been reading them since high school! In fact, Eloise used to tease her English teacher when it was her turn to bring in the weekly vocabulary words by picking juicy words from romance novels (it was an all girls school!). Within the romance series world there are so many options, and also varying levels of plot development, sexiness and writing quality. We have put together our top picks in three categories - Historic, Fantasy and Modern - to make your Valentine’s Day extra steamy this year!

Historic

Monica McCarty

One of my favorite genres of romance novels are those set in the Scottish Highlands (hello Outlander!) and Monica McCarty’s multiple series are the best of those. Based on historical events the books take you from the “special ops” force that fought for Robert the Bruce (The Highland Guard series), to the power struggle when King James VI of Scotland became King James I of England on the death of Elizabeth I (The MacLeods of Skye and The Campbells trilogies). These are very much romance novels, but the basis in historic events, strong research and political tensions make them more compelling. I have definitely shocked both of my brothers with my knowledge of Scottish history based on reading these, and who doesn’t like a smart, muscular man, fighting for freedom in a kilt? - D

Sarah MacLean

Another prolific historical romance novelist, MacLean has written several series of novels set in London in the Regency period. I first read the Love By Numbers series, which features siblings from a notoriously scandalous aristocratic St. John family (their mother abandoned their family when they were young to run away to the continent) finding love with headstrong and complicated women. She also wrote the Rules of Scoundrels series, which follows a group of aristocratic men who have been excluded from polite society for a variety of reasons and have created a very successful gaming hell that all of the London flocks to, under the leadership of the mysterious Chase. These men are more dark and dangerous than the St. Johns, with some old school romance novels values, but the women are always opinionated, adventurous and not afraid to put the men in their place, whether the heroes are rude and self-important Dukes or Marquesses who are notorious ladies men and not afraid to get into a boxing ring and use their fists. - E

The Brothers Sinister by Courtney Milan

Yes, this is another series about rakish dukes who run an exclusive club that fall in love with unconventional heroines in the late 1800’s. This series has all of the best kinds of romance characters, illegitimate children of titled nobles, brainy women who wear glasses but are surprisingly pretty without them, girls who are conventionally attractive but “clumsy,” widows with secrets. I think I read the entire series in a week! - D

Fantasy

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas

This series starts almost as play on Beauty and the Beast - Feyre, a human woman unknowingly kills a faerie, and has to pay the price of being the captive of a terrifying faerie lord, who she develops feelings for. The series and the dynamics of the fae world expand vastly as the series goes on, as do Feyre’s relationships and her power. These books are definitely for adults, with quite a bit of violence, manipulation and magical faerie sex scenes. The world building and plot are gripping, and while there is inspiration taken from a range of sources like Greek mythology and fairytales, the world that Maas has created feels wholly original. This is definitely a series that Dinah, more of a fantasy reader, loved, and that Eloise is less likely to read. - D

The Selection by Kiera Cass

The Selection series is a YA series that’s a cross between the Bachelor and the Hunger Games. Because it’s YA, it doesn’t have steamy love scenes, but it’s still very entertaining for teen and adult readers. Set in alternate future version of the United States, Prince Maxon has come of age is ready to choose a bride, which means that 35 girls from across the country will be chosen to compete for his hand. In this version of the future, the country is divided into castes according to their jobs that they had after the revolution. America Singer is a member of one of the lowest castes-the artists-so when she’s chosen for the Selection, it’s a chance to create a better future for her family. But she’s upset that she’s been chosen because she’s already found the love of her life and isn’t into all of the formality and rules required at the castle. Will she end up connecting with Prince Maxon or will the increasing rebel attacks disrupt the country and her future? - E

Modern

Modern Love Series by Alisha Rai

Set in the tech world, I was immediately sucked in by the diverse characters, the fact that the business side of things was as important with the romances, and the relationships and friendships the main characters had with others (who the series develops around). The sexy parts were definitely sexy, but the feelings around it were also complex and fully explored. - D

The Royals by Erin Watt

First, this isn’t a series about a royal family, it’s about a family with the last name Royal! The story begins when Ella Harper’s mother dies and she is plucked out of poverty by Callum Royal, the patriarch of a wealthy family that lives in a massive California mansion. His five sons approach Ella warily, especially Reed, who is convinced she doesn’t belong with them. These books are definitely on the soapy, smutty and scandalous end of things, with a ton of completely insane drama, but they are fun, easy reads, especially if you love a tortured teen, Cruel Intentions-style romance. - D

The Idea of You by Robinne Lee

This is not a series, as much as the internet wishes that it was. It imagines what would happen if an impossibly chic mom went to a boy band concert with her tween daughter, and started a secret romance with a Harry Style-inspired member. What starts as a series of clandestine and meetings turns into a real relationship and front page tabloid news. Honestly, I feel like Olivia Wilde probably read this and it inspired her recent romance! - D

The Wedding Date Series by Jasmine Guillory

The series starts when Alexa, the chief of staff for the mayor of San Francisco working on the most important project of her life, gets stuck in a hotel elevator with Drew, a pediatric surgeon who’s desperate for a last minute date to a wedding that weekend. Hijinks ensue and soon love is in the air, but can these two workaholics with lots of barriers find a way to make it last? The series continues to follow Alexa and Drew’s friends and family as they find love and adventure. This a definitively modern series featuring smart people with exciting careers talking about racism, politics and family issues. Guillory is a lawyer herself, and the characters have fully realized personal lives and careers, which is one of the reasons that I think her books resonate and get more press and recognition than romance novels normally do. - E