Help me with romance books About This Page:

[Simba's Mom]

I mean real romance books, not lust books. I guess I'm getting too old for the "hard bodies", where they lust after each other, jump into bed and then eventually they may fall in love. I enjoy Debbie Macomber, because in her books, it seems that people actually fall in love BEFORE they jump into bed. And sometimes they're even married to each other! But I think I've read everything of hers I can get my hands on. I read one book about a woman whose DH was in a coma, and she was so loyal to him, in spite of what everyone said. I want books about LOVE, not LUST. Does anyone else know what I'm looking for?

[HiddenMickey]

How about trying some classics like Jane Eyre, Rebecca, or Doctor Zhivago? Great love stories!

[LizardCop]

Well, I'm gonna stick my neck out here as a guy and go with Nicholas Sparks. His books are usually pretty romantic without all the lustiness....

[jimmymac]

How about Doctor Zhivago or the Odyssey?

[Caldercup]

Mary Balogh (pronounced like Kellogg -- the cereal maker) is a great romance writer. Her novels are very much about the emotional involvement of her characters, although her later books have more "lust" in them than her earlier works.

Other romance novelists I like:

Julia Quinn (her stuff is very witty and fun)
Katherine Kingsley
Mary Jo Putney
Jo Goodman

For interesting romantic involvements (with a supernatural twist), try the books by Stephanie Meyer. Her Twilight series is unique and the relationships are amazing. "The Host" is also spectacular and so unusual.

For authors from the Romantic period, I'd recommend Austen, Hugo, and Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre. (I hated Vilette, though and I'm not a big fan of Emily Bronte.)
Eileen

[mtstranscribe]

I am an absolute book nut but I have to admit I do not like those romance novels that I call "fabio" novels with the half naked guy on the cover. If you really love romances that have great story lines and not trash, try anything by Catherine Cookson. She is an older writer from England and just wonderful. They are rainy day, cup of coffee and some cookies, curled up in your jammies on the couch kinda books! Catherine Cookson She passed away about 10 years ago but her novels are still around. She was quite prolific so if you like her, you wont run out of things to read.

[dejavu]

I would recommend reading The Bridges of Madison County. I thought it was extremely romantic. I also second the nomination of the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer.

[hall0731]

Ok going to throw my 2 cents in.

I just love Virginia Henley.. Her books give you the plot very well detailed and she hooks you into it that you can't put it down.
My other favorite writer is Susan Mallery. Her characters are very detailed and great story lines.
Try Susan Wiggs. She is along the lines of Debbie Macomber.

I have alot of others that are great writers but they do have the "lust" in them.

[Hugmonster]

I agree on Susan Wiggs. I also like the older one from ARGH!! brain froz up I will have to look at the book shelves when I get home tonight.

[Happymommy]

I agree on Bridges of Madison County. My favorite romantic book is Pride and Predjudice.

[Simba's Mom]

Originally Posted by LizardCop

Well, I'm gonna stick my neck out here as a guy and go with Nicholas Sparks. His books are usually pretty romantic without all the lustiness....

I'd forgotten about Nicholas Sparks. I've read several of his books in the past and I love what I've read. And I'll check out all the others.

[clio]

I like Luanne Rice's books as well as Susan Wiggs modern day books. I don't like historical romances.
Liz

[DISNEY03]

I have to second pride & prejudice. Also, my favorite book is Whitney, my love from Judith McNaught. Don't let the name dissuade you, I only read romance novels and not the half naked people on the front (although I have to admit, I've read a few) but I like this author and I would recommend the book.

[Chays52]

I books by Meg Cabot better know for her Princess Dairies and Young Adult books but she has a few adult series out that I just love. I will still classify them as brain candy - light reads that fun. I'm a sucker for books that feature the same people or people who re-appear in multiple stories.

The Heather Wells Mysteries: (A little mystery and fun light on the "sexy" romance but plenty of romance)
Size 12 is Not Fat
Size 14 is Not Fat Either
Big Boned

The Queen of Babble Series: (Really light hearted and funny)
Queen of Babble
Queen of Babble in the Big City
Queen of Babble gets Hitched (I still have to read this one)

The Boy Series: This one is written a little different, a combo of e-mails, text messages, notes and diary entries - kind of fun.
The Boy next Door
Boy Meets Girl
Every Boy's Got on