If you’re anything like me, once you fall in love with a romance author’s writing, you want to devour every book they’ve ever written. These are the authors who’ve made me swoon, cry, clutch my Kindle, and reread scenes and even whole books just to experience them all over again. From morally gray heroes to chemistry that crackles off the page, these writers have created worlds and characters I’ll never forget.
Here are my top 20 favorite romance authors—starting with the ones who completely own space on my Kindle bookshelf (and my heart).
1. Cora Reilly
Cora Reilly is the queen of dark mafia romance, and The Camorra Chronicles is hands-down my favorite series. Remo and his brothers completely hooked me, and yes—I mentally cast them as Klaus, Elijah, and the other two Mikaelsons from The Vampire Diaries and The Originals. Cole and Finn? Does that sound right? The whole vibe was dangerous, intense, and addictive. I also loved Dante and Luka from her other books, and Cassio from Sweet Temptation was unforgettable. And off topic, but if there were anyone I loved more than Klaus and Elijah, it would be Vincent in The Originals.
2. Penelope Douglas
Birthday Girl may just be my most read book ever. Absolutely love it! Penelope Douglas has a way of writing tension and longing like no one else. Her Devil’s Night series is a favorite that I’ve read twice and could see myself reading again, and I loved the Fall Away series too. Every book sticks with me. The only one that just didn’t do it for me was Credence. I was totally in it… until the ending.
3. Parker S. Huntington
Parker S. Huntington writes the kind of stories that pull you in and don’t let go. Devious Lies, Asher Black, and Darling Venom were all standout reads for me. Her characters feel messy and real, and I love how her stories explore both darkness and vulnerability. My Dark Romeo (co-written with LJ Shen) just didn’t land for me, but everything else? Loved.
4. Tracy Lorraine
I devoured her Rebel Ink series, Rosewood High, Madison Kings University, and Knights Ridge Empire. If you love high school and college romances with a bit of edge, Tracy Lorraine delivers. Rebel Ink isn’t a high school or college romance series; it’s set around a tattoo shop, but it’s what got me reading Tracy Lorraine. She’s so good at writing complicated relationships, emotional twists, and swoony bad boys who give you just enough softness to keep you rooting for them.
5. LK Farlow
LK Farlow gives us southern charm with spice, and I am here for it. Her Southern Roots, Bay Ridge, and Central Valley U series are all fantastic. Sweet Little Nothing is one of my all-time favorites, and Come What May stole my heart. I’ve read them both at least twice. I keep hoping she’ll expand on the Reyes family—Matteo’s siblings need their own books!
6. LJ Shen
LJ Shen has written so many favorites of mine. From Sinners of Saint to All Saints High and The Boston Belles, her characters are addictive and full of tension. I also really loved The Kiss Thief. I wasn’t a fan of her making one of the All Saints High books, hands down the saddest book I’ve ever read. I was literally bawling. The only one I didn’t vibe with was My Dark Romeo, mentioned above as co-authored with Parker S. Huntington, but her other books more than make up for it.
7. JL Beck
What I love about JL Beck books
8. Kay Hooper
I can’t get enough of Kay Hooper novels – whether vintage (pre-2000’s) or her more recent works, I love them! She’s one of the few authors who combine romance and suspense with a touch of the paranormal, and she does it well. I also follow her on Facebook and while I don’t talk about politics much, we’re very aligned politically and I’m thankful for how outspoken she is.
9. Roxie Ray
By far my favorite shifter author – bears, panthers, dragons… Angsty, secret baby, grouchy heros.
10. Sofia T Sommers
Sexy, age-gap heros, hot as hell sex scenes
11. Ashley Munoz
My favorite by Ashley Munoz would be Tennessee Truths
12. Atlas Rose
Love the series with the three sisters all with why choose romances
13. Sam Mariano
Maybe I’m just weird, but one of my favorite books is Untouchable. Sometimes, she does go too far for me to truly enjoy her books, such as the one where the mmc controls when the mfc can use her phone and what she can wear. I also wasn’t a fan of the first sex scene in The Imperfections. Other favorites include Resisting Mr. Granville and the Coastal Elite series.
14. Samantha Christy
It’s hard to pick a favorite book when I love everyone of them in her many interconnected series.
15. Natasha Anders
Perfect for fans of angsty romance
16. Ava Harrison
I loved the Price Dynasty series that followed the Price siblings.
17. T. Christenson
I absolutely love her books! I was so freaking excited when I saw that she was following me on social media on one of my professional profiles.
18. Nikki Sloane
Her Nashville Neighborhood series is seriously hot and so good. I think I read somewhere that she is finished with the series. I really hope that is not the case. She needs to release at least one more. It just doesn’t feel complete yet with only six books for an entire neighborhood. All of the books are so good, I’m not even sure I could pick a favorite. I will say that The Pool Boy is one of my favorite books, and I’m not usually a fan of reverse age-gap. I do miss the original cover, but the new one does match the series better.
19. Carian Cole
I loved Torn and Tied, and Don’t Kiss the Bride, but if I had to pick a favorite book of Carian Cole’s, it would be The Lovely Return. I’m not even sure what to make of that book – was the late wife a ghost, was the mfc reincarnated or possessed… IDK, but it was thought-provoking and memorable.
20. Ashley Jade
Hate Me, a standalone bully romance and Royal hearts academy series