The romantic genre is my all-time favorite. Since time immemorial, romantic novels have fueled my imagination, shaping my understanding of love and romance. Romance novels help one go on emotional journeys filled with passion, heartbreak, and strong relationships. In our normal lives, too, we try to seek and recreate the magic of this kind of romance. It helps add spice to our otherwise mundane lives.
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Instead of indulging in trashy, run-of-the-mill romance novels like Mills & Boon, slow and steady literary romance takes brownie points. These literary romance novels have stood the test of time, capturing the hearts of readers for generations.
Three Classic Romantic Novels to Read This Love Season
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice can be called the epitome of romance. It is about the love story of the protagonists Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet—two strong-willed individuals. This novel gives an insight into social expectations, love, and human emotions. It’s a poignant story that moves our hearts, helping us understand the nuances of true love. What makes it different is Austen’s style of writing. She delves into human relationships with humor and satire. This romance novel is a masterpiece and a must-read for those who love romance. It gives the message that love may not always be instant, but gradually blossoms with time.
- Little Women by Louisa M. Alcott Written in the mid-19th century during the time of the American Civil War, this heartwarming story revolves around the lives of the four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. The novel deals with adolescence, growth, grief, and romance, and a sweet romance between the second sister Jo March and their immediate neighbor, the wealthy Theodore Lawrence. The romance is raw and innocent, offering a refreshing take on teenage love—it’s not cheesy or bold but rather pure and cute. Along with romance, the novel provides readers with insights into parental and sibling love. One can relate to the story and its characters. It’s a beautiful read for a cozy evening full of warmth and love.
- Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell Last but not least, Gone With The Wind is placed in the genre of historical romance. It is considered a romance novel because it centers around the torrid love affair between the fiery and headstrong Scarlett O’Hara and the enigmatic Rhett Butler. The novel deals with love, war, and survival. Their story is filled with attraction, conflict, and misunderstandings, which adds emotional depth. It is one of the most iconic love stories in literature and a must-read. The backdrop of the novel is the American Civil War. The love between the protagonists is not smooth but rather flawed. It blends history, romance, and drama, rich with complexity and drama, compelling the reader to read it in one go.
These romantic novels will make you fall in love again and again. Grab a hot cup of steaming latte, some potato wafers, curl up on the sofa, and enjoy the romance.
“Reading a romance novel is like falling in love over and over again, with every turn of the page.”
– Dr. Preeti Talwar
Image Courtesy : By Taryn Elliot via pexels
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About the Author:
Preeti is a PhD (Zoo) by profession and a writer by passion. She has donned several hats throughout her career, working as a UGC Research Associate, Freelance Proofreader for a publishing house, Eduadvisor for Urban Campus and Disciple Bay, Content Writer and Content Strategist for various startups, and a moderator for chat shows. Preeti’s love for writing has brought her great recognition, with her work being published in national and international platforms such as Women’sWeb, Momspresso, Different Truth, Womenshine Magazine, Lit Gleam Magazine, StoryMirror, The Chicken Soup Series, The Countrysquire Magazine UK, Thrive Global, and Lavande Magazine, among others. She has also contributed to three anthologies.
A multifaceted individual, Preeti excels in both writing and painting. She has won several accolades, including Story Mirror’s competition Qissa-e-ISHQ, Open Mic by Story Mirror, Flash Fiction by Penmancy, and awards from the Asia Literary Society for her articles and poetry. She is a chat moderator for Womenshine Magazine and was recently featured in a Coffee Table Book by Literoma. Preeti is also deeply involved in storytelling and is currently the ambassador for The Spectrum Awareness Society.
