My novel "My Landlady the Lobotomist" would fit into that category. Plus it plays with the conventions of the great works of German romantic literature! I'd vote for my own novel on this one. My Landlady the Lobotomist. Curtis's would be the only other one on the list that even looks literary. And I don't think romance precludes literary merit.

Don't read/like romance novels; voted strictly on the basis of what my patrons seem to like -- likewise on where they appeared on your list!

I'm sure your book would be better suited to a superlative in another category. Romance these days (in American lit) usually connotes chicklit. How about most inventive reformation of romance in defiance of the banality of romance in American fiction?

I haven't read a romance novel in years. Having said that, my favorite romance/history book of all time was and still is "Gone With The Wind". IMO,it is a must read of anyone who likes romance novels, and it takes place during a very interesting time period of American history - the Civil War.

There are some books I think that aren't on the list and should be but it's a pretty good range I'd say.

Haven't read any of the books, sorry. Nahid Rachlin

I'm sort of out of the loop on romance books. Maybe I should try to read one of those, so I'll have something to say. Sorry. Ask me about biographies or historical fiction. Sci-fi as well.

Lolita is a strange inclusion for this list--a serious anti-romance novel, a novel of "abnormal" sensual obsession and intrigue, once considered so shocking that it was banned. This is why I chose it.

For the Roses is a really good book but its historical romance not contemporary.

dears,




Very nice books are my best friends and my soul as well. yours, khan.waiting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!peace to all.""

"best EVER contemporary"? That seems like a big contradiction.

Lolita? I don't think Nabokov would agree.

I didn't read contemporary until I stumbled on Susan Elizabeth Phillip's books. She's currently my idol. There's just a lot of "Bestselling Authors" who can't write. By some god-forsaken reason, their editors let them publish it and the American public actually buys this. How embarrassing!

Wow 12 Jennifer Crusie's. All time favorite!!!

My series of contemporary romances is called The Reyes Family Romances, dealing with the romances of the various members of a large Hispanic family. "Never Too Old For The Game Of Love", "Recipe For Love", and "Love By Design" are available now. My personal favorite, "Analysis of Love" will be published in February. I write about strong female characters who are not looking for love, but who can't resist a good-looking man who makes their toes curl. Sparks fly, and good sex leads to real romance. That's what I look for in contemporary romance.

The Ocean Between, would fit into this list. With strong characters and a story that lingers in your heart long after you finished the last page, it's a suggested read.

I think Kingdom of Dreams is a historical.

Hi!!! We careful that are a few books in this list that are historical instead of contemporary. I don't know how the process to erase a book from a list is so i'm letting you know! :)

Paul wrote: "I haven't read a romance novel in years. Having said that, my favorite romance/history book of all time was and still is "Gone With The Wind". IMO,it is a must read of anyone who like..."

Oh, I agree and didn't see it on this list, where is it? Most of the stuff here is drivel IMO.

Angele wrote: "Lolita is a strange inclusion for this list--a serious anti-romance novel, a novel of "abnormal" sensual obsession and intrigue, once considered so shocking that it was banned. This is why I chose..."

You make me want to read it. I only saw the movie when I was 13.

"Gone With The Wind". IMO,it is a must read of anyone who like..."

Oh, I agree and didn't see it on this list, where is it? Most of the stuff here is drivel IMO.

Gone With the Wind is not contemporary; it is set during the American Civil War.

Miriam wrote: ""Gone With The Wind". IMO,it is a must read of anyone who like..."

Oh, I agree and didn't see it on this list, where is it? Most of the stuff here is drivel IMO.

Gone With the Wind is not contemp..."

I added it as Pride and Prejudice is also here and not contemporary and also The Thorn Birds. So why not Gone with the Wind? At least it is really good and very romantic.
You will have to go way down the list to vote for it tho since it is now at the bottom. I guess some people are intimated by the length?

Nora Roberts

Some of these aren't contemporary.

^ sooo true. But thank you for the list guys.. i'm trying to read them, as they are recommended to be best ones. =)

Truly Madly Deeply by Faraaz Kazi

theres quite of few on here that shouldnt be... paranormals and historicals alike

Separate beds by LaVyrle Spencer and It had to be you by Susan Elizabeth Philips remain the all time favourites.

I love this genre! To each his own. If you don't like it, don't comment (or vote). What's the point?

Great list! I'm trying to work my way around it one way or the other. I just started reading Susan Elizabeth Phillips, and was pleasantly surprised.

HOW CAN ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS NOT BE ON HERE?! sorry

"Best Ever" has to be the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, hands down.:D

I also love most anything by Lora Leigh.:D

There are tons of historical romances listed here, isn't there some way to remove them?

I'm on it.

I'm a huge sucker for contemporary romance novels!

hi..i need help..

i am looking for a specific book, and it was so stupid of me to forget the title and the name of the author, and i hope someone here could help me..

--the plot goes something like this: a man is searching for a mother for his somewhat unwanted child(someone he will not fall in love with) and his secretary seems to be the perfect candidate. they both agreed that the secretary will take care of the child and will stop from working. (the father is so unattached to the child because the child's birthmother(child is born from a one-night-stand incident) is so messed up and killed herself in an accident after revealing that she is not sure as to whether he is really the child's father or not)<--with this issue, the secretary/wife tries her best to soften the heart of the man towards the child..

..well, the ending: they fell inlove with each other, found out that the man is indeed the real father of the child/daughter..and that the man and the secretary are having a child of their own.


--sorry ,i'm not really good at this..but i hope someone here has read the book and would be able to help me find the tittle or the author.. :D

Many of my favorite authors are represented here. Want a great contempo romantic series with memorable characters? Read Robyn Carr's Virgin River series, in order if possible. Outstanding!

Miriam wrote: "I think Kingdom of Dreams is a historical." it is...

I am trying to figure out the name of a book hope someone can help. I first read this book in late 2006 early 2007 and don't think it was new then. It was about a married couple who has three young children and somehow one of them dies, The mom was a nurse at a hospital and something happens to her daughter and her husband can't get a hold of mom and brings daughter to the ER. It seems to me that it was an accident in the yard or house. The couple divorces. Later when the children are grown the couple reunites. The husband owns or runs a book store or a coffee shop. I don't remember the cover I think when the couple reunited it was during the Christmas season.

Ruth Cardello "Maid for a Billionaire" is a great book or audio-book.

Ok, why does like the entire first page of this book list have like 'contemporary' books that were written like 10 years ago? Where's the more modern stuff?!

I liked Vivian Sinclair's recent book "Lost in Wyoming". It is a nice romance with a surprise ending.

Evanovich doesn't belong on this list....

Where are the rest of the Mackenzie books? They ALL deserve to be on this list! And how can this list not include at least one title by Lindsay McKenna? She is a groundbreaking author in so many ways in contemporary fiction (military fiction and strong female military role model officers) and she certainly should be on this list!!

The Hating Game should be on this list. Sally Thorne

Removed for being historicals:
Water for Elephants
Lucky Penny
The Forever In Between: A Historical Western Romance Book
The Raven Prince
Captive of My Desires
The Light Between Oceans
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay
Coming Up Roses
Passion
After the Fog
Dance
Nevada Nights
The Ruby Brooch
Mr Darcy falls in Love
The Sun Also Shines for me