Best Novels for Love Story (2026): 5 Compared

Love stories never go out of style, and the best novels for love story fans are heartfelt and engaging. We compared five romance novels by pages, author, publisher and year, using only what each listing publishes. Every pick names who it suits and who should skip it.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	It's a Love Story	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Twisted Love	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Love and Other Words	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
4	A Novel Love Story	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Must Love Flowers	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon

1

It's a Love Story

Annabel Monaghan·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 2025 instant best-seller about a Hollywood producer.

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Pros

• 368 pages
• 2025
• NYT best-seller

Cons

• 368 pages
• 2025, newest
• Putnam only

2

Twisted Love

Ana Huang·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A BookTok brother's best friend romance, book 1 of 4.

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Pros

• 352 pages
• BookTok
• Book 1 of 4

Cons

• 352 pages
• Book 1 of 4
• 2022

3

Love and Other Words

Christina Lauren·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 432-page childhood sweethearts romance.

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Pros

• 432 pages
• NYT authors
• 2018

Cons

• 432 pages, long
• 2018
• Gallery only

4

A Novel Love Story

Ashley Poston·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 2024 fantasy romance set in a fictional town.

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Pros

• 384 pages
• NYT best-seller
• 2024

Cons

• 384 pages
• 2024
• Berkley only

5

Must Love Flowers

Debbie Macomber·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 2024 uplifting novel about renewal.

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Pros

• 336 pages
• NYT best-seller
• Uplifting

Cons

• 336 pages
• 2024
• Ballantine only

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More picks to compare

• Love Story160 pages, 50th anniversaryCheck on Amazon

Compare the picks

21 October 2026

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs romance, writing quality, value and readability. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best novels for love story

Contemporary vs fantasy

The Annabel Monaghan is contemporary; the Ashley Poston is fantasy. For nature lovers, see our best novels for nature lovers.

Series vs standalone

The Twisted Love is book 1 of 4. For young adults, see our best graphic novels for young adults.

Setup Notes

• Check the page count.
• Check if it’s part of a series.
• Confirm the publisher.
• Check the publication year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the newest?

It’s a Love Story (2025).

Which is the longest?

Love and Other Words at 432.

Which is BookTok popular?

Twisted Love.

Which is shortest?

Must Love Flowers at 336.

Still deciding? Our top pickIt's a Love Story

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Related lists

See every book club picks list. Also see our best novels for nature lovers.

More lists: browse book club picks.