Top 50 Romance Authors of All Time
Romance is the bestselling fiction genre in the world, generating nearly 40 million printed copies sold annually. From sweeping historical epics to steamy contemporary novels and heartwarming small town stories, romance has something for every reader. Whether you discovered the genre through Inkyreads, a recommendation from a friend, or a well-worn paperback passed down through generations, this list celebrates the authors who have defined, shaped, and continue to dominate the genre.
Here are the 50 best romance authors of all time, spanning classic literary romance, historical romance, contemporary romance, paranormal romance, and romantasy.
1. Nora Roberts The undisputed queen of romance fiction, Nora Roberts has published over 225 novels and sold more than 500 million copies worldwide. Writing contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and futuristic thrillers under her J.D. Robb pseudonym, Roberts has spent more time on the New York Times bestseller list than any other author in history. Her In Death series alone spans over 50 books. Browse Nora Roberts books in order →
2. Danielle Steel With nearly one billion copies of her books sold worldwide, Danielle Steel is one of the bestselling fiction authors of all time. She has published over 190 novels, many of which have debuted at #1 on the New York Times list. Her emotionally charged stories of love, loss, family, and resilience have captivated readers for five decades. Browse Danielle Steel books in order →
3. Diana Gabaldon Creator of the epic Outlander series, Diana Gabaldon has sold over 50 million copies worldwide. Her time-traveling historical romance blends 18th century Scotland, adventure, and one of fiction's most beloved love stories — Jamie and Claire Fraser. The series inspired the long-running Starz television adaptation. Browse Diana Gabaldon books in order →
4. Colleen Hoover The reigning queen of Inkyreads, Colleen Hoover became a publishing phenomenon when her backlist exploded on TikTok in 2021-2022, selling millions of copies virtually overnight. Known for emotionally devastating contemporary romance with unexpected twists, her novels including It Ends with Us, Verity, and November 9 have introduced a new generation to the genre. Browse Colleen Hoover books in order →
5. Julia Quinn Best known as the author of the Bridgerton series, Julia Quinn has sold over 17 million copies in the US alone since The Duke and I was published in 2000. The Netflix adaptation of Bridgerton became one of the most watched shows in the platform's history, introducing her Regency romances to a global audience. Browse Julia Quinn books in order →
6. Nicholas Sparks The master of bittersweet romantic drama, Nicholas Sparks has written 24 novels, all of which have been New York Times bestsellers. Eleven have been adapted into films, including The Notebook, A Walk to Remember, and Message in a Bottle. Sparks has sold over 105 million copies worldwide. Browse Nicholas Sparks books in order →
7. Lisa Kleypas A two-time RITA Award winner and New York Times bestselling author, Lisa Kleypas is considered one of the founding mothers of modern historical romance. Her Wallflowers and Hathaway series are considered essential reading in the genre, and her contemporary Texas series introduced her to a new generation of readers. Browse Lisa Kleypas books in order →
8. Jane Austen No list of romance authors is complete without Jane Austen. Her six novels — including Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma — established the template for romantic fiction as we know it. Published over 200 years ago, her books remain perpetual bestsellers and have inspired thousands of adaptations and retellings. Browse Jane Austen books in order →
9. Emily Henry The defining voice of modern contemporary romance, Emily Henry became a New York Times #1 bestselling author with Beach Read and has since produced a string of smash hits including People We Meet on Vacation, Book Lovers, Happy Place, and Funny Story. Her witty, emotionally intelligent romances have made her the most talked-about romance author of the 2020s. Browse Emily Henry books in order →
10. Jude Deveraux A romance legend since the 1970s, Jude Deveraux has sold over 50 million copies worldwide. Her Montgomery/Taggert family saga spanning dozens of books remains one of the most beloved series in romance history. Her time-traveling classic A Knight in Shining Armor is considered one of the greatest romance novels ever written. Browse Jude Deveraux books in order →
11. Sandra Brown A New York Times #1 bestselling author with over 70 novels published, Sandra Brown is a master of romantic suspense. Her thrillers consistently top the bestseller charts and she has sold over 80 million copies worldwide. Browse Sandra Brown books in order →
12. Judith McNaught Known for her sweeping, emotionally intense historical and contemporary romances, Judith McNaught has sold over 30 million copies worldwide. Whitney, My Love and A Kingdom of Dreams are considered classics of the genre. Browse Judith McNaught books in order →
13. Talia Hibbert An award-winning New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Talia Hibbert is known for her Brown Sisters series and her witty, inclusive contemporary romances featuring diverse characters and razor-sharp dialogue. Browse Talia Hibbert books in order →
14. Sarah MacLean A leading voice in Regency and Victorian historical romance, Sarah MacLean is a multiple RITA Award winner and New York Times bestselling author. Her Rule of Scoundrels and Scandal and Scoundrel series are considered essential reading for historical romance fans. Browse Sarah MacLean books in order →
15. Kresley Cole Creator of the massively popular Immortals After Dark paranormal romance series, Kresley Cole is a New York Times #1 bestselling author whose dark, sexy paranormal world has sold millions of copies and earned a devoted fanbase. Browse Kresley Cole books in order →
16. Johanna Lindsey One of the most prolific romance authors of the 20th century, Johanna Lindsey published over 55 novels and sold over 60 million copies. Her Mallory family saga and Viking romances helped define the genre in the 1980s and 1990s. Browse Johanna Lindsey books in order →
17. Nalini Singh A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Nalini Singh is known for her Psy-Changeling and Guild Hunter paranormal romance series. Her richly imagined worlds and emotionally compelling characters have earned her a global readership. Browse Nalini Singh books in order →
18. Loretta Chase A multiple RITA Award winner, Loretta Chase is considered one of the finest writers in Regency historical romance. Lord of Scoundrels is consistently ranked among the greatest romance novels ever written. Browse Loretta Chase books in order →
19. Jayne Ann Krentz Writing under her own name and as Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle, Krentz has produced over 100 novels across contemporary, historical, and paranormal romance. She has spent decades on the New York Times bestseller list. Browse Jayne Ann Krentz books in order →
20. Beverly Jenkins A pioneer of diverse historical romance, Beverly Jenkins has been writing Black historical romance since 1994 and is widely credited with expanding the genre's representation. She is a RITA Award winner and USA Today bestselling author. Browse Beverly Jenkins books in order →
21. Courtney Milan A former law professor turned romance author, Courtney Milan is known for her historically accurate, inclusive Victorian and Regency romances. Her Brothers Sinister series is a fan favorite and she is a vocal advocate for diversity in the genre. Browse Courtney Milan books in order →
22. Eloisa James A Shakespeare professor and New York Times bestselling author, Eloisa James brings genuine historical depth to her witty Regency romances. Her Duchess Quartet and Fairy Tales series are beloved by historical romance readers. Browse Eloisa James books in order →
23. Penny Reid Known for her quirky, intelligent heroines and slow-burn romances, Penny Reid is a USA Today bestselling author whose Knitting in the City and Winston Brothers series have earned devoted followings. Browse Penny Reid books in order →
24. Maya Banks A New York Times and USA Today #1 bestselling author, Maya Banks writes steamy contemporary romance and romantic suspense. Her KGI and Breathless series have sold millions of copies. Browse Maya Banks books in order →
25. Jill Shalvis Queen of small town contemporary romance, Jill Shalvis is a New York Times bestselling author known for her warm, funny, emotionally satisfying series. Her Lucky Harbor and Animal Magnetism series are fan favorites. Browse Jill Shalvis books in order →
26. Susan Elizabeth Phillips A seven-time RITA Award winner and New York Times bestselling author, Susan Elizabeth Phillips is known for her witty, emotionally complex contemporary romances. Her Chicago Stars sports romance series is considered a landmark of the genre. Browse Susan Elizabeth Phillips books in order →
27. Kristin Hannah Although known primarily for literary fiction, Kristin Hannah's early romance novels and her emotionally powerful love stories like The Nightingale and Firefly Lane have made her one of the most beloved authors in women's fiction. Browse Kristin Hannah books in order →
28. Julie Garwood A New York Times #1 bestselling author, Julie Garwood is known for her Scottish medieval historical romances and contemporary romantic thrillers. Her historical novels including The Bride and Honey Moon are considered classics of the genre. Browse Julie Garwood books in order →
29. Sylvia Day Creator of the massively successful Crossfire series, Sylvia Day is a #1 New York Times and #1 international bestselling author whose books have sold over 20 million copies in 41 countries. Browse Sylvia Day books in order →
30. Layla Black / Lauren Blakely One of the most prolific authors in contemporary romance, Lauren Blakely is a New York Times bestselling author known for her witty, fun romantic comedies and steamy contemporary romance series published at remarkable speed. Browse Lauren Blakely books in order →
31. Linda Howard A Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame inductee, Linda Howard is known for her intense romantic suspense novels. Her backlist including Mr. Perfect and Dying to Please has sold tens of millions of copies. Browse Linda Howard books in order →
32. Robyn Carr Creator of the beloved Virgin River series — now a hit Netflix show — Robyn Carr is a New York Times bestselling author known for her warm, community-centered small town romances. Browse Robyn Carr books in order →
33. Debbie Macomber A #1 New York Times bestselling author with over 200 million copies in print, Debbie Macomber is known for her heartwarming contemporary romances and women's fiction. Her Cedar Cove series inspired a Hallmark Channel television series. Browse Debbie Macomber books in order →
34. Amanda Quick The historical romance pen name of Jayne Ann Krentz, Amanda Quick has produced over 30 Regency and Victorian romantic thrillers, many of which have debuted at #1 on the New York Times list. Browse Amanda Quick books in order →
35. Abby Jimenez A Food Network champion turned New York Times bestselling romance author, Abby Jimenez is known for her emotionally rich contemporary romances including The Friend Zone and Part of Your World. Browse Abby Jimenez books in order →
36. Jasmine Guillory A New York Times bestselling author and Reese's Book Club pick, Jasmine Guillory is known for her warm, diverse contemporary romances including The Wedding Date and The Proposal. Browse Jasmine Guillory books in order →
37. Carley Fortune A #1 New York Times and #1 Globe and Mail bestselling author, Carley Fortune's summer romances — including Every Summer After and Meet Me at the Lake — have sold over three million copies and been translated into more than 30 languages. Browse Carley Fortune books in order →
38. Ali Hazelwood The breakout author of The Love Hypothesis, Ali Hazelwood brought STEM romance to mainstream audiences and became a New York Times bestselling author almost overnight. Her books feature nerdy heroines and slow-burn academic romance. Browse Ali Hazelwood books in order →
39. Helen Hoang Author of The Kiss Quotient and its sequels, Helen Hoang writes own-voices contemporary romance featuring neurodiverse characters. Her books are New York Times bestsellers and have been praised for their authentic, heartfelt representation. Browse Helen Hoang books in order →
40. Lynsay Sands Creator of the long-running Argeneau vampire series, Lynsay Sands is a New York Times bestselling author who has blended paranormal romance and humor across dozens of books in one of the genre's most beloved series. Browse Lynsay Sands books in order →
41. Christine Feehan A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Christine Feehan is known for her Dark Carpathian paranormal romance series spanning over 30 books, as well as her Ghost Walker and Sea Haven series. Browse Christine Feehan books in order →
42. Sherrilyn Kenyon Creator of the massive Dark-Hunter paranormal romance universe, Sherrilyn Kenyon is a #1 New York Times bestselling author whose series spans over 30 novels and has sold millions of copies worldwide. Browse Sherrilyn Kenyon books in order →
43. Lori Foster A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Lori Foster is known for her steamy contemporary romance and romantic suspense series. Her Ultimate series and Body Armor series are fan favorites. Browse Lori Foster books in order →
44. Susan Mallery A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Susan Mallery is known for her warm small town romance series including Fool's Gold and Happily Inc., which have sold millions of copies. Browse Susan Mallery books in order →
45. Brenda Novak A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Brenda Novak is known for her romantic suspense and small town contemporary romance series including Whiskey Creek and Silver Springs. Browse Brenda Novak books in order →
46. Catherine Coulter A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Catherine Coulter is known for her FBI thriller series featuring agents Lacey Sherlock and Dillon Savich, as well as her historical romance novels. Browse Catherine Coulter books in order →
47. Jojo Moyes British author Jojo Moyes became an international phenomenon with Me Before You, a bittersweet love story that sold millions of copies and was adapted into a hit film. Her emotionally powerful romances blend love stories with broader social themes. Browse Jojo Moyes books in order →
48. Mariana Zapata Known as the queen of slow-burn romance, Mariana Zapata self-published her way to New York Times bestseller status. Her sports romances including Wait for It and The Wall of Winnipeg and Me are beloved for their patient, deeply satisfying romantic buildups. Browse Mariana Zapata books in order →
49. Penelope Ward A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Penelope Ward is known for her emotionally intense contemporary romances including Stepbrother Dearest and Drunk Dial. Browse Penelope Ward books in order →
50. Vi Keeland A #1 New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Vi Keeland is known for her steamy, witty contemporary romances. She frequently co-writes with Penelope Ward and both her solo and collaborative titles regularly top the charts. Browse Vi Keeland books in order →
Looking for a specific romance subgenre? Browse our lists of Top 50 Historical Romance Authors, Top 50 Paranormal Romance Authors, Top 50 Contemporary Romance Authors, and Top 30 Romantic Suspense Authors.