6 Love Lessons We've Learned From The Biggest Romance Books Of The 2020s

Wouldn't it be nice if real-life romance could be packaged neatly into a beginning, middle, and end? No mess or misunderstanding, just riding off into the sunset for a happily ever after? But then again, where would the fun be in that? The course of true love never did run smooth, but that's what makes life interesting. And it's exactly why well-crafted romance novels keep us reading.

But the genre, in particular, offers more than just something breezy to enjoy. Of course, we love the magic moments and swoon-worthy escapism, but the best ones also embed kernels of wisdom to enlighten us about love. So far, the 2020s have brought us a bountiful carousel of romance novels that do exactly that. They were the top-selling genre in print books in 2022, with nearly 19 million copies sold — a number not seen since 2014. Whilst tugging at our heartstrings, they also give us perspective on the delightful messiness of matters of the heart.

Emily Henry made waves in the romance genre at the start of the decade with her phenomenally popular "Beach Read." Not only did it clinch the New York Times Bestseller title, but it was also named by PopSugar as the Best Romance Book of 2020 for hilarious moments, sharp wit, memorable side characters, and richly layered leading lovers. Though it's easy to get swept away by the sun-soaked charm of its title, "Beach Read" shares more than just steamy vacation vibes.

When popular romance author January Andrews moves into her late father's secret lake house, she's wrestling with more than just writer's block. Shattered by the discovery of her father's affair and the collapse of her own relationship, January becomes jaded at the very notion of love –– an ironic crisis for someone in her line of work. Her neighbor, brooding literary fiction author Gus Everett (who also happens to be her former college rival), isn't faring much better. Their shared creative struggles lead to a deal: Gus will attempt to write a romance, while January tackles a highbrow literary novel. Between writing sessions and heartfelt confessions, the two plunge into each other's past, confronting their demons and unpacking their vulnerabilities together. At its heart, "Beach Read" teaches us that sometimes, love means unpacking the baggage to make space for your next chapter. This can be difficult, but ultimately, letting go of the past can make room for something new.

Fans of "Gilmore Girls" and cozy, small-town tales couldn't resist Laurie Gilmore's "The Pumpkin Spice Cafe" when it debuted in 2022. In fact, the book's aureate warmth resonated so widely, it was crowned the first-ever TikTok Shop Book of the Year in 2024 at the TikTok Book Awards. Gilmore sprinkles autumnal magic into her writing like a barista dusting pumpkin spice atop a latte.

When Jeanie inherits her aunt's Pumpkin Spice Café in the idyllic town of Dream Harbor, she eagerly swaps her stifling job in the city for the promise to start afresh. Logan, a taciturn local farmer who dodges the town's ubiquitous gossip mill, finds Jeanie's sunny disposition both jarring and impossible to resist. As their guarded hearts inch closer together, the pair are caught in the throes of village hijinx, crossed wires, and the question of whether love can truly overcome old wounds.

Beyond its wink to the inherent romance of small-town life and the undeniable steaminess of clandestine entanglements, this evocative read reminds us that love can often be harvested when you least expect it. Did Jeanie's aunt presciently anticipate that the café would offer more than just an escape from the monotony of her day job? Perhaps. But in stepping away from the chaos of urban life and choosing a path that genuinely nurtures her, Jeanie experiences the virtues of slowing down –– which, in turn, opens herself to new, special possibilities. Take risks. Love can choose you if you choose yourself.

Love isn't a controlled experiment, but occasionally, it yields the most extraordinary results. That's the premise of Ali Hazelwood's "The Love Hypothesis," a finalist in the Goodreads Choice Awards. The novel centers on Olive Smith, a Ph.D. student who calls upon stern and enigmatic professor, Adam Carlsen, to enter into a fake relationship. Their ruse is designed to convince Olive's friend she's moved on from an old crush. It also serves Adam's interests, reassuring the university that he's settling down and committed to staying. But what begins as a mutually beneficial arrangement quickly transforms into something far less hypothetical.

Love sneaks in like an unexpected variable in Hazelwood's book. In Olive and Adam's journey, the little things matter more than we might think. Small, unexpected sparks can leave a lasting impact, demonstrated through a chance encounter in a bathroom and an impulsive kiss in the lab. And as Olive pieces together the mystery of this man, she — and we, along with her — discover that love sometimes hides delightfully in plain sight.

Falling in love doesn't mean you have to lose yourself. Love should empower, not restrict. Genre heavyweight Abby Jimenez underscores this in her 2022 novel, "Part of Your World." This is a love story tinged with sadness, as it follows a protagonist recovering from an abusive relationship marked by coercive control. Through healing and self-discovery, Jimenez gives us a novel that offers us a lot to learn.

When Alexis Montgomery, a hotshot ER doctor, and heir to a prestigious medical dynasty, meets the free-spirited Daniel Grant — who is ten years younger and a small-town carpenter with a heart of gold — their worlds couldn't seem less compatible. But however improbable, their bond takes shape amid the weight of familial obligations and professional pressures. Real love, as "Part of Your World" shows, is about much more than romance. Alexis and Daniel find in each other someone who helps them become the best version of themselves, while still honoring who they are at their core. Daniel encourages Alexis to reclaim her autonomy, and Alexis' eventual courage allows their connection to blossom. As we see, when love is rooted in mutual respect, authenticity, and willingness, it has a funny way of figuring itself out — no matter how winding the journey. As Daniel and Alexis prove, dreams can exist stronger together.

Laboratories, it seems, are fertile ground for more than just experiments. Bonnie Garmus' "Lessons in Chemistry" joins "The Love Hypothesis" to prove sparks don't have to come from chemical reactions. The book was both a bestseller and the beloved basis for an AppleTV adaptation starring Brie Larson. Though not exclusively a romance novel, its narrative certainly hinges upon love, as well as themes of feminism, family, and the feud between science and religion.

"Lessons in Chemistry" tracks Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant chemist fighting the relentless sexism of her age (the 1960s) and her male-dominated field. Amid the hostility, she finds an ally and soulmate in Calvin Evans, a celebrated scientist who sees her as his equal. Their love is built on respect and intellectual connection, which is transformed when they have a child out of wedlock. But tragedy strikes when Calvin dies unexpectedly. Grief and necessity propel her into an unexpected role as a television cooking show host, a position she transforms into a platform for teaching science and female empowerment, cleverly disguised in her recipes.

Clearly, chemistry isn't confined to test tubes. Garmus points out the age-old adage: It's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. Her bond with Calvin acutely shapes Elizabeth's life long after his death –– not only in the happiness they shared but also in the legacy he left behind. His influence persists, encouraging Elizabeth's determination to raise their daughter, continue her research, and stay true to herself.

Caleb Azumah Nelson's "Open Water" is a rhapsodic reckoning of contemporary romance, artistic expression, and the perils of identity. This debut traces the love between a young Black photographer and a dancer in modern-day London so tenderly, it was deemed by TIME as one of the best books of 2021. In tentative exchanges, we uncover the brittle beauty of human connection. As the choreography of their relationship comes into sharper focus, it is tested not only by their internal fears but also by the weight of a world that often fails to see them fully. Nelson writes in second-person prose, drawing us into a uniquely intimate space between the lines, where what is left unsaid is as important as what is said.

Love is a Piscean force in this novel. It's as fluid and unpredictable as water, shaping itself around the weight of our personal histories and the forces that act upon us. In this finely-wrought portrayal, Nelson reaffirms that love is seldom linear; it is complex and layered. But it's this ebb and flow that can help us give it meaning or artistic merit. Nelson's work makes clear we have the tools to turn something raw into something beautifully realized.