My list featured in two national newspapers
My "Best of the Best Romance Books of All Time" list was recently featured in the Daily Express UK and The Mirror US
I recently learned that my Best of the Best Romance Book of All Time list was the basis of a story published in both the Daily Express UK and The Mirror US online newspapers.
While these aren’t the most—ahem, how shall I say—distinguished media outlets, it was still cool to see my list turned into a news story. And although I wasn’t contacted about the story, they did credit me and link to my website.
Headlines
While the two stories are very similar, the headlines were notably different.
Here are the heading and subheading of each:
1. Daily Express UK
Top 10 best romance novels of all time — number one is an award-winning love story
If you enjoy romance novels, this list of the top 10 romance books of all time might just lead you to your next favourite read.
2. The Mirror US
Top 10 best romance novels of all time — Nicholas Sparks and Jane Austen beaten by 2019 book
The 10 best romance novels of all time have been revealed, and the list includes books by the likes of Jane Austen, Nicholas Sparks and Helen Hoang
I find it interesting that the Daily Express UK headline focuses on achievement, highlighting that the number one book is an award-winning story. The Mirror US headline, on the other hand, highlights conflict by pitting new books versus old, highlighting that a 2019 book ranked higher than older books by Nicholas Sparks and Jane Austen.
Is this a US versus UK difference? There were many other subtle changes to the language in each story, which makes me very curious about the editing process and how the two versions were created.
Full Story
If you’re rather not click through to these newspaper websites (I don’t blame you, they are bogged down with many ads!), you can read the full story from the Daily Express UK below.
Top 10 best romance novels of all time — number one is an award-winning love story
If you enjoy romance novels, this list of the top 10 romance books of all time might just lead you to your next favourite read.
By Talya Honebeek, Content Editor, Spare Time
04:00, Sun, May 4, 2025
Whether you're an avid reader getting through several books each week or someone who just prefers to reads on the beach, everyone is different. Fantasy and thriller novels are proving to be popular at the moment, with authors like Freida McFadden and Rebecca Yarros loved on BookTok.
Romance is another genre loved by many, with Emily Henry, Colleen Hoover and Ali Hazelwood all publishing bestselling romance novels in recent years. But with so much choice, you might feel a little lost when trying to pick your next read.
Whether you're new to the genre or wanting something out of your comfort zone, Romancing the Data's list of the top romances of all time could help you pick your next read.
This ranking, published in October 2024, was compiled using data from 26 other romance book lists published in 2022 or later, including Audible, Time and Reader's Digest.
Topping the list is Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston, a Goodreads Choice award-winning romance between America's First Son and a British prince. The 2019 novel was also turned into a film starring Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine, and a sequel is on the way.
Coming in second is a novel many might have expected to see in first place: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. This 1813 classic tells the story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, who must overcome their initial prejudices and pride to find love.
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, which sees a World War Two nurse mysteriously transported to 18th-century Scotland where she's torn between two men, is third on the list of the best romances of all time.
In fourth is Get A Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert, a story about a chronically ill woman who creates a list to help herself "get a life" and finds romance in an unexpected place when she asks for a charming artist's help.
The best romance novels of all time
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Get A Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
Just missing out on the top 10 are Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman and An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole.
You can find the full list of the best romance novels of all time on Romancing the Data.