Best new romantic novels you should read

From Jane Austen through Mills and Boon to Catherine Cookson, romance fiction reaches far and wide, spanning many themes and genres, and the demand for it keeps growing.

The Romantic Novel Awards have been celebrating this innovative and exciting genre since 1960, promoting romantic fiction and encouraging good writing.

The 2017 Romantic Novel Award winners 

This year the restaurateur and cookery writer Prue Leith presented the Romantic Novelists’ Association Awards during a glittering ceremony in the Gladstone Library on 13 March, revealing some of the most outstanding, gripping new romantic novels.

Out of Practice by Penny Parkes

The judges described Out of Practice as "a novel with real energy and warmth. The author managed lots of different strands, bringing them together well in an interesting setting."

Published by Simon & Schuster

Max Seventeen by Kate Johnson 

Kate is the first self-published author in the Awards’ 57-year history to win one the prestigious RoNAs.

The judges said of Max Seventeen, "This novel has great energy and passion and presents a real antidote to traditional romance novels, as well as being enormous fun. The author has created a vivid world, which was hugely ambitious and imaginative, and a romance with plenty of action, twists and turns."

It Was Only Ever You by Kate Kerrigan

The judges called It Was Only Ever You "an extremely well-written romance, in which all the threads of the story come together well, with great characters, particularly strong women and a lovely setting, reflecting the contrasting strands of society. The author has really done her research to bring an interesting period of history to life against the backdrops of Ireland and New York."

Published by Head of Zeus

Little Girl Lost by Janet Gover

The judges said of Little Girl Lost, "The unusual setting of this novel was well realised and the heroine’s unconventional job made this a fascinating read. We really liked the world Janet created, and the genuine sense of completion at the end of the novel."

Published by Choc Lit

Summer at the Comfort Food Café by Debbie Johnson 

The judges called Summer at the Comfort Food Café "an extremely enjoyable novel, tremendously warm and enveloping, with great characterisation.  It really came from the heart."

Published by HarperImpulse 

Love Song by Sophia Bennett 

Love Song was a unanimous choice among the judges, who were impressed by the strength and authenticity of the main character’s voice. They felt the book was well-written with plenty of detail, and great sensitivity in some of the scenes. The judges commented, "Love Song is an intelligent and thoughtful read which handles the all-consuming emotion of a first crush rather beautifully."

Published by Chicken House

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