Lucy Feldman, together with Annabel Gutterman and the dozens of book lovers who work at TIME, are strong advocates for the best books to read each month and year. You can find their recommendations on time.com, regularly in the magazine, and in our weekly culture newsletter, “Worth Your Time.” They are lovers of many genres and champions of new voices, advocates for works that appeal to audiences large and small. It is no surprise that they are joined by many book lovers at TIME.

And over the past few years, no development has changed what we read more than the remarkable dominance of the romance novel. Nearly 40 million romance books were sold in 2023 and the number of romance-specific bookstores in the U.S. has gone from two in 2020 to more than 20 today.

“The romance novel is so present in American life—nearly a quarter of adult print fiction sold—that many of us already have an opinion before we’ve ever opened one,” Casey McQuiston, who is the author of Red White & Royal Blue and other best-sellers, writes in an essay for TIME this week.

In recognition of this cultural juggernaut, we’re unveiling a new entry in TIME’s recognition of what you should read: The 50 Best Romance Novels to Read Right Now. Our selections span four centuries and 50 authors–from Jane Austen to Nora Roberts to Beverly Jenkins and, yes, McQuiston.

TIME’s editors and reporters have been working on this list throughout the year, speaking with booksellers, editors, authors, and other industry experts who helped us understand the nuances and evolution of romance. We considered key factors including ingenuity, commercial success, acclaim, and impact, aiming to curate a list that celebrates the burgeoning inclusivity of the genre.

We hope that fans find in these selections books familiar and unfamiliar. Let us know what we missed? Sam@time.com