If you love all things hearts and butterflies, you must definitely be a lover of romance novels. Romance novels have a way of igniting a warm feeling inside as we flip through the pages filled with inspirational words exchanged by lovers.
Reading romance novels can give you an insight into what ideal love is and it’s not always chocolates and flowers. Romance novels encourage empathy and understanding of how other people feel. We get to learn from the mistakes of the protagonists and apply the lessons we learn in real life. With that said, here are the top 10 romance novels in Malaysia.
Is it healthy to read romance novels?
Some people may say that reading romance novels can fill our heads with unrealistic ideals. However, reading a romance novel can help to calm you down from a stressful day at work. It also helps to lower your heart rate in case you are feeling particularly anxious. A romance novel can also show us different types of relationships that are out there.
What are the elements of a romance novel?
There are particular elements that every romance novel tends to have. Some of which are a strong, female protagonist, a happy-ever-after ending and emotional tension.
10 Best Romance Novels in Malaysia 2024
1. Pride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice is a classic romance novel that has been loved by many generations before and even until now. It tells the story of the Bennet family, particularly Elizabeth Bennet and aristocrat, Fitzwilliam Darcy. Pride and Prejudice depicts a contemporary society that prides upon status and wealth while exploring the dynamics of relationships, expression of feelings and the power of reason.
Specifications:
- Author: Jane Austen
- Pages: 352 pages
- Publication date: 1813
Pros:
✅ Strong female lead
✅ Classic literature
✅ Set in 18th century England
Price: RM25.93
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
2. PS, I Love You
PS, I Love You centres around Holly, who had recently lost her husband, Gerry and has been devastated by his death ever since. On her 30th birthday, Holly finds a bunch of letters that have been left for her by Gerry, one letter for each month after his death. As Holly goes through the notes that were left for her, she begins to reminisce about the wonderful memories she had with Gerry and realises there is still so much more to life that is worth living.
Specifications:
- Author: Cecelia Ahern
- Pages: 480 pages
- Publication date: 2003
Pros:
✅ Tender story
✅ Journey of rediscovery
✅ Uplifting message
Price: RM46.31
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
3. It Ends With Us
It Ends With Us is a heartbreaking yet hopeful romance novel that will make you take a step back after you have finished reading the book. This deep and intense novel talks about the protagonist, Lily and centres around a few men in her life that have made her question her decision about relationships and love. The best way to summarise this novel in a nutshell is that sometimes, the ones that we love, would end up hurting us the most.
Specifications:
- Author: Colleen Hoover
- Pages: 384 pages
- Publication date: 2016
Pros:
✅ Heartbreaking
✅ Interesting characters
✅ Dark romantic themes
Price: RM43.79
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
4. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is the romance novel for you if you love vintage themes and old Hollywood. Hollywood legend, Evelyn Hugo decides that it is about time that she shares her life story to the public and she decides to go with unknown reporter, Monique Grant. As Monique listens to the tales that Evelyn has to share about forbidden love, tireless ambition and unforeseen friendships, Monique begins to see some resemblance of her life in Evelyn’s.
Specifications:
- Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
- Pages: 400 pages
- Publication date: 2017
Pros:
✅ Old Hollywood
✅ Award-winning novel
✅ Empowerment
Price: RM44.02
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
5. In the Time We Lost
Luna Lark is the name of the protagonist in this young adult romance novel and we learn that Luna is still healing from a broken heart of a previous relationship. Anytime anyone sees her, she’s always greeted with a sympathetic nod or a “It’s going to be okay, Luna”. Luna is tired of the sympathy and wants to start fresh again. What better way to start anew than to travel to a place where nobody knows your name?
Specifications:
- Author: Carrie Hope Fletcher
- Pages: 400 pages
- Publication date: 2019
Pros:
✅ New beginnings
✅ Spellbinding
✅ Enchanting
Price: RM44.83
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
6. The Library of Lost Things
The Library of Lost Things is the perfect romance novel for book lovers out there as this story talks about a girl who has always had her head stuck in a book. Darcy Wells is constantly reading about happy endings in the books she reads but she never thought she could come close to that herself. When teen pilot Asher, walks into the bookstore she works at, her heart begins to flutter, for the first time in her life.
Specifications:
- Author: Laura Taylor Namey
- Pages: 336 pages
- Publication date: 2019
Pros:
✅ For bookish readers
✅ Teen romance
✅ Heartfelt
Price: RM53.32
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
7. Safe Haven
Love can be painful and heartbreaks hurt. Learning to love again is not as easy as it seems. Katie arrives in the small town of Southport and she avoids making any type of personal connection with the people in the town. Even though Katie is reluctant to let people in, one stranger convinces her otherwise. As soon as her walls come crumbling down, the events from her past begin to unravel again.
Specifications:
- Author: Nicholas Sparks
- Pages: 400 pages
- Publication date: 2010
Pros:
✅ Fantasy elements
✅ Dark themes
✅ Learning to love again
Price: RM42.26
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
8. Lost and Found
Lost And Found is an exhilarating novel that follows the journey of photographer and mom, Madison Allen. When an accidental fall from a ladder in her house causes Madison to have a broken ankle, she is forced to hit pause on her busy working schedule. During this time, she embarks on a road trip to meet with the men that she had encountered in her life in order to figure out if the choices she made in the past were the right ones.
Specifications:
- Author: Danielle Steel
- Pages: 352 pages
- Publication date: 2019
Pros:
✅ New York Times Best Seller
✅ Motherhood
✅ Reconnection
Price: RM44.31
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
9. I’ve Got Your Number
Poppy’s life seems to be perfectly in order until one day, she had too much champagne with her best friends and lost her engagement ring that has been in her fiance’s family for three generations. As Poppy is searching for her engagement ring, she comes across a phone that was abandoned in a trash bin and takes it. Things get complicated when the owner of the phone wants his phone back and out of the hands of Poppy.
Specifications:
- Author: Sophie Kinsella
- Pages: 480 pages
- Publication date: 2011
Pros:
✅ Romantic comedy
✅ Bubbly characters
✅ Keeps you on your toes
Price: RM49.32
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
10. Just Haven’t Met You Yet
Just Haven’t Met You Yet follows the protagonist, Laura, who interviews couples about their wonderful love lives and epic love stories. When Laura goes to pick up her suitcase at the airport, she realises she had taken the wrong one. Laura looks through the suitcase and finds everything that she could want in a partner. Laura is determined to track down the suitcase’s owner and begin her own epic love story, but what if fate had another plan?
Specifications:
- Author: Sophie Cousens
- Pages: 400 pages
- Publication date: 2021
Pros:
✅ Sweet story
✅ Heartwarming
✅ Slow burn romance
Price: RM45.94
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
Disclosure: This list was compiled by the team at My Weekend Plan after extensive research and shared opinions to suggest helpful recommendations for the public. The sequence of brands is in no particular order so if you have any other great suggestions too, please email us support@myweekendplan.com.my. For more information, kindly refer to our copyright, privacy & disclosure policy.
