The Best Romance Audiobooks to Get Your Heart Racing

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Romance audiobooks are an excellent option for fun, escapist listening. If you love audiobooks and enjoy light, fiction options with sweet love stories or steamy romances, these are some of the best audio romance books to add to your listening queue.

You’ll find everything the genre has to offer, from enemies to lovers, royal romances, hilarious and sexy banter, and sweet friendship-to-lovers stories, all told by fantastic narrators. So grab your headphones and get ready to fall in love with our list of the best romance audiobooks that will make anyone swoon.

Romance novels are not my typical reading fare, but in recent years I’ve found that I really enjoy these fun, romantic stories when I listen to audiobooks.

I love audiobooks when I’m driving, doing yard work, or cleaning the house because I can get things done while still enjoying a story. While I can occasionally listen to complex books, contemporary romance novels are ideal for my audiobook listening because they are easy to follow, fast-paced, and more plot-driven than character-driven.

Today’s romance authors are finding new ways of telling emotional romance stories that resonate with modern readers. Romance books today are diverse, inclusive, and don’t shy away from serious issues.

At the same time, these novels often have witty dialogue, main characters with strong voices, and plenty of drama and high emotions that keep the story moving, which makes these romance audiobooks perfect for compelling listening.

Books from the romance genre also often include surprising humor that makes me laugh–a welcome mood-booster when doing chores or in the middle of a tough workout.

Romance authors often don’t get the credit they deserve for delivering complex characters, compelling stories, and the romantic suspense and satisfying conclusions their readers love. And, of course, the audiobook narration brings it all to life; the narrators listed here have the perfect voices for these contemporary romances.

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Even if you don’t think you enjoy the romance genre, you might find that these are some of the best audiobooks for your light, escapist listening.

The Best Romance Audiobooks to Listen to Now

How to Walk Away by Katherine Center

How to Walk Away

Author: Katherine Center
Narrator: Thérèse Plummer

When an accident puts Maggie in the hospital, the dream life she’s been building starts to crumble around her. Her long-disappeared sister Kit suddenly reappears, while her fiancé Chip falls apart.

Maggie is also stuck with a cranky (but attractive) Scot who shows no mercy in her physical therapy. Amid all this, she tries to make peace with her new life and figure out just what her future holds.

By turns funny, sad, romantic, and hopeful, with none of those characteristics taking over the whole story, this is perfect on audio; narrator Thérèse Plummer always does a fantastic job. More info

Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm


The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman, a book about a single mother

The Garden of Small Beginnings

Author: Abbi Waxman
Narrator: Emily Rankin

Lilian Girvan is still grieving her husband, who died in a car accident three years ago. Her life is full with her two young daughters, her job as an illustrator, and her sister, who helps keep everything on track.

When her job requires her to take a gardening class to illustrate a book, she thinks it will be a fun activity for all of them. She doesn’t count on a class full of quirky people who become unlikely friends–and an intriguing instructor who makes her wonder if she might be ready to date again.

This audiobook is light, easy to listen to, a little funny, and fast-moving. The romance isn’t central, but a more mature and established protagonist is refreshing. More info

Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm


The Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand

The Blue Bistro

Author: Elin Hilderbrand
Narrator: Christina Delaine

Adrienne is new to Nantucket and desperately needs a job. Despite her lack of restaurant experience, Thatcher Smith hires her as the hostess. Thatcher himself is intriguing, but so is the talented and notoriously private chef, Fiona. Adrienne falls in love with life in the restaurant while growing closer to Thatcher and trying to unravel Fiona’s secrets.

This is perfect summer reading/listening; light and easy to follow, with enough gravitas to make me care about what happens next. Plus, who can resist a love story audiobook coupled with mouthwatering food descriptions? More info

Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm


One true Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid, a poignant romantic audiobook

One True Loves

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Narrator: Julia Whelan

What if, years after their presumed death, the one you loved and lost turns out to be alive?

That’s what Emma faces after losing her beloved husband and childhood sweetheart, Jesse, in a helicopter accident. She grieves deeply, moves back with her family, and falls in love again. But then Jesse is found, after surviving and fighting his way back to her. Now Emma has to decide whether Jesse is part of her future.

While not a standout among some of Jenkins Reid’s more recent big, bold bestsellers, you’ll still get excellent writing, an emotional ride, and a sweet audiobook love story with one of my favorite narrators. More info

Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm


What If You and Me by Roni Loren, a steamy romance audiobook

What if You and Me

Author: Roni Loren
Narrator: Desiree Ketchum

Andi writes horror novels and has a true-crime podcast. Both of these things help her manage the anxiety that began after a horrific trauma in her teens. When she moves in next door to ex-firefighter Hill, the two form an unlikely friendship, and Hill feels protective in the face of Andi’s fears. But Hill is dealing with his own trauma and angst, and despite their attraction, neither one is sure they commit to more than friends-with-benefits.

Loren is a mental health counselor, and her expertise shows in her sensitive writing of both Andi’s and Hill’s traumas and emotions. I loved both characters and their support of one another. This story is darker, with more damaged characters than many of the light romances on this list. Also be prepared–this is a steamy audiobook! More info

Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm


Get a Life Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert, a steamy romantic comedy audiobook

Get a Life, Chloe Brown

Author: Talia Hibbert
Narrator: Adjoa Andoh

Chloe Brown has made a list of things to do to get a life. After years of tucking herself away, dealing with chronic illness and pain, she wants to get out there again–take risks, have some fun. The first step is getting her own place–befriending the burly, sexy, bad-boy superintendent there is NOT on her list.

Red is not so fond of Chloe either, but he’s also intrigued. Chloe tries to hate Red, but chemistry wins out. This, of course, is a romantic comedy audiobook, so the enemies-to-lovers path is predictable. Still, it’s also sweet, funny, and uplifting–all the things you love about romance audiobooks.

(Note that this is very open-door and steamy, so skip it if that’s not your thing.) More info

Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm

Related: How to Get Started Listening to Audiobooks

Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert, a sweet and steamy audio romance book

Take a Hint, Dani Brown

Author: Talia Hibbert
Narrator: Ione Butler

Dani Brown is a Ph.D. student bent on academic success–and on staying single. When security guard (and former famous rugby star) Zaf rescues Dani during a fire drill, they are quickly memed as “couple goals.” It’s embarrassing, but Zaf also sees a chance to get publicity for his children’s sports charity–and spend time with Dani. Dani agrees to play along, and soon their fake relationship doesn’t feel so fake–but Dani simply does not need a boyfriend to complicate things.

This is the second in Hibbert’s Brown sister trilogy, and Dani and Zaf are just as charming as Red and Chloe in Get a Life, Chloe Brown. It’s another sweet, steamy, feel-good romance audiobook. More info

Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm


One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston, an LGBTQ romantic audiobook with a lesbian romance and diverse characters

One Last Stop

Author: Casey McQuiston
Narrator: Natalie Naudus

Twenty-three-year-old August is hoping for a new start in New York City. She enjoys her quirky new roommates and job at a beloved diner. But it’s the intriguing girl on the subway who really piques her interest. As she and Jane grow closer, August discovers a new mystery to solve: Jane is from the 1970s and forever stuck on the subway. Why, and how can they get her back to her own time period–and does August even want that?

This LGBTQ romance audiobook is a mix of genres and is perfect if you also enjoy some light fantasy or science fiction. It’s filled with humor, charming banter, and diverse characters. The narration is excellent. More info

Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm


Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers

Honey Girl

Author: Morgan Rogers
Narrator: York Whitaker

Grace Porter has finished her Ph.D. in astronomy and is ready to move into her successful career. But her field doesn’t seem quite as willing to welcome her–a biracial lesbian–into the fold.

When she wakes up in Vegas–married–she has dim memories of the night, the girl, and the magic. Thrown into crisis, she decides to take a break and find the girl–and maybe herself.

Rogers’s first book is a little more serious than some of the other romance audiobooks on this list. Grace is a wonderful main character, and there is a lovely lesbian romance in this novel. But the love stories that truly shine are between Grace and her supportive friends–each just trying to figure out their lives and make their way in the world. More info

Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm


The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

The Kiss Quotient

Author: Helen Hoang
Narrator: Carly Robins

The Kiss Quotient is a bit of a twist on Pretty Woman, with some #ownvoices representation to put more of a spin on the relationship. Stella is a success at work but a failure at relationships; her Asperger’s syndrome makes it difficult to connect with men. She specifically wants to get better at sex before finding a real boyfriend. For that, she has an idea: she’ll hire a professional.

Escort Michael Phan immediately knows Stella requires some care, and despite his reservations, he is intrigued, and their chemistry is undeniable. But he’s not boyfriend material, and things are bound to go horribly wrong–right? This was a sweet romance audiobook–and VERY steamy. More info

Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm


Ellie and the Harp Maker by Hazel Prior

Ellie and the Harp Maker

Author: Hazel Prior
Narrator: Katharine Lee McEwan & Philip Battley

Ellie is a housewife in the English town of Exmoor. She’s a little lonely and bored, and one day on a walk, she meets Dan, a talented harp maker. Sensing her discontent, Dan gifts Ellie with a harp. When her controlling husband protests, Ellie begins visiting in secret to practice on her harp.

Dan and Ellie strike up a friendship that becomes increasingly important to both of them. But, when Ellie discovers a secret that changes Dan’s life, her own secret is also in jeopardy.

This is an utterly charming book and is fantastic on audio. Dan is endearing–he’s likely on the autism spectrum and is refreshingly, unapologetically himself. His narrator is perfect and does a great job of bringing this autistic hero to life. More info

Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm


28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand

28 Summers

Author: Elin Hilderbrand
Narrator: Erin Bennett

As Mallory lay on her deathbed, she tells her son to call Jake McCloud–the husband of the leading candidate for President. Her son can’t imagine how she knows Jake. 

The story flashes back 28 years to 1993 when Mallory and Jake first meet at the Nantucket cottage she inherited. Over the next few decades, the two meet every year for one weekend, never having contact in the time between. Their connection runs deep and complicates their real lives–but it is also essential to them both.

With compelling characters and Hilderbrand’s typical dreamy Nantucket, this is one of the author’s best–it’s one of the romance audiobooks I couldn’t stop listening to. More info

Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm


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Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes

Evvie Drake Starts Over

Author: Linda Holmes
Narrator: Julia Whelan & Linda Holmes

On the verge of leaving her husband, Evvie Drake gets word that he has died in an accident. In a confusing swirl of regret, grief, and anger, she struggles to move on–but she also needs to pay the bills.

When her best friend suggests that Dean, a professional baseball player recently sidelined, rent her extra apartment, the two form an unlikely friendship that could be exactly what they both need.

Delightful and charming, but also realistic, this is one of my favorite romantic audiobooks (not least because this is one of Julia Whelan’s many standout performances). The romance in this novel wasn’t instant, but hard-won as Evvie and Dean each worked through their difficulties–best known as an NPR correspondent, Linda Holmes knocked her first novel out of the park (so to speak). More info

Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm


The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan, perfect for readers who love books about books

The Bookshop on the Corner

Author: Jenny Colgan
Narrator: Lucy Price-Lewis

English librarian Nina Redmond has lost her job–and the world of libraries is changing in ways she doesn’t like. She decides she’s ready for some adventure, so she buys a van and starts a roving bookstore in the Scottish Highlands. There, she shares the power of story with the rural residents, while they help give her back a sense of purpose and belonging.

This cozy audiobook about books is filled with charming characters, sweet romance, lots of book love, and a Scottish setting so vivid you can almost smell the fresh air. More info

Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm


Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center

Things You Save in a Fire

Author: Katherine Center
Narrator: Thérèse Plummer

Firefighter Cassie Hanwell is a rising star in her Austin firehouse, but an incident that puts her career in jeopardy–as well as her mother’s request to move to Boston–has Cassie starting over at an unfamiliar boys club. Determined to prove herself, she finds only one ally in another new firefighter, a rookie who she absolutely cannot date.

Any novel by Katherine Center is on my auto-LISTEN pile. Her books strike exactly the right smart-but-light note that I love in my audiobook listening, and I loved the spin on the tough female main character in this one. More info

Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm


Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Red, White & Royal Blue

Author: Casey McQuiston

In a fictional White House family, Alex is a golden boy with eyes on a future in politics. He has a quiet rivalry/fascination with Prince Henry of Wales that usually has little effect on his life–until a tense encounter forces them into a false PR campaign highlighting their “close friendship.” The two grudgingly go along with the fake friendship, until their clever banter takes an unexpected turn to real friendship–and then to more. The unrelenting spotlight and the difficulties of two political worlds don’t make their romance easy.

This was a fun audiobook romance (a little steamy) with witty banter and insider-y political maneuverings. McQuiston’s best-selling first book is a great choice if you’re looking for an uplifting LGBTQ romance audiobook. More info

Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm

What are the best romance audiobooks you’ve tried?

Where to Get Audiobooks

The Best Romance Audiobooks to Get Your Heart Racing

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One Comment

  1. For a bit of a different romance, I would recommend “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern.

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