When it comes to romance novels, you don’t get any more renowned than the novels from Harlequin, the infamous women’s fiction and romance publisher founded in Winnipeg in Canada way back in 1949.
There are all sorts of romance stories to be found in the novels from Harlequin, from medical dramas to western romances and more!
But what are some of the most memorable romance stories published by Harlequin that are perfect for an indulgent evening of reading?
In this article, we are going to be looking at ten particularly noteworthy romance novels from Harlequin that are sure to make for an entertaining and engaging read for fans of hardcore romance. Let’s get started.
1. Bond of Hatred (Lynne Graham, 1995)
What seems like a run-of-the-mill of enemies to lovers trope has more depth than meets the eye with Bond of Hatred.
There is an emotional crux to this story surrounding the female protagonist Sarah and her sister that drives the story, as Sarah’s sister passes away in childbirth, which leads her Sarah becoming determined to raise her infant nephew.
The romantic male lead of the story- Alex- is also on a mission to take in his nephew (his brother was Sarah’s sister’s partner and the father of the child), leading to an uneasy alliance and marriage between the two despite their hatred for one another.
Sarah and Alex’s relationship feels realistic, with their disdain for one another feeling more natural and the development of their relationship occurring in a way that is more believable than the fare that is commonly found in certain romance novels.
2. The Greek’s Chosen Wife (Lynne Graham, 2006)
Another Harlequin romance from Lynne Graham, The Greek’s Chosen Wife revolves around Prudence, who has been in an arranged marriage to Nikolas Angelis for the past eight years.
Prudence’s story sees her deal with her own maturation as a character, as well as the struggles of marriage to a man who is very difficult to love.
There is plenty of conflict and character development for both Prudence and Nik which- much like with Bond of Hatred- leaves the reader with a lot more than just a run-of-the-mill slow burn romance.
3. One Night with Her Forgotten Husband (Annie West, 2022)
Though it may initially seem like a silly plot of a sudden case of amnesia leading to romantic shenanigans, Annie West manages to craft a carefully curated story about Angelo and his ex-wife Ally discovering their love for one another all over again due to Ally’s mysterious memory circumstances.
West writes some of the more stereotypical elements of this story- such as Ally’s amnesia and her sudden loss of all memories of her husband- with a great deal of intrigue, often leaving the reader wanting to know more about Ally’s situation and whether she will regain her memories.
Of course, you can be sure that there are plenty of sexy romance scenes with heapings of atmospheric scenery setting, so you definitely get what you paid for in terms of the red-hot love aspects of this novel!
Filled with sensuality, emotion and tons of drama, this is a must for fans of the romance genre.
4. The Heirs His Housekeeper Carried: An Uplifting International Romance (Lynne Graham, 2022)
Lynne Graham takes the modern billionaire romance scenario- that has become increasingly popular in the last decade or so with the release of Fifty Shades of Grey- and manages to switch up some of the tropes to create an interesting storyline.
The main difference here is the heroine Leah, who has a much more active role in the relationship, such as being the one to initiate the fling that turns into a fully fledged relationship with billionaire protagonist Gio.
Leah also has an adorable rescue Yorkshire Terrier dog in the book who only has three legs and no teeth, which immediately gives the novel bonus points!
5. The Greek’s Christmas Baby (Lucy Monroe, 2005)
A story about finding love with your partner again as well as second chances, this story revolves around a husband and wife who are in a car crash.
Husband Aristide completely forgets his relationship with his wife Eden when he awakes from a coma, leading to the two having to find themselves again, all whilst Astrides personal assistant Kassandra tries to destroy what they begin to rebuild.
Both the hero and heroine do their best to work through a very difficult situation and rebuild what they have lost because of it, making for an emotional romantic story.
6. The Italian’s Stolen Bride: A Secret Baby Romance (Emma Darcy, 2005)
With themes of redemption and perseverance, The Italian’s Stolen Bride focuses on Skye and Luciano. Skye was rejected by Luc years ago, and she has since gone on to raise their child in a home with little money but lots of love.
Luc’s rejection stemmed from his family’s interference, with his brother convincing him that Skye cheated on him. The story revolves around Luc trying to win Skye back, marry her and make up for their lost time following his family’s deceptive actions.
Skye is a brave and proud mother who has done everything she can for her son, making her an admirable and likable heroine.
7. The Ultimate Betrayal (Michelle Reid, 1996)
The Ultimate Betrayal by Michelle Reid is a realistic and emotional story that focuses on a relationship between two people who have been happily married since they were very young. Their relationship is tested when an act of betrayal throws their marriage into a tailspin.
There are no grand spectacles with this story, just a simple yet emotional tale of two people struggling to hold their family together as well as a story that focuses on the importance of trust, honesty and open communication in a relationship.
8. Taken by the Highest Bidder (Jane Porter, 2005)
Set in the beautiful Monte Carlo, this story focuses on a young English baroness named Samantha who has to deal with being sold to an Italian bidder by the name of Cristiano Bartolo.
This story has all the tropes that romance fans will love, such as steamy scenes and emotional drama.
Samantha has a cheerful disposition despite her situation, and she also has relatively good chemistry with the hero Cristiano.
The book also does an excellent job of showing both sides of the story, offering Cristiano a backstory and some humanity.
9. Best Man Rancher: A Western Romance (Maisey Yates, 2022)
If Westerns are your kind of thing when it comes to romance stories, then Best Man Rancher may well be the choice for you.
The story revolves around Shelby, whose grief for her husband and childhood sweetheart- who passed away years prior to the book- has overwhelmed her for a long time.
Shelby meets Kit Carson, who she catches feelings for, but she cannot escape the guilt that she feels as she still holds on tight to her husband’s memory.
The novel very much focuses on Shelby’s struggle to manage her feelings for Kit, alongside the feeling of betrayal that she can’t let go of.
If you are looking for a well written Western romance with plenty of emotion and a narrative that focuses on both the relationship aspects and the inner turmoil of the heroine, this is definitely a romance novel that you will want to try.
10. Gold Ring of Betrayal (Michelle Reid, 1997)
At first glance, there are several different clichés to be found in the Gold Ring of Betrayal, such as the arrogant hero, the villainous father-in-law and the beautiful yet strong-willed protagonist.
However, Michelle Reid writes the characters with a depth and intrigue that keeps the reader gripped even through the more stereotypical elements of the story.
The great thing about Gold Ring of Betrayal is the portrayal of the heightened emotions from the characters, such as the angst, the passion and the frustration felt throughout.
For a good old-fashioned romance story packed full of drama and some of the better known tropes of the Harlequin romance novels, then Gold Ring of Betrayal is a classic that you have to read.
Final Thoughts
So there you have ten amazingly indulgent romance novels from Harlequin that are sure to be a great read for those who love a bit of romance.
Whether you are in the mood for a run-of-the-mill, straight up cheesy romance or want some more depth to your romance novels- with intriguing mysteries, well-thought-out character development and heroes and heroines with in depth personalities and motivations-, there is something to be found with every fan of romance novels with this list of Harlequin novels.
No matter what your preferences are in terms of these kinds of novels, you are sure to find something that attracts your attention with our varied range of romantic options!