As a romance reader, you may have noticed that a lot of romance novels tend to concern younger characters, namely those in their 20s.
There is a frustrating and prevailing stereotype that people become less desirable as they age, or less interested in romance, when we all know that is not true in real life.
Romance with an older couple at the center is also referred to as seasoned romance, and fortunately, is becoming more and more popular. In this article, you’ll find 13 of the best older romance novels to indulge in and escape to! Let’s get started!
Twice In A Lifetime By Jodi Griffin
Talia Wasserman is a widow who is starting a new job at her local police department. She finds out she’ll be answering to Lieutenant Eve Poe, someone who she met over 15 years ago at a citizen’s police academy workshop.
There is still a spark between the two, but the fact that Eve is her boss means nothing can happen between them.
Eve is smitten with Talia, but is aware she has to keep her distance. Besides, they also have to deal with disturbing emails being sent to the office.
When Eve is hurt on the job, Talia realizes her new chances of happiness may be shattered, and she doesn’t know if she can deal with such a loss again.
John & Jackie By TJ Klune
John and Jackie first met when they were 12 years old, and have built an amazing life together, but now Jack wants to give his husband the gift to end all gifts.
He’s created a way for them to return to the five most important moments of their youth – like their first kiss – that shaped them into the men they are today.
It’s John’s hope that this will illustrate to Jackie just how much he loves him, and how grateful he is to have a man who has stayed by his side no matter what.
Late Fall By Noelle Adams
Ellie Davenport had an amazing career and has plenty of love in her life. Now she is living in a retirement home, and while she is surrounded by others she can’t help but feel lonely.
Until one day, she finds out that her old career rival, Dave Andrews, has moved in down the hall.
He starts showing up on her daily hikes, and the arrogance she remembers from him is now mellowed by the loss he has experienced. Together, they discover friendship, hope, and a shot at love.
Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand: A Novel By Helen Simonson
Major Ernest Pettigrew is now retired, and has struck up an unlikely friendship with Jasmina Ali following the death of his brother.
Jasmina has lost her husband, and they bond over their grief and their love of books. As their friendship develops, their small, rural village sees Ernest as an eccentric loner, and Jasmina as merely an outsider.
Will their love transcend culture, societal pressure and tradition? Could this be their second chance at love?
Midlife Crisis By Audra North
Cam McGhee grew up in a small, Texan town and did exactly what was expected of him. He went to church, played football, and married his high school sweetheart. But 35 years have gone by, and he’s haunted by what could have been.
Meanwhile, Dave Montoya knows exactly who he is and what he wants. The two meet in a coffee shop, and Cam believes Dave is the love he’s been looking for.
However, Cam is still struggling to embrace who he is. Dave and Cam hold the key to everything they’ve ever wanted, but they just need to open their hearts.
Frosted By Katy Regnery
Grace Luff has been a widow for three years, and her children are desperate to see her happy again. They surprise her with a trip to a luxury resort called Silver Wings, hoping she’ll meet a special someone. But Grace hasn’t dated anyone in so long, and she’s forgotten how to do it!
Instead of attending a conference, she goes outside for some fresh air and to exercise, and meets Tray Bradshaw who instantly gets her heart racing.
But a snowstorm traps the two in a cabin, but there is a silver lining to this less than desirable situation. They can get to know each other and fall head over heels.
Mrs Martin’s Incomparable Adventure By Courtney Milan
Mrs Bartrice Martin is a widow who puts her youthful good looks down to ‘daily doses of spite, regular baths in man-tears, and refusing to give so much as a single damn about her Terrible Nephew.” Meanwhile, Miss Violetta Beauchamps is prim, proper, and has entered Mrs Martin’s life unexpectedly.
However, Mrs Martin has sympathy for her, as her Terrible Nephew is living in the rooming house of Miss Violetta and she wants him out.
While Mrs Martin is quite indifferent to everyone, she finds herself wanting to make Miss Violetta happy and helps her come up with a plot to evict her Terrible Nephew.
Only Beloved By Mary Balogh
The Duke of Stanbrook is a widower considering marriage again, yearning for happiness. He often thinks about a woman he had a fleeting encounter with the previous year and never saw again.
Meanwhile, Dora Debbins was caught up in a scandal years ago that scuppered her chance of marriage, and now she lives a modest life teaching music. But then she gets an expected visitor that changes her life forever.
Royal Holiday By Jasmine Guillory
Vivian Forest has only travelled internationally once, so she’s totally on board to go on a work trip to England with her daughter. After all, celebrating the holidays abroad sounds like a hoot.
In England, she has an instant crush on Malcolm Hudson, a private secretary for the actual Queen. Malcolm has never wanted to give anyone a private tour more than Vivian.
Their flirting soon blossoms into a fling, but they know it has to end some day… or does it?
Second Wind By Ceillie Simkiss
When Martha Appleby lost her husband, her plans for her twilight years were flipped upside down. Now, she’s taking a long-distance trip solo for the first time, hoping to find some peace.
Meanwhile, Pamela Thorton is a service dog trainer who wants to take a work trip as an opportunity to work out what she really wants in life.
Once childhood sweethearts, Martha and Pamela run into each other when they’re booked on the same plane seat. Their chance meeting will change the course of their lives, as long as they can shake the ghosts that haunt them.
Sex And The Widow Miles By Nan Reinhardt
After her husband suffers a fatal heart attack, it’s hard for Julie Miles to even get out of bed. Desperate for a change of scenery, she heads from Michigan to Chicago, crashing at a friend’s empty apartment.
There, she gets to know her new neighbor, Will. Will is a little younger than her, and helps her embrace life again.
However, she discovers her marriage was built on a lie, that makes it harder to let Will in when her trust in mean has been shattered.
Second Chance By Jan Northcote
Second Chance is a friends-to-lovers romance, that tells the story of Nate. Nate moves back to his hometown with his teenage daughter looking for a change.
Moving back home is particularly challenging for Nate, as he is transgender and is uncomfortable talking about his past, so returning to a place where people knew him as a totally different person is hard.
Nate gets in touch with Jack, a guy who he had a crush on in high school, and upon their reunion he discovers his feelings are just as strong.
Jack has returned home to live with his parents – not an ideal situation – after losing all he had to addiction. He lost his job, his driver’s license, and nearly his life.
Spending time with Nate is undeniably soothing to Jack, and while he senses the explosive chemistry between them, he’s worried that telling Nate how he feels will jeopardize that friendship.
Plus, Nate is worried about his heart getting broken too, especially when Jack is so reluctant about disclosing their relationship to his parents. But is this a second chance they can’t afford to lose?
Teach Me (There’s Something About Marysburg Book 1) By Olivia Dade
Rose Owens is in complete control of her classroom and her life. Martin Krause is new to the school and takes over some of her most beloved classes.
While she doesn’t take a particular administrator’s petty decision personally, that doesn’t mean she has to be friends with Martin.
However, Martin is infuriatingly sweet and good at his job, and Rose’s heart helplessly starts to melt. He reveals himself to be a considerate man who doesn’t know how amazing he is, and needs someone to help him see it.
Rose is more than up to the task. Still, Martin has a lot to teach her about vulnerability and trust, and soon they’re discussing more than lesson plans.
Final Thoughts
We hope our 13 older romance novels will get you hooked! Who says romance has to stop at the age of 35? The protagonist of these romance novels certainly prove that romance is forever!