5 Overrated Romance Classics (and What to Read Instead)

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

This book shows up on best romance lists all the time. But Sparks himself says he doesn’t think of his books as romance novels; instead, he calls them love stories. He has also compared his writing to Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and Ernest Hemingway. So it’s easy to say that this novel is overrated…at least by its author. The framing of this “love story” as an elderly man reading the story of how he and his wife got together to his wife with Alzheimer’s disease is interesting. But when reading the book, I didn’t see what Noah and Allie had to make their love story last so long or what was so special besides a shared history. They seem to be fated mates, and the reader is just supposed to believe they are meant to be. But other than physical attraction, I didn’t understand what really made them soulmates. To me, it felt more like Allie’s mother objecting to them dating and trying to keep them apart is what spurred both of them on to be together no matter what. And the ending is bittersweet, while romance books truly need a happy ending to be called a romance. This is one of the rare cases where I think the movie is better than the book. Sorry, Nicholas Sparks, this book is more of a weepy than a romance (and I also don’t think you’re the next Jane Austen by a long shot).

Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

Seven Days in June is also a second-chance romance and includes characters who write their own love story (albeit in dramatically different genres). As troubled teenagers, Eva and Shane spent one week in June falling desperately in love. Both moved on, grew up, and became published writers, who seemed to write secret messages of love and remembrance to each other in each of their books. Then, 20 years later, Shane shows up at one of Eva’s literary events. Their chemistry is still there. And something about their connection feels undeniable. But have they healed enough for these ingredients to turn into a grown-up, lasting love? Williams’s writing style is lyrical and literary enough to straddle romance and general fiction worlds. But at its core, this is a romance through and through.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Ugh, I feel like I am going to get so much hate for hating on this book. But I can’t help it. Even though the book is told from Claire’s POV, I almost never understood what she was feeling. While reading, I found myself constantly wondering why she wasn’t trying harder to find ways to return to her time. Also, why wasn’t Jamie asking her more questions about the future? And then—30+ year spoiler ahead—I really couldn’t get over the belt beating scene. The other scenes of sexual assault and violence in Jamie’s past also felt gratuitous. I know this book is beloved by many romance readers. But I find it overrated.

When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare

There are *so many* amazing Scottish romance novels. If I were nominating the best romance classic set in Scotland, it would be one of my forever favorites: The Bride by Julie Garwood. But for something written in the last decade, this is a delightful historical romance from Tessa Dare. Overwhelmed by the season, Madeline opts out of awkward conversations with young gentlemen by telling everyone she has a Scottish beau named Captain MacKenzie. She even writes him letter after letter while he is away at war and makes a show of mourning when she decides it’s time for him to die in battle. But then, a real, live Captain Logan MacKenzie shows up, and he has her letters. Madeline doesn’t want to tell her friends and family about her huge lie. So instead, she ends up engaged to a highlander she’s never met before.

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

To be a little pedantic, this book is really more of an epic than a romance. More importantly—90 year spoiler ahead—it does not end happily or with the hero and heroine together. And way, way, way, way more importantly, it glamorizes and glorifies the slave-owning pre-civil war south. It also includes a romanticized depiction of sexual assault. The book won both the National Book Award and a Pulitzer Prize. And it is still often listed as one of Americans’ favorite books. To summarize, the book should not be considered a good romance or even a romance at all. But furthermore, it inaccurately depicts history and perpetuates harmful racial stereotypes. I will admit, I was incredibly proud to read this book in middle school and was enamored with the character of Scarlett O’Hara. But when you know better, you do better… and there are way better romances to read out there.

An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole

Instead of reading about slaveowners falling in love (if you can call it love) with each other, read this Civil War romance between two undercover spies for the Union. Elle is a formerly enslaved person who agrees to risk her life and her freedom to return to slavery in an important Confederate general’s home. Malcom is a Pinkerton detective posing as a Confederate soldier who is courting the daughter of the general. They begin to work together and have strong feelings for each other. But Elle has a lot of anger and mistrust (rightly so!), and she refuses to put her love for Malcolm over the cause of helping the Union army and ending slavery. This romance has so much discussion of consent, and questions about whether consent can really exist between a Black woman and a white man during this time period. And I’m happy to report it has zero depictions of the “kind slaveowner” trope. This romance is deeply rooted in a shared sense of mission, but the chemistry between these characters is also so fun to read. And if you want to read a romance set in the Reconstruction Era, look no further than Beverly Jenkins!

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

I loved this book as a teenager (I would need to do a reread before fully recommending it now), but it is not a romance, nor is it particularly romantic. And this isn’t just my opinion; Daphne du Maurier herself didn’t think of it as a romance. In a letter to her publisher, she called the book “gloomy” and said, “the ending is a bit brief and a bit grim.” The courtship between the narrator and the charismatic estate owner, Maxim de Winter, is brief and odd. When he proposes, he doesn’t make declarations of love or affection, but says,”I’m asking you to marry me, you little fool.” The initial romance seems more in the narrator’s mind than between the two characters. But her focus and imagination are quickly consumed with an obsessive jealousy of Maxim’s first wife, Rebecca. And while it’s true that—do I even need to keep warning you about spoilers at this point?—Maxim and the unnamed narrator do end up together, it’s not a happy picture. He’s exposed as a murderer. Their beautiful house burns down. And they’ve been cast out of society.

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

Instead of an English Gothic story, I’m going to recommend a contemporary romance with Southern Gothic elements. But this time it will be a real romance, even if there is some spooky stuff woven in. Florence Day is the ghostwriter for a popular romance novelist. But she can’t write romance anymore after a bad breakup. She has a new, very swoonworthy editor who refuses to give her an extension. And then her father dies, and she has to return to the small Southern town where he was the local undertaker. We learn that Florence isn’t just a ghostwriter: she can also see and talk to ghosts. Then her editor shows up in ghost form, confusing both of them—but he’s just as handsome as ever. At first, she wants to help him work through his unfinished business, the way she does with other ghosts. But as feelings grow between them, she doesn’t want him to move on to whatever’s next. A happy ending feels impossible while you are reading. But don’t worry, I won’t lead you astray.

Emma by Jane Austen

Loving Jane Austen is a significant percentage of my entire personality, so this one hurts me to write. I love every adaptation of this book I’ve ever seen. I think I know most of the dialogue from Clueless by heart. And I genuinely like Emma as a character, but… on the page,e I find the romance between her and Mr. Knightley somewhat lackluster. “If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more,” might be the 14 most romantic words ever written, but other than that, Mr. Knightley seemed like too much of a scold. Yeah, Emma isn’t perfect. But she’s only 21 years old. And she’s always trying so hard. When it comes to romance classics, I would read Persuasion, Pride and Prejudice, or Sense and Sensibility over this one. Or maybe just watch one of the dreamy film adaptations.

Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban

For a more recently published read, try this historical romance set in the Victorian Era. Beth has one season to find a wealthy husband and secure a stable future for her and her mother. Gwen never plans to marry and doesn’t need to, because she’s the only daughter of a widowed Earl. To save Beth from a future of uninspired matrimony, Gwen hatches a plan that has big Emma Woodhouse energy. She wants them to set up their parents, Beth’s future and family won’t depend on her getting married. The only problem is that Beth’s mother and Gwen’s father seem to hate each other. And before they can pull off their parent trap matchmaking scheme, a handsome and rich viscount begins to court Beth. But Beth’s having feelings for Gwen, and not her very suitable suitor.

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