Romance readers today aren’t chasing what’s trending — they’re choosing stories based on how they want to feel.

From cozy, small-town love stories and slow-burning romances to dark, morally grey relationships and sweeping fantasy worlds, readers are increasingly discovering romance through tropes and emotional moods rather than bestseller lists. Social media–led book discovery and online reading communities have helped turn romance tropes into an emotional shorthand — a quick way for readers to find stories that match their current mindset.

Responding to this shift, Penguin India has curated LOVE & BEYOND, a seasonal romance list that puts feeling and vibe at the centre of book discovery. Instead of spotlighting individual titles alone, the list reflects the many emotional directions romance readers are leaning into right now.

Soft, Feel-Good Love Stories

For readers craving warmth, humour, and comforting happily-ever-afters, feel-good romances remain a go-to. Books like Funny Story and People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry, One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune, and Set on You by Amy Lea offer escapism, banter, and emotional ease.

Messy, Emotional, Cry-Your-Heart-Out Romance

Some readers want intensity — stories that linger long after the last page. Novels such as If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin, A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole, and Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid explore love shaped by longing, heartbreak, and difficult choices.

Slow-Burn and Small-Town Romance

Romances where feelings build gradually and relationships feel earned continue to resonate. Titles including Fall Into Temptation by Lucy Score, This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune, and Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros focus on restraint, emotional tension, and close-knit communities.

Dark and Dangerous Romance

Morally grey characters, obsession, and high-stakes desire are drawing a devoted readership. Books like God of Malice by Rina Kent, Predator by Runyx, and The Wrong Bride by Catharina Maura tap into the growing appeal of darker, more intense romantic narratives.

Fantasy Worlds and Epic Romance

Romance shaped by magic, myth, and alternate worlds continues to expand its reach. Stories such as Wolf King by Lauren Palphreyman, Nocticadia by Keri Lake, and A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen blend sweeping world-building with powerful love stories.

Together, these reading moods reveal how romance has become one of the most emotionally responsive genres today. Whether readers are looking for comfort, catharsis, tension, or escapism, romance novels are increasingly being chosen not by hype — but by feeling.