A Nostalgic Romance Series

Books Your Mom Never Told You About

My love letter to the romance novels that deserve a second chance: '80s and '90s historicals, early-2000s contemporaries and the dog-eared paperbacks from your mom's shelf, reviewed through a modern lens.

20books read
1972–2003publication years
Monthlybook club
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Why I Started This Series

It started with Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas. I absolutely loved it, and it sent me down a rabbit hole wondering how many older romance novels still hold up today.

Some are swoony, some are problematic and most are a little of both, but all of them helped build the genre we love now. So I'm reading my way through them and telling you which ones are worth digging out of the attic.

What Counts as Nostalgic?

Any romance novel originally published between 1980 and 2005, plus the occasional '70s classic that started it all.

  • Historical
  • Contemporary
  • Romantic suspense
  • Western
  • Small town
  • Sports

Books I've Read So Far

In the order I read them. Curious which ones came out on top? See my rankings.

  1. 01
    Dreaming of YouDreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas book cover

    Dreaming of You

    Lisa Kleypas · 1994

    Goodreads review▶ Watch
  2. 02
    Mr. PerfectMr. Perfect by Linda Howard book cover

    Mr. Perfect

    Linda Howard · 2000

    Goodreads review▶ Watch
  3. 03
    ParadiseParadise by Judith McNaught book cover

    Paradise

    Judith McNaught · 1991

    ▶ Watch
  4. 04
    PerfectPerfect by Judith McNaught book cover

    Perfect

    Judith McNaught · 1993

    Goodreads review▶ YouTube▶ Instagram
  5. 05
    Love Beyond ReasonLove Beyond Reason by Sandra Brown book cover

    Love Beyond Reason

    Sandra Brown · 1981

    ▶ YouTube▶ Instagram
  6. 06
    BirthrightBirthright by Nora Roberts book cover

    Birthright

    Nora Roberts · 2003

    Goodreads review▶ Watch
  7. 07
    A Kingdom of DreamsA Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught book cover

    A Kingdom of Dreams

    Judith McNaught · 1989

    Goodreads review▶ Watch
  8. 08
    Nobody's Baby But MineNobody's Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips book cover

    Nobody's Baby But Mine

    Susan Elizabeth Phillips · 1997

    Goodreads review▶ Watch
  9. 09
    A Knight in Shining ArmorA Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux book cover

    A Knight in Shining Armor

    Jude Deveraux · 1989

    Goodreads review▶ Watch
  10. 10
    Gentle RogueGentle Rogue by Johanna Lindsey book cover

    Gentle Rogue

    Johanna Lindsey · 1990

    Goodreads review▶ Watch
  11. 11
    Kiss an AngelKiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips book cover

    Kiss an Angel

    Susan Elizabeth Phillips · 1996

    Read my review▶ Watch
  12. 12
    Dream a Little DreamDream a Little Dream by Susan Elizabeth Phillips book cover

    Dream a Little Dream

    Susan Elizabeth Phillips · 1998

    Read my review
  13. 13
    The Flame and the FlowerThe Flame and the Flower by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss book cover

    The Flame and the Flower

    Kathleen E. Woodiwiss · 1972

    Read my review▶ Part 1Part 2Part 3Part 4
  14. 14
    The SecretThe Secret by Julie Garwood book cover

    The Secret

    Julie Garwood · 1992

    ▶ Watch
  15. 15
    Almost HeavenAlmost Heaven by Judith McNaught book cover

    Almost Heaven

    Judith McNaught · 1990

  16. 16
    Prisoner of My DesirePrisoner of My Desire by Johanna Lindsey book cover

    Prisoner of My Desire

    Johanna Lindsey · 1991

  17. 17
    It Had to Be YouIt Had to Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips book cover

    It Had to Be You

    Susan Elizabeth Phillips · 1994

    Read my review
  18. 18
    AmandaAmanda by Kay Hooper book cover

    Amanda

    Kay Hooper · 1995

    Read my review
  19. 19
    Open SeasonOpen Season by Linda Howard book cover

    Open Season

    Linda Howard · 2001

  20. 20
    Heaven, TexasHeaven, Texas by Susan Elizabeth Phillips book cover

    Heaven, Texas

    Susan Elizabeth Phillips · 1995

Shop the Series

Every book I've read so far, in reading order. Swipe or use the arrows to browse.

Love Beyond ReasonLove Beyond Reason book cover

1981

Love Beyond Reason

Sandra Brown

Buy on Amazon
A Kingdom of DreamsA Kingdom of Dreams book cover

1989

A Kingdom of Dreams

Judith McNaught

Buy on Amazon
Nobody's Baby But MineNobody's Baby But Mine book cover

1997

Nobody's Baby But Mine

Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Buy on Amazon
A Knight in Shining ArmorA Knight in Shining Armor book cover

1989

A Knight in Shining Armor

Jude Deveraux

Buy on Amazon
Kiss an AngelKiss an Angel book cover

1996

Kiss an Angel

Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Buy on Amazon
Dream a Little DreamDream a Little Dream book cover

1998

Dream a Little Dream

Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Buy on Amazon
The Flame and the FlowerThe Flame and the Flower book cover

1972

The Flame and the Flower

Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

Buy on Amazon
Prisoner of My DesirePrisoner of My Desire book cover

1991

Prisoner of My Desire

Johanna Lindsey

Buy on Amazon
It Had to Be YouIt Had to Be You book cover

1994

It Had to Be You

Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Buy on Amazon
Heaven, TexasHeaven, Texas book cover

1995

Heaven, Texas

Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Buy on Amazon

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Have a Nostalgic Book Recommendation?

Is there a dog-eared favorite from your mom's shelf (or yours) that I need to read? Tell me about it. Some of my best picks have come from readers like you, and I'll shout you out if I feature it.

  • '80s & '90s historicals
  • Early-2000s rom-coms
  • Romantic suspense
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