The power of a good book with a romantic subplot!
I usually try to draft my posts well in advance, but that doesn’t always quite work out. Sometimes it’s 1 am on publication day, and I’m staring at a blank page, wondering what on earth I’m going to say. Today was meant to be a discussion post, but I realised I needed a bit more time to properly untangle my thoughts — so a recommendations list it is.
I went back and forth on what direction to take — tropes, comfort reads, underrated novels — before remembering a conversation I had with a friend earlier. She’d recommended a sweet, wholesome book (that I’m currently reading and made it on to this list), which led us into a chat about stories with romantic subplots. And that was it.
There are so many books with romantic subplots, and their impact varies depending on the story being told. Some are subtle threads; others feel almost as powerful as the central narrative. I pulled this list together with the help of a Goodreads shelf of titles, I’ve definitely mentioned (and in some cases raved about) some of these books before, but it felt necessary to revisit.
Sometimes a well-written romantic subplot deepens an already strong narrative. It mirrors real life in a way — while we’re navigating work, grief, ambition, family, or upheaval, love can still find us. In these stories, romance isn’t the destination, but it enriches the journey. Each book is rooted in major life events and bigger themes of family and community, yet along the way, love threads itself through the story, adding something tender to an experience that was already worth taking.
Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
A retired tennis legend returns to the court to reclaim her record, confronting ageing, pride, and public scrutiny. While the novel centres on ambition and legacy, a quiet second-chance romance unfolds alongside her comeback, offering vulnerability and companionship in a life previously ruled by ruthless competition.
We all know how much I love this book! Read the review here! The romantic subplot is really snuck in and not central to the story at all, but really adds to the narrative.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Set in 1960s America, a brilliant chemist battles sexism in science and television. At its heart lies a deeply affecting partnership between two unconventional scientists whose intellectual equality sparks love. The romance is tender yet tragic, shaping the heroine’s resilience and the fiercely independent life she builds.
This book still makes me emotional, unlike the others, the romance actually comes first, before we’re taken on a journey of strength resielience and grief.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby van Pelt
An elderly widow working nights at an aquarium forms an unlikely bond with a perceptive octopus, uncovering long-buried truths about her past. While grief and mystery anchor the story, a late-in-life romance quietly blooms, offering companionship, hope, and the reminder that connection can arrive unexpectedly.
I haven’t actually finished this one yet, but I’m loving it so far!
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
A lonely witch hiding her magic is invited to tutor three extraordinary children at a crumbling seaside house. Found family, belonging, and a gentle, wary librarian slowly turn this cosy fantasy into a tender love story about choosing connection over isolation and trusting that you deserve to stay.
What a lovely, sweet book about found family.
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Spanning decades of Afghan history, this novel follows two women bound by circumstance and survival. Amid hardship and oppression, a fragile romantic connection offers glimpses of tenderness and escape. Love here is not the focus but a powerful undercurrent, illuminating resilience, sacrifice, and enduring human dignity.
There is so much to take from this story about history, pain, war, and resilience, and the romantic undercurrent — the idea of carrying love with you through hardship — is quietly but powerfully felt throughout.
Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Told through interviews, this novel charts the meteoric rise of a 1970s rock band and the volatile chemistry between its two lead singers. Fame, addiction, and ambition drive the plot, but beneath the music pulses a complicated, restrained love story defined by longing, timing, and impossible choices.
This story has numerous love stories running concurrently, devotion vs passion, while still developing a strong, culturally relevant story.
I loved every single book above. They’re stories I still think about, talk about, and the first ones that came to mind when I started drafting this post. An honourable mention has to go to Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid, my favourite book last year. It’s technically a romance, which is why I couldn’t quite include it here, but I’d argue the central relationship isn’t the only love story driving the narrative. There are bigger, more layered expressions of love woven throughout that hold the whole book together. A near-perfect read.
The Goodreads list I mentioned earlier was extensive. Some titles didn’t quite fit my definition of a romantic subplot, while others absolutely did. Take The Hunger Games series, particularly Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins — the romantic subplot at its core is one of the most heartbreaking elements of an already devastating story.
There are countless strong fiction novels with compelling narratives that don’t need romance and would undoubtedly stand on their own without it. But the addition of a well-written romantic subplot often brings a human softness to the story. It deepens stakes, enriches character motivations, and adds emotional texture without overpowering the central message. If you try any of these, I’d love to know — and I’m always open to more recommendations.
Thank you for reading and see you soon!
Signed,
