The 2000s were such a vibe for romance, giving us everything from the rise of massive paranormal worlds to historicals that still set the bar for the genre today. We wanted to take a look back at the decade and highlight one book from each year that feels like a true “must-read.” This isn’t a list about stats or bestsellers; it’s a collection of books that captured our hearts and earned a permanent spot on our bookshelves. We’ve had so much fun revisiting these standout stories, and we hope this trip down memory lane gives you some fresh (or nostalgic!) reading inspiration.
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2000: The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
In Julia Quinn’s first Bridgerton novel, The Duke and I, first published in 2000, readers are swept into Regency‑era London, where spirited Daphne Bridgerton and the brooding Duke of Hastings, Simon Basset, strike a clever arrangement: a pretend courtship that shields Simon from unwanted suitors and elevates Daphne’s prospects. But wit and façade give way to something far more compelling as their staged affection begins to feel achingly real. Quinn’s sparkling dialogue, richly drawn characters, and the tender tension between two hearts learning to trust create a story that lingers long after the final page.
![Bridgerton [TV Tie-in] (Bridgertons Book 1)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ckgd0H0YL.jpg)
2001: Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts
Published in 2001, Dance Upon the Air introduces readers to Nell Channing, a woman who faked her own death to flee an abusive marriage and finds unexpected sanctuary on the enchanting Three Sisters Island. There, she reinvents herself as a cook in a charming bookstore café, drawn to the island’s magic and to the steady kindness of Sheriff Zack Todd. As Nell tentatively allows hope and connection back into her life, she senses an undercurrent of something more—whispers of an ancient curse linked to the island’s founding by three witches and a destiny that may bind her to other women in ways she’s only beginning to understand.
2002: Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Night Pleasures (first published in 2002) introduces readers to a darkly enchanting world where immortal warrior Kyrian of Thrace awakens handcuffed—quite literally—to Amanda Devereaux, a quick‑witted accountant who would rather avoid anything paranormal. Their uneasy alliance against unseen supernatural forces gradually blooms into something far more compelling. Set against the backdrop of modern-day New Orleans, the novel weaves together simmering chemistry, mythic intrigue, and emotional depth in a way that leaves the reader yearning to discover how these very different characters navigate danger—and perhaps find solace in each other.
2003: Birthright by Nora Roberts
In Birthright (first published in 2003), Nora Roberts weaves a rich tapestry of suspense, heart, and heritage set against the backdrop of an archaeological dig in the quaint town of Woodsboro, Maryland. When 5,000‑year‑old bones are discovered at a construction site, archaeologist Callie Dunbrook is drawn back into the field—and into a tangled web of mystery. As she contends with a potentially cursed site, the return of her ex‑husband Jake, and a startling claim about her past, the novel delivers a compelling blend of romantic tension and personal discovery that leaves readers eager to uncover every secret alongside the strong, passionate heroine.
2004: Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas
Secrets of a Summer Night, the first novel in Lisa Kleypas’s much‑loved Wallflowers series, originally published in 2004, introduces Annabelle Peyton—a proud yet impoverished beauty determined to save her family by securing a titled match. Alongside her three equally sidelined friends, she forms the ‘Wallflowers’ pact to help one another find husbands. But when the bold, self‑made Simon Hunt enters the scene—initially offering something far less than marriage—Annabelle finds her resolve tested. Their sparring chemistry, framed by glittering London balls and country estates, weaves a tale of wit, longing, and the irresistible pull between hearts across class lines—this romance novel invites readers to lose themselves in its charm.
2005: Dark Lover by J.R. Ward
In Dark Lover (first published in 2005), J.R. Ward introduces readers to the hidden, perilous world of Caldwell, New York, where a secret band of vampire warriors—the Black Dagger Brotherhood—battles soulless humans known as Lessers. When a vampire warrior entrusts the safety of his half‑breed daughter, crime reporter Beth Randall, to Wrath—the Brotherhood’s brooding, purebred leader—Beth’s ordinary life is shattered. As mysterious urges awaken within her and Wrath’s protective presence ignites a powerful, unspoken pull, Beth finds herself drawn into a dark, dangerous new reality. Ward’s blend of gritty action, rich mythology, and a deeply magnetic connection between the two protagonists makes this paranormal romance thrilling and irresistible.
2006: A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole
First published in 2006, A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole launches the Immortals After Dark series with a pulse-quickening blend of paranormal romance and rich worldbuilding. Lachlain MacRieve—a powerful Lykae king who’s endured centuries of torture beneath Paris—escapes his chains when he senses his fated mate above ground. Emmaline Troy, a sheltered half‑vampire, half‑Valkyrie, is drawn into his fierce orbit as their destinies collide in a journey that sweeps from the catacombs of Paris to the mists of Scotland. The novel crackles with tension and the forbidden desire between two star-crossed lovers who awaken strength and longing in one another.
2007: Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost, first published in 2007, introduces readers to Catherine “Cat” Crawfield, a fierce half‑vampire driven by vengeance and burdened by her mother’s dark past. When Cat is captured by Bones, a seductive vampire bounty hunter, they form an uneasy alliance that sparks an unexpected mutual attraction. As Cat hones her lethal skills under Bones’ tutelage, she’s forced to question everything she’s ever believed about vampires—and herself—while navigating a sizzling tension that crackles with every page.
2008: The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter
In Gena Showalter’s 2008 paranormal romance The Darkest Night, Ashlyn Darrow, haunted by the voices in her head, seeks refuge in Budapest, drawn by whispers of men with otherworldly powers. There she meets Maddox, a cursed immortal who is bound to the demon of Violence and trapped in a nightly cycle of death and rebirth. Their meeting brings a rare peace to Ashlyn’s mind and awakens longing in Maddox’s soul. Their bond carries the promise of redemption as well as the threat of destruction in a world where love proves to be the most powerful—and perilous—force of all.
2009: Angels’ Blood by Nalini Singh
Angels’ Blood (2009) introduces Elena Deveraux, a vampire hunter whose rare ability to scent the undead brings her to the attention of Raphael, the archangel of New York, who compels her to embark on a deadly mission in pursuit of a rogue archangel. The novel blends pulse-racing paranormal intrigue with the simmering tension between Elena and the irresistibly commanding Raphael—each interaction laden with danger and desire.
It’s pretty amazing to see how magical the 2000s were for romance. There’s something about this decade that will always have a special place in our hearts. We hope revisiting these ten 2000s gems brought back some happy memories or even helped you find a new love story to add to your collection.
