15 Best Angsty Romance Novels

15 Best Angsty Romance Novels: Passion, Pain, and Emotion

Ready for a rollercoaster ride? Prepare to have your emotions unraveled and your tears flow freely, for angsty romance novels refuse to let anyone slip by with dry eyes. We have prepared for you a list of the top angsty romance books, which will not leave you disappointed, and you’ll shed a tear or two. From the good old classics to the contemporary sensations, we have got it all covered. Get ready to dive into the sea of passion, pain, and emotion. Grab your pack of tissues and let us jump into the tumultuous world of angst.

Angsty Romance Novels

Books On The List

Best Angsty Romance Novels

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is an all-time classic angsty romance novel. It covers the themes of love, wealth, and the American Dream. The story takes place in Long Island, New York. Jay Gatsby once fell in love with Daisy Buchanan. Due to the prevailing times, societal pressure, and the class difference she married Tom Buchanan. Because James Gatz or Gatsby originally came from a low-class background.

Now Gatsby is all set to win Daisy back. He will go out of his way to show off his wealth and extravagance. He thinks money can win her back. The book displays the shallowness of society and the disillusionment in which people live.  This is one of the best classic angsty romance novels of all time.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte yet another all-time classic angsty romance book. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte explores themes like love, revenge, and obsession. It also steps into the darker aspects of relationships and the human psyche. The story follows the lives of the Earnshaws and the Lintons family. Mr. Lockwood recently moved to Thrushcross Grange, a neighboring property to Wuthering Heights. He learns about the Earnshaws and begins his journey to unravel the truth about the complex family drama.

Heathcliff Earnshaw; is an orphan brought into the family when he was a kid by Mr. Earnshaw. He fell in love with Catherine Earnshaw; Mr. Earnshaw’s daughter. Due to societal pressure and Catherine’s brother; Hindley Earnshaw’s disapproval, she marries  Edgar Linton. After Mr. Earnshaw’s death, Heathcliff is reduced to the level of a servant. He seeks vengeance on everyone who did wrong to him. His desire for revenge causes a lot of havoc which goes on to the next generation. 

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

One of the most popular contemporary reads, The Fault In Our Stars by John Green is a lovely and heartbreaking story.  Hazel Grace is suffering from terminal cancer, her days are numbered. Then she meets Augustus Waters in a cancer support group. Augustus suffers from osteosarcoma and has an amputated leg. They both meet and form a deep bond. Their conversations are witty, sarcastic, and sharp.

They fall in love but their relationship is strained with the reality of their impending death. They set on a journey for self-discovery, meet new people, and try to make sense of this life. Two equally broken people, who are doomed to die, find solace in each other.  Among other contemporary angsty romance novels, this one is the most acclaimed.

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy is a timeless literary masterpiece. The story follows the life of Anna Karenina, living in  St. Petersburg, Russia. Anna is married to Karenin, a high-ranking government official. She isn’t particularly happy with him until she meets  Count Vronsky, a gorgeous military officer. In light of their mutual attraction, they start a clandestine affair, regardless of societal norms.

Anna becomes consumed in the passionate affair, and her emotional distress worsens. But when her affair is revealed, she becomes a subject of gossip. She is treated as an outcaste, and her relationship with her husband deteriorates further. The book puts forward an amazing story about forbidden love, the hypocrisy of society, societal constraints, morality, and the search for meaning. 

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

A passionate, heartbreaking, and beautiful love story. The story follows the tumultuous love life of Noah Calhoun and Allie Nelson. Noah a poor lumberyard worker and Allie a privileged beautiful girl fall into a passionate love affair during a splendid summer of North Carolina in 1946. Allie’s family strongly disapproves of their relationship due to the class difference. They are separated when Allie moves to a different city.

Years later Noah returns to the city where they first met, and buys an abandoned house in hopes to see his love again. Allie becomes aware of this and they reunite after a long time. Allie breaks her engagement and chooses Noah. Years after Allie is suffering from Alzheimer, and Noah is narrating their love story to her. Whether you’ve seen the movie or read some other angsty romance novels, this one will impact you forever.

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

The most talked about book on Booktok. The story begins with Lily Bloom rekindling her past on a rooftop, where she meets Ryle Kincaid; a dashing neurosurgeon. Months after she meets him again, his sister Allyssa is her employee. They fall into a passionate love, where everything seemed all too good. Over time many violent and abusive incidents take place. Ryle pushed her down the stairs, hitting her, and so on.

Until one-day things get out of hand and she decides to not be yet another woman who tolerates. She finds solace in Atlas Corrigan; her long-lost first love. Now with an unborn child and an abusive husband, she needs to make hard choices. 

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

A glamorous, scandalous, and compelling story. The story follows the life of Hollywood Icon; Evelyn Hugo. Evelyn now an old woman, decides to unravel the secrets of her life and her seven husbands in an interview. Evelyn who came from a poor background, made her way to Hollywood. Where she rose to success and fame.

She fell in love multiple times. Some turned out well, some did not. Regardless she truly ever loved only one person. She unravels the scandalous secrets, the price of fame, and her tumultuous life. Now with her dead husband, dead daughter, and dead love of her life, she is ready to reveal what had been buried for years.

Read short summary of The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

A Little Life” is a novel by Hanya Yanagihara that follows the story of four friends; Jude St. Francis, Willem Ragnarsson, Malcolm Irvine, and JB Marion. It has themes of friendship, trauma, childhood abuse, and healing. The narrative solely focuses on Jude who is a lawyer, struggling to deal with his traumatic past.

Jude’s past has left deep scars on him, both physically and mentally. He is trying to manage his life with constant flashbacks and haunting memories. Willem becomes particularly close to Jude, and they cross the boundaries of traditional friendship. The book takes us on a journey of self-discovery, friendship, and healing.

The Book Thief  by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak presents an impactful story set in Nazi Germany. Liesel Meminger is being sent to her foster parents; Hans and Rosa Hubermann. Liesel learned to read and developed a great love for reading and knowledge. She forms a good friendship with the neighborhood boy; Rudy Steiner. Through her love of reading, she comes close to Max Vandenburg, a Jewish man hiding in her basement. They come close via their shared love for words & books. As the war worsens her relationships strain. The book highlights the impact of wars on individuals, relationships, and life.

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

An emotionally charged story about the value of life. It follows the story of Louisa Clark, who has recently lost her job and requires employment. She takes the job of a caretaker for Will Traynor. Will once an adventurous man, is now paralyzed from the neck down. He has lost all hope and desire to live. He is making plans to end his worthless life.

Louisa with her optimistic and witty demeanor is all set to change his resentful attitude towards the world. They develop a beautiful bond, but Will’s strong desire to kill himself is putting their bond to the test. Now Louisa is to change Will and give him a reason to live and see the value of life.

The Song Of Achilles by Madeline Miller

A Greek Mythology retelling of the great bond between Achilles & Patroclus. Achilles was the golden boy. Beautiful, talented, and kind. Patroclus; the awkward, oddball prince. When Patroclus is exiled, he is sheltered by Achilles’s father. Achilles & Patroclus become playmates initially, and later become inseparable friends. Achilles’s mother Thetis, disapproves of his friendship with Patroclus. After she witnesses them kissing, she sends Achilles to Mt. Pelion to train.

Patroclus follows him, and thankfully Chiron is successful in convincing Thetis to let Patroclus stay. They spent their teenage years together, and upon knowing Thetis’s inability to watch over them, they fall into passionate love. When Achilles is forced to serve his duty in The Trojan War, their relationship is to be tested to a great extent. This book breaks the barrier of angsty romance novels and shows that mythology can be made compelling.

(Read full summary of The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller)

Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman

A passionate, erotic, and emotional love LGBTQ love story. The book follows the complex relationship between Elio and Oliver. Elio is a seventeen-year-old boy, who just wants to spend a peaceful summer. Oliver a twenty-four-year-old man enters his life and changes it forever. They fall into a passionate summer romance. They spend their mornings in their heaven, their afternoons lounging, and their nights exploring. Oliver’s impending departure arrives, and before he leaves they spent a few days in Rome. Once Oliver leaves, Elio is in great emotional turmoil. Oliver returns and calls too, but also informs him about his marriage.

(Read full summary of Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman)

I Fell In Love With Hope by Lancali

An emotionally charged book about illness, mortality, and death. The story follows the narrative of five terminally ill children. Sam who has once lost his love, has shut himself down and is determined to never feel the same way again. Neo; a passionate writer who was never loved by his father or had any friends, finds peace in Coeur. Coeur has a weak heart and Neo suffers from an eating disorder.

The two broken boys find heaven in each others’ arms, but they know they are on borrowed time. Sam is trying to not fall for Hikari; a lively girl and a reflection of his past lover. Sony; a vibrant girl, could never have what she wanted, because she has broken lungs. We see the lives of five broken individuals and find the true meaning of hope. This one is probably the most underrated one among other angsty romance novels.

(Read full Summary of I Fell In Love With Hope by Lancali)

Looking For Alaska by John Green

Another heartbreaking John Green novel. The story follows the life of Miles Halter. Miles recently moved to his new boarding school. He is trying to manage and navigate his life, then he meets Alaska Young. Alaska is vibrant, witty, and charismatic. Miles is instantly attracted to her, but she already has a boyfriend. Alaska, Miles, and Colonel form a great friendship. One night all of them are extremely drunk, Alaska kisses Miles.

They make out for a while until Alaska leaves. She returns after some time in panic mode. Too drunk to make sense of anything, Miles helps her escape. But the following day and the days after, she never returns. Now Miles is left with questions, doubts, and the mystery behind Alaska’s death.  

(Read Summary of Looking For Alaska by John Green)

They Both Die At the End by Adam Silvera

A modern day heartbreaking story. Mateo and Rufus live in a world where death-cast exists. Mateo is a kind soul, who mostly inhabits in his own house most of the time. He has an ill father to take care of. But one day he receives a call informing him about his impending death. Now he has 24 hours to live. Rufus on the other hand roams around the city and beats up his ex-girlfriend’s boyfriend. He has lost his whole family, and his orphanage friends are his only life.

Until Rufus too receives the call from death-cast. Now with only hours to live, Mateo and Rufus do something out of their element. They meet via an app, and decide to spent their remaining time together. Within the short while they understand, that they have a special bond. But sadly they found love on the day they both were going to die.

(Read Summary of They Both Die At The End)

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Conclusion

In conclusion, angsty romantic novels take readers on an enthralling journey that is filled with passion, suffering, and raw feeling. These tales immerse us in the turbulent lives of people who struggle with strong love, heartache, and the difficulties of interpersonal relationships. Angsty romance books give us a rollercoaster of emotions, making us feel sympathy and understanding for the characters who struggle and find comfort in love.

So, if you’re prepared to go on an emotional journey, pick up an angsty romance book and allow the profound intensity that only these tales can offer to sweep you away .These books will send you on a journey of emotions whether you’re looking for heartbreaking love triangles, forbidden romances, or compelling character-driven stories.

Therefore, be sure to add these top angsty romance books to your reading list if you’re looking for a book that will make you gasp. Prepare yourself to be carried away by the pure intensity and amazing journeys that lie within these pages.

These were the best 15 angsty romance novels. Make sure to add some of them in your reading list.

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