Romance novels possess an enchanting power to transport readers into worlds where passion ignites and hearts collide with destiny.

These carefully curated romantic excerpts showcase the artistry of love’s written word, each passage designed to quicken pulses and stir emotions.

Whether you’re seeking tender moments or steamy encounters, these romance novel quotes represent the pinnacle of romantic literature.

1. Romantic Excerpt From “The Hating Game” by Sally Thorne

“I want to do things to you that are probably illegal in conservative states. I want to kiss you until you forget that asshole’s name, and I want to hear you scream mine. I want to take care of you, and I want you to let me. I want to make you come apart in my hands, and then I want to piece you back together. I want to make you feel so good that you forget every single second of feeling bad. I want to make you come so hard you see stars. Hell, I want to show you the whole universe.” Josh’s confession to Lucy wasn’t just desire speaking—it was raw honesty wrapped in vulnerability. The way he looked at her, like she was both his salvation and his destruction, made every rational thought scatter like autumn leaves in a hurricane. His hands trembled slightly as he reached for her, and in that moment, Lucy realized that genuine love wasn’t always gentle—sometimes it was fierce, consuming, and absolutely terrifying in its intensity. The air between them crackled with unspoken promises and barely contained longing that had been building for months of workplace tension and stolen glances.

2. Spicy Romance Excerpt From “It Ends with Us” by Colleen Hoover

“I feel like everyone fakes who they really are, when deep down we’re all equal amounts of screwed up. Some of us are just better at hiding it than others.” Atlas whispered these words against her skin, his breath warm and reassuring as Lily felt herself dissolving into his embrace. Their connection transcended physical attraction—it was soul recognition, two broken pieces finding completeness in each other’s arms. His fingers traced delicate patterns along her spine while his lips found that sensitive spot just below her ear that made her entire world tilt sideways. The vulnerability between them was intoxicating, more potent than any wine, as they shed not just clothing but years of carefully constructed walls. In the dim light of her apartment, with shadows dancing across his muscled chest, Lily discovered that true intimacy wasn’t just about bodies joining—it was about souls colliding, creating something entirely new and beautifully dangerous. The way he whispered her name like a prayer, like she was something sacred he’d been searching for his entire life, made her understand why poets had been writing about love for centuries.

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3. Contemporary Romance Excerpt From “Beach Read” by Emily Henry

“I’m in love with you, and I know that love is just a shout into the void, and that oblivion is inevitable, and that we’re all doomed and that there will come a day when all our labor has been returned to dust, and I know the sun will swallow the only earth we’ll ever have, and I am in love with you.” Gus spoke these words with such fierce certainty that January felt her carefully constructed cynicism crumble like ancient parchment. His declaration wasn’t flowery or traditionally romantic—it was honest and real and perfectly imperfect, just like everything else about their complicated relationship. The ocean waves crashed behind them, providing nature’s symphony to this moment of raw confession that felt both inevitable and surprising. His eyes, usually guarded behind intellectual barriers, were completely open now, showing her every fear and hope he’d been harboring. The salt air mixed with the scent of his cologne, creating a sensory memory she knew would haunt her for the rest of her life. When he finally kissed her, it tasted like tears and laughter and all the unwritten stories they were finally brave enough to begin together. The sand beneath their feet shifted and changed, much like their relationship had evolved from enemies to friends to something far more profound and terrifying.

4. Historical Romance Excerpt From “The Duke and I” by Julia Quinn

“I have loved you since the moment you tumbled into my arms on the library floor, covered in dust and looking like you’d just discovered buried treasure.” Anthony’s confession to Kate hung in the air between them like morning mist over the countryside, beautiful and ephemeral yet somehow eternal. His gloved hand traced the delicate line of her jaw while her heart hammered against her stays, threatening to break free from the confines of proper society. The candlelight flickered across his aristocratic features, casting shadows that made him look both dangerous and divine, like some fallen angel who’d descended specifically to torment her senses. She could smell his sandalwood cologne mixed with the leather of his riding boots and something uniquely masculine that made her knees weak. The propriety that governed their world demanded distance, but the pull between them defied every rule of etiquette she’d ever learned. When his thumb brushed across her lower lip, she forgot about scandal and reputation and everything except the way he looked at her—like she was precious beyond measure, like she was worth risking everything for. The moonlight streaming through the tall windows illuminated them both in silver, transforming this stolen moment into something that belonged in fairy tales rather than the rigid confines of Regency England.

5. Paranormal Romance Excerpt From “From Blood and Ash” by Jennifer L. Armentrout

“I will always find you. Always. No matter where you are or where you go, what realm or world or universe you’re in. I will find you, and I will remind you that you are mine.” Hawke’s promise resonated through Poppy’s very soul, his atlantian powers making his words feel like an unbreakable vow written in starlight and shadow. The way his golden eyes glowed in the darkness made her forget that he was dangerous, made her forget that loving him could mean death or worse. His fingers threaded through her copper hair with a gentleness that belied his warrior’s strength, and when he pressed his forehead against hers, she could feel the ancient magic that flowed through his veins calling to something equally powerful within herself. The forest around them seemed to pulse with supernatural energy, as if nature itself was blessing their forbidden connection. She could taste the wildness on his lips when he finally kissed her, could feel centuries of longing and devotion in the way his arms encircled her like unbreakable chains. The danger that surrounded them only made their love burn brighter, like a flame that grows stronger in the wind rather than being extinguished. Every touch, every whispered endearment, every moment stolen from duty and destiny felt precious beyond measure, because they both knew that immortal love came with immortal consequences.

6. Young Adult Romance Excerpt From “Eleanor & Park” by Rainbow Rowell

“Eleanor was right. She never looked nice. She looked like art, and art wasn’t supposed to look nice; it was supposed to make you feel something.” Park’s realization hit him like summer thunder, sudden and overwhelming and completely transformative. The way she sat beside him on the bus, all wild red hair and thrift store clothes, made every other girl in school fade into background noise. Her freckled hands moved animatedly as she talked about comic books and music, and he found himself memorizing every gesture, every expression that crossed her face. The suburban landscape rushing past the windows became irrelevant when she smiled at him, one of those rare, genuine smiles that made him understand why poets compared love to lightning. He wanted to protect her from every cruel word, every hardship that had shaped her into this beautiful, complex person who saw the world differently than anyone else. The way she blushed when he complimented her made his chest tight with tenderness, and when she finally let him hold her hand, her skin was soft and warm and perfect against his palm. Every day on that bus became a small eternity, a pocket of time where two misfit teenagers discovered that first love could be both gentle and revolutionary, changing everything about how they saw themselves and the world around them.

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7. Dark Romance Excerpt From “Twisted Love” by Ana Huang

“You’re mine, Ava. You’ve been mine since the moment I saw you, and you’ll be mine until the day I die. Maybe even after that.” Alex’s declaration was both promise and threat, delivered with the kind of possessive intensity that should have scared her but instead sent heat pooling low in her belly. His dark eyes held secrets that she was only beginning to uncover, dangerous truths that made her pulse race with equal parts fear and excitement. The way he touched her was reverent yet commanding, like she was something precious that belonged exclusively to him. His scarred hands told stories of violence and pain, but they were infinitely gentle when they mapped the curves of her body, learning every sensitive spot that made her gasp his name. The luxury penthouse around them faded into insignificance when he looked at her like that, like she was the only thing in his dark world worth protecting, worth possessing, worth destroying himself for. She could feel the barely leashed violence that simmered beneath his controlled exterior, the dangerous man he became when anyone threatened what was his. The intensity of his devotion was overwhelming and addictive, like a drug she couldn’t quit even knowing it might destroy her. When he whispered promises against her skin in the darkness, she believed every word, even the ones that terrified her most.

8. LGBTQ+ Romance Excerpt From “Red, White & Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston

“I can’t help it. I love the way you love me. I love how you make me feel like I’m enough, exactly as I am. I love your laugh and your brain and your face and your fucking gorgeous eyes.” Alex’s confession to Henry spilled out like champagne overflowing, effervescent and golden and impossible to contain. The moonlight over the lake cast them both in silver as Henry’s carefully maintained composure finally cracked, revealing the vulnerable man beneath the royal facade. His British accent made even whispered endearments sound like poetry, and when he finally kissed Alex with all the passion he’d been suppressing, it tasted like freedom and rebellion and the kind of love that changes history. The political implications of their relationship faded into background noise when they were together like this, just two young men discovering that love could be both tender and revolutionary. Alex could feel Henry trembling beneath his touch, could see years of repression and duty warring with desire in those blue eyes that had haunted his dreams. The way Henry said his name, like a prayer and a curse and a promise all wrapped together, made Alex understand that some love stories were worth risking everything for. Every stolen moment between campaign events and royal obligations became precious beyond measure, creating a secret world where they could simply be Alex and Henry, not the President’s son and the Prince of Wales.

9. Romantic Excerpt From “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid

“Don’t ignore half of me so you can fit me into a box, Evelyn. Don’t do that.” Celia’s words cut through Hollywood’s golden facade like a blade, exposing the truth that Evelyn had been running from her entire career. The way Celia looked at her, with eyes that saw past the carefully constructed persona to the woman underneath, made Evelyn feel more naked than she’d ever felt in front of any camera. Their love existed in stolen moments between takes and hidden glances across crowded premieres, a secret so dangerous it could destroy everything they’d both worked for. The 1950s Hollywood backdrop made their relationship not just forbidden but potentially deadly, yet neither could deny the magnetic pull that had existed since their first screen test together. Celia’s fingers traced the line of Evelyn’s jaw with a tenderness that made her forget about public image and box office numbers and everything except the way her heart stopped whenever this woman touched her. The glamour and glitz of their public lives faded away in private moments like this, when Celia would brush Evelyn’s hair and whisper promises that they both knew might be impossible to keep. Their love story unfolded against the backdrop of an industry that would destroy them for being authentic, making every kiss stolen and every confession dangerous and every moment together both precious and heartbreaking.

10. Spicy Romance Excerpt From “People We Meet on Vacation” by Emily Henry

“I want all of you. Not just the parts that are easy to love. I want your flaws and your fears and your middle-of-the-night anxieties. I want to love every single thing that makes you you.” Alex’s declaration made Poppy’s carefully built walls crumble like sandcastles at high tide. They’d been friends for years, but the way he looked at her now was different—hungry and tender and full of a longing that matched the ache in her own chest. The Croatian sunset painted them both in shades of gold and amber as she finally let herself see what had been there all along, hiding beneath years of friendship and fear of ruining something perfect. His hands, familiar from countless platonic embraces, felt electric against her skin when he finally touched her with romantic intent. The Mediterranean breeze carried the scent of salt and possibility as they crossed the line they’d been dancing around for what felt like forever. She could taste summer and promises on his lips when they kissed, could feel years of suppressed desire finally finding expression in the way his arms tightened around her. The fear of losing him had kept her running for so long, but now, with his heartbeat steady beneath her palm and his breath warm against her neck, she realized that the only thing scarier than loving him was the thought of living without this feeling for the rest of her life.

11. Contemporary Romance Excerpt From “The Proposal” by Jasmine Guillory

“You make me want to be the man you see when you look at me like that. You make me want to be worthy of the way you smile at me, like I’m something special.” Drew’s confession to Alexa’s heart like honey, sweet and warm and absolutely devastating. The elevator malfunction that had brought them together seemed like fate now, as she stood in his arms wearing nothing but his Lakers jersey and a smile. His athlete’s body was built for performance, but the way he touched her was pure worship, like she was something precious he’d been entrusted to protect. The city lights twinkled beyond his penthouse windows, but she only had eyes for the way he looked at her—like she was his personal miracle, his answer to prayers he’d never known he was praying. She could feel the sincerity in his touch, could hear the vulnerability in his voice that he kept hidden from the media and the fans who thought they knew him. The way he whispered her name against her skin made her forget about racial differences and class distinctions and all the reasons why their relationship shouldn’t work. Every kiss tasted like possibility, every caress promised a future she’d never dared to dream about until this beautiful, complicated man crashed into her life and turned everything upside down in the most wonderful way possible.

12. Historical Romance Excerpt From “Outlander” by Diana Gabaldon

“You are my courage, as I am your conscience. You are my heart—and I your compassion. We are neither of us whole, alone.” Jamie’s words to Claire transcended time itself, bridging centuries and cultures and everything that should have kept them apart. The Scottish Highlands stretched endlessly around them, wild and beautiful and dangerous, much like their love that defied every law of nature and physics. His warrior’s hands were surprisingly gentle as they traced the planes of her face, memorizing every feature as if she might disappear back to her own time at any moment. The 18th century world he inhabited was harsh and unforgiving, but in his arms she found a sanctuary that made her forget about modern conveniences and medical degrees and everything she’d left behind. The way he spoke Gaelic against her skin sent shivers through her entire body, ancient words of love that seemed to bypass her brain and speak directly to her soul. She could feel the Highland wind in his red hair, could taste the wildness of his homeland on his lips when he kissed her with a passion that made time itself seem irrelevant. Their love story spanned centuries, defying death and distance and destiny itself, proving that some connections are so powerful they can literally transcend the boundaries of time and space.

13. Paranormal Romance Excerpt From “One Dark Window” by Rachel Gillig

“You are the dark I crave, the shadow I seek. In a world of light, you are my sanctuary.” Ravyn’s confession to Elspeth echoed with the weight of ancient magic, his voice rough with desire and desperation. The dark magic that flowed between them was dangerous and addictive, creating a bond that neither fully understood but both craved like addiction. His Nightmare card pulsed with power as he touched her, the magic recognizing its mate in ways that defied explanation. The medieval fantasy world around them was filled with dangers, but nothing felt more dangerous than the way he looked at her—like she was salvation and damnation wrapped in one tempting package. She could feel the infection spreading through her veins, dark magic that should have terrified her but instead made her feel more alive than she’d ever been. The way his shadows danced around them both, responding to their shared desire, created an intimate cocoon where nothing existed except the magnetic pull between them. Every touch was electric, every kiss tasted of forbidden magic and promises that might destroy them both. The darkness within her called to the darkness within him, creating a connection so profound it rewrote the very fabric of their beings, binding them together in ways that transcended mortal understanding.

14. Young Adult Romance Excerpt From “The Cruel Prince” by Holly Black

“I hate you. I hate how you make me feel things I don’t want to feel. I hate how you get under my skin and stay there. But mostly, I hate how much I don’t actually hate you at all.” Jude’s confession to Cardan hung heavy in the air between them like morning mist over the fairy courts. The political intrigue of their world made their attraction not just inconvenient but potentially deadly, yet neither could deny the electric tension that sparked whenever they were in the same room. His faerie beauty was otherworldly and dangerous, all sharp angles and cruel smiles that hid vulnerabilities he’d never admit to possessing. The way he said her name, like it was both curse and benediction, made her forget about mortality and power and all the reasons why loving him was impossible. She could see through his carefully constructed cruelty to the broken boy underneath, could recognize the loneliness that drove his need for control and dominance. The Elfhame court politics swirled around them, but in moments like this, when his mask slipped and she saw the real him, nothing else mattered except the way her heart betrayed every rational thought in her head. Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic was written in starlight and shadow, a love story that required them both to change everything they thought they knew about themselves and each other.

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15. Dark Romance Excerpt From “Hunting Adeline” by H.D. Carlton

“You can run from me, but you can’t run from what you feel when I touch you. Your body knows who it belongs to, even when your mind fights it.” Zade’s words to Adeline were possession wrapped in seduction, delivered with the kind of dark confidence that should have sent her running but instead made her pulse race with forbidden excitement. The cat-and-mouse game between them had been building for months, a dangerous dance of desire and fear that blurred every line between right and wrong. His obsession with her was total and consuming, manifesting in ways that were both terrifying and thrilling, like having a predator decide you’re worth protecting instead of destroying. The way he watched her from the shadows made her hyperaware of every movement, every breath, every heartbeat that betrayed her body’s response to his presence. She could feel his dark desire like a physical force, could sense the carefully leashed violence that he kept in check because she was precious to him in ways she didn’t fully understand. The psychological warfare between them was intoxicating, each encounter leaving her more confused about where fear ended and desire began. When he finally touched her, it was with hands that could kill but chose instead to worship, creating sensations that rewrote her understanding of pleasure and danger and everything in between.

16. LGBTQ+ Romance Excerpt From “Boyfriend Material” by TJ Alexander

“You make me want to be brave. You make me want to stop hiding from the world and start living like I deserve to be happy.” Luc’s confession to Oliver captured perfectly the transformative power of unexpected love. Their fake relationship had started as a practical arrangement, but somewhere between family dinners and public appearances, real feelings had crept in like sunrise, gradual and then all at once. The London backdrop of their courtship, all rain-soaked streets and cozy pubs, seemed designed for the kind of slow-burn romance that changes people from the inside out. Oliver’s lawyer precision extended to the way he loved—thoroughly, methodically, with an attention to detail that made Luc feel seen and valued in ways he’d never experienced. The rock star lifestyle that had defined Luc’s identity began to matter less than quiet Sunday mornings and shared takeaway dinners and all the ordinary moments that felt extraordinary with the right person. The way Oliver laughed at his terrible jokes, the way he worried when Luc was late, the way he defended him to skeptical friends—all of it added up to a love so genuine it made Luc question everything he thought he knew about relationships and happiness and what it meant to be truly known by another person.

Conclusion

These romantic excerpts from romance novels represent the diverse tapestry of modern love stories, each passage carefully crafted to ignite emotions and transport readers into worlds where passion reigns supreme.

From contemporary love to supernatural romance, these romance novel quotes showcase the power of written words to capture the infinite complexity of human connection.

Whether you’re seeking inspiration for your own love story or simply craving literary escapism, these excerpts demonstrate why romance literature continues to captivate hearts across generations.