Whoever said love was supposed to be easy clearly hasn’t listened to enough romance. This year’s best served up complicated relationships, questionable choices, and people who couldn’t stay away from each other, even when they probably should. There was room for the sweet stuff, too, but sometimes the road to happily ever after got a little messy (and a lot more interesting). Whether the characters were falling in love, fighting it, or figuring out what they wanted in the first place, these stories gave us plenty to talk about. And with narrators this good, who could resist listening in?
The 10 best romances of 2026
From sweet nothings to scandalous somethings, this year’s best romance listens turned up the heat and left us breathless.
12 November 2026
Up Next
The 10 best romantasy listens of 2026
Gods to defy, thrones to topple, and hearts on the line. It's been quite the year for those of us who like our romance with a little magic.
The 10 best sci-fi and fantasy listens of 2026
Adventure takes centre stage in this year's top listens.
The 10 best well-being titles of 2026
From advice that will change how you connect, to stories that will help you heal, these are 2026's best listens for well-being.
The 10 best young adult listens of 2026
The (fictional) youths took the world by storm this year with whimsy, heart, and a healthy dose of rebellion to keep things interesting.