Name a more iconic writer in women’s literature than Nora Roberts. I’ll wait.
A genre-spanning feminist queen with over 230 titles(!) to her name (she’s been writing since 1981), Roberts (AKA Eleanor Marie Robertson, AKA J.D. Robb) has long been a driving force in shaping the field of genre fiction — from romance to mystery to science fiction — into what it is today.
Given the breadth of her body of work, “Where should I start with Nora Roberts’ books?” is a fair question. My guide to the best Roberts books is written especially for readers new to Roberts who want to dabble in a little bit of everything that she has to offer.
Below is a mix of her standalone works and the first installments of some of her finest series. If the idea of a futuristic sci-fi bent to a romantic thriller intrigues you, start with Naked in Death. Of course, there’s plenty to choose from among herlighter contemporary romances, like The Next Always.
With so many bestsellers in her repertoire, there’s sure to be a Roberts book that appeals to you.
If you’re brand new to Nora Roberts, I don’t think you can go wrong jumping into her catalog with Vision in White. It has everything fans of the prolific author love about her work: A charming romance, a picturesque setting in a small town, and well-written characters that are deeply relatable and easy to root for.
The book kicks off the Bride Quartet series; as the series name suggests, it follows four lifelong friends who co-own a wedding planning company. Each book follows one of the group’s personal romantic entanglements.
2. Year One
Not only is the Chronicles of The One series one of Roberts’ best trilogies, its first entry, Year One, was a top fantasy release of 2018. While reading it, you may have to remind yourself that this was written by the same woman who has penned a bajillion bestselling romance novels. Does Roberts have range or what?
It’s a presciently published story, to boot: As the world plunges into a post-pandemic nightmare society, survivors are pushed to the brink of their humanity. Technology fails, magic rises, and good and evil clash in this exhilarating urban dystopian.
3. Reflections
Harkening back to the early days of Roberts’ career, Reflections is as sweet as contemporary romances come. Originally published in1983, it follows the story of Lindsay, a former prima ballerina who gives up the spotlight to care for her widowed mother.
One of Roberts’ strongest talents is writing realistic characters that readers can relate to;that’s on full display with not only Lindsay, but also her gifted young student and her student’s guardian, who Lindsay is inexplicably drawn to.
When you’re done with Reflections, follow it up with the second of the Bannions duology, Dance of Dreams.
4. Born in Fire
Love heals all in the enticing first entry of another must-read Roberts trilogy.
Set against the lush landscape of western Ireland, a talented glass blower teeters on the verge of being discovered for her immense talents. However, she’s as guarded as she is gifted. To take her career to the next level, Maggie must overcome a painful past and learn to trust the suave and intense gallery owner who promises her fame and fortune.
Prepare to fall in love with ultimate book boyfriend Rogan, who’s passionate about art in all forms. He’s also the calm to Maggie’s fire and relentlessly pushes her to pursue her dreams. Swoon.
If anyone can pull off a cozy slow-burn romance that somehow also features serial killers, it’s Roberts.
As an adult, Naomi has done everything she can to distance herself from the unspeakable acts her father committed. She settles down in the charming town of Sunset Cove, adopts a dog, commits to a full-scale house renovation, and cautiously begins a new relationship. Just as things are looking up, the sinister ghosts of Naomi’s past come back to haunt her.
Murder, child abuse, creepy psychic visions, a serial killer on the loose — these don’t sound like the makings of a sweet love story, but stick with me. Like The Obsession, Carolina Moon delves deep into heavy topics that are tempered by a sweet romance.
Tory, a supernaturally gifted young woman who helped locate her murdered childhood friend’s body, and Cade, the brother of the victim, reconnect as adults and forge a new relationship. But the uncaught killer lurks in the background, which builds a creeping sense of foreboding as the plot builds to an explosive climax.
Unlike many of Roberts’ other romantic suspense novels listed here, Whiskey Beach centers on a male protagonist.
After being wrongfully accused of his wife’s murder, Eli Landon moves back to his family estate to heal and escape the spotlight. He’s drawn out of his shell by Abra, the cheerful housekeeper who proves to be the sunshine to Eli’s grump.
Many longtime fans have declared Whiskey Beach to be one Roberts’ best standalone romances thanks to its twisty turny mystery, the warm and witty banter between the heroine and hero, and the secondary characters you can’t help but love.
8. Black Hills
Gripping and heartfelt, Black Hills is yet another fantastic romantic suspense that links the past with the present. Childhood sweethearts Lil and Coop reunite in rugged South Dakota to save Lil’s wildlife sanctuary and rekindle an old flame.
Their second chance romance is interrupted by sabotage, murder, and a killer who has Lil in their sights, all of which makes for a thrilling storyline that will keep readers on their toes.
I recently discovered that there’s a subcategory of Nora Roberts’ romances that readers refer to as “renovation porn.” Intrigued? Me too. The Next Always is a great introduction to this very specific niche of her impressive catalog.
As architect Beckett restores the historic Boonsboro Inn, the building isn’t the only thing getting a second chance at life. His childhood love, Clare, has returned home and once again caught his eye. This delightful start to another bestselling Roberts trilogy incorporates a hint of paranormal mystery into a heartwarming journey of love, loss, and healing.
Follow it up with The Last Boyfriend for more aforementioned renovation porn.
10. The Witness
This thrilling tale of suspense follows Abigail Lowery, who lives in hiding in the Ozarks after witnessing a mafia murder in her teens. The local police chief falls for the enigmatic Abby, but their future together is complicated unless they can bring a larger-than-life Russian crime family to justice.
Extraordinarily talented audiobook narrator Julia Whelan scored an Audie Award for Best Romance for her work on The Witness.
11. Naked in Death
After the 12th book of the In Death series was released, readers were shocked to discover that J.D. Robb, the science fiction/mystery writer, and Nora Roberts, romance author extraordinaire, were one and the same.
Published in 1995, Naked in Death kicks off a high-octane sci-fi series that features a kickass, tough-as-nails female detective. If you like futuristic novels with amazing worldbuilding, read this. If you like hard boiled mysteries with a sexy romance on the side, read this. If you like long running series, read this!
Having penned nearly 60 novels and novellas for this series alone, Roberts has stated that the beloved In Death saga has no end in sight.
This sweet and compelling tale of redemption is a great comfort read for anyone who wants something on the lighter side that doesn’t involve the paranormal or a murder mystery.
A classic ’80s romance, The Last Honest Woman focuses on Abigail, who’s doing her best to keep the family afloat after the death of her philandering, no good, race car driving ex-husband. An unexpected romance (or not-so-unexpected, since this is Nora Roberts, after all) blooms with the biographer who wants to profile her ex, and their love could be the key to Abigail’s healing.
13. Morrigan’s Cross
Ancient prophecies, Irish mythology, bloody clashes of swords and magic — this sounds like something off a list of the best fantasy series of all time. Roberts transports readers straight into the heart of an epic quest as sorcerer Hoyt attempts to overthrow Lilith, an evil vampire queen who makes Amarantha from A Court of Thorns and Roses look tame.
If you love anything to do with witches, shapeshifters, vampires, or dragons, the Circle Trilogy will be right up your alley.
