11 Modern, Sexy, and Historical Royal Romance Books You'll Be Addicted To

It's a given that stories about royalty almost always come with romance. Forbidden love, treachery, and sex — what's to hate? From a modern love story about falling for a prince to a compelling twist on history, the 11 books ahead are sure to please every type of reader. So go ahead and cancel all your night plans — you won't be able to put these picks down.

01
The Other Boleyn Girl

The Other Boleyn Girl

If you loved the film adaptation of Philippa Gregory's popular story of the infamous Boleyn family, don't miss the book that started it all! In The Other Boleyn Girl, a story of schemes, love, and sex, Mary Boleyn falls in love with Henry VIII and is enjoying every minute of her unofficial title as queen. But when her family's true motives are revealed and her sister Anne becomes her rival, Mary is forced to defy her own and the king.

02
The Duke and I

The Duke and I

The first installment of Julia Quinn's Bridgertons series, The Duke and I is a story of an arranged marriage that unexpectedly turns into love. Duke Simon Basset is supposed to propose to his best friend's sister, Daphne Bridgerton, but only to keep him unavailable to hungry society mothers. But as Daphne goes along with her role, it gets more difficult to remember that it's all part of the plan. Now, it's her turn to do the convincing and persuade Simon to take their courtship seriously.

03
The Runaway Princess

The Runaway Princess

Amy Wilde literally finds her Prince Charming in new boyfriend Leo, who's actually Prince Leopold William Victor Wolfsburg of Nironam and the ninth most eligible bachelor. While the perks of dating an heir are all wonderful, Amy isn't so sure if the stress and losing herself along the way are worth it. Hester Browne's sweet and funny novel, The Runaway Princess, will be hard to put down.

04
Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake

Sarah MacLean's Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake is a story of breaking bad and living life to the fullest. Lady Calpurnia Hartwell has always been obedient, which has also left her single and unfulfilled. In a quest to live by her rules, she brings along the charming Marquess of Ralston, who's never been one for order. But will she break the most important rule to never fall in love?

05
Command Me

Command Me

Fifty Shades of Grey meets The Prince and Me in this erotic saga by Geneva Lee. Command Me is an addicting tale of a woman and a royal bad boy, Prince Alexander of Cambridge, who's far from Prince Charming. He's dangerous and controlling but completely irresistible.

06
The Princess

The Princess

In Lori Wick's bestselling contemporary romance, The Princess, Prince Nicolai agrees to an arranged marriage after suffering from the death of his first wife. But in order to win the heart of his new bride, he needs to be extracareful with her.

07
Suddenly Royal

Suddenly Royal

On top of taking care of her sick father, Samantha Rousseau is also working toward a master's degree in wildlife biology. When the Duchess of Lilaria reveals to Samantha that she is an heiress, her entire world gets flipped. Alex D'Lynsal, Prince of Lilaria, is forced to move to America to stay out of headlines but of course meets a sexy and stubborn woman who also happens to be an heiress to an estate in his home country. Samantha tries to resist Alex while navigating her new world in Nichole Chase's Suddenly Royal.

08
The Virgin's Lover

The Virgin's Lover

You've never seen Queen Elizabeth I quite like this before. Mixed with historical facts and rumors, The Virgin's Lover by Philippa Gregory details the eventful start of the new queen's reign. In addition to the possibility of being dethroned by the French invasion of Scotland, she's also in love with the married traitor, Robert Dudley. Elizabeth must go up against his loyal wife and others who oppose the marriage, all while taking her bankrupt country into war.

09
The Bird and the Sword

The Bird and the Sword

In an unexpected love story by Amy Harmon, The Bird and the Sword is a riveting fantasy about a girl who is prisoner to her mother's curse. Her mother told her father on the day she was killed that their daughter would never speak and that he would die when she did. Her father is next in line to be king, and the girl wants to escape. But if she can't make a sound, how is she to find love?

10
Heir Untamed

Heir Untamed

Photographer Chey Sinclair is sent to work abroad to photograph Latvala royalty. While on assignment, she finds herself having to choose between two men: the charming (and taken) Prince of Latvala and the abrasive yet intriguing head of security. The first installment of Danielle Bourdon's royal series, Heir Untamed, is pretty much every reader's real-life fairy tale.

11
The Royal We

The Royal We

Rebecca Porter isn't obsessed with the royals, romance, or fame like her twin sister, Lacy, is. But when she ends up being hallmates with Prince Nicholas at Oxford, she can't help but fall in love with the future king of Great Britain. In The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan, both the pressures and benefits of dating royalty come to light. Before their wedding, Rebecca comes to terms with all the sacrifices she's made for their relationship.