The 10 Greatest Nora Roberts Books of All Time (or Just For Beach Season)

Midnight Bayou is a creeping, almost Gothic romance set against the background of vibrant Louisiana. Roberts delights in delving into the loving restoration work that her hero, Declan Fitzgerald, does on the crumbling Manet Hall, but the real draw here is the fiery chemistry between Declan and the mysterious Angelina Simone. The two would-be lovers are intrinsically drawn to the house and to each other for reasons that tend toward the supernatural in the best possible way — and the marriage of HGTV-style home renovations with a steamy romance is quintessential Roberts through and through.

The first book in the In The Garden Trilogy kicks off a series chock-full of ghosts, romance, strong female friendships, and enough gardening porn to make any flower enthusiast blush. Again there's a rambling Southern home, but this time a single mother is starting fresh surrounded by a support system of amazing women and one supersexy landscaper named Logan Kitridge. Once the sparks start flying between the two, you won't be able to put this one down.

Let it never be said that Roberts isn't just as adept at suspense and action as she is at romance. Chasing Fire includes a strong romance element, but it's the high stakes subject matter that makes this one of the author's best. Rowan Tripp is a smoke jumper, a firefighter who parachutes into forest fires. It's a dangerous job that's largely dominated by men, but she thrives off the adrenaline of her work, making her a heroine who is every bit as compelling as the love story she finds herself in.

There are so many exquisitely executed romance tropes in The Villa that it's hard to know where to start. Sophia Giambelli is a PR whiz who loves working for her family's winery, but after a merger, she finds herself training the infuriating (and earthy) Tyler MacMillan. The hate-to-love plot is addictive, as is the touch of mystery surrounding the burgeoning romance of the two wine-loving characters. The lushness of The Villa is easy to get lost in, but it's a standout because of how easy it is to root for the central couple.

Three Fates is first and foremost an adventure novel. It sends three siblings globe-trotting in order to find a family heirloom that could leave them filthy rich. But their journey isn't an easy one. That's good news for the reader, though, because seeing Roberts work her magic with a story that spans continents is a treat for anyone with a case of wanderlust. This book will make anyone want to pack up their bags and go on an Indiana Jones-style quest of their own (or just reread this classic immediately).

As a whole, the Inn Boonsboro Trilogy is a masterpiece, but The Next Always deserves a shout-out for kicking off what is a fluffy, heartwarming, and cozy series that is the literary equivalent of a hug. Three brothers and their unique mom decide to renovate and open a historic inn — which is a perfect subject for Roberts, since it's something she did herself in real life. Again, the themes of restoration are visited, as are first loves and the warm bonds of family, making this a perfect light read for any time of year.

Callie Dunbrook is one of Roberts's best creations. The fearless archaeologist is smart, savvy, and always up for an adventure, even when it means coming out of retirement. Birthright finds Callie taking a break from her break after ancient bones are discovered in a small town. It's not long before she's off on an unexpected and heart-stopping journey that is all about that edge-of-the-seat action that the author simply never gets enough credit for.

Sea Swept kicks off another great Roberts trilogy, Chesapeake Bay. In this one, a man named Cameron Quinn is called home by his dying father to take care of a young man who is dealing with his share of issues. Cameron is a classic womanizer, but watching him step up as a brother, son, and caretaker to the young boy is the kind of honest, emotional journey that is easy to get lost in — which truly is the hallmark of the author's best works.

Roberts plus Ireland is the ultimate winning combination, and if you need proof, then look no further than Born in Fire. The beauty of Ireland is as much a character as any of the people in the novel, but that's not a knock against the characters. Margaret Mary is a worthy heroine with a fiery nature and an artist's heart. Her romance with a gallery owner is the kind of spark-filled love that makes the genre one that people around the world can't get enough of. Forget "guilty pleasure," this book is just a pleasure.

With more than 200 titles to her name, it's not easy to proclaim a single book the best Roberts novel, especially since she excels at so many different genres and styles. However, most fans will readily admit that there's something extra special about The Bride Quartet. The four-part series kicks off with Vision in White, the first in a series of books about sisters whose journey into the wedding planning business leads to their own happily ever afters. These books are all heart: they're full of gorgeous weddings, fascinating female characters, family ties, and, of course, swoon-worthy romances. Start with Vision in White and then keep going, because these books are Roberts at her best.