The best romance audiobooks for beginners: where to start
If you've never finished a romance audiobook, start with one that already won. Every title below took the Audie Award in the romance category — broadly loved, superbly narrated, the audiobook industry's own pick for the best romance production of its year. They are the safest first credits: hard to switch off, and hard to regret. The most recent winner is King of Envy by Ana Huang (2026).
Children of Blood and BoneThe Duchess DealTessa DareThe Duchess DealDirtyKylie ScottDirtyThe HighwaymanKerrigan ByrneThe HighwaymanThe Bridges of Madison CountyRobert James WallerThe Bridges of Madison County| Audiobook | Author | Narrator(s) | Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| King of Envy | Ana Huang | Jason Clark, Nia Serge | Audie Romance (2026) |
| This Could Be Us | Kennedy Ryan | Ines del Castillo, Jakobi Diem | Audie Romance (2025) |
| The True Love Experiment | Christina Lauren | Jonathan Cole, Cindy Kay | Audie Romance (2024) |
| Delilah Green Doesn't Care | Ashley Herring Blake | Kristen DiMercurio | Audie Romance (2023) |
| Reel: Hollywood Renaissance | Kennedy Ryan | Ebony Flowers, Jakobi Diem, Nicole Small, April Christina | Audie Romance (2022) |
| Dirty Letters | Vi Keeland; Penelope Ward | Andi Arndt, Jacob Morgan | Audie Romance (2021) |
| Devil's Daughter | Lisa Kleypas | Mary Jane Wells | Audie Romance (2020) |
| Children of Blood and Bone | Tomi Adeyemi | Bahni Turpin | Audie Romance (2019) |
| The Duchess Deal | Tessa Dare | Mary Jane Wells | Audie Romance (2018) |
| Dirty | Kylie Scott | Andi Arndt | Audie Romance (2017) |
| The Highwayman | Kerrigan Byrne | Derek Perkins | Audie Romance (2016) |
| The Bridges of Madison County | Robert James Waller | Kelli O'Hara, Steven Pasquale | Audie Romance (2015) |
| The Longest Ride | Nicholas Sparks | January LaVoy, Ron McLarty | Audie Romance (2014) |
| The Witness | Nora Roberts | Julia Whelan | Audie Romance (2013) |
| New York to Dallas | J. D. Robb | Susan Ericksen | Audie Romance (2012) |
| Secret Diaries of Charlotte Brontë | Syrie James | Bianca Amato | Audie Romance (2011) |
| The Untamed Bride | Stephanie Laurens | Simon Prebble | Audie Romance (2010) |
| The Dark Highlander | Karen Marie Moning | Phil Gigante | Audie Romance (2009) |
| Natural Born Charmer | Susan Elizabeth Phillips | Anna Fields | Audie Romance (2008) |
| If You Could See Me Now | Cecelia Ahern | Susan Lynch, Rupert Degas | Audie Romance (2007) |
| Origin in Death | J. D. Robb | Susan Ericksen | Audie Romance (2006) |
| Kiss Me While I Sleep | Linda Howard | Joyce Bean, Dick Hill | Audie Romance (2005) |
Listen to your first romance audiobook free
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Frequently asked questions
Which romance audiobook should I start with?
Start with a recent Audie Romance winner such as "King of Envy" by Ana Huang (2026). Award winners are the safest first listens because they are judged on narration as much as story, so the performance carries you through.
Are these good for someone new to audiobooks?
Yes. Every audiobook here won the Audie Award, the audiobook industry's own award — they are broadly loved and exceptionally well narrated, which is exactly what makes a first audiobook easy to finish.
How do I listen for free?
A free 30-day Audible Premium Plus trial includes one credit. You can use it on any romance audiobook on this page and keep it permanently, even if you cancel before the trial ends.
More romance guides: every Audie-winning romance audiobook · all listening guides · best audiobooks by award.