As a Person Who Loves Romance Novels, These Gift Ideas Would Steal My Heart
And no, there aren't any actual romance novels on this list.
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Romance readers, rejoice! While many of us have long been fans of the genre, it's had a huge surge in popularity since the pandemic left many book lovers in need of a guaranteed happily ever after. Thanks in part to the de-stigmatization of this genre, it seems like everyone we know is reading Emily Henry's or Sarah J. Maas's latest. Hollywood has also clued into the trend, with the success of Bridgerton and buzzy adaptations of novels like Colleen Hoover's It Ends With Us. Still, if you're shopping for gifts for people who love romance novels, you may be surprised to find there aren't a ton of options outside of romance novels themselves.
As a lifestyle editor and a book lover myself, I like to think I have a quality collection of book-themed items. I've curated some of these ideas, as well as scouring the Internet and reading customer reviews, to compile a list of unique gifts for romance book lovers.
The good news is that as more and more diverse stories are being published in the romance genre, it's becoming easier for people to see themselves in the characters, drawing in new fans. So whether you're shopping for your best friend, girlfriend or even yourself, these thoughtful gifts for romance readers are a great place to start. Almost all of them are gifts under $40, with plenty of budget-friendly gifts under $20.
Emily Henry is one of the most popular contemporary romance authors out there, and any fan of the author will swoon over this tote bag. One side features an illustrated stack of her books (including her latest, Funny Story), while the other reads "Books are my happy place" in the recognizable font used on all of her covers.
A Court of Thorns and Roses, a.k.a. ACOTAR, is 2024's hottest romantasy series. With a confirmed sixth book on the way from author Sarah J. Maas, fans of the series can snuggle up in this oversized Velaris tee while they re-read books one through five (again).
This reading journal makes a great gift for any book lover, especially the person who always has a personalized recommendation at the ready. It includes space to review 32 books, plus reading wish lists, journaling prompts, a place to track books you've borrowed and lent out and even an address list for your favorite bookstores and reading spots.
They can take their love for romance novels off the page with this party game designed specifically for romance book lovers. It's the perfect activity for book club, game night or a theme party.
"This game, some wine and snacks, and a night with your reader friends, would make for an excellent party. There are so many cards and the game is made well," writes one 5-star Amazon reviewer.
How cute is this embroidered sweatshirt? There are 10 different design options to choose from, which you can personalize even further with custom text and their name on the sleeve above an open book. While we love this simple "book lover" example, you could also try "romance book girlie," "in my romance novel era" or any other bookish phrase your heart desires.
The Ultimate Romance Reading Challenge
Help them rock their reading goals with this challenge created just for romance readers. The book includes 25 prompts, ranging from "read a book with an enemies-to-lovers premise" to "read a romance novel published in the year you were conceived." As they complete each one, they'll get a book-themed reward, like a bookmark or sticker.
"Love this! I got it to help me get through my TBR pile. I love the challenges and the cute prizes," says one 5-star reviewer on Amazon.
For a break from reading, gift them this 1,000-piece puzzle decorated with the covers of 28 popular romance novels. Featured titles include Virgin River, Outlander and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, just to name a few.
Ensure they keep their precious novels safe during travel with a protective book sleeve. This one gives off all the cozy vibes with illustrations of coffee mugs, cats and plenty of book stacks. It features a zippered closure and an extra pocket, plus it's waterproof and washable.
They can decorate their e-reader, laptop, luggage, water bottle, reading journal and more with this affordable pack of 110 bookish stickers. The vinyl stickers come in multiple sizes and include a variety of designs in a cute, pink color palette. They are also waterproof, sun-proof and scratch-resistant.
Every book lover needs on-theme decor to accent their bookshelf. This miniature ceramic vase is shaped like a book, with a spine, "pages" and a cheeky front and back cover complete with blurbs. It can hold a bouquet of fresh or dried flowers, or they can keep it on their desk and fill it with pens and pencils.
The person in your life who won't stop talking about ACOTAR needs this themed candle. They can light it to be transported to the series' Night Court while they read, thanks to notes of sea salt, jasmine and juniper.
Hand-painted to look like an elegant stack of books, this hair clip is even more stunning in person. It works with all hair types and will garner compliments every time you wear it.
Your favorite bibliophile will find plenty of uses for this sticker book, which comes with pages and pages of unique, literary-themed stickers. Great for their scrapbook, journal or planner, there are more than 780 stickers and so many styles to discover.
Want to really wow someone who loves romance novels? Select up to 9 of their favorite titles to be illustrated in a personalized print they can hang in their home. Choose a digital file to print yourself, or from two sizes of unframed prints.
"Bought this as a gift and she loved it! The seller was so helpful and sent a draft before sending, would highly recommend," one 5-star reviewer on Etsy writes.
Book of the Month 3-Book Membership
While not strictly a romance book subscription service, Book of the Month almost always features a romance novel or audiobook among its monthly selections. A 3-book membership makes a great gift for the holidays, since it will last far beyond the day they receive it. Plus, allowing your gift recipient to choose their own books means they'll get exactly what they want.
Jamie (she/her) is the news and SEO editor at Good Housekeeping. She oversees GH's digital news strategy, assigning and editing celebrity and entertainment news content. Before joining Good Housekeeping in 2024, she was the digital editor at Woman's Day. She has over 7 years of professional experience writing and editing lifestyle content for the Rachael Ray Show, The Knot, Martha Stewart Weddings, Insider, Elite Daily and more. She holds a BFA in Writing, Literature and Publishing from Emerson College and lives in Brooklyn with her cats Lumos, Linus and Milo.
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