Romance

"The course of true love never did run smooth," wrote William Shakespeare in A Midsummer Night's Dream—and he knew what he was talking about. A text from this study guide collection might be just the thing to remind you of the bliss and pain of love.

Lady Chatterley's Lover

by D. H. Lawrence

Publication year 1928

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Marriage, Love, Sexual Identity, Femininity

Tags Classic Fiction, Romance, Love & Sexuality, British Literature, Modernism, World History, Historical Fiction

Lady Chatterley’s Lover is a Modernist novel by the English writer D. H. Lawrence. It was written between 1926 and 1928, while Lawrence was living in Italy, and first published privately in 1928. Since it was considered scandalous and obscene, the novel was not widely available in America or the United Kingdom until the 1960s. The novel was controversial because of its explicit sexual content, as well as its depiction of an adulterous affair between... Read Lady Chatterley's Lover Summary

Lady Susan

by Jane Austen

Publication year 1871

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Marriage, Love

Tags Romance, Classic Fiction, British Literature, World History, Historical Fiction

The narrative follows the exploits of Lady Susan, a beautiful and charming widow whose husband has recently died. Lady Susan is an excellent conversationalist who manipulates men into falling in love with her; they forget her socially unacceptable behavior and incorrigible flirtations after merely speaking with her. At the outset of the novella, Lady Susan has sold off her late husband’s family estate instead of giving it to his younger brother, Charles Vernon, as is... Read Lady Susan Summary

Lake Effect

by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney

Publication year 2026

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Forgiveness, Guilt, Love, Family, Loyalty & Betrayal

Tags Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance

Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney’s 2025 novel, Lake Effect, is a family saga that explores the long-lasting repercussions of a single, life-altering choice. Set primarily in a suburb of Rochester, New York, the narrative begins in 1977 when Nina Larkin, a talented cook in a passionless marriage, and Finn Finnegan, an ambitious grocer from across the street, engage in an affair, leave their spouses, and elope. The novel spans three decades, tracing the deep and often painful... Read Lake Effect Summary

Last Night at the Telegraph Club

by Malinda Lo

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Self Discovery, Sexual Identity, Race, Gender Identity, Femininity, Masculinity, Love, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Hope, Equality, Truth & Lies, Loyalty & Betrayal, Family, Friendship

Tags Historical Fiction, LGBTQ+, Romance, Coming of Age, Love & Sexuality, Women`s Studies, Modern Classic Fiction, World History

... Read Last Night at the Telegraph Club Summary

Layla

by Colleen Hoover

Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Love, Mental Health, Trust & Doubt, Guilt

Tags Romance, Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Fantasy, Religion & Spirituality

... Read Layla Summary

Leather & Lark

by Brynne Weaver

Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Hate & Anger, Love, Revenge, Death, Family, Marriage, Self Discovery, Art, Justice

Tags Modern Classic Fiction, Romance, Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction

... Read Leather & Lark Summary

Legend

by Marie Lu

Publication year 2011

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Politics & Government, Family, Revenge, Truth & Lies, Loyalty & Betrayal

Tags Science Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Action & Adventure, Trauma & Abuse

Legend is the first book in the titular book trilogy by Chinese-American author Marie Lu. Originally published in 2011, Legend is a dystopian novel that explores topics of love, family, fascism, civil disobedience, inequality, propaganda, poverty, and hope in the face of an oppressive government. Lu was inspired by the classic Victor Hugo story Les Misérables and wanted to explore a similar cat-and-mouse dynamic in a futuristic setting. Just like the law-abiding policeman Javert pursued... Read Legend Summary

Legends of the Fall

by Jim Harrison

Publication year 1979

Genre Short Story Collection, Fiction

Themes War, Masculinity

Tags Historical Fiction, Western, Relationships, World War II, American Literature, World History, Romance, Classic Fiction

Legends of the Fall is a collection of three novellas by Jim Harrison, including “Revenge,” “The Man Who Gave Up His Name,” and the titular novella, “Legends of the Fall.” First published in 1979 by Collins, Legends of the Fall remains one of Harrison’s most highly regarded works. Harrison wrote across a range of genres such as fiction, poetry, essay, and film and was the recipient of several awards including a Guggenheim Fellowship. His work... Read Legends of the Fall Summary

Less

by Andrew Sean Greer

Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Sexual Identity

Tags LGBTQ+, Modern Classic Fiction, Romance, Humor

Written by Andrew Sean Greer and published in 2017, Less is a satirical comedy novel. It portrays the journey of Arthur Less, who after a difficult breakup plots a round-the-world trip to better understand himself. It won the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.Plot SummaryApproaching 50, Arthur Less sits in a hotel lobby waiting to be picked up for a literary event. He is a writer and will be interviewing another writer, albeit a sci-fi author... Read Less Summary