Novel & Cerita Best Romantic Excerpts From Novels

“That rather gives the plot away, no?” I laughed. “Romance novels aren’t known for being subtle.” He plucked the book from my fingers before I could react. He held it over my head as he flipped through it. “Where are the love scenes? Ah, found one.” He raised one golden eyebrow as he began to read aloud: “‘A fire lit in her belly. Damian’s hands were magic. Everywhere he touched, it was like fire across her skin.’” “Oh my God, stop—” He just held the book up higher. Tall people were the worst.

25 March 1820 Rome, Italy Jacob was lounging on a chair and Mrs. Valentina Lombardi, the most sought after courtesan in Rome was sprawled on his lap, her lush body pressed to his as she tried to coax a reaction out of him. He knew all the other men watching him envied him. But for the life of him, he couldn't muster any enthusiasm for the act. Instead of finding her perfume enticing, he found it cloying. The smoke from the cigars made him feel suffocated.

I heard the door creaked and it was my Zach. "Babe, why are you crying?" Zach immediately entered my office and went straight beside me. "I'm okay, I just read one of the novels from the audition and it was heart breaking." He chuckled, "That good huh? What is it called?" I looked at the cover. "If love is true." Zach let out a hmm sound and then turned to flip the pages of the book. I sniffled and wiped my nose with my fingers, and then buried my head in my arms laid on the table. I closed my eyes.

*Ten Minutes Later* We both laid on his bed, my head resting on his broad chest as he caressed my hair. I smiled as he read to me from the book 'Romeo and Juliet', one of the most iconic romantic moments between Romeo and Juliet " 'Juliet whispers to herself, O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?' Romeo, hearing her words, reveals himself, and they exchange sweet nothings' ." Alessandro read. As I listened to his sweet voice, the cramps disappear and I focus on nothing but his handsome face. Julian had never treated me this way during my pains. In fact, he doesn't like us to meet on days like this.

"Don’t look so tense. I promise I’m not that difficult to work with." "Oh, I’m not nervous," I lied, well aware that my shaking hands were probably betraying me. "Just... surprised." "Well, I’ll take that as a compliment," he said with a grin, before pulling up a chair beside mine. "So, what do you think we should do for our retelling? Mrs. Owens mentioned we could choose any classic romance. Something dramatic, maybe?" My mind raced for any suitable answer. "Uh... maybe Romeo and Juliet?" I blurted out, instantly regretting my choice. Right, the forbidden lovers—a brilliant pick, Atlas. Very subtle.

I told him about the bookstore, about the customers who came in looking for very specific recommendations. "There was this woman yesterday who wanted a romance where the hero is a villain but not in a sexy way. Just actually terrible." Daemon's lips twitched. "Did you find her one?" "I recommended Wuthering Heights. She looked horrified." "Accurate, though." "Right? Heathcliff is the worst. But people romanticize him anyway." "People romanticize a lot of things they shouldn't." The way he said it made me look at him more closely. There was something in his expression—something almost vulnerable beneath the usual control.

He watched her, his gaze steady and unnervingly focused. “Tell me,” he said, breaking the silence she had fallen into. “Why Keats? Of all the poets who have wrestled with illicit yearning, why did you anchor your work to him?” Scarlett hesitated. No one had ever asked her that. “Because it’s raw. It’s not romantic, it’s obsession, the ache that overtakes you, the pain that feels necessary. It mirrors real life, doesn’t it?”

Most of them were what I expected—books on strategy, history, a few on Italian mafia politics. And then, tucked on the bottom shelf, almost hidden— "You weren't kidding about these?" I pulled one out, raising an eyebrow. "Really?" "Put that back." "The Duke's Dangerous Desire," I read aloud, grinning. "A Rake's Redemption. The Highlander's Captive Bride—" "Jameson." Her voice was sharp, but I could hear the embarrassment underneath. "Put them back." "I'm not judging," I said, turning to face her. "I'm just surprised. You kill people for a living, but you read romance novels?"

Susan blushed, and Alexei tilted his head, curious. “Weird books? Now I’m interested.” “They’re just fiction. Suspense, mystery… Sometimes romance.” She shrugged modestly. “Romance?” He raised an eyebrow. “The sugary kind or the ones that keep you up all night reading?” She bit her lip, thoughtful. “The ones that make you think. I like imperfect characters. Relationships that are built over time. Real feelings, you know?” Alexei’s smile remained, but his eyes grew more attentive. “You don’t believe much in instant passions?”

“She’ll probably spend the whole holiday in here if you let her.” I walked the aisles slowly, trailing my fingers over the books. Classics. Thrillers. A whole section of contemporary romance—Mirabel’s doing, mostly. She’d started collecting them in high school, said they were “escapist but smart.” I’d never read them. Too many happy endings. Too much hope wrapped in pretty words. I pulled one down at random. Dark cover, brooding man in a suit, and title written in gold foil: Claimed by the Billionaire. I snorted softly, then slid it back.