Some of the top standalone romance novels are 'The Time Traveler's Wife' by Audrey Niffenegger. It has a very original concept of a man who time - travels and his relationship with his wife. 'The Rosie Project' by Graeme Simsion is a charming and humorous love story about a genetics professor trying to find the perfect partner and falling for Rosie. 'Call Me By Your Name' by André Aciman is a beautiful exploration of first love between Elio and Oliver set in Italy. The descriptions of their emotions and the Italian setting add to the allure of the love story.
Standalone billionaire romance novels often feature a strong element of fantasy. The billionaire is usually depicted as extremely handsome and charming. The relationship in these novels develops quickly, with intense chemistry between the characters. Moreover, there's often some kind of conflict related to the billionaire's status or past that adds drama to the story. For instance, he might have a family feud or a business rival that affects his relationship with the female lead. There are also many emotional scenes, from passionate love to heart - breaking separations.
One of the best is 'A Discovery of Witches' by Deborah Harkness. It combines elements of magic, vampires, and witches in a very engaging way. The story follows Diana, a witch, and her relationship with a vampire. Another great one is 'The Night Circus' by Erin Morgenstern, which has a dreamy, magical atmosphere with a touch of mystery and a love story at its core. And 'Beauty and the Werewolf' by Mercedes Lackey is also a top pick, with a unique take on the classic Beauty and the Beast tale in a paranormal setting.
Well, one characteristic is that they often have a self - contained story. Unlike series, they don't rely on other books to complete the main plot. For example, in a standalone like 'Moon Called' by Patricia Briggs, the love story between the main characters and the paranormal elements are all resolved within one book.
One of the best is 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' by Sarah J. Maas. It has a great blend of fantasy elements like faeries and magic, and a passionate romance between the main characters. The world - building is vivid and draws you in.
One popular standalone romance novel is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. It tells the story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, with their initial misunderstandings and the development of their relationship. Another is 'The Notebook' by Nicholas Sparks, which features a beautiful and heart - wrenching love story between Noah and Allie. 'Me Before You' by Jojo Moyes is also well - known, exploring the relationship between Louisa and Will.
One characteristic is that they focus on a single, self - contained love story. There's no need to read other books in a series to understand the main plot. Also, they often reflect modern relationships and the issues that come with them, like career - relationship balance, modern communication methods, and different views on marriage. For example, in 'The Hating Game', the characters' competitive work environment affects their relationship.
Most of them are likely to have rich historical settings. For example, they might be set in different eras like the medieval times, the Victorian era, or during wars such as the Napoleonic Wars. The romances in these novels are often complex. They involve characters with different social standings, like a noble falling in love with a commoner. And the plots usually revolve around the relationship and the historical events that surround them.
Standalone fantasy romance novels typically have unique settings. They might be set in a fictional kingdom, such as in 'Uprooted', or a magical realm like in 'Stardust'. The romance in them is often intense and emotional. It can be a forbidden love, as seen in many of these types of novels. Moreover, the characters are usually complex. The hero or heroine may have special powers or a special destiny, which is intertwined with their love story. For instance, in 'The Night Circus', the two main characters have a fated connection related to the circus's magic.
One characteristic is the strong sense of time and place. These novels are usually set in a specific historical period, like the Victorian era or the Middle Ages. They often have detailed descriptions of the clothing, architecture, and social customs of that time. Another is the central love story. It's not just about romance but also about how the lovers overcome obstacles, which could be social class differences, family feuds, or historical events. For example, in 'Pride and Prejudice', Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy have to deal with their own pride and prejudice as well as the social expectations of their families.