top rated romantic suspense novels

One common theme is trust. In many top rated romantic suspense novels, the characters have to learn to trust each other in the midst of dangerous and uncertain situations. For example, in 'The Kiss Quotient', the two main characters have to trust each other's intentions as they explore their relationship while facing family pressures. Another theme is secrecy. There are often secrets that one or both of the characters are keeping, which adds to the suspense. In 'Gone Girl', the secrets between the husband and wife are at the heart of the mystery. Also, the theme of redemption can be found. A character might be trying to redeem themselves in the eyes of their love interest while also dealing with the suspenseful situation around them.

Some top rated romantic suspense novels are 'The Bodyguard' by Katherine Center. It's about a female bodyguard protecting a male celebrity and of course, love blossoms in the most unexpected way between them, with a lot of suspenseful moments. Then there's 'The Hating Game' by Sally Thorne. It has a great balance of the love - hate relationship between the two main characters and some suspenseful office politics. 'Before I Go to Sleep' by S. J. Watson also fits in this category. The main character has amnesia and as she tries to piece together her life, there's a romantic aspect with her husband and a lot of suspense about her past.

Well, 'Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris has elements of romantic suspense in a very dark way. The relationship between Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lecter has a strange allure. 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier is a classic. The mystery surrounding the first wife, Rebecca, and the new bride's relationship with her husband Max is full of suspense and has a touch of romance. And 'The Secret History' by Donna Tartt, with its group of students and a dark secret, has some romantic undertones within the suspenseful plot.

Well, 'Silence of the Lambs' can be considered in a way. While it's mainly a thriller, there is a certain strange connection between Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lecter that has an element of the romantic in the midst of all the horror and suspense. Then there's 'The Bourne Identity' series. The relationship between Jason Bourne and Marie Kreutz has a romantic aspect as they are on the run together and he is trying to figure out his past, which is full of suspense. Also, 'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown has a bit of a romantic sub - plot along with its historical mystery and suspense.

One of the top rated romantic novels is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. It's a classic that tells the story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Their relationship develops through misunderstandings and social differences. Another great one is 'The Notebook' by Nicholas Sparks. It's a heart - wrenching love story that spans many years. And 'Outlander' by Diana Gabaldon is also highly rated. It combines time - travel and romance in an exciting way.

One of the top rated romantic comedy novels is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. It humorously portrays the relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Their initial misunderstandings and prideful natures lead to many comical and tense situations, but ultimately result in a beautiful love story that has charmed readers for centuries.

'The Girl on the Train' by Paula Hawkins is also a great one. The narrator, who has a drinking problem and memory gaps, witnesses something mysterious from the train window. Her unreliable narration adds to the suspense, while there is also a romantic sub - plot intertwined with the mystery.

Some of the top selling ones are 'The Kiss Quotient' by Helen Hoang. It combines a heartwarming romance with elements of suspense as the characters navigate their relationship while dealing with personal and family issues that keep you on edge.

The settings in these top 100 romantic suspense novels also play a crucial role. They can be used to enhance the mood of both the romance and the suspense. A spooky old mansion in a novel might be the place where a couple falls in love while also being the site of a mystery or a series of unexplained events. Authors use the environment to build tension. For example, in many of these novels set in small towns, the close - knit community can both be a place for a romantic connection to develop and a place where secrets are hard to keep, leading to the suspense. Also, the pacing is often carefully crafted. There are moments of slow - building tension as the relationship develops, and then sudden bursts of action and revelation when it comes to the suspense elements.

Some of the well - known ones are 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. It's a thrilling tale of a marriage gone wrong with lots of twists. Another could be 'The Girl on the Train' by Paula Hawkins, which keeps you on the edge of your seat as the story unfolds with elements of mystery and a touch of romance. And 'Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris also has a strange kind of romantic suspense as Clarice Starling has a complex relationship with Hannibal Lecter while trying to solve the mystery.