10 Suspenseful Romance Books That Will Keep Your Heart Racing

Romantic Suspense Books: Our 10 Picks

Fun Date Ideas For Your Real-Life Romance

Hopefully your real relationship involves a lot less danger than these novels, leaving you plenty of time for romantic activities.

• Cook dinner together
• Go for a hike or a bike ride
• Get together for a karaoke night
• Go bowling
• Have a picnic on a sunny day
• Play a boardgame or video game together
• Go to a roller rink
• Have a candlelit dinner
• Join a book club together

What is Suspense?

Suspense is a feeling that is essentially a mixture of excitement, fascination, tension, and anxiety. It is often caused by a dramatic work, like one of the novels listed above or a film by Alfred Hitchcock. It can also arise due to real-life circumstances, although that's usually a lot less pleasant as the danger involved is actually a threat. In a book or movie, the audience knows that the villains and dark situations aren't real and can't hurt them, so they can enjoy the rush of adrenaline caused by suspense. This keeps fans of thrillers and mysteries coming back for more.

Common Tropes in Romantic Suspense

While there are a million ways to tell stories in this genre, there are several tropes that writers return to again and again, often adding their own twists. Here are a few common examples:

• Kidnapping
• Mistaken Identity
• Enemies-to-Lovers
• Revenge
• Amnesia
• Disguise

How to Make Your Writing Suspenseful

In Depth

Regular romance novels can be intense enough, but when elements of suspense are added into the mix, the stakes get even higher. Combining amorous escapades with murderous deception and conspiracy, the titles included on this list turn love into a truly dangerous game. In no particular order, here are ten thrilling romantic books that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Showing up at #1 is "Mortal Fire" by C.F. Dunn. Twenty-nine-year-old Cambridge history professor Emma D'Eresby is fascinated by an odd 17th-century journal her late grandfather regaled her about. Taking a teaching position at the New England university where the journal is held, she looks forward to a year of enriching research. But just as she settles in, several frightening incidents disrupt her studies, including nightly attacks on women near the campus. Meanwhile, she's being eyed by the menacing Professor Staahl, and falling for enigmatic surgeon Matthew Lyons. As she learns about the men's true natures, Emma is drawn into potentially grave danger.

For #2 we get "First I Love You" by Genevieve Dewey. Chicago mobster Mickey is desperate to get back in touch with his son Tommy, a Nebraska detective who's always tried to distance himself from his dad's line of work. When Tommy comes to the Windy City to join a federal task force, his mother Mary and sister Kiki try to reunite him with his estranged father. But his partners James and Ginny have priorities beyond reconciliation, and when James falls for Kiki, everything unravels.

When Tommy comes to the Windy City to join a federal task force, his mother Mary and sister Kiki try to reunite him with his estranged father.

At #3 is "The Mercenary" by Cherry Adair. The modest Victoria's unadventurous life is turned upside-down when her twin, Alex, is left for dead by the anti-terrorist group he's been working for. Convinced her brother is still alive, and determined to find him by whatever means necessary, Victoria enlists his handsome retired partner, Marc Savin, on a perilous search-and-rescue mission. As the pair tries to locate Alex on the island where a ruthless gang is holding him captive, their reluctant partnership transforms into a steamy romance that could profoundly affect their operation.

For #4 we find "A Thing of Beauty" by Bianca M. Schwarz. In Regency-era London, Eliza endures a life of abuse at the hands of her stepfather, a loutish innkeeper who's decided to marry her off to an older man. She runs away to escape her fate, and is rescued by dashing nobleman Sir Henry March, who brings her under his care. As Eliza enters into Sir Henry's exciting high-society world, the two find themselves falling for each other. But their romance, and their lives, are put in jeopardy when an infamous pimp pulls them into a dangerous web of intrigue.

Coming in at #5 is "Wicked Games" by A.D. Justice. While chasing a major story involving the black ops, investigative journalist Brianna ends up falling in love with Noah, one of the agents she's profiling. But after happening upon information that could implicate him in a scandal, she decides she can't go through with the story, and enters the witness protection program. After years of living off the grid, Brianna returns to find that Noah, who's running a lucrative security company, has never gotten over her. As the former flames rekindle their passion, they must contend with old troubles that refuse to stay in the past.

While chasing a major story involving the black ops, investigative journalist Brianna ends up falling in love with Noah, one of the agents she's profiling.

For #6 we have "Kellen's Redemption" by Aden Lowe. Tom Kellen, the renegade president of the Hell Raiders motorcycle club, is immediately drawn to wealthy, illicit arms dealer Vicki when he meets her at a gun sale. The only problem is, she has contentious ties with the Russian mafia, and they're out for her blood. While Kellen determines whether it's worth it to pursue his love and risk dragging the Hell Raiders into a potential mob war, Vicki is forced to question whether or not she can trust the muscle-bound motorcyclist.

Landing at #7 is "Exploits" by Clara Grace Walker. Introverted crime author Sunny Drysdale is shocked to find the corpse of celebrity impressionist Boyd Bradford in the backseat of her car. Having seen the performer just the other night in the arms of her nemesis Darla Arnold, she's convinced she knows who to blame. As she's driving the body to Darla, she's stopped by the gorgeous police chief Jeremy Jennings, who's investigating Boyd's disappearance. Although Sunny is one of his suspects, Jeremy is conflicted about what to do when he becomes enamored with her. The feeling is mutual, but with a murder looming over them both, their relationship is put at risk.

For #8 we get "Twisted" by Laura K. Curtis. Seventeen years after leaving Dobbs Hollow, her small Texas hometown where her mother was killed, true-crime novelist Lucy returns in search of answers to the still unsolved case. The only person in the hostile town willing to assist her is the handsome sheriff Ethan, who has come to Dobbs Hollow after a debilitating incident ended his detective career in Houston. With passion sparking between them, the two conduct their investigation. As they dig deeper and more bodies pile up, they uncover secrets that could make them the killer's next targets.

As they dig deeper and more bodies pile up, they uncover secrets that could make them the killer's next targets.

Arriving at #9 is "All of the Lights" by K. Ryan. Coming back to Boston seven years after she was assaulted and a potentially innocent man was sent to prison, Rae is looking to move on. While on the town one night, she runs into sexy Irish boxer Jack, and an immediate attraction forms between them. But their relationship is fraught with obstacles. Not only do they come from rival families, the man Rae was responsible for incarcerating all those years ago also happens to be Jack's brother, Sean. Temporarily looking past their animosity, the two find themselves caught up in political intrigue as they come together to clear Sean's name.

Finally, for #10 we come to "Guarding Suzannah" by Norah Wilson. A ruthlessly efficient criminal defense lawyer, Suzannah Phelps is feared by the police, whom she consistently wins against in the courtroom. Her reputation is so daunting that when she's stalked, she doesn't rule out the possibility that it's the police themselves who are harassing her. When Detective John Quigley, who has eyes for the attorney, hears about the scary situation, he decides to figure out what's really going on. In order to protect Suzannah from the stalker's escalating threats, John pretends to be her lover, but soon subterfuge gives way to real romance.