As someone who reads nonstop outside of work—and literally gets paid to talk about books all day—it’s safe to say I’ve read my fair share of genres. While some readers stick strictly to romance or fantasy, I’m the opposite: I have to switch up what I’m reading, or the ever-present threat of a book slump will sneak up and snag me. I’ll vacillate from horror to romance to literary fiction, but no matter what I’m picking up, there’s one trope that almost always guarantees a five-star read: books with yearning. Whether it’s an epic romantasy, a cheesy contemporary romance, or a time-traveling sci-fi, chapters full of pining between characters instantly earn a spot on my all-time favorites list. So, if your favorite books are the ones where the tension builds over chapters and eye contact is the steamiest kind of foreplay, here are 14 books with yearning to add to your bookshelf.
Retelling the story of the Trojan War, The Song of Achilles follows hero Achilles and his childhood friend Patroclus. As they grow up and train together, their bond only strengthens. They’re thrust into a life of battles,…
