2019 Romantic Novel Awards Shortlists

From the Website:

The Sapere Books Popular Romantic Fiction Award                                                
The Lion Tamer Who Lost, Louise Beech, Orenda Books
One Thousand Stars and You, Isabelle Broom, Michael Joseph
You Me Everything, Catherine Isaac, Simon & Schuster
This Could Change Everything, Jill Mansell, Headline Books
A Sky Painted Gold, Laura Wood, Scholastic UK
 
The Goldsboro Books Contemporary Romantic Novel Award              
One Thousand Stars and You, Isabelle Broom, Michael Joseph
The Little Cafe in Copenhagen, Julie Caplin, HarperImpulse
The Songs of Us, Emma Cooper, Headline Review
Where the Light Gets In, Lucy Dillon, Black Swan, Transworld
The House We Called Home, Jenny Oliver, HQ
The Lives We Touch, Eva Woods, Sphere


The Books and the City Romantic Comedy Novel Award                                           
A Bicycle Made for Two, Mary Jayne Baker, Mirror Books
The Sister Swap, Fiona Collins, HQ Digital
Not Just For Christmas, Natalie Cox, Orion
Adventures in Dating … In Heels, Liam Livings, NineStar Press
One Summer in Rome, Samantha Tonge, HQ Digital
 
The Katie Fforde Debut Romantic Novel Award                 
Summer at the Castle Café, Donna Ashcroft, Bookouture
The Little Theatre on the Seafront, Katie Ginger, HQ Digital
The Rules of Seeing, Joe Heap, HarperCollins
 
The Fantasy Romantic Novel Award                  
Eve of Man, Giovanna and Tom Fletcher, Michael Joseph
Living in the Past, Jane Lovering, Choc Lit
Daughter of Light and Shadows, Anna McKerrow, Bookouture
 
The Goldsboro Books Historical Romantic Novel Award                       
The Palace of Lost Dreams, Charlotte Betts, Piatkus
The Silver Ladies of London, Lesley Eames, Aria
In the Far Pashmina Mountains, Janet MacLeod Trotter, Lake Union, Amazon Publishing
The Temptation of Gracie, Santa Montefiore, Simon & Schuster
Summer of Secrets, Nikola Scott, Headline Review
The Beekeeper’s Promise, Fiona Valpy, Lake Union, Amazon Publishing
 
The Shorter Romantic Novel Award             
The Warrior’s Bride Prize, Jenni Fletcher, Mills & Boon Historical
A Little Christmas Charm, Kathryn Freeman, Choc Lit
Secret Baby, Second Chance, Jane Godman, Mills & Boon Romantic Suspense
A Rational Proposal, Jan Jones, independently published
The Map of Us, Jules Preston, HarperImpulse


"Bestselling historical novelist Alison Weir will present the Awards for 2019 during a ceremony in the Gladstone Library, One Whitehall Place, London SW1 on 4th March. Tickets for the awards are available here. We will also present our Outstanding Achievement Award to a writer who has made a truly exceptional contribution to the romantic genre.
Our annual awards are the only national literary prizes that recognise excellence in the genre of romantic fiction. In 2019 they comprise the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Romantic Novel Award, the Goldsboro Books Historical Romantic Novel Award, the Books and the City Romantic Comedy Novel Award, the Sapere Books Popular Romantic Fiction Award, the Fantasy Romantic Novel Award, the Shorter Romantic Novel Award and the Katie Fforde Debut Romantic Novel Award.
Since our inception in 1960 the RNA has promoted excellence in romantic fiction and RNA Chair, Nicola Cornick, commented, “Romantic fiction in the 21st century is diverse and exciting and this year’s shortlist brilliantly reflects the breadth of the genre. We are very proud to celebrate these outstanding books and authors, and the contribution they make to such a successful and popular genre.”


The Sapere Books Popular Romantic Fiction Award is a new prize for 2019 and we’re delighted to be able to welcome Sapere Books’ as sponsors for this award. This is in addition to our previously announced sponsors: Goldsboro Books, Katie Fforde and Books & The City.
David Headley, Managing Director of Goldsboro Books, commented, “The range of themes explored in this year’s shortlist is a testament to the many facets of the romantic fiction genre and Goldsboro Books is delighted to be sponsoring the awards for a third year, and bringing these diverse and entertaining books to readers’ attention.”
Books and the City Brand Director Sara-Jade Virtue said: “Championing the varied and diverse work of romantic fiction authors is at the heart and soul of everything we do at Books and the City, so we are delighted to be working closely for the first time with the RNA – an organisation we admire and respect greatly – by sponsoring the Romantic Comedy Award 2019.”
Amy Durant from Sapere Books said, “We are very excited to be sponsoring the RNA’s Popular Romantic Fiction Award. We hope that this new award will encourage more romance writers to submit to the annual RNA Awards and will be able to reward romance writing loved by readers.”
Katie Fforde said, “It’s an honour and a delight to be sponsoring the Debut Romantic Novel Award with such a strong shortlist.”
Tickets to the awards presentation are available here."