Two-Hanky Reads

These are the romances that make you cry, not just a tear or two, but those those that tend to be cathartic and intense.

(List begun 03/96, updated 06/14)

  • Velvet Bond (1995) by Catherine Archer (A+ at AAR)
  • Seduction of a Highland Lass (2011) by Maya Banks
  • A Dove at Midnight (1993) by Rexanne Becnel (A at AAR)
  • This Is All I Ask (1997) by Lynn Kurland (A at AAR)
  • Warrior Bride (1994) by Tamara Leigh
  • The Wind from Hastings (1979) by Morgan Llywelyn
  • Prisoner of my Desire (1991) by Johanna Lindsey (A at AAR)
  • Kingdom of Dreams (1989) by Judith McNaught (A at AAR)
  • Katherine (1954) by Anya Seton (A at AAR)
  • Keeper of the Dream (1992) by Penelope Williamson (A at AAR)

  • Dancing with Clara (1994) by Mary Balogh (A at AAR)
  • The Obedient Bride (1989) by Mary Balogh (A at AAR)
  • The Plumed Bonnet (1996) by Mary Balogh
  • A Precious Jewel (1993) by Mary Balogh (A at AAR)
  • Heartless (1995) by Mary Balogh (A at AAR)
  • The Secret Pearl (1991) by Mary Balogh (A at AAR)
  • The Temporary Wife (1997) by Mary Balogh (A at AAR)
  • Silent Melody (1997) by Mary Balogh (A at AAR)
  • Lady Jane (1984) by Norma Lee Clark
  • Tallie’s Knight (2001) by Anne Gracie (A at AAR)
  • The Lady’s Companion (1996) by Carla Kelly (A at AAR)
  • Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand (1994) by Carla Kelly (A at AAR)
  • Miss Milton Speaks Her Mind (1998) by Carla Kelly (A+ at AAR)
  • One Good Turn (2001) by Carla Kelly (A- at AAR)
  • Reforming Lord Ragsdale (1995) by Carla Kelly (A at AAR)
  • With This Ring (1997) by Carla Kelly (A at AAR)
  • The Major’s Mistake (2000) by Andrea Pickens (B+ at AAR)
  • The Seduction (2004) by Julia Ross (A- at AAR)
  • Lord St Claire’s Angel (1999) by Donna Simpson (A- at AAR)

  • The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (2009) by Jennifer Ashley (A/A- at AAR)
  • Longing (1994) by Mary Balogh
  • Simply Love (2006) by Mary Balogh (A- at AAR)
  • Slightly Married (2003) by Mary Balogh (B+ at AAR)
  • Bewitching (1993) by Jill Barnett (A at AAR)
  • Stealing Heaven (1995) by Kimberly Cates (B at AAR)
  • After The Kiss (2008) by Suzanne Enoch
  • Red, Red Rose (1999) by Marjorie Farrell (B+/B- at AAR)
  • To Love and To Cherish (1995) by Patricia Gaffney (A at AAR)
  • Gallant Waif (2001) by Anne Gracie (A at AAR)
  • His Captive Lady (2008) by Anne Gracie (B+ at AAR)
  • The Pirate & The Pagan (1990) by Virginia Henley
  • Broken Wing (2008) by Judith James (A at AAR)
  • Shadow of the Moon (1979) by M.M. Kaye (A at AAR)
  • No Greater Love (1992) by Katherine Kingsley
  • Flowers from the Storm (1992) by Laura Kinsale (A at AAR)
  • My Sweet Folly (1997) by Laura Kinsale (A/B+ at AAR)
  • Seize the Fire (1989) by Laura Kinsale
  • The Shadow and the Star (1991) by Laura Kinsale (A at AAR)
  • Again the Magic (2004) by Lisa Kleypas (B+ at AAR)
  • Then Came You (1993) by Lisa Kleypas (A at AAR)
  • Where Dreams Begin (2000) by Lisa Kleypas (A- at AAR)
  • Almost Heaven (1990) by Judith McNaught (A at AAR)
  • Whitney, My Love (1985) by Judith McNaught (B at AAR)
  • Fleeting Splendor (1993) by Julie Moffett
  • Once an Angel (1993) by Teresa Medeiros (A at AAR)
  • Basket of Wishes (1995) by Rebecca Paisley (A at AAR)
  • Dearly Beloved (1990) by Mary Jo Putney (C at AAR)
  • One Perfect Rose (1997) by Mary Jo Putney (A- at AAR)
  • When He Was Wicked (2004) by Julia Quinn (B at AAR)
  • Tapestry (1995) by Karen Ranney (A at AAR)
  • Upon a Wicked Time (1998) by Karen Ranney (A- at AAR)
  • The Lily Brand (2005) by Sandra Schwab (B at AAR)
  • The Bronze Horseman (2001) by Paullina Simons (A- at AAR)
  • Tatiana and Alexander (2003) by Paullina Simons (A at AAR)
  • A Rose at Midnight (1993) by Anne Stuart (A at AAR)
  • A Fire in the The Heart (1990) by Katherine Sutcliffe (A at AAR)
  • Ravishing the Heiress (2012) by Sherry Thomas (B+ at AAR)
  • Tempting the Bride (2012) by Sherry Thomas (A at AAR)
  • Love Alters Not (1987) by Patricia Veryan
  • Once in a Blue Moon (1993) by Penelope Williamson

  • Annie’s Song (1996) by Catherine Anderson
  • The Proud Breed (1978) by Celeste DeBlasis
  • Sweet Everlasting (1994) by Patricia Gaffney (B+ at AAR)
  • Captive (1996) by Heather Graham
  • If You Believe (1993) by Kristin Hannah
  • A Taste of Heaven (1996) by Alexis Harrington (B- at AAR)
  • Always to Remember (1996) by Lorraine Heath (A/B- at AAR)
  • Parting Gifts (1994) by Lorraine Heath
  • Sweet Lullaby (1994) by Lorraine Heath (A at AAR)
  • Texas Destiny (1997) by Lorraine Heath (A at AAR)
  • Texas Glory (1998) by Lorraine Heath (A/A at AAR)
  • A Matter of Honor (1996) by Mandalyn Kaye
  • Day Dreamer (1996) by Jill Marie Landis (A at AAR)
  • Jenny’s Mountain (1989) by Elaine Long
  • Only series (Only His , Only Mine , Only You , Only Love , Winter Fire ) by Elizabeth Lowell
  • Mail-Order Bride (2000) by Maureen McKade (C at AAR)
  • A Reason to Live (2006) by Maureen McKade (A at AAR)
  • The Marriage Bed (1996) by Stephanie Mittman
  • Simple Jess (1996) by Pamela Morsi (A at AAR)
  • No Regrets (1998) by Mildred Riley
  • Paint the Wind (1989) by Cathy Cash Spellman
  • The Coming Home Place (1994) by Mary Spencer
  • The Endearment (1982) by LaVyrle Spencer
  • Forgiving (1991) by LaVyrle Spencer
  • Hummingbird (1983) by LaVyrle Spencer (A at AAR)
  • Morning Glory (1989) by LaVyrle Spencer (A at AAR)
  • Twice Loved (1984) by LaVyrle Spencer
  • Years (1986) by LaVyrle Spencer
  • Heart of the West (1996) by Penelope Williamson (A at AAR)
  • The Passions of Emma (1998) by Penelope Williamson (A at AAR)

  • Annie’s Wild Ride (1998) by Alina Adams (B-/B+ at AAR)
  • P.S. I Love You (2004) by Cecelia Ahern
  • A Husband’s Regret (2014) by Natasha Anders
  • Always in My Heart (2002) by Catherine Anderson (B- at AAR)
  • Forever After (1998) by Catherine Anderson (B+ at AAR)
  • Wanted by Her Lost Love (2011) by Maya Banks
  • Never Change (2001) by Elizabeth Berg (A at AAR)
  • One Reckless Summer (2009) by Toni Blake (B+ at AAR)
  • Girls of Summer (2003) by Barbara Bretton
  • A Crack In Forever (1998) by Jeannie Brewer (A+ at AAR)
  • Striking Distance (2013) by Pamela Clare (B at AAR)
  • Sunshine and Shadow (1986) by Sharon and Tom Curtis (A- at AAR)
  • Drawn Together (2013) by Lauren Dane
  • Making Chase (2008) by Lauren Dane
  • For Nick (2013) by Taylor Dean
  • The Sweet Spot (2013) by Laura Drake
  • Sunrise Song (1996) by Kathleen Eagle
  • Perfect Chemistry (2008) by Simone Elkeles
  • Angel Falling Too Close to the Ground (1997) by Annie Garrett
  • Everlastin’ Love (1998) by Gay G. Gunn
  • Angel Falls (2001) by Kristin Hannah (B+ at AAR)
  • Home Again (1996) by Kristin Hannah (B at AAR)
  • The First Last Kiss (2013) by Ali Harris
  • Just One of the Guys (2008) by Kristan Higgins (A/C at AAR)
  • Twelve Days (2000) by Teresa Hill (B at AAR)
  • Her Perfect Life (2006) by Vicki Hinze
  • Cry No More (2003) by Linda Howard (A- at AAR)
  • Making Her Way Home (2014) by Janice Kay Johnson
  • The Call of Bravery (2012) by Janice Kay Johnson
  • Sweet As Sin (2011) by Inez Kelley (A at AAR)
  • Anybody out There? (2006) by Marian Keyes
  • Blue-Eyed Devil (2008) by Lisa Kleypas (B+ at AAR)
  • To the Ends of the Earth (1998) by Elizabeth Lowell (A- at AAR)
  • Within Reach (2012) by Sarah Mayberry (B at AAR)
  • Jackson Rule (1996) by Dinah McCall (A at AAR)
  • Paradise (1991) by Judith McNaught (A at AAR)
  • The Real Deal (2004) by Lucy Monroe (A at AAR)
  • Me Before You (2013) by Jojo Moyes (A- at AAR)
  • Dream A Little Dream (1998) by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (B/B+ at AAR)
  • Honey Moon (1993) by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (A at AAR)
  • Kiss an Angel (1996) by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (B+ at AAR)
  • Remember the Time (1997) by Annette Reynolds (A at AAR)
  • Home Fires (1995) by Luanne Rice
  • Summer Light (2001) by Luanne Rice (A- at AAR)
  • Born in Ice (1995) by Nora Roberts (A at AAR)
  • Public Secrets (1990) by Nora Roberts
  • Eleanor & Park (2013) by Rainbow Rowell (A at AAR)
  • Annie and The Outlaw (10/1994) by Sharon Sala – SIM-597
  • Sweet Baby (2003) by Sharon Sala
  • No Place Like Home (2002) by Barbara Samuel (A- at AAR)
  • Till the Stars Fall (1996) by Kathleen Gilles Seidel (A at AAR)
  • Miracle (1991) by Deborah Smith
  • A Place to Call Home (1998) by Deborah Smith (B+ at AAR)
  • Come Summer (2004) by Sandra Steffen
  • Cool Shade (1998) by Theresa Weir (A at AAR)

  • Lord of the Storm (1994) by Justine Davis (A at AAR)
  • The Skypirate (1995) by Justine Davis (A at AAR)
  • A Knight in Shining Armor (1989) by Jude Deveraux (A/A- at AAR)
  • To Hell with Love (2007) by Sherri Erwin (A- at AAR)
  • Outlander (1991) by Diana Gabaldon (A at AAR)
  • Dragonfly in Amber (1992) by Diana Gabaldon (A at AAR)
  • Flashback (5/1993) by Terri Herrington (Tracy Hughes) – SS-7 (A at AAR)
  • Taken by a Vampire (2013) by Joey W. Hill
  • If Only in My Dreams (2006) by Wendy Markham (A- at AAR)
  • The Time Traveler’s Wife (2003) by Audrey Niffenegger (A- at AAR)
  • Angel’s Blood (2009) by Nalini Singh (B+ at AAR)
  • Blaze of Memory (2014) by Nalini Singh (B- at AAR)
  • Heart of Obsidian (2014) by Nalini Singh (B at AAR)
  • Slave to Sensation (2014) by Nalini Singh (A at AAR)
  • Lover Awakened (2006) by J.R. Ward (A/B+ at AAR)

  • Too Deep For Tears (1989) by Kathryn Lynn Davis (set in Scotland, England, China, and India) (A at AAR)
  • All We Hold Dear (1995) by Kathryn Lynn Davis (A at AAR)
  • Somewhere Lies the Moon (1999) by Kathryn Lynn Davis (set in Scotland, France, and India) (A- at AAR)
  • The Pearl Stallion (1996) by Rae Muir HH-308 (worldwide setting) (B- at AAR)
  • Night in Eden (1997) by Candice Proctor (set in Australia) (A at AAR)

This list is currently closed for submissions.