Of course, you’re on the hunt for the best romances out there. Nobody picks up a book thinking, “I hope this is mediocre.” But here’s the thing: using best-seller lists, “top author” rankings, “Best of” compilations, or any similar lists to find great romances? That’s one of the worst ways to discover the truly amazing stories waiting for you in Romancelandia.
And it’s not just my opinion—it’s the numbers talking.
Dan Holloway at ALLi recently pointed out something staggering:
“In 2023, 2.6 million indie titles had ISBNs, up 7.2 percent from 2022. This contrasts with a 3.6 percent drop in traditionally published titles to just over half a million. (That comparison alone is interesting: indies are publishing five times more than traditional publishers, and that’s before we account for titles without ISBNs.)”
Let that sink in. Indie authors published over five times more books than traditional publishers. And if you consider the books published without ISBNs (hello, Amazon-exclusive indie authors!), that number balloons even further.
The takeaway? There are millions of romance novels out there. No one reader—or best-seller list—can capture even a fraction of them. And even if someone tried to make a “best” list, it would be like trying to sip from a firehose.
So, let’s break down exactly why these lists aren’t your golden ticket to discovering great reads:
Best-Seller Lists Are Exclusive, Not Inclusive
No best-seller list exists that includes every romance novel ever written. Not one.
Even the revered New York Times (NYT) Best Seller List had gaping holes (when it still existed). It didn’t include Harlequin/Silhouette category romances, even though they regularly outsold its monthly #1 picks. And it wasn’t until recently that they even bothered including e-books. Indie-published books.
Amazon, which dominates romance sales, has its own best-seller list, but that list only covers the books they sell. And even then, it’s skewed. (More on that in a minute.)
Whatever list you’re looking at—whether it’s a retailer, a review site, or a bookish magazine—it will always be limited. It’s only a slice of the vast romance pie. So, what you’re seeing is never a full representation of what’s truly “best.”
Time Skews Everything
Most best-seller lists have another big flaw: they’re all about timing.
For example, the NYT Best Seller List looked at book sales for a single month. A book that sells 20,000 copies in one month might top their chart, even if it never sells another copy. Meanwhile, a slow-burn bestseller—a book that sells 5,000 copies every month for a year (60,000 total)—will likely never make their list.
This skew gets even wilder in the e-book era. Unlike traditional paperbacks that disappeared from bookstore shelves after a few weeks, e-books stay on virtual shelves forever. They keep selling long after their “launch moment.” But most best-seller lists aren’t built to track that kind of longevity, so they miss these quiet success stories.
“Best Of” and “Top” Lists Are Purely Subjective
Most “best of” or “top” lists are just personal opinions dressed up as authority.
These lists often reflect the tastes of one or two editors or reviewers. If your reading preferences don’t match theirs (and let’s be real, they probably don’t), then these lists aren’t going to help much. You’ll end up disappointed, wondering why that “Best Romance of the Year” felt more like a chore to finish.
Even Researched Lists Have Their Limits
Now, what about lists built on data? Highest reviews? Most votes? Surely those are more reliable, right?
Not exactly. Even data-driven lists have the same flaws as best-seller lists: they can’t account for every romance ever written. They’re still skewed by time, platform, and availability.
What Best-Seller Lists Are Good For
Okay, so I’ve been pretty hard on lists. Are they completely useless? Not at all!
Lists—whether they’re best-sellers, “best of,” or “top” rankings—are fantastic starting points. Use them as a way to discover new authors or titles you haven’t heard of before. Jot down a few names and do your own digging. Look up reviews, read excerpts, or even sample a chapter if you can.
Just don’t let a book’s inclusion on a list dictate your decision to buy or read it. A book’s spot on a list usually boils down to luck—selling the right number at the right time or catching the right editor’s eye.
So, How Do You Find the Best Romances?
If you’re wondering how to discover amazing books without leaning on best-seller lists, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. Check out my series, A Toolkit and Compass for Romanceland, where I share resources, strategies, and insider tips to help you uncover the very best romances for your unique tastes.
Remember, the best romance for you isn’t necessarily the one at the top of a list—it’s the one that sweeps you off your feet and keeps you turning pages late into the night.
Happy reading!
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