10 romance author websites to inspire you
Oh to be able to write proper romance (my attempts were way too dark and provoked many an angry Goodreads review đ)! Thereâs something so uplifting about the genre⌠And donât we all need something uplifting and hopeful in these uncertain times!?
The romance genre is all about connection, emotion, and heart, and the best romance author websites capture that beautifully. If you write romance and are looking to build or refresh your author website, one of the best ways to get inspired is by looking at whatâs already working.
In this post, Iâve rounded up 10 of the best romance author websites out there - each with its own unique style and strategy.
Now, I NEVER advocate copying another authorâs website design, but itâs super helpful and important to take inspiration from websites you love when you come to build your own site.
22 author websites to inspire you â
These standout sites will give you ideas for layout, design, content, and all the must-have features that make a romance author website both beautiful and effective.
So without further ado, letâs take a look at some of my absolute favourite romance author websites!
Top tip: click on the images to be taken directly through to see the live version of the authorâs website!
Laurie Gilmoreâs author website
Thereâs something quite quaint and old-fashioned (in website terms!) about Laurie Gilmoreâs author website! Which fits nicely with the charming, cosy feel of her books.
I love that the sign-up button for her navigation says âBecome a Dreamerâ - these kind of little touches can be so powerful for engaging with your readers!
Julia Quinnâs author website
Although the Bridgerton authorâs website is a little too busy for my liking, I really appreciate the elegance of the colours and fonts chosen, and the fact that itâs kept regularly updated with all Juliaâs latest news.
There are also some lovely bonus features for her fans.
Nicholas Sparksâ author website
I think Nicholas Sparks is possibly my favourite romance writer ever! And so Iâm very pleased to say that I absolutely love his website too.
Itâs possibly a little more masculine than some of the other romance author websites - understandably perhaps - but it still has that nostalgic, whimsical feel of his novels and is nice and easy to navigate too, with a clear layout that feels very up-to-date.
Beth OâLearyâs author website
OK a small disclaimer here - I built this website!
Beth OâLeary was one of my very first website clients. We actually share a publisher.
And even though her website was one of the first I built, I am proud that it still stands the test of time. I get a lot of new clients citing it as one of their inspiration sites when they contact me wanting me to build their author website! Beth had clear ideas about what she wanted from her website - not too much fuss, but a little bit of warmth and personality too.
Rebecca Yarrosâ author website
For atmosphere, Rebeccaâs website gets top marks! I donât usually like too many moving elements on author websites, but this site strikes the perfect balance. Itâs SUPER clear to navigate, each section has a clearly defined purpose and the use of quotes peppered across the homepage works brilliantly. I love this website.
Lucy Scoreâs author website
Lucyâs website is the epitome of âless is moreâ! While the website itself is not an extravagant design, the huge photo of Lucy is so welcoming you canât help but smile, and the site is structured really clearly.
If youâre not sure of your artistic abilities, then this would be a great website to try to emulate.
Sarah J Massâ author website
I love the slightly magical, mysterious feel to Sarahâs website (fitting, given her books!). The site is beautiful but the design doesnât get in the way of all the crucial information she wants to communicate to readers.
One little thing though - it seems to be a bit out of date - perhaps sheâs been a little too busy đ
Sophie Ranaldâs author website
Sophieâs website is another of my own designs, but I included it as I think itâs a good example of a simple one-page website that can work really well if you donât have time or inclination to set up and all-singing and all-dancing website - especially if you tend to use social media to keep in touch with readers.
This website brings me great joy, with its bold colours and simple layout!
Talia Hibbertâs author website
Taliaâs a prolific author, and her website nicely ties together all her titles, with helpful pages such as âReading Orderâ and an FAQ. I also love the logo she has for her name, complete with tagline, which helps cement her âauthor brandâ.
Finally, the website is just super clear and easy to navigate.
Elsie Silverâs author website
I had to finish on this website as itâs the most âadvancedâ from a technical point of view, with lots going on behind the scenes (from a web designerâs perspective!). And the result is beautiful and incredibly filmic. I absolutely love the big header with Elsieâs name in that stunning script font. As a bit of a purist, itâs a tiny bit too fussy for my liking - but itâs a really good one to explore and see how you feel about using additional design details and moving images as part of your author websiteâs design.
Romance author website - honourable mentions!
I looked at A LOT of romance author websites in order to put this blog post together.
So I thought it was only fair to include a few links to websites that didnât make my top ten but that still do a really good job.
I found some of the following websites were quite samey - which is fine - but if you have the time and the creative flair, then donât be afraid to bring a bit of personality to your site!
Katie Ffordeâs author website >
Nora Robertsâ author website >
Sophie' Kinsellaâs author website >
Ali Hazelwoodâs author website >
Carley Fortuneâs author website >
Want to build your own romance author website?
If the above designs have inspired you to start that long-put-off job of building your own author website, then first of all - hurray! And second of all⌠letâs break down five essential things every romance author website needsâŚ
Letâs break down five essential elements every romance author website needs.
Whether you're creating your site from scratch or refreshing an existing one, these tips will help you build a beautiful, effective website that truly supports your author career.
1. A visually cohesive, genre-aligned brand
Letâs start with the visuals because letâs face it, with romance novels itâs more important than ever!
One of the biggest mistakes authors make, especially when DIY-ing their website, is failing to match their brand to their genre. And for romance authors, this matters a lot.
Why itâs important:
Romance readers tend to be highly visual. Theyâll make snap judgments about your books based on the look and feel of your site. A dark, gritty aesthetic might be perfect for a crime thriller writer, but if youâre writing steamy contemporary romance or swoony historicals, it sends mixed messages.
What to include:
A colour palette that fits your subgenre (think soft pastels for sweet romance, bold reds and blacks for dark or erotic romance)
Fonts that are easy to read but carry emotional tone (avoid anything too corporate or sterile, you want whimsical but also clear)
High-quality images, ideally custom photography or romantic stock photos that match your book themes
Cohesion across your site. I always say that your booksâ covers are their biggest marketing asset, so make sure that your websiteâs design doesnât fight your covers
2. A compelling homepage that hooks visitors instantly
Youâve got about 3 seconds to convince a visitor theyâre in the right place. Your homepage is the most important page on your entire website and the one that will likely get the most traffic.
Why itâs important:
A romance reader landing on your site wants two things: to get a quick sense of what kind of stories you write, and to feel emotionally connected enough to stick around.
If your homepage is confusing, cluttered, unclear, or worse still - BORING, theyâll leave, and might not come back.
What to include:
A short, emotionally engaging tagline or intro. Something like: âHeartfelt love stories with second chances and small-town charmâ gives immediate clarity.
A professional headshot (especially if youâre writing under your real name and doing events or interviews)
Your latest or most popular book with a clear call to action, like âStart Readingâ or âGet Your Free Previewâ
Navigation that makes sense (donât hide your books!)
SEO tip:
Make sure your homepage includes keywords like âromance author,â your specific subgenre (e.g., âparanormal romanceâ), and ideally your name. Example:
âWelcome to the official website of USA Today bestselling romance author Emily Hart. Explore sweet small-town stories, second chance romances, and unforgettable happily-ever-afters.â
3. A well-organised book page (or series hub)
This might sound obvious, but so many author websites bury the actual books!
Romance readers often read in series and binge entire backlists. Make it easy for them to follow a series by numbering books and making it clear which ones they should start with..
Why itâs important:
A cluttered or confusing book page can cost you sales. Romance readers are loyal to their favourite authors but they also have hundreds of other books on their Kindle waiting. The easier you make it to find your books, understand the reading order, and click âbuy,â the better.
What to include:
Clear series listings in the correct order
Standalone books grouped by theme or subgenre if possible
Buy links to every major retailer you sell through (donât just link to Amazon unless youâre exclusive)
Optional: audio editions, print editions, large print, or special formats
If you have a lot of books, consider separate pages for each series or use expandable toggles to avoid overwhelming the user.
4. A strong email signup with a reader magnet
One of the nicest things about romance novels is that they almost feel personal, and you can really build a connection with your readers.
Readers invest in your stories and your characters deeply and they want to learn more about them and their world!
Yes, your Instagram is lovely. But if you want to sell more books, email marketing is still king. And the best time to capture a readerâs email? The moment theyâre already on your website.
Why itâs important:
Social media platforms change. Algorithms shift. But your mailing list is yours, and romance readers want to be on your list if you give them a reason.
What to include:
A prominent signup form (ideally on every page of your site in your footer)
A clear headline, e.g., âGet a free novella when you join my reader clubâ
A juicy reader magnet that appeals to your target audience (first-in-series, prequel, bonus epilogue, exclusive short story, etc.)
A welcome email that tells new subscribers what to expect
SEO tip:
While email forms themselves donât help with SEO, the surrounding text can. Donât just say âSubscribe.â Try:
âJoin my newsletter for exclusive access to new romance book releases, sneak peeks, and free bonus content.â
You're using SEO keywords and making it enticing for readers.
5. A blog or bonus content area (thatâs actually useful)
This oneâs often overlooked, but it can do wonders for both your SEO and your reader loyalty.
Why itâs important:
A blog is a great way to keep your site fresh in Googleâs eyes (which favours regularly updated content), but more importantly, itâs another way to connect.
Romance readers love behind-the-scenes content, bonus scenes, character interviews, and updates about what youâre working on.
What to include:
Occasional blog posts (even just once a month is fine)
Character Q&As, Spotify playlists, âdream castâ posts
Your personal take on romance tropes (what you love writing and why)
Reading guides or book club questions
Bonus content like short stories or alternative endings
SEO tip:
Use blog titles that people are actually searching for, like:
âBooks Like Bridgerton: Historical Romance with Spiceâ
âWhy I Write Age Gap Romance (and What I Love About It)â
â10 Must-Read Second Chance Romance Novelsâ
You can also rank for your own book titles this way. For example:
âBehind the Scenes of âFalling for the Best Manâ â A Friends-to-Lovers Romanceâ
And donât forget internal linking!
Point readers back to your book pages, newsletter signup, and homepage from within your posts.
Bonus tip: make it mobile-friendly
More than half of all website traffic comes from mobile devices, and romance readers are no exception.
If your site looks gorgeous on desktop but falls apart on a phone, youâre losing readers.
Quick checklist:
Does the menu work on mobile?
Can users tap buttons and links easily?
Are text sizes readable without zooming?
Do images resize automatically?
If youâre using a platform like Squarespace, youâre in luck as itâs fully responsive. But if youâre using Fluid Engine, Squarespaceâs drag-and-drop design editor, you do need to check the mobile view after youâve finished building the page to make sure everythingâs looking neat and tidy.
Final thoughts
Your romance author website doesnât need to be complicated, but it does need to be strategic.
By focusing on clear branding, easy navigation, strong SEO, and most importantly, connection, you can create a site that not only looks great, but helps you grow your career.
And remember, your website is a living thing.
As your brand evolves, your covers change, or you pivot into a new subgenre, donât be afraid to update it!
Need help building your romance author website?
If you would like me to build you a website in 2025, then please do get in touch now!
I only work with one client at a time and I only take on two clients each month, to make sure I can give them my undivided love and attention, so my slots do go quite quickly.
Whether youâre just starting out or need a full redesign, I help romance authors create custom Squarespace sites that convert readers into fans.
Get in touch here or check out my portfolio.
