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The AI Shelf · week 46 · asked on 9 November 2026

The romance novels AI recommends most

In week 46 of 2026 we asked ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini 12 reader questions about romance novels, twice each: 72 real answers. The book they named most was Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, in 15 of 72 answers (21%). Next came Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (14) and The Hating Game by Sally Thorne (12).

1
OutlanderDiana Gabaldon
15 of 72
2
Pride and PrejudiceJane Austen
14 of 72
3
The Hating GameSally Thorne
12 of 72
4
The FlatshareBeth O'Leary
11 of 72
5
Beach ReadEmily Henry
10 of 72
6
Red, White & Royal BlueCasey McQuiston
10 of 72
7
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn HugoTaylor Jenkins Reid
8 of 72
8
People We Meet on VacationEmily Henry
8 of 72
9
Book LoversEmily Henry
8 of 72
10
RadianceGrace Draven
7 of 72
Week 46 · 72 real answers · romance novelsAll 32 genres →
Assistant by assistant

Each assistant has its own favourite

ChatGPT and Claude search the web before they answer. Gemini answers from what it already knows. That is why they do not always agree.

ChatGPT · searches the web live

Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen

6 of 24 answers
Claude · searches the web live

The Hating Game

Sally Thorne

10 of 24 answers
Gemini · answers from memory

The Flatshare

Beth O'Leary

6 of 24 answers
Open shelf

How open is this shelf?

No book is named in even a third of answers. There is room for a well-described book to be picked up.

21%of answers name the top book
What we asked

The 12 questions readers ask

Each question was asked twice of each assistant. 48 answers came with a live web search and 24 from memory.

  1. What are the best romance novels of all time? I feel like I've barely read any and want to know what everyone rates.
  2. I've never really read romance before, where should I start? Not too cheesy or steamy please.
  3. What are the best romance books that have come out in the last year or so? I've finished everything on my TBR.
  4. Can you recommend some underrated romance novels that not many people have heard of? I'm bored of seeing the same ones on BookTok.
  5. I need a book for my mum's birthday, she's 62 and loves cosy love stories and Richard Osman style humour but isn't into anything too racy. Any ideas?
  6. I've got a long flight to Australia coming up, what romance novels would be good to get lost in for 20 odd hours?
  7. Can you suggest some good second chance romance novels where the couple reunite after years apart? Preferably set in a small town.
  8. I absolutely loved One Day by David Nicholls, what other romance novels would give me the same feelings?
  9. I've read everything by Jojo Moyes and now I'm stuck, who should I read next?
  10. Our book club wants a romance novel that'll actually spark a good discussion and not just be fluffy, any suggestions?
  11. What are the best romance novels written by British authors? I'd love something with proper British humour and settings.
  12. Is there a romance series that's worth starting? I like when you get to follow the same characters across a few books.

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AI Shelf, week 46, asked on 9 November 2026. Every answer is a real reply from ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini to a question a reader would ask. Updated every week. UK panel.