Summary
Romance narratives have long dominatedthe light novel landscape, and 2023’s lineup is no different. From heartwarming romance to tragedy-laden love affairs, the romance genre is teeming with all sorts of unique narratives, and 2023’s romance light novels reflect this very aspect. Several new light novels have sprouted throughout the year, and each one embodies the essence of this prolific genre.
With vivid descriptions and vibrant illustrations, light novels serve as the perfect medium for romantic storylines. Since light novels offer more room for descriptive details and inner monologues, it’s easier for authors to create fleshed-out characters and well-defined relationships — two elements that serve as a necessarybackdrop for romance narratives.
Novel Updates Rating: 2.5/5
Alternative Title
Konyaku Haki no Sono Saki ni: Suterare Reijou, Oujisama ni Dekiai
Author
Mari Morikawa
Fiancee No More: The Forsaken Lady, the Prince, and Their Make-Believe Loveis a classic Cinderella story with a mix of supernatural abilities and political turmoil. After losing her fiance to a rich businessman’s daughter, heartbroken Estelle Flozeth attends the local ball where shecomes across Prince Arcrayne, a manipulative man who seizes every opportunity for personal gain.
A chance encounter between the two marks the beginning of an intriguing love affair, one riddled with deceit and lies. Despite being aware of the prince’s web of lies, Estelle begins to fall for the man, giving way for true love to blossom between the two. The light novel features a fresh take on the standard Cinderella blueprint by giving the narrative an enticing twist.
Aminohada
Hikari is a highly popular model, yet no one knows her true identity — a high school boywho loves to cross-dress. Under this persona, Harema Kouki believes that he’s the cutest in the world and that there’s no girl cuter than him out there. Oddly, this thought worries him, believing that he may never find a girl cuter than him.
However, this belief changes as soon as he comes across Amamiya-San, a girl that Harema Kouki deems the only girl cuter than him. As comical as the narrative may be,The World’s Cutest is Amamiya-san, the Second is Meoffers a truly intriguing premise, and the added element of cross-dressing challenges heteronormative societal norms.
Amazon Rating: 3.9/5
Koisuru Majo wa Elite Kishi ni Horegusuri wo Nomaseteshimaimashita: Itsuwari kara Hajimaru Watashi no Dekiai Seikatsu
Don Haruna
Accidentally in Love: The Witch, the Knight, and the Love Potion Slipuptakes on the supernatural side of the romance genre, though the narrative itself is quite lighthearted and wholesome. Growing upreading fairy tales, Cecily had always dreamed of finding the same happy ending for herself. Unfortunately for her, these dreams are thrashed after she discovers her true identity – a wicked witch.
After accepting her fate of loneliness and despair, Cecily comes across a knight and falls head-over-heels for him. Adamant to gain his affection, Cecily concocts a love potion, yet a slip-up leads to an entirely unexpected result.Accidentally in Love: The Witch, the Knight, and the Love Potion Slip Upis an oddly sweet romance light novel, and the addition of a few supernatural elements serves as an interesting touch.
Amazon Rating: 4/5
Saishou Hosa to Kurokishi no Keiyaku Kekkon to Rikon to Sonogo: Henkyou no Chi de Futari wa Fuufu wo Yarinaosu
Natsuru Takasugi
For readers looking for a romance narrative imbued with a ton of fantasy,Marriage, Divorce, and Beyond: The White Mage and Black Knight’s Romance Reignitedis the perfect light novel out of 2023’s lineup. Lina is a heroic knight capable of slaying demons and dragons, yet there’s one thing she has never conquered — love.
To her dismay, marriage is a necessary prerequisite tobecoming a black knightsince this rare magic has to be passed on to newer generations. Lina is out of luck, and her only choice might be to settle down on a contractual marriage. The amusing premise is enough to get readers hooked, though the romance is the actual selling point of this light novel.
Amazon Rating: 4.3/5
Kakure Saijo wa Zenzen Megenai: Gibo to Gimai ni Ie wo Oidasareta node Konyaku Haki shite Moraou to Omottara, Shinshi Datta Konyakusha ga Hageshiku Dekiai shite Kuru You ni Narimashita!?
Miyako Miyano
Evil stepmothers are often the root of villainy in any romance plot, andJeanette the Genius: Defying My Evil Stepmother by Starting a Business with My Ride-or-Die Fiance!revolves around just that. After the death of her father, Jeanette is cast away by her maleficent stepmother, leaving her with no other choice but to start over.
With her scheming fiance, Jeannette gets back on her feet and starts a business, with the sole purpose of eventually regaining everything that she had lost. However, the premise isn’t as simple as it seems, and the charming fiance is actually a manipulative schemer with goals of his own. The light novel’s story may seem akin to any other fairy tale, yet the narrative adds a novel touch with itsextremely optimistic protagonist.
