7 of the Most Influential Military Romance Novels of All Time

Maya Banks is a bestselling author with a massive following around the world, and one of her most successful books is The Darkest Hour. This KGI series story follows former Navy SEAL Ethan Kelly as he struggles with overwhelming grief after losing his wife. He retreats from the people closest to him—until he receives word that she may still be alive.

The story explores just how far someone will go for the person they love. Action, emotion, danger and romance combine in a book that helped demonstrate what military romance could be.

Many readers and critics regard Suzanne Brockmann as one of the authors who helped create the modern military romance genre, and The Unsung Hero shows why.

Navy SEAL officer Tom Paoletti is recovering from a serious head injury when he believes he spots an international terrorist in his hometown. When his concerns are dismissed, Tom creates his own team to stop a possible attack. Veterans, teenagers and Dr. Kelly Watson become part of a story filled with chaos, heroism and love.

Lora Leigh’s Wild Card follows Navy SEAL Nathan Malone. A mission to rescue three girls from a Colombian drug cartel ends with his capture.

His wife spends three years believing he died, never knowing that Nathan survived and is living under a new identity. Their eventual collision creates the emotional and romantic conflict at the center of the story.

Cindy Gerard is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, and Killing Time is a heart-stopping example of her work. The story examines good and evil—and the places where the lines between them become blurred.

Rogue operative Eva Salinas wants revenge on the traitor she believes caused a disastrous military operation. Her search for justice brings battle-hardened Mike Brown into the mission.

Stephanie Tyler’s romantic thriller Lie with Me is part of the Shadow Force series and features Cameron Moore, a former Delta Force operative who was framed for murder.

The CIA offers him a chance to rebuild his life, but only if he accepts questionable black-ops work. Angry over his treatment, Cameron plans to kidnap the novelist daughter of a senior CIA operative. Falling in love with her was not part of the plan.

Linda Howard has long been associated with romantic suspense, and After the Night demonstrates why.

Jina Modell works as a communications specialist for a paramilitary organization before being reassigned as a drone operator. The new job requires demanding physical training led by team leader Levi. Friendship develops into something more, and when danger reaches their base, Jina must fight for her life—with Levi ready to fight beside her.

Hell or High Water is the first book in Julie Ann Walker’s Deep Six series.

The story connects the sinking of the treasure ship Santa Cristina in 1624 with a present-day adventure involving former Lieutenant Leo Anderson and five colleagues in the Florida Keys. When CIA operative Olivia Mortier asks Leo to recover dangerous chemicals dumped in the area, the mission brings danger—and romance.