Romance novels have always been popular, but there’s something particularly appealing about a love story that spans generations. Perhaps it’s the idea that true love can stand the test of time, or maybe it’s the sense of history and nostalgia that comes with such stories. Whatever the reason, epic romance novels that span generations have captured the hearts of readers for decades. Here are memorable love stories that have done just that:

1. The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

The Notebook is the story of Noah Calhoun and Allie Nelson, who fall in love as teenagers in the 1940s. Despite their families’ disapproval, they continue to see each other until Allie’s family moves away. Years later, they reunite, but Allie is engaged to another man. The novel follows their journey as they struggle to reconcile their feelings for each other with their current circumstances.

2. Atonement by Ian McEwan

Atonement is the story of Cecilia Tallis and Robbie Turner, who fall in love in 1935 England. When Cecilia’s younger sister, Briony, witnesses a crime and accuses Robbie of the act, their lives are forever changed. The novel follows the repercussions of that night, and the characters’ attempts to make amends for their mistakes.

3. Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez

Love in the Time of Cholera is the story of Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daza, who fall in love as teenagers but are separated by circumstances. Florentino spends the next fifty years of his life pining for Fermina, even as she marries someone else. When her husband dies, Florentino sees his chance to win her back.

4. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Gone with the Wind is the story of Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler, set against the backdrop of the American Civil War. Scarlett is a strong-willed southern belle who is determined to keep her family’s plantation and maintain her way of life, while Rhett is a dashing rogue who is drawn to her despite their differences.

5. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez

One Hundred Years of Solitude is the story of the Buendía family, who live in the fictional town of Macondo. The novel spans several generations, following the family’s ups and downs as they struggle with love, politics, and the supernatural.

6. The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller

The Bridges of Madison County is the story of Francesca Johnson and Robert Kincaid, a photographer who comes to Madison County to photograph its covered bridges. Francesca is a housewife and mother who is dissatisfied with her life, but her world is forever changed when she meets Robert. Despite their brief affair, their love for each other is profound and enduring. The novel explores the complexities of love, sacrifice, and the choices we make in life.

7. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

While The Great Gatsby is often thought of as a novel about the roaring twenties and the excesses of the wealthy elite, at its core, it’s a love story. Jay Gatsby is a mysterious millionaire who throws extravagant parties in hopes of winning back his former love, Daisy Buchanan. Their love story is one of obsession and tragedy, as Gatsby’s attempts to win Daisy back ultimately lead to his downfall.