Summary (The order of novels is random):
(There is a part 2 to this list that's at 70+ novels and still increasing so if you like this one consider checking the other one out as well through my profile).

1) plot, Plot, PLOT: Except for the occasional fluff or feel good novel with some cliches sprinkled here and there, my number one requirement is that the plot must be good. I can’t handle brainless ones. I can only handle a novel with bad plots if there is something else that is special or unique about it.

2) Emotion. I read romances for their emotion and devoted male lead. Except for one novel in this list which is smut, smut, and more smut, the rest are more focused on the feelings and less or in most cases not at all on the smut. 

3) Realistic characters and/or realistic story (for the most part, except those few which are just fluff).

There is a part 2 to this list with more than 50 novels with an average rating above 4.3 and lots of plot.