2005 Smash-Hit Pacific Northwest Love Story Ranked an 'All Time Best Romance'
If you were teenager (or, frankly, had a pulse) in the early 2000s, it was impossible to miss the cultural impact of Twilight.
Originally titled Forks, the debut novel and series by Stephanie Meyer has gone on to sell over 160 million copies, with translations in 37 different languages. For two years the book and its subsequent sequels made Meyer the bestselling author in the United States. Despite some critics saying that the writing was overly simplistic and repetitive, Twilight is still massively popular and was listed in the top five for the list of "All Time Favorite Romance" books on Goodreads.
As anyone familiar with Twilight lore knows, the concept of the novel came to Meyer in a dream where a human girl and a vampire were in love even while he thirsted for her blood. Meyer sat down and wrote a draft of what would become Chapter 13 in Twilight. She wrote from that chapter to the end of the book, and the went back and backfilled the rest of the novel over the course of three months. Her sister read her completed manuscript, loved it, and encouraged Meyer to send it out to literary agents.
After signing with an agent, eight publishers competed for the rights to publish Twilight at auction in 2003. Meyer signed a $750,000 three-book deal with Little, Brown and Company, and Twilight was published in 2005. Twilight reached number five on The New York Times Best Seller list for Children's Chapter Books within a month of its release, and would later climb to the top spot.
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Twilight follows 17-year-old Bella Swan, who moves from Phoenix, Arizona to the sleepy, rainy town of Forks, Washington to live with her dad after her mom hits the road with her new husband. Despite being awkward and somewhat shy, Bella settles in at Forks High easily and gains a lot of attention, particularly from boys. On her first day of school she meets Edward Cullen, who initially is repulsed by her but eventually becomes somewhat friendlier. Bella learns from Jacob Black, a local boy from the Quileute tribe, that Edward and the rest of the Cullens are "cold ones"-vampires who are committed to consuming only animal blood. Edward confirms this and he and Bella fall in love. But their forbidden romance faces grave danger when more vampires come to Forks, and seem hellbent on hunting down Bella.
The novel would go on to be adapted into a film starring Kristin Stewart as Bella, and Robert Pattinson as Edward in 2008.
Kirkus Reviews said of Twilight, "the portrayal of dangerous lovers hits the spot; fans of dark romance will find it hard to resist." The book is often credited with reigniting the love of paranormal romance in lovers of the genre.
Whether you're Team Edward or Team Jacob, it's safe to say that Twilight was an era defining romance in the early 2000s, and one that won't soon be forgotten.
Related: 'Twilight' Fans are Racing to Five Below for This $7 Whimsigoth Kitchen Item
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This story was originally published May 9, 2026 at 8:48 AM.