Top 13 Chinese Romance Novels with Reincarnation in 2026

2026 Edition

Updated January 27, 2026

Specialized Lists

13 Novels

Reincarnation romance appeals to readers who want the emotional payoff of a second chance. The protagonist usually remembers a past life where love went wrong, whether through misunderstandings, betrayal, or simply bad timing. Now they get to try again with the knowledge of what went wrong before.

Chinese entries in this subgenre often feature cultivation or historical settings, which adds political intrigue to the romance. The formula can feel repetitive if you read too many consecutively, but the better ones find ways to complicate the second-chance premise rather than just replaying the original relationship with fewer mistakes.

Completed
1
TOP PICK
The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage
4.6
(2.7K ratings)
Genre: fantasy, historical, josei
Shen Miao, the Di daughter of a military family, was pure, quiet, gentle, and gracious. Because of her foolish love for Prince Ding, she forced her way into becoming his wife.
First Impressions
"The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage" is a web novel that I found myself thoroughly engrossed in, despite a few reservations. It's a complex tale of revenge, political intrigue, and slow-burn romance, all set against the backdrop of ancient China. From the start, I was drawn in by the premise. Shen Miao, a former empress reborn into her younger self, is determined to rewrite her tragic past. It's a familiar setup, but the execution felt fresh. I was immediately invested in her journey and eager to see how she would use her knowledge to dismantle her enemies....
Read More
Completed
2
RUNNER UP
Eight Treasures Trousseau
4.5
(1.4K ratings)
Genre: drama, fantasy, historical
Everyone in the City of Jing thinks that bestowment of marriage between Xian Junwang and the daughter of the Yi’an Marquis House is to insert a fresh flower into manure. Xian Junwang was that fresh flower and the Di daughter of Yi’an Marquis House was that manure that was not liked.
First Impressions
"Eight Treasures Trousseau" has been quite the journey, and I've come away with some mixed, yet ultimately positive, feelings. This novel, set in a fascinating ancient China-esque backdrop, weaves a tale of political intrigue, arranged marriage, and a touch of the supernatural. Initially, I was drawn in by the premise: a modern-day actress reincarnated as a beautiful, but seemingly apathetic, noble wife. It's a familiar trope, but the promise of a lazy, yet secretly capable, protagonist was intriguing. I found myself curious to see how this character would navigate the complexities of court li...
Read More
Completed
3
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Reborn as My Love Rival’s Wife
4.6
(1.3K ratings)
Genre: adult, comedy, gender bender
There once was a very popular question on the internet: If one morning, you woke up and realized that your gender had changed, what would be your first reaction? And someone on the internet had famously responded: First, give your bros a good time!
First Impressions
I went into "Reborn as My Love Rival’s Wife" with a healthy dose of skepticism. Gender bender isn't usually my cup of tea, but the overwhelmingly positive buzz surrounding this novel piqued my curiosity. After diving in, I can see why it's garnered such a dedicated following. It's a surprisingly heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny story that kept me thoroughly entertained. Initially, I was drawn in by the premise: a 29-year-old IT guy waking up in the body of his love rival's wife. The setup is inherently comedic, and the author does a great job of capitalizing on the fish-out-of-water scena...
Read More
Completed
4
EDITORS CHOICE
Mistakenly Saving the Villain
4.6
(1.2K ratings)
Genre: drama, mature, psychological
Professor System has issued a mission: to rescue the gentle, kind and tragic protagonist shou of the novel “The Exceptional Furnace”. Song ‘Scholar-Tyrant’ Qingshi: “Don’t worry, Professor!
First Impressions
"Mistakenly Saving the Villain" is quite the rollercoaster, and I’m honestly still processing everything. This novel dives deep into some heavy themes, and while it’s not always an easy read, it’s definitely a memorable one. Initially, I was intrigued by the premise – a transmigration story where the MC accidentally saves the villain instead of the intended target. This setup felt like a refreshing twist on familiar tropes. However, I also approached it with caution, given the mature themes and potential for triggering content....
Read More
Completed
5
EDITORS CHOICE
Sansheng, Wangchuan Wu Shang
4.7
(1.1K ratings)
Genre: comedy, fantasy, josei
This is a story that follows the courtship between a stone from Hell and a god from Heaven that begins in the underworld and spans for three lifetimes in the mortal realm.
First Impressions
This novel promised a journey through love, loss, and reincarnation, and while it delivered on some fronts, it also left me with mixed feelings. Sansheng, Wangchuan Wu Shang certainly has its strengths, but some elements gave me pause. The premise, involving three lifetimes of romance between a stone spirit and a god undergoing mortal trials, immediately grabbed my attention. The overwhelmingly positive reviews further piqued my interest, suggesting a deeply touching and memorable story. I dove in expecting a rollercoaster of emotions, and in some ways, that's exactly what I got....
Read More
Completed
6
#6 PICK
My Husband With Scholar Syndrome
4.6
(886 ratings)
Genre: fantasy, romance
Mu Xiaoya lived for twenty-six years before she knew that she had a sudden genetic disease. There was no medicine for it, and there was only death waiting for her.
First Impressions
My Husband With Scholar Syndrome is a novel that definitely sparked a lot of feelings in its readers, and after diving in, I can see why. It's a story about second chances, learning to love, and navigating the complexities of a relationship with someone who experiences the world differently. While I found elements to enjoy, there were also aspects that gave me pause. The premise is undeniably sweet: a woman reborn who decides to marry a man with "scholar syndrome" (often used to describe high-functioning autism) who was devoted to her in her past life. The initial chapters drew me in with the ...
Read More

Novel Translator 2026

Love Chinese Romance Novels?

Translate any Chinese novel to your preferred language with Novel Translator's AI-powered technology.

40+ Languages

Translate to and from major world languages

Custom Made Translation Engine

State-of-the-art translation quality

EPUB and TXT Support

Keep formatting, chapters, and covers

Fast Processing

Translate entire novels in hours

View Pricing

Trusted by 16,000+ readers worldwide in 2026

Completed
7
#7 PICK
Seven Unfortunate Lifetimes, All Thanks to a Single Moment of Impulse
4.6
(768 ratings)
Genre: adventure, comedy, drama
Xiao Xiang Zi, a cloud spirit in heaven, and Chu Kong mess up the red strings of fate by accident during their brawl. As a consequence, they are sentenced to be a fated couple in the mortal realm for 7 lifetimes as a punishment for not getting along with each other.
First Impressions
"Seven Unfortunate Lifetimes, All Thanks to a Single Moment of Impulse" promised a rollercoaster of emotions, and I'm happy to report that it delivered. This xianxia romance took me on a journey through love, loss, and reincarnation, leaving me with a satisfied, if slightly bittersweet, feeling. The premise alone hooked me: a fated couple entangled in seven lifetimes, each with its own unique challenges. I was immediately drawn to the idea of exploring how their relationship would evolve across different circumstances and identities. The initial chapters were definitely a grab for my attention...
Read More

Conclusion

These work best when you're in the mood for emotional catharsis. The appeal is watching characters fix what went wrong, so if you prefer romance with genuine uncertainty about outcomes, look elsewhere. For satisfying do-over narratives, this list has solid options.

How We Create Our 2026 Rankings

Our 2026 novel rankings are created through a comprehensive, data-driven process that combines quantitative metrics with qualitative editorial review. Here's how we ensure our rankings reflect the best novels available today.

Data Collection

We aggregate reading data, ratings, and engagement metrics from thousands of readers across multiple platforms, updated regularly throughout 2026.

Community Input

Reader ratings and reviews form the foundation of our rankings. We weight votes based on verified reading history to ensure authenticity.

Quality Scoring

Each novel receives a composite score based on average rating, vote count, reading list additions, and reader retention metrics.

Editorial Review

Our editorial team reviews top candidates for writing quality, translation accuracy, and overall reader experience.

Regular Updates

Rankings are refreshed quarterly to reflect new releases, updated ratings, and shifting reader preferences in 2026.

Transparency

We publish our methodology openly so readers understand exactly how novels earn their positions in our rankings.

Our 2026 Ranking Criteria

40%Reader Rating Score (weighted by vote count and recency)
25%Popularity Metrics (reading list additions, active readers)
20%Engagement Score (comments, reviews, recommendations)
15%Editorial Assessment (writing quality, translation, completeness)

Last updated: January 27, 2026 | Rankings reflect data collected through 2026

Ranked Novels

The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage

First Impressions

Eight Treasures Trousseau

First Impressions

Reborn as My Love Rival’s Wife

First Impressions

Mistakenly Saving the Villain

First Impressions

Sansheng, Wangchuan Wu Shang

First Impressions

My Husband With Scholar Syndrome

First Impressions