best romance book reviews

An Extremely Opinionated List of the Best Romance Novels

I've read them all, and these are definitely the steamiest books.

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Baby, it's cold outside so why not heat things up with a sexy, steamy, swoon-worthy read? Pour yourself something to sip on, grab a decadent sweet treat, slip into something comfy and crack open one of these best romance novels . Our extremely opinionated list is stacked with can't-miss classics (If you haven't read Pride and Prejudice , are you even a romance fan?) and brand-new reads that are poised to take first place in your heart.

Whether you salivate over historical fiction that follows the fluttering hearts of yesteryear, witchy paranormal romance that proves you don't need flesh and blood to get frisky, rom-coms that pair hilarious hijinks with the steamier stuff or the type of stories that might get sidelong glances on public transit, we've got a romance book you'll want to read over and over again.

And to those who think romance is just for bored housewives picking up a bodice-ripper at the grocery store checkout counter, think again. The romance realm has a lot of romance-plus-other to offer that might surprise you — although we'd never turn down one of those fun, flirty grocery store standards either. Many of our favorite romance books also feature exciting adventure, LGBTQ+ love stories and lyrical prose. Add these to your TBR pile, and don't forget to check out the Good Housekeeping book club once you're done, for even more feel-good reads.

It Ends with Us Boxed Set by Colleen Hoover (2023)

Grab the box set so you won't have to frantically order the second installment of this smash hit from Colleen Hoover. If you haven't read her books yet, start with these two and then work your way through the back catalog. In them, you'll meet Lily, a woman who finds herself in a bit of a love triangle as she grapples with her new relationship with Ryle, and re-meeting her ex lover, Atlas. It contains a lot of heartbreak, as domestic violence is a critical part of Lily's story, but it's also extremely touching.

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With Love, from Cold World by Alicia Thompson (2023)

From the author of the hit Love in the Time of Serial Killers comes the perfect workplace romance for fans of a certain mouse-centric theme park. Lauren is a serious bookkeeper at a theme park where it's always winter, which doesn't get quite the crowds as its more famous counterparts. Asa is her fun-loving coworker who's always trying to spice things up around the office. Of course, their boss asks them to team up on a project. And naturally, sparks fly. Read to find out the rest.

Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert (2019)

After a health scare, Chloe Brown makes a list of things to do to help her "get a life," including doing something bad. Naughty doesn't come naturally to good-girl Chloe, so she enlists the help of rough-and-tumble handyman Red. But what she finds is more than meets the eye, in this first in an absolutely devour-able series.

Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland (2023)

Sage Flores has been running from her ability to commune with plants ever since her sister passed away. But after she's forced to return to her hometown and slips back into her old life — including reconnecting with a high school flame who broke her heart — she can't deny her gift or her family any longer. You could cut the tension here with a knife, or should we say, a pair of gardening shears.

Happy Place by Emily Henry (2023)

Harriet and Wyn’s friend group has spent languorous summer days at the same Maine house for a decade, so when it goes up for sale, they’re determined to soak up one last week of memories. There’s just one problem: Harriet and Wyn haven’t told their crew they’re no longer engaged, so they’re stuck sharing a room to keep up the charade. But is it all really just for show, or are sparks flying? Read this one now while you wait for the queen of beach reads' next hit to drop.

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood (2023)

Rival physicists. Fake dating. Real love? Hazelwood's trio of STEM romances that sees her characters spar on both professional and personal fronts are definitely not homework. Did somebody leave a bunsen burner on, or are things heating up in here?

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (2012)

Look, we understand that a retelling of The Iliad sounds more like history class than a romantic read, but pick this one up and get ready to eat your words. It's an action-packed epic with one heck of a love story that will change the way you look at the classic tale forever.

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld (2023)

If the title doesn't get your attention, and you've somehow missed Sittenfeld's other star-tier books, the sizzling plot will do it. This one's about a late-night comedy writer who falls for a pop star with a rep for dating knockouts, which she definitely is not. If you've ever shipped Saturday Night Live stars, this one's for you.

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Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan (2023)

Sports fans know how emotional a high-stakes game can get. Add actual romance into the mix, and all we can say is just remember to hydrate. This heartstring-tugger is all about missed connections, tarnished golden boys and the darkness that can lie beneath the most glittering exteriors.

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston (2022)

Florence is a romance ghostwriter who no longer believes in love, which is kind of a problem for her career. But then, she returns home to bury her beloved father and finds a ghost (yes, an actual ghost) who might just change her mind.

The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory (2018)

You really can't go wrong with any of Jasmine Guillory's fun, romantic romps, but this sporty love story is especially great. Freelance writer Nik's boyfriend proposes at a Dodger's game, and the dude can't even spell her name right. She says no (obviously), and the video goes viral. Handsome doctor Carlos sweeps her away from the frenzy, but he can't possibly be the real deal. Or can he?

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The Hating Game by Sally Thorne (2016)

If you've ever carried a torch for a colleague (the scandal!) this novel will feel familiar. Coworkers Lucy Hutton and her sworn nemesis Joshua Templeman have a rivalry as bitter as they come, especially as they compete for the same promotion. At least, it starts out that way.

Vision In White by Nora Roberts (2012)

The prolific Nora Roberts has penned more than 200 romance novels, but this one earned top marks from her fans as the first installment in The Bride Quartet . Wedding photographer Mackensie "Mac" Elliot operates a wedding planning company with three friends. When a day on the job introduces her to sweet and stable English teacher Carter Maguire, their casual fling might lead to her own happy ending.

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The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang (2018)

More nerdy storylines, please! In this novel from Helen Hoang, Stella Lane is the genius mathematician who puts herself in remedial romance — by hiring escort Michael Phan to teach her the ins and outs of sex. We consider it the perfect equation for a great read.

Bared to You by Sylvia Day (2014)

If you like your romance in multiple installments, try the Crossfire series. Big city newbie Eva Tramell literally falls at the feet of billionaire tycoon Gideon Cross, kickstarting a steamy affair that reveals secrets from both their dark pasts. Sound familiar? There's a reason one Amazon reviewer called it the "soap opera version of Fifty Shades of Grey ."

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (2019)

McQuiston has earned their place in the canon of contemporary romance, and this sexy royals romance is one of the reasons. Ever wonder what would happen if, say, a Kennedy fell in love with a Windsor? With this book, you don't have to.

Delta of Venus by Anais Nin (1977)

If you've never read Anaïs Nin and call yourself a romance fan , fix that right now. This vintage short story collection's erotic vibes still hold up. But don't take our word for it — turn off the lights, slip into something slinky and try it for yourself.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1813)

This classic is so old, it's free if you have a Kindle! And you should definitely take advantage of that – it's basically the O.G. romance novel. If you're already a Jane Austen fan, check out Curtis Sittenfeld's reinterpretation Eligible , which sets Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy in modern-day Cincinnati.

Love at First Like: A Novel by Hannah Orenstein (2019)

Eliza co-owns a jewelry shop with her sister, and accidentally posts an Instagram of herself wearing a diamond ring on you-know-which finger. The photo blows up, and she realizes even a fake engagement is good for the ol' bottom line. But then she meets Blake. He's great, except for one thing: Blake doesn't know about her ruse, and Eliza doesn't know how much longer she can keep it all up.

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell (2013)

They say you never forget your first love. Test that theory by taking a trip down memory lane with Eleanor and Park, two lovestruck misfit teens in 1986. They're smart enough to know young love never lasts, but brave enough to try anyway.

Lizz (she/her) is a senior editor at Good Housekeeping , where she runs the GH Book Club, edits essays and long-form features and writes about pets, books and lifestyle topics. A journalist for almost two decades, she is the author of Biography of a Body and Buffalo Steel. She also teaches journalism as an adjunct professor at New York University's School of Professional Studies and creative nonfiction at the Muse Writing Center, and coaches with the New York Writing Room. 

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The 50 Best Romance Novels to Read Right Now

Irresistible picks for readers of all kinds of romance, from enemies-to-lovers to marriage of convenience to just one bed

Romance Novels Are Literature

by Casey McQuiston

by Frances Burney

Pride and Prejudice

by Jane Austen

Friday’s Child

by Georgette Heyer

The Price of Salt

by Claire Morgan

Lord of Scoundrels

by Loretta Chase

by Beverly Jenkins

If Only It Were True

by Marc Levy

Jewels of the Sun

by Nora Roberts

The Viscount Who Loved Me

by Julia Quinn

by Stephenie Meyer

A Hunger Like No Other

by Kresley Cole

Devil in Winter

by Lisa Kleypas

Lover Awakened

by J.R. Ward

Slave to Sensation

by Nalini Singh

All Through the Night

by Suzanne Brockmann

How Romance Novel Covers Have Evolved Through Time

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake

by Sarah MacLean

A Night to Surrender

by Tessa Dare

Crazy Rich Asians

by Kevin Kwan

The Lotus Palace

by Jeannie Lin

The Luckiest Lady in London

by Sherry Thomas

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

by Jenny Han

by Simona Ahrnstedt

An Extraordinary Union

by Alyssa Cole

by Ilona Andrews

Intercepted

by Alexa Martin

The Wedding Date

by Jasmine Guillory

Ayesha at Last

by Uzma Jalaluddin

Forget Me Not

by Brenda Jackson

Get a Life, Chloe Brown

by Talia Hibbert

Red, White & Royal Blue

The Bride Test

by Helen Hoang

The Flatshare

by Beth O’Leary

by Rebekah Weatherspoon

Boyfriend Material

by Alexis Hall

The Duke Who Didn’t

by Courtney Milan

You Had Me at Hola

by Alexis Daria

It Happened One Summer

by Tessa Bailey

Last Night at the Telegraph Club

by Malinda Lo

Seven Days in June

by Tia Williams

A Caribbean Heiress in Paris

by Adriana Herrera

Before I Let Go

by Kennedy Ryan

Book Lovers

by Emily Henry

Dating Dr. Dil

by Nisha Sharma

Honey & Spice

by Bolu Babalola

by Hannah Grace

Part of Your World

by Abby Jimenez

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches

by Sangu Mandanna

The Vibrant Years

by Sonali Dev

Chef’s Choice

by TJ Alexander

Love, Theoretically

by Ali Hazelwood

This project is led by Lucy Feldman, Annabel Gutterman, Megan McCluskey, and Meg Zukin, with additional writing and reporting by Judy Berman, Shannon Carlin, Mahita Gajanan, Kari Sonde, and Olivia B. Waxman; photography editing by Kara Milstein; art direction by Katie Kalupson and Chelsea Kardokus; video by Brian Braganza, Man Sum Lai, Joseph Lautrup, Lisa Nho, and Erica Solano; production by Nadia Suleman; commerce strategy by Alexandra Miguel; photography by Rachel Stern for TIME.

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2021 was rough, but books about love gave us life. Here are 13 recommendations

Mia Estrada

Who doesn't love a good, well, love story? Whether it's the meet cutes, the crossed stars, the sheer passion, or a forbidden union, we're big fans.

Here are the Books We Love: 360+ great 2021 reads recommended by NPR

Books We Love , NPR's list of best reads from 2021, has hundreds of recommendations: 369 of them, to be exact. With that kind of lengthy list, it can be hard to know exactly where to start. So here are 13 suggestions from our colleagues and independent critics for what to read if you want a good love story or want to explore themes of love and relationships.

Act Your Age, Eve Brown: A Novel by Talia Hibbert

"Has there ever been a better time to read about a charming, hilarious young woman who just can't seem to get it together? This book follows Eve Brown – a talented cook, phenomenal singer, devoted sister and, at the start of the story, a notorious ne'er-do-well. As her story unspools, Eve winds up learning a lot about herself and what she's capable of; her struggle also helps illuminate how rigid and often misguided the expectations of our family, friends and communities can be." — Leah Donnella , supervising editor, Code Switch

A Lot Like Adiós by Alexis Daria

"Childhood besties Michelle and Gabriel hook up one night after high school graduation – and for a moment it looks like the two might finally get together until Michelle discovers that Gabe is planning on leaving for college across the country. After a blowout fight, the two don't speak again for years – until the gym that Gabriel owns hires Michelle to work on a rebranding campaign. Once they reconnect ... well, let's just say they collaborate on more than a marketing campaign. It's hot, it's fun and it's a great chance to brush up on your Spanish vocabulary." — Lauren Migaki , senior producer, NPR Ed

Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

"A crime novel wrapped up in a romance? Just what the doctor ordered for readers during the pandemic! There's a lot to love here, especially the criminal high jinks that Meddelin, her mother and her aunts find themselves immersed in as she rekindles a lost flame. Above and beyond, though, this is a love letter to the bonds of family and culture." — Tayla Burney , senior content manager

Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado

"I'm glad there's a wave of YA books with fat protagonists, but the characters often possess a level of self-confidence that's too good to be true. Crystal Maldonado has created a much-needed believable protagonist with teenage and adult readers. Charlie Vega is a fat, glasses-wearing, biracial Puerto Rican with a diet-pushing mother and a beautiful, athletic best friend. When her classmate Brian pursues a romantic relationship, Charlie is plagued with-self doubt. The book is propelled by conflicts both internal and external. I'm glad this book isn't body-positive escapism, but rather a well-observed story of fat teenage life." — Jessica Reedy , producer/editor, Pop Culture Happy Hour

12 books NPR staffers loved in 2021 that might surprise you

First comes like: a novel by alisha rai.

"Alisha Rai is one of my go-to writers when I need a romance. Her books are usually quite spicy, but with First Comes Like , Rai shows she can write a great slow-burn romance. When beauty influencer Jia Ahmed learns that she has been catfished by a man pretending to be Bollywood star Dev Dixit, she ends up striking up a friendship with the real actor. A paparazzi mishap leads Jai and Dev to begin fake-dating. Will their fake relationship lead to real feelings? (Of course it will – this is a romance after all.) It's a lovely story about decent people just trying to do the right thing." — Jessica Reedy

Author Interviews

Jasmine guillory recommends 3 summer reads for the romantic at heart, honey girl by morgan rogers.

"One night, Grace Porter – burned out and aimless after finally getting her Ph.D. in astronomy – gets drunkenly married to a woman whose name she does not know, in Vegas no less. Cliché? Definitely. A bad idea? Maybe ... not? Through the mists of her epic hangover, Grace starts to piece together clues about her mysterious new wife. Yuki, as it turns out, hosts a radio show about the supernatural. What follows is a delightfully weird summer where together, Grace and Yuki learn about mythical monsters and even face down some of their own." — Lauren Migaki

Seeing 'Love In Color'

Love in color: mythical tales from around the world, retold by bolu babalola.

"This multifaceted, multitalented Nigerian-British writer – humorist, television creator and now bestselling author – searched the globe to find a radically diverse group of stories about love, from magical folk tales of West Africa to iconic Greek myths and ancient legends from the Middle East. Then, with an evocative and vivid style, she brought new life to old tales and wrote three original stories of her own. The result is a remarkable modern collection of 13 short stories about love." — Carole V. Bell , book critic

Book Reviews

Love rides the q train in this supernaturally sweet romance, one last stop: a novel by casey mcquiston.

"One Last Stop made me fall in love with Casey McQuiston's writing all over again. In this one, August, an inexperienced 20-something trying to figure out life in the big city, is an expert at keeping other people at arm's length until she meets Jane, an impossibly cool girl who always seems to be riding the subway at the same time as her. One Last Stop is queer romance with a side of time-travel shenanigans, but amid all the whip-smart banter and heartwarming rom-com tropes is a potent reminder to make room for love in all parts of your life." — Sharon Pruitt-Young , reporter, newsdesk

Your Laughing Muscles Will Get A Workout In This Sporty Romance

The dating playbook by farrah rochon.

"Any list of 2021's best romantic comedies must include Farrah Rochon's The Dating Playbook . The story she weaves about Taylor Powell, a fitness trainer in need of some clients, and Jamar Dixon, an injured football superstar in need of a secret but hard-core fitness regime, is fresh, funny and sexy. It also boasts a ripped-from-the-headlines plot that touches on topics like football and concussion, and how social media has made having a private life an artform for anyone with celebrity status. Rochon presents her themes with jump-off-the-page humor, and they go far beyond the ups and downs of romance to broader concerns about family, women, friendship and jealousy." — Denny S. Bryce , book critic

Intimacy Is Nothing To Be Ashamed Of In Helen Hoang's Powerful New Romance

The heart principle: a novel by helen hoang.

"Anna Sun is a talented violinist in the Bay Area whose disappointing boyfriend springs a proposal on her: an open relationship. While processing her boyfriend's request and battling a creative block, Anna meets Quan and wonders if he might be the real deal. I love this book because it deals with issues that feel really relevant to today, such as creative burnout, bad boyfriends and neurodivergence, which Helen Hoang explores through these deeply rich and heartfelt characters." — Candice Lim , production assistant, Pop Culture Happy Hour

Love And Hope Are At The Heart Of 'The Prophets'

The prophets: a novel by robert jones, jr..

"This book broke my heart in a necessary way. It's spectacular. A poetic queer love story and an excruciating portrait of life on a Mississippi plantation, it deserves every accolade. At the center are Samuel and Isaiah, two enslaved boys who grow up as best friends and eventually become lovers, and an older enslaved man, Amos, who takes on the role of preacher as a way of securing some semblance of safety and power. Jones excels at ensemble storytelling, treating each character with compassion while being brutally unsparing about the system they live under and the desperate compromises they have to make." — Carole V. Bell

Trust: A Novel by Domenico Starnone, translated by Jhumpa Lahiri

"In author Domenico Starnone's Italian-to-English translation, a couple named Pietro and Teresa are on-again, off-again until the day Teresa says, essentially, "Let's tell each other our worst secret." What she thinks will bind them together forever turns out to be what drives them apart; they've revealed the worst and it's unforgettable. For a lesser writer, this might be enough. For Starnone, it's a jumping-off point, even in a slim, taut book with no wasted words or ideas. When Pietro and Teresa meet again in the evening of their lives, the power one of them holds over the other still matters." — Bethanne Patrick , book critic

While We Were Dating by Jasmine Guillory

"Jasmine Guillory is the queen of charming romance novels. In her sixth book, we meet ad exec Ben Stephens and movie star Anna Gardiner, who hit it off at a marketing campaign meeting and end up falling into a just-for-cameras relationship (with some fun benefits too). Unfortunately, romantic feelings (as they always do) get in the way of this arrangement. You might remember Ben from one of Guillory's last books, The Wedding Date – the brother of uptight Theo. The best part about Guillory's books is revisiting these characters and guessing who will show up in subsequent novels. Not to mention the descriptive California references (as a California native, I eat those up). Guillory's writing style is addictive, but she also tackles heavy themes. I can guarantee you'll finish this book quickly and want to check out her other ones." — Anjuli Sastry Krbechek , producer, It's Been a Minute with Sam Sanders

To read more recommendations from staff members, you can explore the "Staff Picks" section on the 2021 Books We Love website.

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The Best Romances of 2023

Here are the novels our columnist loved most.

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By Olivia Waite

A best books list is one of my favorite rituals. As the calendar flutters to its final pages, we glance fondly back over the highest peaks climbed in 2023.

A quicksilver voice and a balance of humor and brutality keep Samara Breger’s vampire historical A LONG TIME DEAD (Bywater Books, 412 pp., paperback, $23.95) perpetually on my mind. The new vampire Poppy’s essentially buoyant nature makes her occasional descent into blood lust all the more horrifying, and gives her ingenuity and ultimate triumph an especially gratifying charge. This has become the No. 1 book I recommend to readers new to the genre.

Mary Renault’s midcentury queer classic “The Charioteer” lurks fitfully behind the scenes of WE COULD BE SO GOOD (Avon, 384 pp., paperback, $18.99) , Cat Sebastian’s story of two reporters becoming friends and then lovers in pre-Stonewall New York.

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30 Greatest Romance Novels to Read in Your Lifetime

Infinite happily-ever-afters await you.

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If you were to ask any avid romance novel reader to name their favorite book of all time, it's unlikely you'll get a straight answer. Every year, thousands of diverse titles are released across subgenres, including favorites like historical , paranormal , erotica , and contemporary. And with even more reads now conveniently available via e-readers and apps , there are infinite escapist love stories—and satisfying happily-ever-afters —to choose from. So you can see why it's an impossible task to choose just one.

We pulled together a list of 30 of the best romance novels anyone should read in their lifetime to help narrow down the greats of the genre. From forever classics like Jane Eyre to the queen of historical fiction, Beverly Jenkins , 21st-century darlings like The Kiss Quotient , and bestselling series-turned-Netflix-breakout-hit Bridgerton , we know there are options here to fit all tastes. And if by book 30 you still haven't found your pick, check out the authors' Goodreads profiles—because they each have plenty more in their repertoire to explore.

A Week to Be Wicked, by Tessa Dare

Minerva is a geologist who just wants to get to Scotland for the meeting of the Royal Geological Society. Oh, and she wants Colin, Spindle Cove’s resident rake, to not court her sister Diana. So Minerva proposes that Colin pretend to elope with her and Francine, her plaster model of a prehistoric lizard foot, and accompany them to Scotland, where she’ll give him the 500=pound prize for best presentation. The catch? Colin cannot sleep alone at night because of a tragic carriage accident in his past, and so Minerva must agree to sleep beside him every night of the trip. Dare is a master of the comic romance, and this wonderful road-trip novel delivers as many laughs as it does sighs.

Burn for Me, by Ilona Andrews

Nevada Baylor runs a private investigative agency with her family in Houston, where magical families have amassed power and wealth. When Nevada gets mixed up in a murder investigation to save the family business, she finds herself unwillingly partnered with one of the most powerful mages in the world, Connon “Mad” Rogan. Rogan may scare a lot of people, but he doesn’t scare Nevada (at least not too much), and as she works with him to track down a killer, she learns how powerful her magic really is and their connection could become. This is the first in a three-book series, and as ever, Andrews delivers urban fantasy at its best, with strong world building and a large, compelling cast of characters.

AVON Act Your Age, Eve Brown, by Talia Hibbert

The youngest Brown sister has never been taken seriously, not by her family and not even by herself. Now, having accidentally run over the B&B owner she just finished interviewing with, Eve knows she has to stay and make things right. Hampered by a broken arm, autistic owner Jacob has no choice but to let her. As they work together, Eve gets to know Jacob as a prickly but deeply caring man and to better understand herself as a neurodivergent woman. The book is laugh-out-loud funny, with banter for days and the sort of slapstick humor that rarely works on the page. This is the last book in the Brown Sisters trilogy; every one is worth a read.

Pride and Prejudice , by Jane Austen

Arguably the greatest romance novel of all time, Austen's Pride and Prejudice follows the opinionated heroine Elizabeth Bennet as she frequently finds herself at odds with her beau, the uptight Mr. Darcy.

Jane Eyre , by Charlotte Brontë

By exploring themes such as religion, sexuality, and classism, Jane Eyre was a groundbreaking novel during its 19th-century release. Still revered as one of the genre's first novels, Brontë's story of the titular character, Jane, and her maturing emotions and love for her broody boss, Mr. Rochester, is one that readers still have a hard time putting down.

Shanna, by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

A disclaimer—an OG bodice ripper, The Wolf and the Dove was written in the 1970s, and it shows. Readers today may find it a little too long at over 600 pages—and back then, the foundations of consent that are now commonplace in the 21st century were not at the forefront. But with that said, Woodiwiss's work is one of the original historical romance classics, providing a pathway for many of today's favorite reads. Shanna follows its heiress namesake as she escapes to a Caribbean island after being promised in marriage to the lustful criminal Ruark Beauchamp.

Morning Glory, by Lavyrle Spencer

This classic tearjerker by Spencer takes place in small-town Whitney, Georgia, on the eve of World War II. Will Parker is trying to evade the bad luck that comes with his damning reputation. So when he sees a "Wanted" ad in the paper written by a young widowed mother of two (who's also pregnant with her third child) looking for a husband, it seems that Will finally has an answer to his troubles.

Lord of Scoundrels, by Loretta Chase

Notorious sinner Sebastian Ballister, Marquess of Dain, revels in his reputation as an unapologetic scoundrel. And he's perfectly content to live as such—until he comes across Jessica Trent. She's smart and headstrong, determined to save her troubled brother from ruin, but she has to cross Sebastian to do so.

Indigo, by Beverly Jenkins

Years after escaping slavery as a child, Hester is a free woman living in Michigan as an essential worker on the Underground Railroad. One night she's charged with taking in an injured Galen Vachon, also known as Black Daniel, one of the railroad's most valued conductors. As Hester nurses the handsome and arrogant man back to health, their time together proves to be the beginning of an epic romance. Indigo is one of Jenkins's earliest novels, and kicked off a slew of rich historical romances that have elevated her to icon status.

The Viscount Who Loved Me, by Julia Quinn

While we have Daphne and Simon from The Duke and I to thank for starting off this bestselling eight-book series (and eventually, the Bridgerton Netflix craze) , it's The Viscount Who Loved Me that never fails to make us swoon. In the novel, shameless rake Anthony Bridgerton has finally decided it's time to find a wife. He has the perfect prospect in the beautiful Edwina, but it's her older half-sister, Kate, who proves to be too tempting.

Delaney’s Desert Sheikh , by Brenda Jackson

After graduating medical school, Delaney sets off for an escape at her cousin's luxurious secluded cabin. But it turns out she's not staying there alone—it's occupied by a gorgeous stranger named Jamal, who also happens to be a sheikh determined to seduce Delaney. Delaney’s Desert Sheikh is the first of Jackson's 30 "The Westmoreland" novels.

Dark Lover , by J.R. Ward

The first of J.R. Ward's ongoing 19 novel series, Black Dagger Brotherhood follows purebred vampire leader Wrath as he unexpectedly falls in love with half-breed Beth, who's quickly introduced to an intriguing paranormal world.

Bet Me, by Jennifer Crusie

Winner of a 2005 RITA Award, the bestselling Bet Me follows Minerva and Calvin. She's jaded and completely convinced that true love is a fairy tale, and he asked her out to win a bet with her ex. Unbeknownst to Cal, Min is fully aware of his wager—and she uses it to her advantage.

A Hunger Like No Other, by Kresley Cole

Despite being tortured for years by vampires, werewolf Lachlain MacRieve discovers that his fated soulmate, Emmaline Troy, is a half-vampire. He whisks her away to his Scottish castle, seducing the innocent Emmaline and awakening her desires.

Slave to Sensation, by Nalini Singh

The first in an extensive repertoire of Singh's bestselling paranormal romance series, stand-alones, and short stories, Slave to Sensation is the introduction to her 15-book "Psy-Changeling" series. It follows Sascha and Lucas, who are on opposite sides of a looming war between their races. Sascha is a member of the Psy, a society that sees desire as a flaw, while Lucas is a Changeling, who proves to bring out the very emotion in Sascha that she's been forced to deny.

Devil in Winter, by Lisa Kleypas

In order to distance herself from her problematic family, the shy Evie is able to get London's most notorious playboy and viscount to agree to a marriage of convenience. And since their union wasn't exactly a love match, Evie is determined to win over Sebastian by agreeing to sleep with him, if he can just remain celibate for three months. What develops is a consuming connection that proves to be a worthy opponent when an enemy from Evie's past reappears. Though this is Kleypas's third book in her "The Wallflowers" series, it's the favorite among many of her fans.

Vision in White, by Nora Roberts

Written by popular novelist Nora Roberts, Vision in White is a highlight in her 200-plus story repertoire. In the first of the "Bride Quartet" novels, wedding photographer Mac Elliot finds herself falling for a bride-to-be's brother, English teacher Carter Maguire. What's supposed to be a casual fling turns into much more.

Avon Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake, by Sarah MacLean

Get a lesson in Regency-era rake-dom via Sarah MacLean's debut and her first book in the "Love By Numbers" series. We're introduced to Lady Calpurnia Hartwell, who after years of doing exactly as she's supposed to is finally ready to break the rules and indulge her whims. This is where Gabriel St. John, the Marquess of Ralston, comes in. She enlists the famous playboy's help to assist her on her quest, but if she's not careful, she may fall in love.

The Duchess War, by Courtney Milan

In the first novel of Milan's popular historical series "The Brothers Sinister," Minnie is determined to maintain her wallflower status after events from her past led her to change her name. But then Robert, the Duke of Clermont, enters Minnie's life, and both of their secrets are at risk of being revealed.

The Magpie Lord, , by KJ Charles

After being exiled for 20 years, Lucien returns to England upon the deaths of his father and brother. He's now an earl and must deal with the supernatural enemies and evil that threatened his family. He enlists the help of magician Stephen Day, who Lucien can't help but seduce as Stephen fights to save both of their lives.

McKenzie Jean-Philippe is the editorial assistant at OprahMag.com covering pop culture, TV, movies, celebrity, and lifestyle. She loves a great Oprah viral moment and all things Netflix—but come summertime, Big Brother has her heart. On a day off you'll find her curled up with a new juicy romance novel.

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14 great new romance books you should read

From steamy baking competitions and mercenary librarians to fresh takes on historical romance

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by Rebecca Speas

There is nothing quite so delicious as a good romance novel.

Whenever the world is a bit Too Much, life is overly stressful, and my Twitter timeline is on fire, I turn to romance novels as a way to relax and heal my soul. The wide variety of subgenres, the emotional highs and lows of falling in love, larger-than-life characters, steamy love scenes, and a guaranteed happy ending provide a perfect balance of satisfying storytelling and escapism, and they have been the only reason I have read anything over the past few years.

And so to encourage everyone to read more romance, I have compiled this list of romance novels that, in this humble bookseller’s opinion, are well worth picking up for your next read!

Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert

Most love stories don’t start with somebody getting hit by a car (they’re fine), but Talia Hibbert is an author who can weave utterly magical romances from even the wildest of storylines. Her most recent romantic comedy follows Eve, a human embodiment of sunny chaos, and Jacob, an icy uptight perfectionist, as they begrudgingly work together to save the Jacob’s B&B, delivering heated attraction, hilarious hijinks, and a screamingly adorable romance. Featuring two neurodiverse protagonists, excellent body diversity, and sparkling dialogue, Act Your Age, Eve Brown is a book to hug to yourself and savor.

Battle Royal by Lucy Parker

If you’ve ever wished that the Great British Bake Off had more sexual tension, then I have the perfect book for you. A sunshine-and-rainbows baking show contestant and the dour, grumpy judge who eliminated her from the competition square off to win a coveted baking commission for a royal wedding—what could possibly go wrong?!

Battle Royal is a perfect introduction to Lucy Parker, who made her name with her equally-wonderful London Celebrities series. It is a delicious, delirious confection guaranteed to make you smile, with top-shelf banter and a rich emotional journey that will leave your mouth watering for more.

Bombshell by Sarah MacLean

Sarah MacLean was my introduction to the romance genre, and I love each of her books more than the last. There are any number of starting points for her books, but Bombshell is the first book in her newest series: Hell’s Belles, which follows a Victorian girl gang who are “hell-bent on smashing the patriarchy in all corners of London, from glittering ballrooms to dark alleys.” Yes please, I’ll take a million.

Bombshell follows Lady Sesily Talbot, London’s most scandalous debutante, and Caleb Calhoun, an American businessman (ahem, smuggler), who have been dancing around each other for years, never quite succumbing to their mutual attraction. Until now… *dun dun dun.*

Deal with the Devil by Kit Rocha

For those of you who prefer a little bit of science fiction with your romance, you absolutely cannot go wrong with Kit Rocha. This sci-fi, fantasy, and paranormal romance and erotica duo has written nearly 20 books set in a post-apocalyptic world (so plenty of backlist!), and Deal with the Devil begins their newest Mercenary Librarians series. That’s right—Mercenary. Librarians.

In a near-future crumbling America, knowledge is key, and information broker Nina is determined to use her own to save those in need. This dangerous mission sets her on a collision course with Knox, the battle-weary leader of a rogue squad of super-soldiers fighting to survive. What follows is an action-packed dystopian adventure that will keep you turning the pages way past your bedtime and send you to the bookstore to buy Book 2 as soon as you’re done!

The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan

As much as I love action and angst and adventure, sometimes I just need a sweet, small-town love story to read. The Duke Who Didn’t provides that in spades. A tiny village in the English countryside with a large Asian community, a yearly festival, a no-nonsense miss who lives her life by lists, and a charming, mischievous duke who may or may not own the whole village…what more could you want?

The historical romance genre has a (well-earned) reputation for being overwhelmingly white. Courtney Milan is one of the many authors pushing back against the misconception that people of color in historical romance is somehow “historically inaccurate,” and she has done amazing work to address diversity and inclusion in the romance genre. Throw in complex characters, effervescent banter, and enticing romance, and you’ve got the whole package.

A Heart of Blood and Ashes by Milla Vane

I will admit that romantic fantasy is a subgenre that I have the least experience with, but the few that I have read have been utterly enjoyable. This first book in Milla Vane’s Gathering of Dragons series is absolutely bonkers in the best possible way: it’s got ripped barbarians, gorgeous princesses, scorching hot love scenes, magic, monsters, enough politicking to put Game of Thrones to shame, and…dinosaurs??

Listen, you’ll just have to trust me, I don’t know what else I can tell you except that A Heart of Blood and Ashes is so much fun and a fabulous read, and it has made me want to read more romantic fantasy!

I’m So (Not) Over You by Kosoko Jackson

Whatever Kian Andrews expects when his ex-boyfriend Hudson texts him after months of radio silence, it is not a request to pretend to still be dating for the benefit of Hudson’s parents, and it is certainly not being maneuvered into being Hudson’s plus-one for the Georgia wedding of the season. As the tagline promises, fake boyfriends don’t always equal fake feelings, and as Kian and Hudson navigate their renewed (pretend) relationship, they also have to contend with their own unresolved feelings for one another.

This debut adult romance is fast-paced, hilarious, and heartfelt, and a snappy update on the timeless fake dating trope. Kosoko Jackson is definitely one to watch, and while you’re waiting for his second adult romance, make sure to check out his Young Adult novels as well!

First Comes Like by Alisha Rai

Alisha Rai is a romance queen that I would gladly follow into battle. Her heroines are whole, complex women who have fully-formed lives and personalities and ambitions, and their love interests are decent, sensitive heroes who drink their Respect Women Juice regularly. She also writes stellar romance, as an employee at the Taco Bell drive-thru once found out when my car stereo auto-played my audiobook mid-sex scene. It was A Time.

First Comes Like is the final book in her Modern Love trilogy, but you don’t need to have read the first two to fully fall in love with Jia, makeup expert and internet influencer, and Dev, Bollywood star and Hollywood hopeful. Rai manages to skillfully pack so much into her books about family, belief, self-respect, tradition, mental health, and more, and I cannot wait for you to read them.

Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly

Recently-divorced Dahlia Woodson is determined to reinvent herself and make a mark as a contestant on America’s favorite cooking show. How unfortunate that her first move on the show is to fall flat on her face and shower the set with a tray of fish tacos, and that the competitor behind her is distractingly attractive.

London Parker, after announcing their pronouns on national television, is determined to not let the anxiety, the trolls, or the clumsy contestant in front of them throw them off their cooking game. But love, of course, has other plans, and Dahlia and London’s simmering attraction soon blooms into a full-blown, steamy, shenanigan-filled relationship outside of the kitchen. But do they have the right ingredients for a happily-ever-after? (Spoiler alert: They do!)

The Queer Principles of Kit Webb by Cat Sebastian

Cat Sebastian writes utterly delightful queer historical romances, and this one is no exception. Kit Webb, a reluctantly reformed highwayman who has left his thieving days behind him, is recruited for One Last Job by Percy, Lord Holland, a dapper dandy in need of a good old-fashioned heist. What follows is a delectable romp through shady coffee houses and opulent ballrooms, full of adventure, sparkling wit, and un petit Eat the Rich. I cannot recommend it enough.

The Rakess by Scarlett Peckham

The historical romance genre is inundated with rakes: dissolute, handsome ne’er-do-wells whose hard-partying lifestyle is (usually) tempered by their love for the novel’s heroine. I love reading about a devilish rake meeting his romantic match as much as anyone, but it is undeniable that the trope is deeply entangled in outdated binary gender roles. Men are allowed to be unrepentant rakes, but women almost never are. Thank goodness for Scarlett Peckham.

Seraphina Arden is a “ruined” woman who has embraced her scandalous reputation on a quest for women’s equality. She writes radical pamphlets and lives her life precisely the way she wants, complete with wine-soaked nights, handsome lovers, and all. Adam Anderson is a wholesome, widowed Scottish architect, with two young children to raise, a business to protect, and a strong aversion to scandal. Their casual, summer affair soon blossoms into something more, and soon Seraphina and Adam both have to grapple with the secrets of their pasts and how their ambitions and desires for the future might ruin their future together. Sexy, heartbreaking, and empowering, I need the second book in the series immediately.

Smut Peddler Series by Various Artists, Iron Circus Comics

For those who like their romance a bit more… graphic (get it?!)...may I present the Smut Peddler series? These comics anthologies are very NSFW, and are some of the most diverse and inclusive romance and erotica I have ever read. An incredible array of amazing artists contributes to these collections, which are all super diverse and queer and kink-affirming and again, I cannot stress this enough, very NSFW.

After their initial two anthologies, every subsequent Smut Peddler has been themed, with the most recent being Smut Peddler: Sordid Past (erotic comics set in the past) and Smut Peddler: Silver (all featuring characters over 40.) There is truly something for everyone in a Smut Peddler , so go ahead and grab yourself one or five.

The Viscount Made Me Do It by Diana Quincy

This is an engaging historical romance with a slight tinge of mystery. It features Hanna Zaydan, a London bonesetter of Arab descent, slowly falling for her viscount client, who unbeknownst to her believes she holds a clue to who murdered his parents many years ago…

Diana Quincy is an exciting new voice in the historical romance scene, and her writing is captivating and her romances are sizzling. Perfect to pick up for your next read!

You Had Me At Hola by Alexis Daria

Soap opera darling Jasmine and telenovela heartthrob Ashton are both at professional crossroads, and soon both land leading roles in a new bilingual romantic comedy for the largest streaming service in the country. The entire production—and their careers—hinges on Jasmine and Ashton producing sizzling, believable chemistry, but a disastrous first impression and awkward rehearsals threaten to doom the show from the beginning. WHATEVER SHALL THEY DO?? Well, obviously they rehearse in private, digging beneath cool, professional exteriors to the smoldering attraction beneath, with deliciously explosive results. This book is smart, sexy, and one of my absolute favorites.

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Hot Stuff: The 10 best romance novels of 2023

From fairytale retellings to historical escapes, there was plenty to love on romance shelves in 2023.

Maureen Lee Lenker is a senior writer at Entertainment Weekly with over seven years of experience in the entertainment industry. An award-winning journalist, she's written for Turner Classic Movies, Ms. Magazine , The Hollywood Reporter , and more. She's worked at EW for six years covering film, TV, theater, music, and books. The author of EW's quarterly romance review column, "Hot Stuff," Maureen holds Master's degrees from both the University of Southern California and the University of Oxford. Her debut novel, It Happened One Fight , is now available. Follow her for all things related to classic Hollywood, musicals, the romance genre, and Bruce Springsteen.

Every year, it seems as if our need for escape and happy endings only grows.

2023 was no exception, with a host of real-world events often making the real world a depressing place to be. Thank goodness for the romance genre and the promise of happily-ever-after (on the pages of a book, at least). Whether you're in search of a contemporary rom-com, a creative retelling of a beloved story, or something that shines a light on a new corner of the world, there was no shortage of great reads. Here, in no particular order, are our 10 favorite romance novels of 2023.

"Technically Yours" by Denise Williams

Denise Williams returns with a STEM-focused romance that is as sexy as it is cozy. Pearl Harris is terrified of letting a man get in the way of her ambitions and her commitment to her family. When her new job brings her back into the path of Cord Matthews, a tech innovator and former coworker she fell for years ago, she finds her rules for romance sorely tested. Williams is a master at crafting relatable characters whose past traumas obstruct their road to happiness, and Technically Yours is no different. She writes with the precision and charm of a classic rom-com, innately knowing the code to what makes an irresistible read. Williams has a gift for making her characters feel like people we know, while also granting them a love story worthy of a novel.

"The Duke Gets Desperate" by Diana Quincy

Any novel that expands the possibilities of the historical romance sub-genre is a win in our books, but particularly when they’re this sinfully readable. When Arab-American heiress Raya Darwish unexpectedly inherits her late cousin’s English castle, she isn’t prepared to face off against Anthony Cary, Duke of Strickland, who feels he’s been robbed of his birthright. But through much glowering and sexy banter, the two come to realize that Raya’s plans for the estate are the only thing likely to save it. The Duke Gets Desperate bursts with old-school romance feels, while also feeling utterly fresh in its more inclusive view of history.

"Once More With Feeling" by Elissa Sussman

2023 brought us the gift of Britney Spears’ memoir, but if you can’t get enough of the pop princess, Once More With Feeling will hit you one more time. Once upon a time, Katee Rose was America’s number one pop star, but her career came to a screeching halt when her boy-bander boyfriend, Ryan, broadcast her infidelity with his bandmate Cal Kirby. Years later, Kathleen gets a shot at the comeback she’s always wanted on Broadway, but it comes with a catch — Cal is the director. Sussman perfectly balances her winking pop culture references with a swoony romance and an interrogation of mid-2000s tabloid culture. Oops, we want to read it again… and again.

"Marry Me by Midnight" by Felicia Grossman

With her new series, Felicia Grossman reimagines classic fairytales with a historical twist — and she gives voice to Jewish communities of the past. In Marry Me By Midnight, she gender-swaps Cinderella with synagogue custodian Aaron Ellenberg as the poor, but kindly figure dreaming of a new life and heiress Isabelle Lira, the wealthy one on the hunt for a spouse. Isabelle is ambitious, tempestuous even, in her determination to prove she can go toe-to-toe with any businessman. But what charms are the sweet and unexpected ways Aaron sneaks into her heart. Fairy-tale retellings abound in romance, but few cast a spell as enchanting as this.

"Business or Pleasure" by Rachel Lynn Solomon

We stan a sex positive manifesto, and that’s exactly what Business or Pleasure is. Ghostwriter Chandler Cohen knows she needs to shake up her life, but she didn’t exactly intend to have a (bad) one night stand with her next client. When C-list actor Finn Walsh hires her to ghostwrite his memoir about his time on a CW-esque show, she struggles to keep things professional. Until their mutual attraction leads her to offer to give him some lessons in the bedroom. Solomon writes even bad sex in a way that crackles off the page, championing the credo that pleasure isn’t about an end goal, but rather enjoying the path to satisfaction along the way. Tattoo that message on our chest, please.

"Knockout" by Sarah MacLean

If you haven’t read a Sarah MacLean book by now, what are you doing with your life? The perfect gateway drug to historical romance, MacLean delivers fierce, feminist, fresh takes year after year. Knockout is no exception, as it follows Lady Imogen Loveless, explosives expert, and her romance with detective Thomas Peck. The further MacLean moves away from ballrooms and Debrett’s, the better her work gets, as she delves into the underworld of the Hell’s Belles and their secret network of women helping women. When Peck agrees to keep an eye on Imogen for the sake of her safety, he isn’t prepared for just how explosive a woman she is. Or for the rot lurking in the heart of Scotland Yard. MacLean writes yearning, groveling men, and ferocious women with a quill pen worthy of a Pulitzer, and this book in particular is a K.O.

"Exes and O's" by Amy Lea

With Exes and O’s , Amy Lea subverts and reaffirms some of romance’s best tropes. Romance-obsessed Tara Chen is tired of hunting for The One when no one can measure up to the heroes on the pages of her favorite books. So, she decides to turn to the trope of “second chance romance” and seek out each of her exes in a quest to discover whether she might have let the right guy pass her by. Her roommate, hunky firefighter Trevor Metcalfe, reluctantly agrees to help her with her mission — but things get messy when he’s the one who starts catching feelings. Exes and O’s is a book for every romance reader who’s ever been told that their favorite genre is giving them “unrealistic expectations,” spearing just what such expectations may be, while offering up a squee-inducing love story of its own.

"An Island Princess Starts a Scandal" by Adriana Herrera

Canary Street Press

Adriana Herrera returns to her Caribbean heiresses in An Island Princess Starts a Scandal, offering readers a sapphic romance as lush as one of her heroine’s paintings. With the opportunity to show her art at the 1889 Exposition Universelle in Paris, Manuela del Carmen Caceres Galvan is determined to enjoy a summer of freedom before resigning herself to a loveless marriage. But when she crosses paths with business-woman Cora Kempf Bristol, Duchess of Sundridge, all bets are off. Manuela agrees to sell Cora a coveted piece of her land, if the Duchess will spend one libidinous summer in her company. Herrera captures the bohemian ethos of turn-of-the-century Paris with a sparkling, colorful eye. But more impressively, she negotiates the challenges of life in the past for queer people and people of color with honesty while never losing the joie de vivre that makes her stories sing.

"Raiders of the Lost Heart" by Jo Segura

We're still waiting for adventure romance to become the next hot trend, but in the meanwhile, we have Raiders of the Lost Heart. The book is just what the title might lead you to expect — an enemies to lovers tale of two rival archaeologists, who are forced together on the dig of a lifetime. Dr. Socorro “Corrie” Mejía has spent her career fighting to prove herself as more than her Lara Croft-worthy curves and harrowing adventure stories. And no one rubs her the wrong way like Dr. Ford Matthews (yes, he’s named after Harrison), the man in charge of her dream expedition. Their bickering seems to be their biggest problem, until suspicious entities begin to close in on their camp. Segura has a wicked sense of humor, a divinely filthy imagination, and a knack for probing questions of identity, sexism, and racism. She combines delicious enemies to lovers banter with a high dash of danger and action, as she plunges her characters into the jungle in an adventure that thrills and titillates in equal measure.

"Kiss the Girl" by Zoraida Córdova

Hyperion Avenue

Reinventing a Disney classic is such a challenge that even the studio itself has often stumbled with their efforts. That’s part of what makes Zoraida Córdova's Kiss the Girl , the third book in Disney’s Meant to Be series, so splashy. Córdova takes The Little Mermaid out of the sea, instead reimagining Ariel Del Mar and her sisters as hit pop girl group, Siren Seven. When Ariel bristles against her father’s demands, she strikes out on her own, joining up-and-coming rocker Eric Reyes on tour as a merch girl in disguise. As they travel, Ariel struggles with keeping her true identity a secret and her growing feelings for Eric — all at risk from her father’s wheeling and dealing. Córdova takes a beloved fairy-tale and gives it legs by transforming it into a heartfelt story of finding your voice (and honoring the love of someone who gives it the space to shine).

Related content:

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My name is Andie, I'm 32 and live in a beautiful small town. I have a lot of passions but books are my #1 crush. After spending years following other book blogs, I needed to create my own to gush about books with fellow book lovers. Feel free to contact me. Happy reading!

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⭐️ Accepts indie books? Yes

Smart Bitches Trashy Books

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The Smart Bitches Trashy Books blog began in 2005 as a community of romance readers eager to talk about which romance novels rocked their worlds, and which ones made them throw the book with as much velocity as possible. Are you dying to see us review a particular book? Yours, perhaps (it certainly doesn't have to be)? Use this form, and yes, we really do need all this info. Thanks.

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Gayathri loves reading, recommending books and talking about bookish things in real life. Her blog is just an extension of that habit. When she is not reading books or creating online content, she freelances as a beta reader. She lives currently in Dubai.

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The Creative Muggle

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The Creative Muggle is a place for anyone who wants to read books. You can find fascinating reading lists to have a productive reading time in your busy life. From charming romance novels to propulsive thrillers, you are in for a literary treat!

Blogger : Stephy George

🌐 Domain authority: 20

👀 Average monthly visits: 20,500 p/mo

Book Nerdection

https://booknerdection.com/

Book Nerdection is a place where we offer book reviews, recommendations and write about books because we love them. We are a group of people dedicated to deliver the best book content.

Blogger : Book Nerdection Team

🌐 Domain authority: 31

👀 Average monthly visits: 2,000 p/mo

One Book Two

https://onebooktwo.wordpress.com/

One Book Two was founded by Nell and Ivana to compare thoughts on books we've both read. Shortly after it launched in March of 2015, it exploded! Now we have multiple reviewers who read a variety of genres. We don't always get to have two reviews for each book anymore, but we do our best!

Blogger : The OBT Team

🌐 Domain authority: 24

👀 Average monthly visits: 5,000 p/mo

💌 Preferred contact method: Mail

⭐️ Accepts indie books? No

Likely Story

https://likelystory.blog/

I started Likely Story to share my love of books with the world. I have been known to stay up until 3am, lost in a book and I decided I wanted to spread the word and share as many of them as I could with other readers. Happy reading!

Blogger : Alex

🌐 Domain authority: 8

The Kindle Book Review

https://www.thekindlebookreview.net/

We are a book review and promotion site but we NEVER charge for reviews. There other other sites that have tried to imitate us. We are The Kindle Book Review dot Net. We've reviewed over 1,750 books on Amazon since 2009. We promote quality ebooks and authors, post author resources, and we've sponsored the annual "Kindle Book Awards" since 2012 with industry pros like Digital Book Today, K-Boards, Author Marketing Club, Bargain Booksy, and others.

Blogger : Amber & Team

🌐 Domain authority: 38

👀 Average monthly visits: 7,000 p/mo

Book Lover Worm

https://bookloverwormblog.wordpress.com/

I am a book lover and reviewer. I’ve always loved reading and remember the joys of reading the Famous Five, Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. I prefer crime fiction and psychological thrillers but also have a soft spot for chick-lit and women’s fiction and anything else that catches my interest.

Blogger : Sandra

🌐 Domain authority: 27

Pop. Edit. Lit

https://editingeverything.com/

I started my book blog as a way to have a presence as an editor online, but started enjoying reading and reviewing so much more than I thought. I am based in Australia, so I am always eager to learn about new Australian authors. Currently my favourite genre is crime, whether it's adult fiction, YA or NA. I'm a fan of urban fantasy and contemporary reads as well.

Blogger : Verushka

🌐 Domain authority: 34

👀 Average monthly visits: 2,200 p/mo

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10 biggest romance books coming out in september 2024.

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10 Books That Perfectly Blend Fantasy & Romance

10 best lgbtq+ romance books to read for pride month, a court of silver flames makes it so much harder to root for nesta & cassian.

Romance books might not receive the same accolades and critical acclaim as other novels, but they consistently perform as some of the most popular and successful works of literature. This September, a new lineup of amazing projects from a variety of up-and-coming and returning voices offers diverse and engaging love stories that will capture the hearts of audiences. Whether they're heaving on the spice or simply a feel-good tale for anyone to enjoy, the incoming romance novels provide something for everyone and demonstrate the importance of love in literature.

The new releases in September demonstrate that romance books aren't one-dimensional and have a lot to offer to their audiences.

While slice-of-life narratives are some of the most popular romance novels today, there are also amazing works that blend genres. There are speculative fiction books like romance book series about aliens that draw readers into the romance genre. Additionally, books that perfectly blend sci-fi and romance thrive in their ability to show that love stories can exist in all settings and have a place in the plots of all types of books. The new releases in September demonstrate that romance books aren't one-dimensional and have a lot to offer to their audiences.

While the draw of fantasy books is the worldbuilding & magic, the plots within these novels are elevated by great romances & love stories.

10 Wild Eyes

Release date: september 3, 2024.

The second book in Elsie Silver's Rose Hill series, Wild Eyes , transports the reader back to the small town of Rose Hill for a new and equally touching love story. Iconic country singer Skylar is swept off her feet in unexpected ways by the charming and infuriatingly handsome Weston Belmont. Though their connection is obvious and the pair want nothing more than to be together, things are complicated by Skylar's high-profile celebrity lifestyle and the demands of her career. However, her quiet life in Rose Hill might be exactly what she needs.

Skylar and West don't try to deny their feelings for each other, but they're all too aware of the external factors that would complicate their life together.

Silver's first book in the series, Wild Love , also dealt with a steamy romance between a single dad and a fiery young woman, but Wild Eyes maintains that tension in a new way. Skylar and West don't try to deny their feelings for each other, but they're all too aware of the external factors that would complicate their life together. Incorporating the best parts of the friends-to-lovers arc, Wild Eyes transports the reader to a beautiful town with an even more beautiful story.

9 Unbearably Yours

Set in the Great Bear Rainforest, Unbearably Yours sees its characters, Charlee and Oliver, suddenly reconnect after years of estrangement. Their tense relationship in the present is juxtaposed with the gorgeously written letters they exchanged in the past that forged their initial bond. Brought back together to film a documentary in the forest to save an environmental organization, Charlee and Oliver must put aside their differences for a good cause. However, this proximity forces them to grapple with their lingering feelings.

Unbearably Yours is the coziest installment of Elodie Colliard's It's Always Been You Series , and it has all the makings of a spicy romance book BookTok would recommend . However, the chemistry between Charlee and Oliver is also based on a true emotional connection that's built on trust. This makes it all the more confusing as to why they've been estranged for five years and why their past relationship ended on a sour note. Fortunately, there's plenty of time in the forest to open up about the past and spark hope for the future.

8 Fall For Him

Once Derek and Dylan begin to open up to each other, everything changes, and they help each other through loss and love.

Andie Burke's latest romance, Fall for Him , expands upon the author's style and sense of humor following her previous release, Fly with Me . In Fall for Him , two neighbors, Dylan and Derek, are forced to live together while Dylan fixes the issue that caused him to crash through the ceiling of Derek's apartment and straight into his bed. Though the pair both have walls up and try to hide their growing attraction behind witty banter, there's no question that the feelings bubbling beneath the surface are more than fleeting.

Burke has shown through her work that she's dedicated to including great representation of the LGBTQ+ community and the neurodivergent community. Dylan and Derek both have their struggles, but Burke never makes their problems feel insurmountable, and she makes their relationship a force of goodness and healing in their lives . Once Derek and Dylan begin to open up to each other, everything changes, and they help each other through loss and love.

When finding books to read for Pride month, many authors have written beautiful stories of LGBTQ+ romance from the past & present to choose from.

7 This Is Not A Holiday Romance

Release date: september 4, 2024.

Though it might seem far away, the holidays are right around the corner, and releasing a cozy winter-themed book in September is the perfect time to get readers in the holiday spirit. However, being trapped together and snowed in over Christmas is not the relaxing break that Nina and Tristan had in mind. Tristan has been best friends with Nina's brother for years, and when he unexpectedly shows up for Christmas, their longstanding prank war and fierce rivalry gets going once again.

Of course, there was a reason that there's been so much tension between them all these years, and it's much more than casual. Giving into their desires while trying to keep it a secret from Nina's family puts them in steamy and awkward situations. However, the biggest issue turns out to be that Nina and Tristan might want more from each other than a holiday fling, but putting aside their differences won't be easy.

6 Truly, Madly, Deeply

Release date: september 10, 2024.

L.J. Stein's first outing of the Forbidden Love series, Truly, Madly, Deeply , promises to deliver everything that the best of the enemies-to-lovers trope has to offer. Capitalizing on the grumpy x sunshine dynamic between the two main characters, Truly, Madly, Deeply follows high-powered chef Ambrose and his little sister's best friend, Cal. Cal has recently blown back into town and Ambrose's life, and after he caves and gives her a job, being around her all the time proves too difficult to keep his desires buried.

Even though there are a million complications standing in their way, caving to their desires might be what they both really need.

However, Cal has secrets of her own, like the fact that she's carried a torch for Ambrose since she was young and that his gruff exterior won't fool her so easily. Witnessing Ambrose slowly melt and do anything for Cal while she learns to let her guard down and lean on him for support, makes it impossible not to root for this pair to get together. Even though there are a million complications standing in their way, caving to their desires might be what they both really need.

5 Can’t Help Falling In Love

Release date: september 17, 2024.

The fake engagement at the heart of Can't Help Falling in Love is enough to make anyone swoon, but the chemistry between the central couple makes it even better. Set in autumn, making it the perfect book to curl up with while the leaves change, Can't Help Falling in Love follows the love story of Lexi and Will, who couldn't be more different. Though Will comes from a high-profile family of Seattle's elite, and Lexi works as a waitress to pay for school, the pair meet, and sparks fly at once.

However, fate has other plans for the pair, and soon Lexi is pretending to be Will's financée as the pair just start getting to know each other. Can't Help Falling in Love evokes classics like When Harry Met Sally and the other best movies from the golden age of rom-coms . Part of this is because of the vivid descriptions of the fall activities and autumnal setting, but also because the connection between Lexi and Will is timeless enough to last.

4 The Christmas Catch

Release date: september 24, 2024.

The Christmas Catch is a hometown romance that revolves around two high school sweethearts reconnecting in adulthood after their lives start coming apart.

The Christmas Catch is a hometown romance that revolves around two high school sweethearts reconnecting in adulthood after their lives start coming apart. Jaheel comes home to Georgia after an injury ends his NFL career and grapples with what the rest of his life will look like. Still healing from her divorce, Bebe can't believe her old flame is back in town, and she's more concerned with raising her daughter and taking care of herself than risking getting hurt by Jaheel again.

However, their sweet hometown Christmas events make the perfect setting for things to thaw between the pair and open the door for a future together. Though she wants to let him back in her life, Bebe is too smart not to worry that he'll leave their small town again and go looking for more fame and fortune. The author, Toni Shiloh, writes from a faith-based perspective, and this is perfect for readers who are looking for religious themes and messages of goodwill in their romance novels.

3 Pucking Sweet

Emily Rath's Jacksonville Rays series consistently checks all the boxes of spicy romance and representation, and Pucking Sweet is no exception. Poppy St. James is the new PR director for the famous hockey team, and she's a consummate professional until two daring players start to light her heart on fire. Lucas and Colton are two of the best players on the team, but that doesn't mean they behave themselves off the ice. It's no surprise that Poppy has to work hard to keep her star players from becoming PR disasters.

Rath interweaves background from the last two books throughout the story, but this only adds to the central dynamic between the three lead characters. As the protagonist, Poppy is a strong and brilliant character who the reader can easily relate to and believe her actions. Like any good romance book, Pucking Sweet has plenty of spice, but it's effective because the characters are so dynamic. Pucking Sweet transcends the love triangle trope to create an even more compelling relationship dynamic in the story.

2 Payal Mehta’s Romance Revenge Plot

Skewed more toward the YA genre and younger readers, Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot is the debut from Preeti Chhibber, and the novel is fun, fresh, and romantic to the very end. The protagonist, Payal, is a hilarious main character, and the reader will begin to connect with her on page one and be fully on board with her ill-fated quest for revenge in no time. She's disillusioned with her crush on the archetypal most popular boy in school after he commits a microaggression and tanks her faith in love.

Though they've always been rivals, Payal recruits Philip into her scheme to make Jon pay, and the pair start growing closer than Payal ever intended.

However, Jon, the popular guy, was never meant to be her happily-ever-after, as her sworn enemy and partner in revenge, Philip Kim. Though they've always been rivals, Payal recruits Philip into her scheme to make Jon pay, and the pair start growing closer than Payal ever intended. Despite his sarcastic comments and biting one-liners, Philip has much more in common with Payal than Jon ever did, and her search for love might end somewhere unexpected.

1 The Wingman

Release date: september 26, 2024.

Stephanie Archer is back and better than ever with the latest installment of her Vancouver Storm series, and The Wingman is a great addition to the hockey romance genre. Though it's connected to the rest of the books, The Wingman tells a standalone story of a young woman who needs to get back into the dating scene, and her best friend Hayden is more than willing to teach her. What starts as lessons in picking up guys soon leads to her learning much more about love and relationships than she ever knew.

The Wingman is the friends-to-lover trope turned all the way up and includes plenty of spice and jealousy to make the reader hungry for more of Archer's writing. Though she always thought of Hayden as a player, it turns out he's just been waiting for the right person, and it's always been her. Their friendship and roommate dynamic get pretty complicated, but it's worth it for the romance that's waiting for them and the true love they obviously share.

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Love next door.

• Common Sense Says
• Parents Say 1 Review
• Kids Say 0 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

By Ty'Kira Smalls , based on child development research. How do we rate?

Some cursing and light fighting in rambunctious rom-com.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Love Next Door is a Korean romantic comedy (available with English subtitles) about a childhood bond between two successful people being reimagined in adulthood. Expect constant discussions and focus on dating, marriage, and romantic relationships. Light cursing includes "bastard"…

Why Age 13+?

Scenes of characters surrounded by alcohol and intoxicated.

Verbal hostility and fighting. Some scenes of injury and blood shown.

A lot of focus and discussions on marriage and romantic relationships.

Cursing includes "bastard" and "hell."

Any Positive Content?

Bae Seok-ryu is determined, adventurous, and talented. Sometimes her temper can

This series is set in Korea and the cast is almost entirely Korean. Characters a

Themes of career, family, friendship, romance, and success.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Violence & Scariness

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Positive Role Models

Bae Seok-ryu is determined, adventurous, and talented. Sometimes her temper can get the best of her, and she acts out impulsively. Choi Seung-hyo is intelligent and compassionate but can also come off cold and conceited. Their personalities both clash and complement each other, and they try to navigate this as they've gotten older.

Diverse Representations

This series is set in Korea and the cast is almost entirely Korean. Characters are diverse in age and gender. The writer of this series has previous works featuring strong and nuanced female leads, which are present in this series as well. Some gender stereotypes are subverted.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Positive Messages

Parents need to know that Love Next Door is a Korean romantic comedy (available with English subtitles) about a childhood bond between two successful people being reimagined in adulthood. Expect constant discussions and focus on dating, marriage, and romantic relationships. Light cursing includes "bastard" and "hell." Violence includes verbal hostility, fighting, and some scenes of injury and blood shown.

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Parent and Kid Reviews

• Parents say (1)

Based on 1 parent review

Chemistry of the main actors is so good

What's the story.

In LOVE NEXT DOOR, Choi Seung-hyo ( Jung Hae-in ) is a successful architect and co-CEO of atelier "In." He's just bought a new building not too far from his childhood home, renovating it to become his new office. Then he runs into Bae Seok-ryoo ( Jung So-min ) who has secretly come back home to Korea after working at big tech company in the U.S. for the past few years. The two instantly butt heads, the oddities of their childhood bonds and growing pains clashing. When it turns out that Seok-ryoo is starting over and back home for good, the two are once again next-door neighbors in their childhood homes. How will their past affect their relationship as adults?

Is It Any Good?

This series is a rambunctious and romantic journey into starting over. Love Next Door shines in physical comedy and interesting character dynamics. The chemistry between Jung Hae-in and Jung So-min is palpable and refreshing. Side couple Kim Ji-eun and Yoon Ji-on also have an intriguing and substantial storyline as well, which is unusual for the genre. The limited violence, language, and sexual content makes this suitable for most teens.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Parents can talk about friendship in Love Next Door . How is Bae Seok-ryoo and Jung Mo-eum's friendship portrayed? How does it develop throughout the series?

How are Bae Seok-ryoo and Choi Seung-hyo similar? How are they different? How do their personality traits affect their bond?

• Premiere date : August 17, 2024
• Cast : Jung Hae-in , Jung So-Min , Kim Ji-eun
• Network : Netflix
• Genre : Comedy
• TV rating : TV-14
• Last updated : August 30, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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