Get ready to fall head over heels for these romances!
1. Get A Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
“A pure exuberant delight. I loved this book… It’s also hilarious—Chloe in particular has a gloriously sardonic perception of the world—and it bounces along, and it will just make you feel better. Exactly what a romance should be.” –KJ Charles, author of Proper English
“[An] incredibly funny, romantic, and uplifting book. Red is as charming, sexy, and vulnerable as can be, but Chloe steals the show with her sarcasm, wit, and eccentric coping mechanisms. Even better, Chloe is surrounded by a family of remarkable, glamorous women, including two sisters who will be featured in later installments… A revelation. Hilarious, heartfelt, and hot. Hibbert is a major talent.” -Kirkus Reviews (starred review and Best Romances of 2019)
2. Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes
“Evvie Drake Starts Over is a heartwarming rom-com about loss, grief and second chances…. Despite the kernel of sadness rooted at the novel’s core, Evvie Drake Starts Over is a feel-good read that radiates warmth. Holmes nails the balance between romance and humor, with Evvie and Dean’s effortless and truly funny dialogue being a particular strength…. Uplifting and life-affirming, Evvie Drake Starts Over is a perfect choice for fans of Rainbow Rowell and Marian Keyes.”—BookPage (starred review)
“A smart romantic comedy…Evvie Drake Starts Over, ripe with amusing wit and charm, skillfully explores regret and longing, friendship, love and forgiveness and the challenges posed by reinvention. Strong characterizations and short, well-plotted scenes are filled with clever banter…. Readers will cheer for this richly drawn cast.”—Shelf Awareness
3. The Tutor by Marilee Albert
“The Tutor is an astonishing first novel. Marilee Albert puts us in the shoes of a sexually awakening 21 year-old Yale philosophy major and ferries us from New Haven to Rome, meeting colorful characters along the way. So many trysts and turns, dollops Kant and Heidegger, we even get a peek behind the scenes of an iconic Hollywood mob movie shoot where our heroine tutors a famous director and learns even more in the process. Super smart, super sexy—a must read!”
—Dottie Dartland Zicklin, Executice Producer, Younger
“Marilee Albert’s roman a clef, The Tutor, is a charmingly lusty, hilariously funny, page-turner. This first-time novelist is clearly gifted. I can’t wait for more.”
—Jamie Rose, actress, author of Shut Up and Dance!
4. Courting Mr. Lincoln by Louis Bayard
“A rich, fascinating and romantic union of fact and imagination about young Lincoln, the woman he would marry and his beloved best friend. Bayard’s compelling take on this question is not academic, nor is it a polemic; Courting Mr. Lincoln is intimate, warm and, above all, compassionate. Bayard is concerned with the possibilities of the human heart, and he presents an enigmatic Lincoln seen—and loved—from two other points of a romantic triangle . . . the greatest triumph of Courting Mr. Lincoln is how effectively Bayard creates suspense, even when we know how the story ends. Love is love is love, after all, and he invests us deeply in the moving journey of three extraordinary people.”
—Newsday
“A house divided against itself cannot stand, Abraham Lincoln warned us. But a book divided against itself stands up quite nicely in Louis Bayard’s wonderful Courting Mr. Lincoln . . . Suspenseful and revealing . . . It’s a tribute to Bayard’s entertaining novel that he has imagined a love story for Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln that embroiders the truth but that also fits perfectly with what we know about these very famous figures.”
—Minneapolis Star-Tribune
5. Tiny Imperfections by Alli Frank & Asha Youmane
“Youmans and Frank manage to tackle a woman’s journey through work, race, and motherhood beautifully in their debut. Tiny Imperfections is laugh out loud funny and full of heart. I can’t wait to see what they bring us next!”
—Alexa Martin, author of Fumbled
“Youmans and Frank’s deep-dive into private school culture sets the stage for a dishy, charming story of West Coast elitism and parenting at its pushiest. But it’s the characters, especially the marvelous Bordelon women, who give this delightful novel its heart and humor – and who make you long to be part of the family even after the last page.”
—Amy Poeppel, author of Small Admissions and Limelight
6. Lost in the Spanish Quarter by Heddi Goodrich
“A declaration of love for Naples, and not at all superficial: it is powerful and authentic precisely because it is a foreigner’s point of view, one that is not afraid of this vast city that is often difficult to comprehend.” –Pier Luigi Razzano, La Repubblica, Napoli
“Heddi Goodrich is a magnificent storyteller who keeps us in the moment, while letting the shadows of the past close in, leaving the reader enthralled. I loved it. Bellissima!“ -Adriana Trigiani, bestselling author of Tony’s Wife
7. The Perfect Date by Evelyn Lozada with Holly Lorincz
“Lozada and Lorincz’s multicultural Cinderella story and spicy blend of urban fiction and sports romance will please fans of Victoria Christopher Murray and Alexa Martin.” – Booklist
“A gripping story of choices and second chances in life and romance. You’ll root hard for Angel and Duke!” – Lauren Blakely, New York Times bestselling author
8. Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
“Boyfriend Material is the joyfully queer British romcom escape book I didn’t know I needed. It’s absurdly funny and swoonily romantic, with a sharp edge of wit and observation that keeps the story bounding along. An unbridled ‘one-more-chapter-oh-no-it’s-3am’ delight.” – KJ Charles
“”How? How was this book written? My vote is witchcraft. What a study in character development. It’s a how-to without even trying. I’m going to treat this novel like I do my favorite cardigan and buy 5 copies for when one wears out. Everyone needs to read this. Brilliance on every single page. Hilarious, witty, tender, and stunning. I LOVE THIS BOOK.”” – Christina Lauren, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
9. Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai
“Rai’s GIRL GONE VIRAL sizzles with heart and family. Jas and Kat’s fiery chemistry is irresistible, fulfilling every bodyguard fantasy. This book satisfies as much as Kat’s sourdough waffles.” -Roselle Lim, author of Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune
“Rai’s lovely, slow-building romance between the very appealing Katrina and Jasvinder will delight readers.” –Booklist
10. Frankissstein by Jeanette Winterson
“Sparky, funny and finely calibrated to ask weighty questions with the lightest of touches, Frankissstein is romantic, unsettling and beautifully written.”—Sunday Express
“A brainy, batty story — an unholy amalgamation of scholarship and comedy. [Winterson] manages to pay homage to Shelley’s insight and passion while demonstrating her own extraordinary creativity… his is no work of conventional literary history. It’s just a jump to the left… The dialogue is slick and funny, often delightfully obscene, but beneath all the kookiness, Winterson is satirizing sexual politics and exploring complicated issues of human desire… a bag of provocative tricks and treats. With diabolical ingenuity, [Winterson’s] found a way to inject fresh questions about humanity’s future into the old veins of Frankenstein.” −Ron Charles, The Washington Post
11. Axiom’s End by Lindsay Ellis
“Lindsay Ellis’s storytelling is what good science fiction should be: smart but heartfelt, full of profound ideas delivered with a sense of humanity. Axiom’s End is engaging precisely because it is about something all of us have experienced: That moment when you grow up enough to realize that the universe is more wondrous—and dangerous than you could ever have imagined.”
—David Wong, New York Times bestselling author
“At its core, Axiom’s End is warm-hearted…For all of its drama and philosophical conundrums, Ellis’s book is ultimately about the power of empathy and kindness in a universe that never has enough of either.” —Shelf Awareness (starred review)
12. You Had Me At Hola by Alexis Daria
“Daria delivers a sexy showbiz love affair in this steamy rom-com… Daria breathes effortless life into a cast of messy, loving, talented, and downright hilarious characters readers will adore. A sense of Latinx culture and pride exudes from every page, elevating an already entertaining story. Romance fans won’t want to miss this.” –Publishers Weekly
“Soapy, smart and so sexy…with vibrant characters and electric chemistry comparable to the telenovelas that inspired it, you’ll be thrilled You Had Me At Hola doesn’t come with commercials!” -Sarah MacLean, New York Times bestselling author
13. Last Tang Standing by Lauren Ho
”Your new favorite singleton is here and her name is Andrea Tang! Lauren Ho’s irresistible Last Tang Standing sparkles with that perfect match of hilarity and heart on every page. Smart, successful, driven lawyer-on-the-partner-track Andrea is the most endearing of heroines: trying to be a boss in her love life as she stumbles—uproariously!—through Singapore’s dating world in search of Mr. Right. You’ll fall in love with this warm, witty and winning tale of a woman learning to follow her heart—not her head—for the first time in her life!”—Aimee Agresti, author of Campaign Widows
“Andrea is a relatable, laugh-out-loud protagonist, a high achiever who also gives in to her weaker instincts on occasion. Last Tang Standing is a near-perfect blend of Crazy Rich Asians and Bridget Jones’s Diary, yet it still feels wholly original.”—BookPage (starred review)
14. This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
“[An] exquisitely crafted tale…. Part epistolary romance, part mind-blowing science fiction adventure, this dazzling story unfolds bit by bit, revealing layers of meaning as it plays with cause and effect, wildly imaginative technologies, and increasingly intricate wordplay… This short novel warrants multiple readings to fully unlock its complexities.”
— Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“This book has it all: treachery and love, lyricism and gritty action, existential crisis and space-opera scope, not to mention time traveling superagents. Gladstone’s and El-Mohtar’s debut collaboration is a fireworks display from two very talented storytellers.”
— Madeline Miller, Winner of the Orange Prize for Fiction
15. Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan
“On its face, the story is a zippy beach read, but Kwan engages with serious subject matter (racism, identity, and deep-rooted Asian classism) all while thoroughly lampooning the extravagance of the ultrarich… The best part is that like all of Kwan’s work, Sex and Vanity also functions as a vacation read — it’s funny, there are ridiculous, steamy sex scenes, and part of the book takes place at a luxurious destination wedding. It’s the kind of thing you can take to whatever beach substitute you’re working with right now (the bedroom with the most sun, or a patch of asphalt at the nearest park) and escape for a little while.” — The Cut
“True love will find a way, even among the status-obsessed and filthy rich…[With] irresistibly knowing humor and delightful central characters… While he’s engineering the timeless love story and continuing our postgraduate education in all the things money can buy, Kwan manages to take a few swipes against snobbery and racism. Nice. This is the only way you’re getting to Capri this year. Why resist?” —Kirkus
16. Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory
“Filled with delightful, swoon-worthy dates and many laughs, this affectionate, cross-continent holiday romance is perfect for cozying up with on a cold winter’s night.”—Library Journal
“’Royal Holiday’ gives positive representation of a mature, respectful, sex-positive couple of a certain age.”—The Washington Post
17. Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
“By turns hilarious and angst-ridden, buoyant and strikingly real, this novel is a surefire bull’s-eye for any devotee of classic romance, slow burn fanfiction, or heartfelt storytelling.” – Lyndsay Faye, internationally bestselling author of Jane Steele
“Absorbing, hilarious, tender, sexy—this book had everything I crave.” – Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners
18. Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev
“Ideal for romantics and foodies alike.” –Booklist
“Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors is a vibrant multicultural feast written with a taste of the true nature of the American stew — not a mush of indecipherable flavors but a celebration of its many ingredients. Sonali Dev is a fresh, unique, and wise voice in women’s fiction.” -Barbara O’Neal, The Art of Inheriting Secrets
19. Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey
“Tessa Bailey has delivered the frothiest of rom-coms with the heat turned up to scorching… it’s a wealth of tropes done so well it feels like trope Christmas. Bailey knows just how to push all the right buttons on these plot points readers adore. Her voice feels as fresh and contemporary as a Netflix rom-com, and the swoon factor is there in abundance as well, making you fall hard and fast for both protagonists… Bailey writes banter and rom-com scenarios with aplomb, but for those who like their romance on the spicier side, she’s also the Michelangelo of dirty talk. She wields filth like Da Vinci does a paintbrush, and there’s a lot to be said for an author who can fill such exchanges with all the requisite heat, enthusiastic consent, and yes, even humor, of such a scenario without veering into corny territory… Bailey ties all of these elements – the perfectly calibrated tropes, sizzling dirty talk, and envy-inducing ladies’ nights – together with a super-charged ribbon of emotion… the way Bailey gradually builds their emotional and physical connection leads to a swoon-inducing ending any reader will fall head over heels for.” –Entertainment Weekly
“If you adore romance and HGTV, this is just the book for you.” -Oprahmag.com
20. Ties That Tether by Jane Igharo
“A beautiful, heartfelt story about the power of love, identity, and family. Ties That Tether is a delightful debut that romance lovers won’t want to miss!“—Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Train To Key West
“Ties That Tether was a roller coaster ride from page one and holy cow did I love it. Jane Igharo chronicles Azere’s journey in such a beautiful, wrenching, and relatable way. As Azere struggled to find a balance between her love life, her own happiness, and the expectations of her family, I went through a whirlwind of emotions—and I adored every minute of it. I laughed and teared up and cheered and yelled. Best of all, Jane Igharo delivers a happily ever after that made me smile until my cheeks hurt. I tore through this amazing book, I couldn’t read it fast enough.”—Sarah Smith, Author of Simmer Down
21. World Between by Emily Hashimoto
“How do serious, intellectual women fall foolishly in love? How can you be so educated yet so lost? Open to life’s possibilities, yet vulnerable and accidentally cruel? A World Between is a sweet and funny take on love and growing up. Imagine a classic rom-com, if the leads actors were two queer Asian women. This is such a gentle, hopeful book.” —Rowan Hisayo Buchanan, author of Starling Days
“A celebration of identity, queer love, messy families, and the ferocity of want. I love this book’s expansive heart, nuance, and radiant joy.” —T Kira Madden, author of Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls
22. Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan
“Hands down one of the most anticipated debuts of the year … A piercingly provocative look at modern love and power games.” -Book Riot
“Fiercely intelligent, brutally funny and written with such heart, Exciting Times announces an impressive new voice in literature.” -Nathan Filer, author of The Shock of the Fall