As an avid romance reader, I consume a lot of books! This is a list of some of my favorite reads that came out this year, 2026!
All of these books are ones I was fortunate enough to read in advance of publication, as an ARC reader. For my full revie...
Sections
12
Sports romance
Young Adult (YA) romance
Second chance romance
Queer romance
Workplace romance
Fake Dating romance
Sports romance
Romance books with sports as a main plot point
This skating romance was a great read, especially for those of us who love the Olympics!
Fated Skates: A Novel
This romance between a ballerina and dancer had the perfect amount of spice and real life issues.
Toe to Toe
A spicy hockey romance that came from a one night stand!
Game Misconduct
A tennis romance where two former enemies on the court end up realizing there’s more to the other!
Set Point: A Novel
This is such a great baseball romance with the brother’s best friend trope!
Best Player
With the meet cute of all meet cutes, this book is hilarious and heartwarming at the same time.
First and Forever
The fake dating + hockey romance is so good!
Big Stick Energy: A New York Legends Hockey Romance
This was such a fun take on a racing romance! It was a new trope for me but I really loved it.
Drive Me Crazy - by Lizzy Dent (Paperback)
Young Adult (YA) romance
Romance books where the characters are under 18 years old
A sweet and tender YA romance that made me nostalgic for those years
Room to Breathe
Second chance romance
Romance books where the characters have met before and are given a second chance to fall in love
This book is a combination of a holiday romance as well as a second chance romance, set in Japan!
No Strings Attached: A glamorous second chance romance set in Japan from Christy McKellen for 2026
An emotionally powerful and beautifully written second chance romance
End Game
A heartfelt second chance story between two exes in a small town!
The Love Feud
A beautiful, powerful, and emotional second chance love story between two
Unbound: A Novel
A hilarious take on a second chance romance!
Shrunkation: An Adventure Romantic Comedy
Two writers fall in love while working on a story in this book.
Tropesick: A Novel
Queer romance
Romance books with LGBTQIA+ characters
I absolutely adored this queer love story & the character development was amazing!
Last First Kiss: A Novel
This rockstar romance x second chance romance hit all the right notes!
Anderson in Bloom: A Novel
This rockstar romance between two band members hits all the right notes.
You Won't Forget Me: A Novel
A beautiful romance with a modern day Hades and an adorable flower shop owner
Dearly Departed
Workplace romance
Romance books where the characters either meet or interact at work regularly
This small town, workplace romance book was a treat from start to finish
Free Falling
Such a fun play on a modern day Twelfth Night!
Risky Business: A Novel
This love story between a writer and an editor was both an easy read and an impossible book to put down!
How to Write a Love Story: A Novel
Loved this lawyer romance with an extra dash of solving the case behind their trial!
Love Beyond Reasonable Doubt: A Novel
Two rivals teaming up to save their local bookstore?? So cute!
The Last Page: A Novel
Fake Dating romance
Romance books where the characters choose to fake date
One of my favorite reads! This academic rivals to lovers book was incredible & so hard to put down.
Love and Other Brain Experiments: A Novel
Absolutely obsessed with these characters & their small town fake dating story.
No Place Like You: A Novel
Incredible combination of forced proximity and fake dating for two characters whose initial feelings were less than romantic
While You Were Seething: A Novel
So fun seeing these two team up to make Isa’s ex jealous!
Out of Her League: A Novel
Single Parent romance
Romance books where one or both of the main characters has a child coming into the story
Incredible chemistry & sweet meet cutes between these characters!!
The Heat of the Moment: A slow-burn firefighter romance about second chances and finding your spark
Sweet small town, single parent romance!
Summer Skies Over Starr's Fall: The BRAND NEW small town romance full of sunshine from million-copy bestseller Kate Hewitt for 2026
Absolutely loved this small town, single parent romance with the added joy of cowboys!
Fallen Willow: A BRAND NEW must-read steamy small-town cowboy romance for 2026!
Absolutely obsessed with the small town, single parent romance with lots of heart and emotional impact.
Dolly All the Time (GMA Book Club Pick)
A beautiful second chance story in a new place.
Brighter than Before: A feel-good novel about finding yourself and falling in love again
Friends to Lovers romance
Romance books where a friendship blossoms into a romance
Two incredible novellas with equally compelling characters!
The Halifax Hellions
No praise would be high enough for how much I adored this sweet friends to lovers book. An absolute masterpiece!
If Only You Knew: A Novel
Set on a cruise ship, the trip in this book brings two old friends together!
The Shippers: A Novel
A great read with banter and a solid dose of ghost hunting.
Room Serviced: A Hotel Bellwether Novella
Holiday romance
Romance books set far away in a fun place or during a holiday time
This holiday romance was easy to read and lighthearted! A great summer treat.
The Barefoot Bookshop on the Beach: The BRAND NEW sunkissed 'wish-you-were-here' beach-read from Rebecca Raisin for 2026
The epitome of a holiday romance where the connection lasts beyond its expected end date
The Vacation Situation: A Small Town, Secret Identity, Summer Beach Romcom
A beautiful story about fresh starts and new adventures.
The Valencia Expat Club: A Novel
A magical story that makes me feel how much magic is in the truest of romance stories.
In Every Possible Way
Forbidden romance
This royalty romance can be read as a standalone story within a larger series of brilliant books!
The Royal Situation: a secret, forbidden, age-gap, opposites attract royal romcom
A fast paced forbidden romance with a dash of mystery
Enemies to Lovers: A Novel
Three intertwining stories about love, choices, and family
Save the Date: A Novel
An unexpected meet cute leads to a forbidden dynamic in this book!
Kiss Me First
Such a creative take on a reality tv show romance!
Coupling Up: A BRAND NEW rom-com full of sun, chaos and taking chances from Jo Lyons for 2026
The MMC is a pirate in this story and the banter is delicious!
Scandal of the Summer
Opposites Attract romance
Set in NYC, the romantic arc of Jonah and Arielle was full of spice and entertainment!
Soon by You: A Novel
This is PEAK opposites attract as these characters go on a hiking adventure together.
The Great Outdoors: A Novel
Enemies to Lovers and Rivals to Lovers romance
These two storm chasers go on such an adventure in this story!
