These are my monthly faves for romance books! Aiming for diversity and representation whenever possible with a mix of genres, new releases, and backlist titles.
Sections
20
April 2026 Faves
March 2026 Faves
February 2026 Faves
January 2026 Faves
December 2025 Faves
November 2025 Faves
April 2026 Faves
Lots of wonderful new releases this month
Co-workers in the dirt
The Scoundrel and the Siren: A Novel|Paperback
Historical romance with archeology and no ballrooms
The Scoundrel and the Siren Audiobook on Libro.fm
Super angsty formula one romance
First to Finish (Pole Position, Book 2)|Paperback
Contemporary romance between a racecar driver and his engineer
First to Finish by Rebecca J. Caffery Narrated by Curtis Michael Holland Audiobook on Libro.fm
The grumpiest grump at a destination wedding
The Paris Match|Paperback
Destination wedding for your ex-husband's sister
The Paris Match Audiobook on Libro.fm
Enemies to lovers tennis romance
Set Point: A Novel|Paperback
Enemies to lover tennis romance, so much drama
Set Point by Meg Jones Narrated by Lindsey Dorcus Audiobook on Libro.fm
Historical romance fake engagement
Nearly a Bride|Paperback
Fake engagement historical romance
Nearly a Bride Audiobook on Libro.fm
March 2026 Faves
The new guy takes the head coach job over the assistant coach. They make out over it.
Home Ice Advantage: An MM Grumpy x Sunshine Hockey Romance|eBook
They fight until they don't.
Home Ice Advantage Audiobook on Libro.fm
Single mom rents an “apartment” in a sketchy building secretly filled with paranormal creatures.
Magic and Mischief at the Wayside Hotel|Paperback
The apartment manager is attractively competent. The fairy cheerleaders are also fun.
Magic and Mischief at the Wayside Hotel Audiobook on Libro.fm
When you're in a closeted secret relationship and your guy gets into a racecar accident, no one tells you about it or lets you visit him in the hospital. Agh, the angst.
Crash Test: A Novel|Paperback
Heartbreak alert for the secret closeted situationship and the guy who doesn't know if his “boyfriend” is going to survive a racecar accident.
Crash Test Audiobook on Libro.fm
Two strangers switch their luck after an accidental encounter at a fortune teller
The Fortune Flip|Paperback
Legit still sad over Hazel's lost dim sum leftoevers
The Fortune Flip Audiobook on Libro.fm
He wants to paint her, totally in a scandalous way
The Muse of Maiden Lane|Paperback
She'll only let him paint her if they get married
The Muse of Maiden Lane Audiobook on Libro.fm
February 2026 Faves
Super messy when your summer roommate is the woman who stole your ex
Get Over It, April Evans|Paperback
Weather people and a snowstorm. Opposites attract.
And Now, Back to You|Paperback
Marriage of convenience with Beauty and the Beast vibes
The Belle of Belgrave Square|Paperback
Chronic disability representation, former Olympic athlete, fake dating
It's All in Your Head: A Novel|Paperback
Friends to lovers, discovering oneself, and wedding planning (not theirs)
Last First Kiss: A Novel|Paperback
Get Over It, April Evans by Ashley Herring Blake Narrated by Gail Shalan Audiobook on Libro.fm
Get Over It, April Evans by Ashley Herring Blake Narrated by Gail Shalan Audiobook on Libro.fm
And Now, Back to You by B.K. Borison
And Now, Back to You by B.K. Borison Narrated by Max Meyers Audiobook on Libro.fm
The Belle of Belgrave Square Audiobook on Libro.fm
The Belle of Belgrave Square Audiobook on Libro.fm
Quiet opposites attract romance. And they're technically courting other people.
Remember That Day|Hardcover
Second chance after war separates them.
The Lost Letter: A Victorian Romance|Paperback
One night stand turned nanny situation. Super steamy.
Fundamentals of Being a Good Girl: A Novel|Hardcover
The cutest sweetest golden retriever and grump hockey romance
Time to Shine|Paperback
Slowest slow burn MM romance in midcentury NYC
After Hours at Dooryard Books|Paperback
Opposites attract
Remember That Day Audiobook on Libro.fm
The Lost Letter by Mimi Matthews
The Lost Letter by Mimi Matthews Narrated by Justine Eyre Audiobook on Libro.fm
One night stand. And then she's the nanny.
Fundamentals of Being a Good Girl by Julie Murphy Narrated by Connor Crais Audiobook on Libro.fm
Cute cute cute. Read it while you wait for HR season 2.
Time to Shine Audiobook on Libro.fm
Slow burn MM romance
After Hours at Dooryard Books Audiobook on Libro.fm
December 2025 Faves
Angsty physical rehab, friends with benefits
Hat Trick|Paperback
Fake courtship
A Most Worthy Husband|Paperback
One night stand to workplace enemies to secret relationship
Sparks Fly|Paperback
She's a spy pretending to be a brothel madam
Winds of the Storm|eBook
Hockey rivals who have been secretly been hooking up for years
Heated Rivalry (Game Changers #2) - Rachel Reid
Fake courtship, social class difference
A Most Worthy Husband Audiobook on Libro.fm
One night stand to coworker enemies
Sparks Fly by Zakiya N. Jamal Narrated by Benjamin Charles Audiobook on Libro.fm
HEATED RIVALRY
Heated Rivalry Audiobook | Libro.fm
November 2025 Faves
It's like being in love with superman and hating Clark Kent. And then he gets amnesia and you find out he's the same person.
Scoundrel Take Me Away (Dukes in Disguise, #3)|eBook
The friendly puppy dog himbo roommates are the best part of this book
Ellie Hayes and the Himbos|Paperback
Super awkward first meeting, but now they're married
The Marriage Method|Paperback
One of the best marriage of convenience stories
The Matrimonial Advertisement - Mimi Matthews
Modern day rivals to lovers marriage of convenience, but let's be real, he's loved her this whole time
An Academic Affair: A Novel|Paperback
A little amnesia for you
Scoundrel Take Me Away Audiobook on Libro.fm
The himbos are the absolute cutest
Ellie Hayes and the Himbos Audiobook on Libro.fm
Caught in a literal tangle and forced to marry
The Marriage Method Audiobook on Libro.fm
Not really rivals, marriage of convenience so they both have a job
An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister Narrated by David Berry Audiobook on Libro.fm
October 2025 Faves
Fake engaged to your best friend's sister
How to Woo a Reluctant Lady by Sabrina Jeffries, Paperback
Super duper awkward when he's naked when you first meet him. And then his parents show up.
Christmas Fling|Paperback
Dating lessons from the boy across the street who has had a crush on your for-ev-er
Julia Song Is Undateable by Susan Lee, Paperback
This one was so funny, loved it
While the Duke Was Sleeping by Samara Parish, Paperback
I love when the schemers team up to take down a villain
The Hellion's Waltz: Feminine Pursuits|Paperback
fake engagement to a rogue
How to Woo a Reluctant Lady Audiobook on Libro.fm
Fake dating for the holidays. Highly humorous.
Christmas Fling by Lindsey Kelk Narrated by Heather Long Audiobook on Libro.fm
Dating lessons for the busy k-beauty executive
Julia Song Is Undateable by Susan Lee Narrated by Michelle H. Lee Audiobook on Libro.fm
While You Were Sleeping, but with a duke
While the Duke Was Sleeping by Samara Parish Narrated by Esther Wane Audiobook on Libro.fm
A plot is afoot
The Hellion's Waltz Audiobook on Libro.fm
September 2025 Faves
Sex lessons and a fake boyfriend
Pitcher Perfect: A Novel (B&N Exclusive Edition)|Paperback
She's clearly the boss of the situation
The Scot's Seduction: A Novel|Paperback
Fake marriage quickly turns into a marriage of convenience
Jewel by Beverly Jenkins | eBook
Lot of fake relationships this month, and here's another one
Is This Real or Just Pretend?|Paperback
Childhood crushes to unknown rivals to so much more
Ladies in Hating|Paperback
Fake dating tames the rake
Pitcher Perfect Audiobook on Libro.fm
He's grumpy, but she wants him anyway
The Scot's Seduction Audiobook on Libro.fm
Fake married to marriage of convenience over the course of a day
Jewel Audiobook | Libro.fm
Fake courtship
Is This Real or Just Pretend? Audiobook on Libro.fm
Rival gothic novelists
Ladies in Hating by Alexandra Vasti Narrated by Mhairi Morrison Audiobook on Libro.fm
August 2025 Faves
Excellent slate of new release historical romances, plus one very fun and quirky paranormal romance.
Read the substack round up of my favorite books of the month
Top Five Reads of August 2025 - Historical Romance Books
You want yearning? Here is a historical romance with yearning
My Best Friend's Earl|Paperback
Sure, let's fight the zombie outbreak with a burrito, save your doofy neighbor, only for him to be a vampire.
Zomromcom|Paperback
2
Let's cross the Atlantic on a ship with your enemy who is also a duke and your brother-in-law's friend. Steamy and delightful historical romance set in Mexico.
Gabriela and His Grace|Paperback
Anastasia retelling, but make it take place in Gilded Age New York with a conman and wannabe Broadway singer. Excellent and steamy historical romance.
The Gilded Heiress: A Novel|Paperback
Sapphic historical romance featuring two middle aged women. Because widows need love and companionship too.
The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows: Feminine Pursuits|Paperback
Let's fight zombies with your vampire neighbor
Zomromcom Audiobook on Libro.fm
An affair across the ocean
Gabriela and His Grace Audiobook on Libro.fm
Anastasia retelling, but in Gilded Age NYC
The Gilded Heiress Audiobook on Libro.fm
Widow and beekeeper
The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows Audiobook on Libro.fm
July 2025 Faves
A mix of new releases, paranormal romance, historical romance, and contemporary romance. Includes two historical romance clinch cover mass market paperback books.
Loved this paranormal romance. Plus cute dragons appear.
The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam|Paperback
Look at the thigh grab. You want this style of historical romance mass market paperback while they still sell them.
Road Trip With a Rogue (Her Majesty's Rebels #3)|Paperback
Everyone's a liar in this historical romance story
This Much Is True: A Novel|Paperback
Native American pop princess wrecks her reputation and gets sent down to the farm where the most handsome man ever on the planet hates her in this contemporary romance.
Love Is a War Song|Paperback
Sapphic historical romance between an astronomer and a widowed countess
The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics (Feminine Pursuits Series #1)|Paperback
Top Five Reads of July 2025 - Historical Romance and Contemporary Romance Books
A demigoddess who can't die and the mysterious scientist
The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam by Megan Bannen Narrated by Jim Frangione Audiobook on Libro.fm
Road trip to thwart an elopement
Road Trip with a Rogue Audiobook on Libro.fm
Everyone's a liar
This Much Is True by Vivienne Lorret Narrated by Faye Adele Audiobook on Libro.fm
Pop star on the farm as a fish out of water
Love Is a War Song Audiobook on Libro.fm
FF Victorian Romance
The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics Audiobook on Libro.fm
June 2025 Faves
Mostly new releases this month: two contemporary romances that are amazing, one young adult fantasy romance, one backlist historical romance with your classic clinch-style mass market paperback cover, and one new release historical romance.
Cutest rivals to fake dating contemporary romance. They're in a sleepy little town full of retirees who are the best side characters ever.
All's Fair in Love and Pickleball|Paperback
Who's ready for a historical romance with an inheritance scheme? The widowed duchess needs to get pregnant and fast.
The Duchess in His Bed: A Sins for All Seasons Novel|Paperback
Young adult fantasy with Beauty and the Beast vibes, and the dude shifts into a dragon.
A Forgery of Fate|Hardcover
Historical romance: She might be an American heiress who is engaged to a viscount, but she'd much rather bang the commoner who is a secret prize-fighter.
Eliza and the Duke|Paperback
Wildly nostalgic contemporary romance where the band gets back together for a teen dramedy cruise.
Top Five Reads of June 2025 - Historical Romance and Contemporary Romance Books
Pickleball, fake dating, and old people
All's Fair in Love and Pickleball by Kate Spencer Narrated by Mia Hutchinson Shaw Audiobook on Libro.fm
Baby inheritance scheme
The Duchess in His Bed Audiobook on Libro.fm
Fantasy
A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim Narrated by Mirai Audiobook on Libro.fm
Heiress and bodyguard
Eliza and the Duke Audiobook on Libro.fm
Friends to lovers, the band is back together
Never Been Shipped by Alicia Thompson Narrated by Ellie Gossage Audiobook on Libro.fm
May 2025 Faves
I will read anything Ali Hazelwood writes. And this age-gap, brother's best friend, destination wedding contemporary romance is so good. It might be my favorite Ali Hazelwood book of them all.
Problematic Summer Romance|Hardcover
Historical romance with a really good revenge plot and of course all the twisty backstory that only Lorraine Heath can provide.
Beyond Scandal and Desire (Sins for All Seasons Series #1)|Paperback
Contemporary romance with a second chance romance story, sapphic relationship, and Korean representation.
Love in Focus|Paperback
Lots of deception and scheming in this historical romance.
Rules for Ruin|Paperback
Workplace enemies stuck together at a work retreat in Hawaii. Loved the banter and flirting in this contemporary romance with South Asian representation.
Top Five Reads of May 2025 - Historical Romance and Contemporary Romance Books
Age gap, brother's best friend, at brother's destination wedding in Italy
Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood Narrated by Elizabeth Lamont Audiobook on Libro.fm
Revenge, but they fall in love
Beyond Scandal and Desire Audiobook on Libro.fm
second chance sapphic
Love in Focus Audiobook | Libro.fm
secrets and missions
Rules for Ruin Audiobook on Libro.fm
Workplace rivals in one hotel room in Hawaii
Not Safe for Work by Nisha J. Tuli Narrated by Soneela ... - Libro.fm
April 2025 Faves
One fake dating contemporary romance new release, two traditionally published historical romances in our beloved mass market paperback size, two indie published historical romances well worth the read.
Super steamy and flirty contemporary romance with fake dating and a pining grumpy hero.
Summer in the City (B&N Exclusive Edition)|Hardcover
Partners in crime-solving historical romance. If you want a mass market paperback with a clinch cover, grab this one. The second book in the series will be trade paperback with an illustrated cover.
The Duke and Lady Scandal: A Novel|Paperback
Historical romance with a fun setup where the guy just needs a fake fiancee til his elderly relative will release an inheritance.
How to Get Away with Marriage: Steamy Regency Romance
Historical romance. She pretends to be a housekeeper when she's clearly not. And she maybe meets him when he's fishing naked.
Hardly a Gentleman: A Novel|Paperback
Historical romance where a countess wants to divorce her husband and falls for her lawyer along the way.
The Lady Who Left: Steamy Forbidden Romance
My Substack review of April 2025 Faves
Top Five Reads of April 2025 - Historical Romance Books
Fake dating
Summer in the City by Alex Aster Narrated by Diane Guerrero Audiobook on Libro.fm
A nosy historian who overhears something she shouldn't
The Duke and Lady Scandal Audiobook on Libro.fm
Fake engagement
How to Get Away with Marriage Audiobook on Libro.fm
Debutante escapes scandal by pretending to be a housekeeper
Hardly a Gentleman Audiobook on Libro.fm
March 2025 Faves
Beverly Jenkins is amazing. Plus two new release traditionally published historical romance books, one indie published historical romance, and one traditionally published contemporary romance that's a Shakespeare retelling.
Top Five Reads of March 2025 - Historical Romance Books
Historical romance. A golden retreiver of a duke rescues a widowed countess in distress through marriage.
To All the Earls I've Loved Before: Regency Romance
Ok, so maybe, the lady was exiled for treason not too long ago. But the sweetest sunshine guy falls for her anyway in this historical romance.
The Lady Sparks a Flame|Paperback
For all the horse girls who just want to keep their stables going. Historical romance and somewhat of an arranged engagement.
The Trouble with Anna|Paperback
Historical romance set in America that starts with a bank robbery.
Topaz
Contemporary romance with Much Ado About Nothing vibes
Two Wrongs Make a Right|Paperback
Marriage of convenience is my favorite trope
To All the Earls I've Loved Before Audiobook on Libro.fm
She's pretty prickly, but the guy likes her anyway
The Lady Sparks a Flame Audiobook on Libro.fm
For the horse girls
The Trouble with Anna Audiobook on Libro.fm
Let's start with a bank heist
Topaz by Beverly Jenkins Narrated by Kim Staunton Audiobook on Libro.fm
Fake dating and meddlesome friends
Two Wrongs Make a Right by Chloe Liese Narrated by Charlotte North Audiobook on Libro.fm
February 2025 Faves
The best romcom new release this month. I finally read the almighty Gorilla Twins historical romance, plus a few other historical romance new releases.
Top Five Reads of February 2025 - Historical Romance Books
Sleepless in Seattle retelling. Contemporary romance with the best banter ever.
First-Time Caller|Paperback
I love it when a duke is secretly a prize fighter. And when he falls in love with his sister's companion. Historical romance.
Where Have All the Scoundrels Gone (Dukes in Disguise, #2)|Paperback
Historical romance fans call this one the Gorilla Twins book. Twin brothers go on an African safari. The earl one gets mauled by a gorilla and asks his surviving twin to go home and pretend to be him so his pregnant wife won't grieve herself into a m...
The Earl Takes All|Paperback
Female Latina doctor in historical Paris provides access to care for her female patients in this historical romance. She also maybe falls in love with a rakish duke.
A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke|Paperback
The worst but funniest fake governess is trying to investigate her charge's uncle but falls in love with him instead. Historical romance.
Never Gamble Your Heart|Paperback
Single mom and radio host
First-Time Caller Audiobook on Libro.fm
Grumpy duke is secretly a bareknuckle boxer
Where Have All the Scoundrels Gone Audiobook on Libro.fm
Gorilla twins. Must read.
The Earl Takes All Audiobook on Libro.fm
Lady doctor and her rogue of a duke
A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke Audiobook on Libro.fm
Awkward wallflower entices her charge's guardian
Never Gamble Your Heart Audiobook on Libro.fm
January 2025 Faves
Two contemporary romance new releases (one night stand, fake dating, marriage in trouble), one historical romance classic (Beverly Jenkins), one traditionally published historical romance new release (with a grumpy reclusive earl), and one indie publ...
Top Five Reads of January 2025 - Historical Romance and Contemporary Romance Books
Married couple in trouble goes on a wilderness retreat to reconnect. Except they both are terrible at outdoorsy stuff. Contemporary romance.
Out of the Woods: A Novel|Paperback
One night stand to friends who help each other with datelike activities. Contemporary romance.
Unromance|Paperback
Historical romance classic. We've got danger and excitement with a nearly dead Underground Railroad conductor who turns out to maybe be a secret millionaire.
Indigo|Paperback
Showing up to an earl's castle in Scotland uninvited to marry him is especially messy when it turns out his brother has been the one writing letters to you. Historical romance.
Earl Crush: A Novel|Paperback
If you get married pretending to be someone else and it's not really your name on the register, you're not really married, right? Well, at least not til you fall in love and share your secrets. Historical romance.
A Beastly Kind of Earl (Longhope Abbey)
These people are terrible at being outdoors
Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young Narrated by Victoria Connolly Audiobook on Libro.fm
Excellent dating lessons vibe
Unromance by Erin Connor Narrated by Mia Hutchinson Shaw Audiobook on Libro.fm
Classic Ms. Bev
Indigo Audiobook
He has zebras at the castle
Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti Narrated by Mhairi Morrison Audiobook on Libro.fm
December 2024 Faves
A contemporary romance with a marriage of convenience plot, and four historical romance books (including one freebie from the author).
Top Five Reads of November 2024 - Historical Romance and Contemporary Romance Books
This contemporary romance was so much fun. I swear these two are fated mates and they have to try to get their former bandmate moms back together for a show.
Wreck the Halls: A Novel|Paperback
Contemporary romance with a mystery plot. Guys, he thought he was teasing her with an inside joke for all these years.
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year: A Novel|Hardcover
She inherits a farm and they may be growing something secret in there. Contemporary romance.
Love in Bloom|Paperback
Look, she's trying to swindle him, but he knows something fishy is going on. And then he turns into the most protective duke ever. Historical romance.
The Duke and the Lady in Red (Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James Series #3)|Paperback
Childhood friends turned estranged friends when one of them becomes a duke. And then they need to team up to find someone. Historical romance.
Duchess Material|Paperback
They probably could have been childhood friends
Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey Narrated by Brooke Bloomingdale Audiobook on Libro.fm
Mystery and romance, perfectly cozy
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld Audiobook on Libro.fm
The family farm is growing a secret
Love in Bloom by Lucy Eden Narrated by Wesleigh Siobhan Audiobook on Libro.fm
She's totally trying to swindle him
The Duke and the Lady in Red Audiobook on Libro.fm
Childhood friends reunited
Duchess Material Audiobook on Libro.fm
October 2024 Faves
Two contemporary romance books, two historical romance books, and one historical romance with a paranormal flair.
Five Favorite Books from October 2024 // Historical Romances and Contemporary Romances
So much angst in this second chance romance. One person left the other at the altar. How do you bounce back from that?
Make the Season Bright|Paperback
If you love romance novels, this one has lots of great inside jokes. Secret best-selling romance novelist goes to a big family birthday party. And her enemy/boss is there too.
Love Story - Lindsey Kelk
Historical romance where the marriage in trouble starts with the guy bailing his wife out of jail.
The Beast Takes a Bride: The Palace of Rogues|Paperback
Historical romance. Super interesting set up here with a prologue that starts with Devon running into a pregnant Leah in the countryside unexpectedly. We then jump a year backward to their first meeting, initial flirtation and secret relationship, un...
A Scandalous Marriage
Historical romance with a hint of paranormal because our characters have some gifted powers.
Silver Lady|Paperback
Second chances are super messy
Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake Narrated by Kristen DiMercurio Audiobook on Libro.fm
Weekend family party
Love Story by Lindsey Kelk Narrated by Kristin Atherton Audiobook on Libro.fm
Starts with him bailing his estranged wife out of jail
The Beast Takes a Bride Audiobook on Libro.fm
Second chance and rival families
A Scandalous Marriage Audiobook on Libro.fm
A smidge of supernatural
Silver Lady Audiobook on Libro.fm
September 2024 Faves
The round-up of my faves on my Substack
Top Five Reads of September 2024 - Historical Romance and ...
