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Let’s be real — a lighthearted romance book paired with a beautifully illustrated cover is a divine duo.

That said, we rounded up the 36 best contemporary romance novels, according to what Goodreads exclusively shared with the New York Post and a ‘BookTuber.’

Steph Bohrer , a 21-year-old student at Arizona State University, has more than 215,000 subscribers on YouTube where she posts videos on book recommendations, buying books and even relating Taylor Swift songs to some of her favorite paperbacks and hardcovers .

“I started my YouTube during quarantine,” Bohrer told the The Post. “I was so bored, was reading so much and had nobody to talk about my books with. So, the new thing is to film yourself talking and people received the videos well.”

She’ll typically finish a new read in two days — sometimes in one sitting if she’s “really into it.”

“When I was younger, I was so anti-reading — I thought it was boring and I hated reading books for school,” she said. “I started reading on Wattpad on my phone, and then started reading young-adult romance books and started an excessive amount. Now, I can’t imagine not reading.”

Below, find the 36 best contemporary romance novel recommendations — including much-clamored-about books and unique titles with exceptional storylines. That’s right, no more hunting down titles or falling into a what-do-I-read slump.

With each book, there’s a brief explanation to skim and shop your next five-star rating.

Best Contemporary Romance Books of 2023, per Goodreads

1. “people we meet on vacation” by emily henry.

Sometimes, we need a cute vacation-themed romance to dive into. The relationship of Poppy and Alex is one of Goodreads’ most-read, and it’s about one trip away that changes everything.

“I read this book when I was in Hawaii and it’s about girl and boy best friends who go on vacation every year,” Bohrer adds. “You’re reading until you find out why they don’t talk anymore.”

2. “The Love Hypothesis” by Ali Hazelwood

As one of our personal favorites, “The Love Hypothesis” has developed much acclaim for its professor-and-student trope, with a love for science that’s adored by academics. Not to mention, the witty banter and flirtatious scenes make this one a treat to read.

3. “The Spanish Love Deception” by Elena Armas

If we’re being honest, we’re in the middle of this read and are already obsessed. Not to mention, it’s one Goodreads and Bohrer recommend.

“This book is so fun and cute,” Bohrer adds. “It’s an enemies-to-lovers, wholesome read . The characters work together and she needs a date to a wedding, even though they don’t get along. The ‘fake dating’ slowly turns into a real relationship.”

4. “One Last Stop” by Casey McQuiston

A cherished rom-com, “One Last Stop” homes in on twenty-three-year-old who’s new to NYC and sees a gorgeous girl on a subway train. It’s a unique contemporary novel that’ll have you swooning in no time.

5. “It Happened One Summer” by Tessa Bailey

Piper, who’s deemed the “wild child” who drinks a bit too much champagne, falls into the lap of a small-town boy who couldn’t be more opposite of her when she’s prompted to run her late father’s dive bar. Steamy, sexy and fun, you’ll want to soar through these pages.

6. “The Ex Hex” by Erin Sterling

If you’re a lover of all things spooky and romantic, pick up “The Ex Hex.” It’s a lovey-dovey tale of Vivienne Jones, who casts a spell on her horrible ex-boyfriend. And then, it’s all mystery and magic from there.

7. “The Soulmate Equation” by Christina Lauren

As a statistics nerd, protagonist Jess Davis ends up hearing about GeneticAlly, a trending DNA-based matchmaking company which, after her friend urges her, is seemingly the answer to her single-ridden life. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, especially when she’s matched with someone to a 98% accuracy.

8. “Reminders of Him” by Colleen Hoover

Meet Hoover’s newest book that everyone is talking about. It’s a story about a troubled young mother who tries to reconnect with her four-year-old daughter. And, interestingly, the only person who hasn’t shut the door on her is Ledger Ward, a local bar owner who has the few remaining ties to her daughter.

9. “Seven Days In June” by Tia Williams

“Seven Days In June” made the cut as one of Reese’s Book Club picks and a Goodreads choice. A Brooklynite single mom and bestselling erotica writer unexpectedly meets Shane at a literary event. After spending one week crazy in love, it’s a story you won’t want to skip on to discover what happens next.

10. “Act Your Age, Eve Brown” by Talia Hibbert

Cute and fit for any romance lover, “Act Your Age, Eve Brown” surrounds Eve, a certified hot-mess and Jacob, the owner of an understaffed bed and breakfast. When Eve tries to melt Jacob’s frosty exterior of stress and closed-off-ness, it becomes impeccably good.

Best Contemporary Romance Books of 2023, per a ‘BookTuber’:

1. “ the song of achilles” by madeline miller.

“This is a Greek mythology retelling of the story of Achilles,” Bohrer said. “I wasn’t into Greek mythology at all but this book is so well written and it’s a romance about Patroclus and Achilles that’s accurate to the myth. It’s tragic but so good.”

2. “ Ugly Love” by Colleen Hoover

“It’s told in a past and present perspective of why this boy Miles is so anti-love,” she said. “It shows his first relationship in the past and a girl falling in love with him in the present. It’s a great story of everything that happened in his life and what changed him.”

Plus, Colleen Hoover is her favorite author and “ Ugly Love ” is her favorite of her books.

3. “ The Hating Game” by Sally Thorne

“’ The Hating Game ‘ is one of my favorite books,” she said. “It’s enemies-to-lovers: the boy is grumpy and mean and the girl is all sunshine and happiness, and they just don’t get along. You see their forced proximity and how they eventually realize they have more in common than they thought.”

4. The Addicted Series Box Set by Krista Ritchie

“This is my favorite series of all time with 10 books,” she said. “There are three couples — six best friends — and they’re famous. And, it’s more than just romance because the character development is so strong.”

5. “ Archer’s Voice” by Mia Sheridan

“This boy named Archer goes through something really traumatic to the point where he can’t speak anymore,” she said. “He meets this girl named Bree and they have some trauma they go through together. It’s a story of fate finding love after being through a lot.”

6. “A Thousand Boy Kisses” by Tillie Cole

“I can’t say anything without spoiling this book, but it’s a young-adult book about this girl who goes through something tragic, cuts off her childhood best friend and ends up figuring out the issue at hand together,” she said.

7. “ The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid

“I recently finished this book and it was amazing,” she said. “It’s the life story of one of the biggest actresses in the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s, and everything she goes through — love, loss, and relationships with family and friends — makes you learn so much from her story.”

8. “ Confess” by Colleen Hoover

“ This book is about a girl who moves to a new town, needs a job and meets a boy who was hiring — almost like fate,” she said. “They’re both hiding a lot and there’s a plot twist in there, too.”

9. “ Bright Side” by Kim Holden

“’ Bright Side ‘ is about a girl who is so optimistic and everyone loves her,” she said. “She meets this boy and she’s closed-off to him because he sees the ‘real’ her and she doesn’t want people to know she’s not actually happy all the time — and she has a lot of secrets.”

10. “ All Your Perfects” by Colleen Hoover

“’ All Your Perfects ‘ is told from a past, present and future perspective,” she said. “It’s about a couple falling in love for the first time and then eight years into their marriage, their relationship is falling apart. So, you’re seeing them fall in love, fall out of love and their hardships with infertility.”

11. “ The Unhoneymooners” by Christina Lauren

“’ The Unhoneymooners ‘ is about this girl and boy whose siblings are getting married — they’re the best man and maid of honor at a wedding — and they’ve never gotten along,” she said. “The bride and groom get food poisoning and they’re forced to take on their prepaid honeymoon and it’s fun seeing them spend the week together.”

12. “ The Deal” by Ellie Kennedy

“’ The Deal ‘ is a hockey romance about a super popular guy and super smart girl needing each other to cope with some trauma,” she said. “Garrett plays hockey, Hannah ends up tutoring him, and he realizes what she’s been through all along.”

13. “ November 9″ by Colleen Hoover

“Fallyn and Ben decide to meet up every November 9 because they live on opposite sides of the country, but they have an instant connection when they meet,” she said. “You follow every November 9 of them meeting up and how their relationship develops over that time.”

14. “ Beach Read” by Emily Henry

“’ Beach Read ‘ is about this girl who moves to her dad’s beach house after he passes away, after finding out what he’s been hiding for all of her life,” she said. “She’s a writer and goes there to write her book, but soon realizes her college rival — who’s also a writer — lives next door.”

15. “ The Summer of Broken Rules” by K.L. Walther

“’ The Summer of Broken Rules takes place in Martha’s Vineyard and I loved the summer-inspired scenery,” she said. “It’s about this girl whose sister passed away, goes on a family vacation with her aunts and cousins for the first time without her sister, and she meets this boy there.”

16. “ Most of All You” by Mia Sheridan

“’ Most of All You ‘ is about a boy with a tragic past who’s hesitant about dating,” Bohrer said. “He meets this girl who’s detached from reality and has also been through a lot. And, he sees something in her that nobody else sees.”

She describes it as “two broken people finding comfort in each other.”

17. “ Red, White & Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston

“’ Red White & Royal Blue ‘ is about the First Son of the United States and the Prince of England,” she said. “They have a public fight and their parents make them go on ‘fake friend dates’ so the public thinks they’re civil. The character discovers more about his sexuality and it’s a great romance of two high-profile people.”

18. “ It Ends With Us” by Colleen Hoover

“This is a really popular one,” she said. “Lily meets this boy and as things go wrong, she reads diary entries from when she dated her first love. It’s an impactful story .”

19. “ Daisy Jones & The Six” by Taylor Jenkins Reid

“’ Daisy Jones & The Six ‘ is about a girl in a band and you’re going to have to read it — it’s hard not to spoil it,” she said.

20. “ The Wall of Winnipeg and Me” by Mariana Zapata

“This is about the assistant to an NFL football player who has worked for the athlete her whole life,” she said. “But, he’s so mean to her, she quits, and then he begs her to come back at her doorstep. She ends up having to move in with him and it’s a forced-proximity story of a developing relationship .”

21. “ Hopeless” by Colleen Hoover

“Sky has lived a sheltered life: no phone, no Internet, and no access to the outside world,” she said. “She meets this boy and they have an instant friendship. There’s an instant plot twist and everything she thought about her life is a complete lie.”

22. “ Maybe Someday” by Colleen Hoover

“’ Maybe Someday ‘ is about this girl who finds out her boyfriend is cheating on her with her best friend,” she said. “She has nowhere to go so she moves in with her neighbor. The relationship theme is ‘maybe someday we can be together, but not right now,’ once a new guy comes into the picture.”

23. “ The Kiss Quotient” by Helen Hoang

“In this book , the main character’s parents pressure her into starting a family of her own, but she wants to focus on her career,” she said. “She has Asperger’s, a form of Autism, so she’s not comfortable being in a relationship with someone. So, she hires a male escort to teach her about being in a relationship — and you find out why he’s escorting in the first place.”

24. “ The Problem With Forever” by Jennifer L. Armentrout

“Mallory grew up in a foster home with this boy who always protected her,” she said. “They end up getting separated and she finds the boy she grew up with in her last period class.”

25. “ The Simple Wild” by K.A. Tucker

“The main character finds out her dad is dying and she hasn’t seen him since she was little because he lives in Alaska,” she said. “Her father owns an airline company and the girl bonds with a pilot about her dad’s sickness.”

26. “ Heart Bones” by Colleen Hoover

“After her mom passed away, the main character ends up moving in with her dad, who she’s really never met,” she said. “She meets her stepsister, becomes immersed in a new friend group, and meets a boy — and there’s a plot twist that summer .”

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Read 25 Of the Best Contemporary Romance Books This Year

Being a romance reader can take you to a lot of places. You can travel to good ol’ New York City in one book, and then your next read can take you to a magical fantasy world that you couldn’t possibly imagine in your wildest dreams. Not only that, though! If you read historical romance, you can travel to other times as well as places, like England in the 18th century. Romance books show you places in a way that feels welcoming, easy, and so entertaining. With these stories, you can feel closer to a place that you have never seen before. In this list, you’ll find the best contemporary romance books that will put a smile on your face right away.

What is Contemporary Romance?

Contemporary fiction is fiction set in modern times. So, contemporary romance books are stories with a central romance arc that take place in the same time period they were written. For simplicity’s sake, I’ve included any that take place between the 1990s and the present day. Some may argue that the 1990s are already part of historical romance nowadays, but that’s a different conversation for another day.

How can you instantly find contemporary romances? If the book you’re currently reading is set around the same time you’re currently living, it means that it’s a contemporary romance novel. When it comes to other genres, like historical and fantasy, you can easily identify them as well because of the time period and fantastical elements. But genres and sub-genres can meet in the middle and you can find yourself reading a book that is considered a contemporary fantasy novel. You can play around with genres, for sure! For this list, I’m focusing on contemporary romance titles with no fantastic elements.

Another thing about the list is that I include newer book titles but also feature novels that have been loved for a long time. So, it’s really a mix of recent and older books for you, the readers, who want a little bit of everything.

Cover of Finding Gene Kelly best contemporary romance books

Finding Gene Kelly by Torie Jean

Travel to the City of Love in Finding Gene Kelly , where one woman reunites with her childhood nemesis and pretends to date him for her brother’s wedding in order to appease her mother.

If you’re someone who prefers fluffy reads instead of angsty, intense stories, Jean’s novel would be perfect for you. Take a nice walk around Paris with Evie O’Shea, the guy she loves to hate, and all the delightful events surrounding their fake dating story.

Tis the Season for Revenge by Morgan Elizabeth

Holiday romance novels never go out of style. I’m a firm believer that you can pick up a holiday book any time of the year. And Elizabeth’s Tis the Season for Revenge is one you have to read immediately.

Are you someone who religiously watches Legally Blonde ? If your answer is yes and Elle Woods is one of your favorite characters in media, you will adore Abbie Keller. After her boyfriend breaks up with her by telling her she’s not wife material, she decides to get revenge. What is she going to do? She will date her annoying ex’s hot boss and go to the firm’s Christmas party to show that she’s not someone just for “fun.”But what started as a revenge plan soon turns into something more when she meets charming Damien Martinez.

Midnight Kisses by Jeanine Bennedict

Midnight Kisses is a college sports romance featuring a grumpy girl and the Golden Retriever football player who wants to be more than her friend with benefits. But when he finds out she’s the coach’s daughter, their forbidden romance turns more complicated. Follow their daily lives as students, their romances, and their friendships in Bennedict’s debut novel.

Pets of Park Avenue by Stefanie London

The Paws in the City series is one book series I’ve been high-key enjoying lately. Think Emily in Paris but in New York City! You get to read about heroines working in the pet business (there’s a pet talent agency!) and it’s actually very entertaining. Pets of Park Avenue is the second book in the series and it follows Scout, a self-proclaimed hot mess who needs the help of her estranged husband to save her job.

Water Under the Bridge by Kels and Denise Stone

For fans of The Spanish Love Deception , Water Under the Bridge is a workplace romance between rivals who can’t help but fall in love!

In this book, you’ll meet Avery Soko, an ambitious woman who knows what she wants. And that is to get her dream fundraising job at Oceanic Research Organization. She never expects Luca Navarro, an annoying former corporate lawyer, to give her the bad news about not getting her dream job. But Avery won’t ever give up, so she takes a job at a struggling start-up, bringing her face-to-face yet again with Luca when they find themselves competing for a multimillion-dollar prize.

Gouda Friends by Cathy Yardley

The whole Ponto Beach Reunion series is worth reading. The second book, Gouda Friends , follows Tam Doan, who finds herself without a job and with no place to live after finding her boyfriend in the arms of another. When it comes to emergencies, her estranged best friend Josh was always there for her. So, she decides to give him a call, even if they haven’t seen each other in five years.

Sweethand by N.G. Peltier

An entertaining romcom with an enemies-to-lovers storyline, Sweethand is the book you’ve been searching for. The story starts with Cherisse, who, after a horrible and very public breakup with her musician boyfriend, decides to forget about love and focus on her baking business instead. All goes well until she reunites with the most annoying man she has ever met, Keiran, her childhood nemesis and the best man for her sister’s wedding. Cherisse happens to be the maid of honor, so now they’re going to have to spend a lot of time together. They always say there’s a small step between hate and love, right?

All Downhill With You by Julie Olivia

The first thing that immediately caught my attention about this book is that it is set at an amusement park in a small town. Lorelei is actually the marketing manager and she knows the perfect way to make this park a success. But everything comes crashing down when she suddenly has an accident while she’s on one of the roller coasters. Even though she decides to sue the company, she knows she doesn’t care about the money — she only wants to find out how it happened. She never expects the grumpy, icy man before her to be the one who created the rollercoaster.

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Emily Henry crafts contemporary stories like no other. It’s easy to love her books — with their charming characters and enthralling stories. Book Lovers follows a literary agent who decides to take a trip with her sister to a small town and suddenly bumps into a book editor who she has never understood. Nora believes she’s not the main character of her story, but maybe meeting Charlie and staying in this small town will make her realize that everyone is the creator of their own little stories.

Go Deep by Rilzy Adams

An erotic writer experiencing writer’s block needs a little bit of inspiration before she releases her next story. Good thing she has a best friend who is ready to provide her with his body and heart! And maybe, in the process, she might finally fall for him like he has been in love with her for all these years.

In A Jam by Kate Canterbary

What if one day someone calls you to let you know you just inherited a tulip farm from your late step-grandmother? But before they are able to give it to you, you need to complete two conditions: move to a small town and get married within the year. For Shay, this seems impossible, especially the getting married part. But if it means saving the only home she’s ever known, she might just do it. And Noah Barden, her childhood friend, is perfect husband material.

Icebreaker by Hannah Grace

Icebreaker is a New Adult college sports romance featuring a figure skater and a hockey player. It’s a fun, cozy slice-of-life romance where you get to enjoy the characters in simple, daily-life situations. Anastasia is training for the Olympics, but when the hockey team starts using her ice rink to train, she thinks her whole world is about to collapse. And all her anger is directed towards the team captain, Nathan, who she cannot seem to shoo away. These two are about to make you swoon on every page!

Heartless by Elsie Silver

If we’re talking about small-town romance s, we cannot leave behind Elsie Silver’s Chestnut Springs, which is part of a magnificent, delightful series that will feel like a thousand suns just put their light on you. Heartless follows Cade Eaton, a single dad who needs a nanny for the summer. His sister-in-law volunteers her best friend for the job, but Cade Eaton never, in his wildest dreams, imagined Willa. Between sunny days and quiet moments, Cade starts to soften his grumpy edges around Willa, hoping for a future with her.

Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert

One book that must always be in a best contemporary romance list is Act Your Age, Eve Brown . To be completely honest, the whole Brown Sisters series deserves a spot in this list. But if I can only include one, I’m going to include this one.

Eve Brown is the last of the Brown sisters. And it’s her time to shine. In this book, Eve happens to find a “chef wanted” ad on a bed and breakfast out of town and she thinks it’s the perfect opportunity to prove to her family and friends she is not the hot mess everyone seems to think she is. But she never expected for the owner to completely shut her down. After accidentally hitting him with her car after the interview, Eve suddenly has a job.

Xeni by Rebekah Weatherspoon

Xeni is a marriage of convenience romance that will make you smile from start to finish. Two strangers who end up together because of an inheritance clause and end up finding love in such an unexpected place.

Matchmaking dead relatives really do the work. For Xeni, she only wanted her inheritance, but to get it, she must marry first! And her aunt has the perfect groom in mind — a handsome and deliciously thicc Scotsman.

Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake

A heart-warming queer romantic comedy about second chances and finding love awaits you in the pages of Delilah Green Doesn’t Care .

This book follows Delilah, who once upon a time swore she would never go back to Bright Falls. But when her estranged stepsister asks her to photograph her wedding, Delilah finds herself coming back to the town she used to call home. Her plan is to do the job and walk away, but then she bumps into Claire Sutherland, her stepsister’s annoying, stuck-up best friend, and things suddenly change.

Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison

B.K. Borison continues to write wholesome, comfort favorites. Lovelight Farms is the first book in her Lovelight series and it’s about Stella Bloom and her plan to win a social media contest to save her Christmas tree farm. But to make her farm seem more like a romantic getaway, she wrote down that she owns it with her boyfriend. Thing is…she has no boyfriend. Enter best friend Luka, who just came home for the holidays and found himself getting a tree farm and a girlfriend in the process.

Funny Feelings by Tarah DeWitt

Tarah DeWitt is an author to look out for, and Funny Feelings is the ideal book to start with! Inside its pages, you’ll find a stand-up comedian who has to pretend to date her manager in order to create good publicity for her upcoming show.

I know you’re wondering why all the fake dating romance books? The answer is that the fake dating trope provides a lot of things that readers gravitate toward. Like pining, yearning, and moments where the characters have to pretend when in fact they already feel an enormity of emotions for each other.

Fake It Till You Bake It by Jamie Wesley

Fake It Till You Bake It is a mix of celebrity romance and fake dating with a teaspoon of sports romance! In this endearing story, a reality TV star has to start working in San Diego’s newest cupcake shop in order to get her inheritance. But the uptight owner is not making things easy for her. Everything makes a turn for the worst when a reporter mistakenly believes Jada and Donovan are a couple! But this mistake might actually be of use to both of them…

Two Wrongs Make a Right by Chloe Liese

This swoony reimagining of Much Ado About Nothing will make you unbelievably happy. What can you expect from a Chloe Liese novel? A fascinating main character who you will root for, a love interest who will pull at your heartstrings, comforting friendships, and a story you won’t ever forget.

Two Wrongs Make a Right introduces Jamie and Bea by way of a meet-disaster. But they don’t think they’ll ever bump into each other again…until their friends start to play Cupid and trick them into going on a date. They decide to get a little bit of revenge by pretending to date then eventually breaking up in the worst way possible, showing their friends they are complete opposites who do not match. But when they find themselves enjoying their outings together, they start to wonder if maybe Cupid’s arrow really was off about them.

Just One More by Jodie Slaughter

Sometimes you want to pick up a book and read it, but circumstances won’t let you. When times like this happen, you can get yourself a short novella and enjoy your evening reading about a tattoo artist who is spending Valentine’s Day alone, but somehow ends up in the same Uber as a handsome stranger who just got back from a bad date. Jodie Slaughter instantly charms you with Victor and Whitney in Just One More .

The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa

Mia Sosa is the queen of romcoms. The Worst Best Man is an entertaining and hilarious tale about a wedding planner who was left at the altar and years later has to work alongside the man who ruined her nuptials. If you love You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle, there’s a big chance you will adore Sosa’s magnificent romance novel.

Restore Me by J.L. Seegars

What awaits inside the pages of Restore Me is a journey of forgiveness, love, and grief. J.L. Seegars is one of the most amazing writers out there and you better be reading her books.

Restore Me follows Sloane, who has been grieving her late husband for a few years now. She never expected to work side-by-side with her late husband’s best friend…the man she hates. But Dominic is keeping some secrets — secrets that could be life-changing.

Cover of Private Eyes by Katrina Jackson features a beautiful brown skinned black woman gazing at the camera. her shoulders are bare.

Private Eye by Katrina Jackson

Sometimes you start to wonder if an FBI agent is keeping an eye on you through your webcam. For Maya, this is the case. Kenny isn’t an FBI agent though — he’s a spy! His latest mission leads him to Maya’s camroom…and he’s a goner. When there’s finally a lead on catching the bad guy, Kenny must reveal his secrets to Maya and finally let her know what’s been happening behind the scenes. Between catching a mobster and camroom sessions, they find that their online connection might be stronger offline.

Midnight by Shon

Midnight is the second book in a series of erotic novellas. It tells the story of Tyler and Midnight, two people who once upon a time had a one-night stand. But since then, they…have had some other one-night stands. Every time they meet, they can’t help but flirt with each other. Midnight knows she’s it for him, but Tyler is the one with the choices to make. Will she finally come to Midnight or will he have to make one last effort to steal her heart completely?

Even though this is the second in a series, you can read it as a standalone — but I highly recommend reading His Majesty as well. You’ll find yourself quickly falling in love with Shon’s writing and story.

As I mentioned before, genres can mix and match in any way. Genre-blending romance books exist! You can read a historical romance with a murder mystery or a cozy contemporary fantasy romance novel that will make your day. You just have to dig a little and you’ll find all of these hidden gems.

9 of the Best New Science Fiction and Fantasy Books To Read In March 2023

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Contemporary Romance

Title: Love, Theoretically (Signed Book), Author: Ali Hazelwood

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Title: Things We Never Got Over, Author: Lucy Score

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New Romance Book Releases

If you’re looking for the latest, new romance book releases then you’re in the right place as She Reads Romance Books is THE most popular romance book blog (with over 650K+ visitors a month!) and I’ve got everything that’s new in romance!

This is your one-stop-shop for the most anticipated, upcoming romance book releases that will you are definitely going to want to read.

I just LOVE looking forward to new romance book releases and adding to my must-read bookshelf.

To make this list, I first look to my favorite authors to see what upcoming book releases they have planned.

To round it out, I also include upcoming book releases that catch my eye and sound like something I’d really enjoy.

If you’re looking for your next new romance book to read or if you’re just on the hunt to find your next book boyfriend , check out these must-read romance book recommendations and discover what’s new in romance.

* Disclosure : I participate in the Amazon Affiliates program so if you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

New Romance Book Releases Coming in 2023

I continually add new romance book releases to this list as their publication dates are announced, so check back often to discover what’s new in romance this year!

You can also check out the most anticipated new romance book releases for each month and year with these monthly releases romance book lists .

This year is full of new romance book releases worth reading. Of these titles, discover my most anticipated new romance book releases of 2023 then check out all the books below!

March 2023 New Romance Book Releases:

These are the new romance books I can’t wait to read in March 2023.

Plus check out my top 9 most anticipated March 2023 releases that will make your heart flutter!

Pretend is one of the new romance book releases coming March 2023. See all that's new in romance on She Reads Romance Books.

April 2023 New Romance Book Releases:

Check out my top 11 April 2023 new romance book releases and see what upcoming romance book releases you can expect this month:

A Girl Called Samson is one of the new romance book releases coming April 2023. See all that's new in romance on She Reads Romance Books.

May 2023 New Romance Book Releases:

Kick off summer with these new romance books.

Practice Makes Perfect is one of the new romance book releases coming May 2023.

June 2023 New Romance Book Releases:

Summer gets steamy with these romance book releases!

Hendrix is one of the new romance book releases coming June 2023. See all that's new in romance on She Reads Romance Books.

July 2023 New Romance Book Releases:

Longtime Crush is one of the new romance book releases coming March 2023. See all that's coming in romance on She Reads Romance Books.

August 2023 New Romance Book Releases:

Kiss the Girl is one of the new romance book releases coming August 2023.

More New Romance Book Releases Coming in 2023:

Things We Left Behind is one of the new romance book releases coming September 2023. See all that's new in romance on She Reads Romance Books.

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Best Romance Books of 2023

The 35 best new romance novels that'll make you swoon.

There's never been a better time to fall in love than in 2023, and your list of new romance books to read is here to prove it. Whether you're searching for an enemies-to-lovers story, a there's-only-one-bed-here mixup moment , or a summer fling turned relationship , 2023's offering of romance books has got you covered.

Young love shines in new books from authors such as KJ Charles, Talia Hibbert, and Emma Lord. Romance heavyweights Tessa Bailey and Alexis Daria also throw new steamy stories into the mix. Emily Henry's fourth romance novel following "Beach Read," "People We Meet on Vacation," and "Book Lovers" is hotly anticipated for its rom-com energy and hijinks.

So open your heart and prepare to fall in love with these romance books coming out in March.

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UPCOMING BOOK RELEASES

Upcoming Titles With No Covers Yet…

The Realist by Riley Hart – 24 May Mr. Important by Lucy Lennox & May Archer – 1 Jul Finally Found You by Claudia Burgoa – 7 Aug Shattered Truths by H. Hunting – 29 Aug A Queen of Thieves & Chaos by K.A. Tucker – 5 Sep A Place Like You by Claudia Burgoa – 18 Sep Time to Shine by Rachel Reid – 26 Sep Dirty Secret Love by Claudia Burgoa – 9 Oct Shadows of You by Catherine Cowles – 24 Oct Visions of Flesh and Blood: A Blood and Ash/Flesh and Fire Compendium by Jennifer L. Armentrout – 31 Oct I’m Your Guy by Sarina Bowen – 2 Nov Where We Belong by Claudia Burgoa – 6 Nov Daydreamer by Lucy Lennox & May Archer – 7 Nov Good At Goodbyes by Claudia Burgoa – 4 Dec Among the Heather by Samantha Young – 5 Dec A Fire in the Flesh by Jennifer L. Armentrout – 12 Dec Accidentally in Love by Claudia Burgoa – 8 Jan Forget About Love by Claudia Burgoa – 5 Feb Cold Hearted Casanova by L.J. Shen – 9 Apr

Each title on this page has been personally hand-picked by me based on very specific criteria—because I have read and loved a book by that author, because I am intrigued by the premise, or because trusted fellow readers have recommended it to me. The above is not an exhaustive list of all Romance titles yet to be released, and it should not be treated as such. There is no process to complete that would ensure a book would be included on this list. Occasionally, a non-Romance title will find its way onto this list because I’ve found myself drawn to a story that doesn’t fit into the Romance genre. It’s rare, I’m as surprised as you are, but it does happen.

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The best-selling new & future releases in Contemporary Romance
Contemporary ; Things We Hide from the Light (Knockemout Book 2). 13,104 ; One Bossy Offer: An Enemies to Lovers Romance. 63 ; Powerless: A Small Town Friends to
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Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella It Had to Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips ; Dr. Strange Beard by Penny Reid From Lukov
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The best contemporary romance novels, per Goodreads and a 'BookTuber' ; 1. “People We Meet On Vacation” by Emily Henry ; 2. “The Love Hypothesis”
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69 Results ; Twelve Months and a Day · Louisa Young ; Beautiful · Danielle Steel ; Do I Know You? Austin Siegemund-Broka ; Recovery Road · Christine Feehan ; Grace
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What is Contemporary Romance? · Finding Gene Kelly by Torie Jean · Tis the Season for Revenge by Morgan Elizabeth · Midnight Kisses by Jeanine
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Language ; Things We Hide from the Light · Lucy Score. 4.8 out of 5 stars. 10 reviews ; Don't Back Down · Sharon Sala. 4.3 out of 5 stars. 10
Contemporary Romance
Language ; Love, Theoretically (Signed… · Ali Hazelwood. 5.0 out of 5 stars. 1 review ; Things We Hide from the Light · Lucy Score. 4.8 out
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April 2023 New Romance Book Releases: · A Girl Called Samson is one of the new romance book releases coming April 2023. · The Rules of Dating My Best Friend's
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The 35 Best New Romance Novels That'll Make You Swoon · 1. "Something Wild & Wonderful" by Anita Kelly · 2. "Mr. & Mrs. Witch" by Gwenda Bond · 3.
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The ULTIMATE list of Upcoming Book Releases, handpicked by Natasha is a Book Junkie. List updated on a daily ... Good At Goodbyes by Claudia Burgoa – 4 Dec