Best Romance Books of 2026 So Far: Expert Reviews & Recommendations

By the papacasper.com editorial team — Updated January 2025

The best romance books to read in 2025 span multiple subgenres, from contemporary romance and romantasy to dark romance and rom-coms. This curated list features both anticipated 2025 releases and beloved recent titles that continue to captivate readers. Our selections include standalone contemporary romances, LGBTQ+ love stories, spicy dark romance, laugh-out-loud rom-coms, and fantasy romance hybrids to suit every reader's preference.

Quick Comparison: Top Romance Picks for 2025

Detailed Reviews: Best Romance Books of 2025

1. Funny Story by Emily Henry

Price: $14.99 | Rating: 4.5/5 | Heat Level: Moderate

Emily Henry returns with another instant contemporary romance classic in Funny Story. This fake-dating rom-com follows Daphne, a children's librarian who finds herself suddenly single when her fiancé leaves her for his childhood best friend. Enter Miles, a charming bartender who happens to be the ex-boyfriend of Daphne's fiancé's new love interest. The two concoct a scheme to make their exes jealous, leading to laugh-out-loud moments and genuine emotional depth.

What sets this apart: Henry's signature witty dialogue combines with small-town charm and deeply relatable characters dealing with questions of belonging and identity. The chemistry between Daphne and Miles builds slowly and authentically, making their eventual romance feel earned. Perfect for readers who want humor balanced with emotional vulnerability, plus a cast of quirky side characters including Daphne's elderly library patrons. Content notes: Moderate sexual content, discussions of relationship trauma, social anxiety representation.

2. The Pairing by Casey McQuiston

Price: $16.99 | Rating: 4.4/5 | Heat Level: Steamy

Casey McQuiston delivers a delicious bisexual romance set against the backdrop of a European food and wine tour. Kit and Theo are exes who discover they've both signed up for the same three-week gastronomic adventure through France, Spain, and Italy. Instead of awkwardness, they devise a competition: whoever can rack up the most romantic conquests during the tour wins. But as they watch each other flirt their way across Europe, old feelings resurface.

What sets this apart: McQuiston's celebration of bisexuality is refreshing and authentic, with both main characters exploring connections with people of various genders without their sexuality being questioned or treated as a phase. The European setting is lusciously described with mouthwatering food scenes. Dual POV alternates between Kit and Theo's perspectives, giving readers insight into both sides of their complicated history. The steam level is high with multiple intimate scenes. Content notes: Explicit sexual content (M/F, M/M, F/F), alcohol consumption, past relationship trauma, discussions of biphobia.

3. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Price: $13.99 | Rating: 4.7/5 | Heat Level: Hot

The romantasy phenomenon that took BookTok by storm continues to attract new readers in 2025. Fourth Wing follows Violet Sorrengail, a twenty-year-old who expected to enter the Scribe Quadrant but is instead forced by her commanding general mother to join the dragon riders at Basgiath War College. Smaller and more fragile than her peers, Violet must survive brutal training while navigating her attraction to Xaden Riorson, a powerful fellow rider with every reason to want her dead.

What sets this apart: Yarros masterfully blends high-stakes fantasy worldbuilding with swoon-worthy romance. The dragon bonding system is intricate and compelling, while the enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Violet and Xaden crackles with tension. Violet is a refreshing protagonist—chronically ill, physically disabled, yet brilliantly strategic rather than physically dominant. The plot twists are genuinely surprising, and the ending will leave readers immediately reaching for the sequel. Content notes: Graphic violence, character deaths, explicit sexual content, chronic illness representation, war themes.

4. Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

Price: $12.99 | Rating: 4.6/5 | Heat Level: Explicit

This dark romance redefines "morally gray" characters. Sloane is a serial killer who only targets abusers and predators. Rowan is her competitor in murder—literally. When they meet while hunting the same target, sparks fly in the most unconventional way possible. They embark on a multi-year game of cat-and-mouse across the country, their body count rising alongside their undeniable chemistry, until they're forced to partner up against a common enemy.

What sets this apart: Butcher & Blackbird is not for the faint of heart, but for readers seeking something truly unique in dark romance, it delivers. Weaver doesn't shy away from the horror elements—the gore is graphic and the moral implications are complex. Yet beneath the violence is a surprisingly tender love story about two people who can only be their authentic selves with each other. The banter is sharp and genuinely funny, creating tonal balance. This is dark romance that actually earns its "dark" label beyond typical mafia tropes. Content warnings: Graphic violence, murder, gore, explicit sexual content, torture scenes, discussion of sexual assault (not between main characters).

5. Happy Place by Emily Henry

Price: $14.99 | Rating: 4.3/5 | Heat Level: Moderate

Another Emily Henry gem, Happy Place explores the aftermath of a broken engagement with emotional nuance. Harriet and Wyn were the perfect couple—until they weren't. Months after their secret breakup, they arrive at their annual friend group vacation in Maine, only to discover their friends don't know they've split. With the cottage's impending sale making this the last hurrah, Harriet and Wyn decide to fake their relationship for one more week. Second-chance romance meets forced proximity in this tearjerker.

What sets this apart: Henry tackles deeper themes here than in her earlier works, exploring questions of identity, people-pleasing, and what happens when you build your life around someone else's dreams. The dual timeline structure reveals how Harriet and Wyn fell in love while showing why they fell apart, creating devastating dramatic irony. Harriet's journey toward advocating for herself resonates powerfully. The friend group dynamics feel genuine and lived-in. Perfect for readers who don't mind crying while they swoon. Content notes: Moderate sexual content, anxiety representation, discussions of pregnancy loss, parental pressure, detailed medical school/surgical training content.

6. Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

Price: $11.99 | Rating: 4.5/5 | Heat Level: Sweet

Ali Hazelwood ventures into YA with this chess-centered romance. Mallory Greenleaf gave up competitive chess years ago after her father abandoned the family, leaving them financially devastated. Now she works multiple jobs to support her mother and sisters. When she's forced to play in one tournament to help a friend, she shocks the chess world—and catches the attention of Nolan Sawyer, the current world champion and bad boy of chess. As Mallory returns to competition, she and Nolan develop an unexpected connection.

What sets this apart: Hazelwood brings her signature STEM-girl energy to the chess world with meticulous research that makes the games thrilling even for readers who don't know a gambit from a checkmate. Mallory is a beautifully rendered character dealing with family responsibility, financial stress, and rediscovering her passion. The romance is age-appropriate but still swoon-worthy, with Nolan's quiet support and respect for Mallory's boundaries. Themes of class disparity and family loyalty add depth. Content notes: Sweet/closed-door romance, financial hardship, parental abandonment, family illness, anxiety representation.

7. Holly by Stephen King

Price: $15.99 | Rating: 4.2/5 | Heat Level: Low

Stephen King's return to private investigator Holly Gibney includes a surprising romantic subplot that resonates with readers seeking representation of late-in-life romance and neurodivergent love stories. Holly investigates the disappearance of a young woman while navigating her growing feelings for a fellow investigator. Set against King's trademark horror backdrop, the romance develops slowly and authentically.

What sets this apart: King writes Holly's autism spectrum traits with nuance and respect, and her romantic development honors her specific needs around touch, communication, and emotional processing. The romance never overshadows the thriller plot but adds emotional stakes. For readers who enjoy romantic suspense with horror elements and older protagonists (Holly is in her 50s), this offers something different from typical romance fare. The relationship is tentative and realistic rather than insta-love. Content notes: Low/implied sexual content, graphic violence, murder, kidnapping, pandemic references, detailed autistic traits representation.

8. Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Price: $13.49 | Rating: 4.4/5 | Heat Level: Low

This fantasy rom-com offers a delightful twist: Evie Sage desperately needs employment to support her ailing father and younger sister, so she takes a job as assistant to the Villain—an actual evil overlord terrorizing the kingdom. As she organizes his nefarious schedule, manages his chaotic team of henchmen, and accidentally becomes indispensable to his wicked plans, she finds herself increasingly attracted to the mysterious man behind the title.

What sets this apart: Maehrer's debut is pure fun, embracing romantic comedy tropes while subverting fantasy expectations. The humor is quirky and character-driven, from the poisonous plant that acts like an office pet to the endearing band of misfit villainous employees. The Villain himself is brooding and mysterious with a secretly soft heart, hitting that perfect book-boyfriend sweet spot. The romance is slow-burn with mostly tension rather than explicit scenes. World-building takes a backseat to character dynamics, but for readers seeking cozy, lighthearted fantasy romance with found-family vibes, this delivers. Content notes: Fantasy violence, discussion of parental illness, class disparity, workplace romance dynamics.

9. The Fake Out by Stephanie Archer

Price: $12.99 | Rating: 4.5/5 | Heat Level: Steamy

Hockey romance meets fake dating in this spicy contemporary. Chloe is a sports photographer trying to prove herself in a male-dominated field. When her ex-boyfriend (also a photographer) starts spreading rumors about her, hockey star Matt Rivera offers a solution: fake date him to change the narrative and make her ex jealous. What starts as a publicity arrangement develops into genuine connection as they navigate Matt's demanding season and Chloe's career ambitions.

What sets this apart: Archer writes sports romance with actual hockey knowledge, and the game scenes are exciting without being overwhelming. The fake-dating trope is executed with fresh energy, and the chemistry between Chloe and Matt is explosive from page one. Chloe is ambitious and refuses to compromise her career for romance, while Matt is supportive rather than possessive—a refreshing dynamic. The steam level is high with well-written intimate scenes. The friend group and team dynamics add humor and heart. Content notes: Explicit sexual content, workplace sexism/harassment, discussion of past toxic relationships, competitive sports culture.

10. Bride by Ali Hazelwood

Price: $14.99 | Rating: 4.3/5 | Heat Level: Hot

Ali Hazelwood enters paranormal romance with this werewolf-vampire political marriage story. Misery Lark is a vampire scientist (of course) who agrees to marry the powerful werewolf Alpha Lowe Moreland to cement a peace treaty between their species. She expects cold political arrangement; what she gets is a husband who is unexpectedly considerate, devastatingly attractive, and hiding dangerous secrets that could reignite the war between their people.

What sets this apart: Hazelwood brings her STEM-heroine formula to paranormal romance with successful results. The world-building blends urban fantasy with political intrigue, and the vampire-werewolf tension is genuinely high-stakes. Misery is prickly and brilliant, while Lowe subverts alpha-male expectations with emotional intelligence and respect for consent. The arranged marriage trope allows for delicious slow-burn tension despite being married from early on. The heat level is high with explicit scenes. Perfect for readers wanting paranormal romance with Hazelwood's signature nerdy banter and feminist themes. Content notes: Explicit sexual content, fantasy violence, political intrigue, assassination attempts, discussion of species-based discrimination.

11. The Albatross by Susan Hill

Price: $13.99 | Rating: 4.1/5 | Heat Level: Low

For readers seeking atmospheric literary romance, Hill delivers this gothic tale set in a crumbling English coastal estate. A young woman takes a position as companion to an elderly woman in a decaying manor, where she encounters the woman's enigmatic grandson. As storms batter the coastline and secrets emerge from the house's past, a tentative romance develops against the moody backdrop.

What sets this apart: Hill's prose is elegant and atmospheric, evoking classic gothic romance in the tradition of Daphne du Maurier. The pacing is deliberately slow, focusing on mood and psychological tension rather than action. The romance is subtle and understated—more lingering glances and meaningful silences than passionate declarations. The coastal setting is practically a character itself. This is best for readers who appreciate literary fiction with romantic elements, beautiful writing, and don't need explicit content or fast pacing. The ending is bittersweet rather than traditionally happy. Content notes: Low/no sexual content, gothic horror elements, themes of grief and loss, elderly care, isolated setting, melancholic tone.

12. Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

Price: $14.99 | Rating: 4.6/5 | Heat Level: Moderate

Abby Jimenez delivers another emotional contemporary romance with this story of Emma, who has a peculiar curse: everyone she dates finds their soulmate immediately after breaking up with her. When she connects online with Justin, who has the same problem, they devise a plan to date each other for the summer, breaking the curse for both of them. Emma travels to Justin's small Minnesota town where he's caring for his siblings, and what starts as a strategic arrangement becomes increasingly real.

What sets this apart: Jimenez excels at blending humor with genuine emotional depth and difficult real-world issues. The foster care storyline involving Justin's siblings is handled with sensitivity and research. Emma's journey dealing with abandonment issues and learning to trust is beautifully rendered. The small-town setting is cozy without being saccharine, and the found-family elements are heartwarming. The romance is swoon-worthy with moderate heat, but the emotional intimacy is the real draw. Perfect for readers who want to laugh, cry, and swoon in equal measure. Content notes: Moderate sexual content, foster care system, parental abandonment, childhood trauma, family illness, discussion of addiction.

Understanding the 2025 Romance Landscape

The romance publishing industry continues its remarkable growth trajectory, with the genre representing approximately 23% of overall fiction sales according to industry reports. Several key trends are shaping reader preferences in 2025:

Romantasy Dominance: The blend of romance and fantasy continues to attract massive readership, particularly among younger readers. Series like Fourth Wing demonstrate how high-stakes fantasy worldbuilding can coexist with emotionally satisfying romance arcs.

Subgenre Diversification: Romance readers are increasingly seeking specific subgenres and tropes, from dark romance with morally complex characters to cozy fantasy romance with lower stakes. Publishers are responding with more targeted releases.

LGBTQ+ Representation: Mainstream publishers are releasing more LGBTQ+ romance across all subgenres, with bisexual, lesbian, gay, trans, and non-binary protagonists gaining visibility beyond specialized presses.

Diverse Heat Levels: The market now accommodates everything from sweet, closed-door romance to extremely explicit content, with readers appreciating clear communication about heat levels before purchasing.

Author-Reader Connection: Social media platforms, particularly BookTok and Bookstagram, continue to drive discovery and sales, with reader communities forming around specific tropes, authors, and subgenres.

How We Selected These Romance Books

Our editorial team compiled this list using the following methodology:

• Publication Timeline: We focused on books released in 2024 and early 2025, plus select backlist titles that continue to dominate romance bestseller lists and reader conversations
• Subgenre Diversity: We intentionally selected titles across major romance subgenres including contemporary, romantasy, dark romance, LGBTQ+, paranormal, sports romance, and romantic suspense
• Reader Ratings: All featured titles maintain ratings of 4.0+ stars across major retailer platforms with significant numbers of reviews
• Critical Reception: We considered professional reviews, book blogger responses, and BookTok/Bookstagram community reception
• Accessibility: All titles are widely available in multiple formats (print, ebook, audiobook) through major retailers
• Content Representation: We prioritized including diverse voices, relationship configurations, and representation of marginalized identities

Choosing Your Next Romance Read

With so many excellent options, selecting your next romance can feel overwhelming. Consider these factors:

Subgenre Preference: Do you want real-world contemporary settings or fantasy/paranormal elements? Sports romance or small-town charm? Dark and gritty or light and comedic?

Heat Level: Romance ranges from sweet (no explicit content) to extremely spicy (detailed intimate scenes). Our reviews include heat level ratings to help you choose appropriately.

Tropes You Love: Romance readers often have favorite tropes—enemies to lovers, fake dating, second chance, forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine. Consider which relationship dynamics appeal to you.

Standalone vs. Series: Some readers prefer complete stories in one book, while others enjoy investing in multi-book series. We've included both options.

Content Considerations: Pay attention to our content notes if you have triggers or preferences regarding violence, explicit content, or specific themes.

Romance Reading Resources

For readers looking to explore more romance titles beyond this list, consider these valuable resources:

Goodreads Romance Lists: Community-curated lists organized by subgenre, trope, and publication year help readers discover new favorites based on specific preferences.

Romance Podcasts: Shows like "Fated Mates," "The Ripped Bodice Romance Podcast," and "So Romantical" offer reviews, author interviews, and industry insights.

BookTok and Bookstagram: Social media communities provide real-time reactions, recommendations, and discussions. Search hashtags like #RomanceTok, #Romantasy, or #SpicyBooks to find creators whose tastes align with yours.

Romance-Specific Review Sites: Smart Bitches, Trashy Books and Dear Author offer detailed, critical reviews from dedicated romance readers.

Author Newsletters: Many romance authors maintain email lists with exclusive content, advance notice of releases, and recommendations of similar authors.