The 10 Best Romance Books of 2024
This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan
Why it's One of Our Best Romance Books of 2024:
Kennedy Ryan’s “This Could Be Us” explores betrayal and reinvention in this standalone novel set in her popular Skyland world. Stay-at-home mom Soledad Barnes must rebuild her once-stable life after her husband shows himself as…not the guy she married, in more ways than one.
Diving into a journey of self-discovery and empowerment– with three kids– Soledad lets herself reconsider love with Judah, also a single parent, while navigating the fallout of her shattered family. As one Amazon reader review puts it, “the relationship takes center stage,” but the steam is there, too. NPR hails it as “a gorgeously grown-up romance,” while Emily Henry praises it as “heart-searing, sensual, and life affirming.”
This New York Times bestseller delivers a compelling mix of family drama and steamy romance, proving that starting over can be both challenging and rewarding.
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
Why it's One of Our Best Romance Books of 2024:
If you didn’t have “Vampire/Werewolf what-could-go-wrong? coupling” on your 2024 paranormal romance bingo card, Ali Hazelwood’s “Bride” is here to claim its spot like, well, a werewolf at a full moon disco.
This standalone novel follows Misery Lark, a vampire daughter of the highest-ranking councilman, as she’s yanked from her life of mingling anonymously with humans and forced into a political marriage with Lowe Moreland, a Werewolf Alpha hotter than melted bullets. And Misery has more to worry about than basic husband problems – she could easily end up dead.
BookishDelights.com says Bride has “that unadulterated joy of fanfiction” (while definitely not being fanfiction), while Jeevesreads.com calls it “addictive.” Prepare for biting sarcasm, interspecies politics, found family dynamics, and enough supernatural shenanigans to make even a cold-blooded vampire blush. This tale will leave you thirsting for more; here’s to hoping this standalone gets a sequel.
Funny Story by Emily Henry
Why it's One of Our Best Romance Books of 2024:
Emily Henry’s FUNNY STORY is here to wreck your emotions and steal your heart. This “dazzlingly electric” (Buzzfeed) tale of fake dating gone real has more sparks than a fireworks factory explosion.
Daphne seems to have it all: a meet-cute story, a sexy fiancé from that meet-cute, and a picturesque lakeside town to call home. But everything is thrown into turmoil when her fiancé’s childhood best friend disrupts Daphne’s seemingly perfect life. That’s when a money-saving roommate situation (the kind you land in when your live-in fiance announces that he loves someone else) leads to awkwardness, hilarity, and…maybe something else, with someone she never expected.
Henry, dubbed the “hottest romance writer in the game” by People, serves up her wittiest, swooniest concoction since “People We Meet on Vacation.” Kirkus calls it her “best yet” and they’re not wrong. With chemistry that could power a small city and dialogue sharper than your grandma’s best scissors, this rom-com is “equally poignant and charming” (Publishers Weekly).
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
Why it's One of Our Best Romance Books of 2024:
Abby Jimenez’s “Just for the Summer,” the third in her “Part of Your World” series, is a rom-com that’ll make you snort-laugh and ugly-cry. Emma and Justin, two curse-afflicted daters, scheme to break their “good luck” jinx by dating each other. Spoiler: it’s complicated.
Jimenez serves up witty banter, steamy chemistry, and emotional depth, tackling toxic family relationships and mental health with raw honesty. No wonder it’s an Instant #1 New York Times bestseller and Good Morning America Book Club Pick.
A summer fling that evolves into much more. You won’t want to miss it.
Wild Eyes by Elsie Silver
Why it's One of Our Best Romance Books of 2024:
Elsie Silver’s “Wild Eyes” shot up the New York Times Bestseller list this fall to the #3 spot – topped only by Colleen Hoover – by serving up the kind of small-town romance to get deliciously lost in.
This second installment in the Rose Hill series follows Skylar Stone, a chart-topping country starlet so in need of refuge that she’s come to the Canadian wilderness to find it, and Weston Belmont, a single dad/horse trainer/”shameless flirt” combo who doesn’t exactly love city folk. As AllAboutRomance.com emphasizes, “the thing that made this story special was how much fun West, the kids, and Skylar have in their small town.”
This New York Times bestseller gives us witty banter, steamy chemistry, and enough emotional depth to fill Lake Louise. Curl up in front of your mountain river rock fireplace and prepare for grizzly bear encounters, small-town drama, and a heartwarming story.
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
Why it's One of Our Best Romance Books of 2024:
Katherine Center’s “The Rom-Commers” is a meta-romantic comedy that’ll make you laugh, swoon, and believe in the magic of love stories. Maybe all at the same time.
The story follows Emma Wheeler, a rom-com obsessed aspiring screenwriter, as she leaves home for the only thing that could pull her away from her ailing father for six whole weeks: Los Angeles—along with the chance to rewrite a script for her idol, the cynical Charlie Yates. Unfortunately, Charles does not want to spend six weeks working with some nobody, doesn’t want to work on a rom-com at all, and wants to get the green light on another project entirely. Emma somehow has to stick up for herself – and for the genre! – and make this work.
This New York Times bestseller provides steamy chemistry and a love story that breaks all the rules – both on and off the page. The Nerd Daily praises how it “delves into the psyche, circumstance and life of Emma Wheeler,” while Miss Bates Reads Romance calls it “romantic and really really funny.”
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams
Why it's One of Our Best Romance Books of 2024:
Who doesn’t love a romance set in a leap year? Tia Williams’ “A Love Song for Ricki Wilde” weaves a spellbinding tale of romance and magical realism in the heart of Harlem.
Ricki is a free-spirited florist – at least, she wants to become one. But this is not another girl-opens-a-flower-shop story. Ricki flees her powerful dynastic family in Atlanta and rents the bottom floor of a Harlem brownstone owned by an elegant nonagenarian who’s seen a lot in her long life. Ricki’s artisan spirit is drawn to Ezra Walker, a mysterious musician with a curse that transcends time. Williams alternates between two time periods, giving us an intoxicating blend of modern-day romance and Harlem Renaissance glamour.
There’s a reason Publishers Weekly named it a Best Book of 2024. Prepare for soulmate connections, time-bending curses, and a star-crossed lovers story that’ll have you believing in both magic and the power of sacrifice.
Ne'er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti
Why it's One of Our Best Romance Books of 2024:
We had to have a Regency on the list! Of course, this instant USA Today bestseller would’ve caught our eye anyway. Alexandra Vasti’s “Ne’er Duke Well” is a charmingly hilarious historical romance that’ll make you laugh, swoon, and believe in the power of not-exactly-proper love.
Peter Kent, an American scandal magnet who inherits a dukedom, leaves New Orleans for England, his new estate, and two young half-siblings. An American from a southern state now in the House of Lords? The only thing more wild than that is Lady Selina Ravenscroft, a proper debutante with a very hush hush erotic library, actively circulating and remaining the aristocracy’s best-kept secret– for now. Selina wants her fellow ladies to be educated – a noble calling, but one that takes her out of the running for suitable matches. So she sets the handsome, eligible Peter up with somebody else, which, naturally, doesn’t exactly go to plan.
This debut brings the laughs, top notch Peerage drama, and enough plot twists to keep you turning pages. Prepare for sheep-induced royal wedding interruptions, Serpentine mishaps, and a love story that proves sometimes the ultimate scandal is falling for your matchmaker.
Fragile Sanctuary by Catherine Cowles
Why it's One of Our Best Romance Books of 2024:
Catherine Cowles’ “Fragile Sanctuary” launches the Sparrow Falls series with a heart-pounding blend of romance and suspense. The story centers on Rhodes, a woman determined to avoid entanglement with Anson, her brother’s best friend –he’s super rude, standoffish, and, well, her brother’s best friend. But when her world is shaken and the dark side of her small town seems to be coming for her, Anson is the one who steps in, giving us all those deliciously hot protective vibes.
Harlequin Junkie praises it as “a terrific beginning” that keeps readers “guessing,” while About That Story calls it “phenomenal.” This New York Times bestseller deftly balances edge-of-your-seat suspense with tender moments of healing, with a story that’s as much about overcoming past traumas as it is about falling in love. Cowles expertly weaves themes of trust, redemption, and the courage to open one’s heart again into a tapestry of small-town intrigue and slow-burn romance.
The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren
Why it's One of Our Best Romance Books of 2024:
Christina Lauren’s “The Paradise Problem” is a delightful romantic comedy blending humor, heart, and, of course, tropical paradise.
Anna Green and Liam Weston attempt to see through a fake marriage scenario with real consequences at Liam’s sister’s lavish Indonesian island wedding. And there’s a $100 million inheritance at stake, which paycheck-to-paycheck artist Anna could definitely use a little of, and could free Liam from his expected destiny of eventually heading up the soul-crushing corporation his family founded.
Jeevesreads.com likens it to “Pretty Woman meets Succession,” which isn’t inaccurate, and anyone who loves heroines who are not high-flying glamour girls will love Anna. The novel expertly balances laugh-out-loud moments with deeper themes of family and authenticity of two flawed characters who are just trying to make it in the world. With its tropical setting, sizzling chemistry, and colorful characters, it’s a perfect escape read for those holiday flights – and the final entry in our best romance books of 2024.
