Books can transport us into different worlds, mindsets, and lives—and with everything going on nowadays, it’s understandable if you’re looking for an escape right about now. And what better genre to get swept up in than romance? Romance novels have been booming for the last few years, partially because there’s something for everyone: The newest love stories range from sweet to sexy, and everywhere in between, with every race, gender, and sexuality represented. They span nearly every genre on the shelf, from historical to sci-fi to horror to fantasy, and cover every classic-for-a-reason trope, like enemies-to-lovers, friends-to-lovers, grumpy-sunshine, fake relationship, forbidden love…the list goes on (and on).
This year’s slate of new romance offerings overwhelmingly delivered on their promise to whisk readers away into heart-pounding stories sure to leave you swooning. Here, arranged by subgenre, are 25 of the best romance books of 2025. (For even more recommendations for your TBR stack, check out our lists of the year's best mystery-thriller books and the best novels of 2025.)
Contemporary Romance Books
Release date: July 29
This deeply moving romance unravels the complicated past (and present) of washed-up musician Luke and August, the daughter of a country music icon. 10 years after Luke passed off a song August wrote as his own, leaving her feeling betrayed, the pair must team up on a new song. It could mean a new beginning for both of them—and for their relationship.
Release date: February 11
This take on the fake-dating trope is more in the vein of the classic rom-com The Wedding Date: Needing to prove to her family that she’s not only successful but also happily in love, Harsha hires a local barista to pose as her date to her cousin’s wedding weekend. An extremely charming, heartwarming tale of unexpected love ensues.
Release date: February 25
Crush has been compared to Nora Ephron’s Heartburn, so, of course, it had to make the list. It follows a woman who’s content and happy enough until she sets out on a journey of self-discovery after her husband urges her to identify what might be missing from her life. Suddenly, she finds herself pursuing all the passion and desire she’s been craving deep down.
Release date: April 29
Ofosua is a Ghanaian heiress, expected to conform to her family’s traditions and marry the man they’ve picked for her. But tell that to her heart, which was stolen in a flurry of flirty banter by the charming Cole, who fatefully appears back in Ofosua’s life as her wedding plans blow up in her face.
Release date: April 22
By many counts, Emily Henry is the reigning queen of contemporary romance, and her latest novel definitely upheld that title. It starts with two writers competing for the opportunity to document the life story of aging heiress Margaret Ives. Soon, it evolves into a tangled tale in which Alice and Hayden are left questioning everything Margaret’s been telling them, as well as their nearly debilitating attraction for one another.
Release date: April 8
This mystery-romance combo will spice up even the grayest of days. When Atlanta-based matchmaker Nura's clients’s weddings begin collapsing into terrifying chaos, she ropes in her childhood best friend Azar to help her investigate the suspicious circumstances. Less of a mystery, of course, is how such an exhilarating mission is likely to turn any friends into quite a bit more.
Release date: May 6
Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice begins as Ellie flees across the country to escape her embarrassingly overbearing parents and open her dream sugar-free bakery, inspired by her Type 1 diabetes diagnosis. While setting up shop, she crosses paths with her childhood crush-turned-enemy, who just so happens to need a fake girlfriend for business purposes. This won’t get complicated at all!
Release date: April 1
Abby Jimenez has become well-known for her clever and heartwarming romances, and this one is no different. It's the story of Samantha and Xavier, who go on exactly one perfect date before Samantha realizes she’s not in a good place for a relationship, leaving them both haunted by what could have been, no matter how far apart they are.
Release date: September 2
This rom-com from genre fave/culture writer Bolu Bablola will have you laughing and blushing in equal measure. A sequel to 2022's Honey and Spice, it continues to follow the story of Kiki, who’s become an authority on romance and life in general through her popular podcast despite her own life being in shambles. Amid the chaos, she’s now having to spend the summer being cordial to her ex—and ignoring the still-fiery chemistry between them—while prepping for their best friends’s wedding.
Release date: February 18
Nura Maznavi’s smart, swoon-worthy novel retells Jane Austen’s Persuasion in a modern-day Pakistani-American community. It centers on Asma, a doctor who reunites with her college sweetheart, now a Silicon Valley success, nearly a decade after her overbearing family tore their love apart.
Historical Romance Books
Release date: June 10
This charming enemies-to-lovers queer historical romance sees a pair of nemeses—studious Elfreda and carefree Georgie—team up to solve an ancient mystery in their Victorian England neighborhood. I mean, really, what’s more romantic than digging for lost treasure with your sworn enemy?
Release date: May 20
The first in a new series of Victorian-era historical romances from Mimi Matthews, Rules for Ruin follows Euphemia, a student at an academy that secretly trains young women to dismantle the patriarchy. Her latest mission pits her against a wily betting shop owner, who has a business interest in protecting the viscount that Euphemia is supposed to be taking down—unless their growing attraction for one another gets in the way.
Release date: March 4
Like all the best historical romances, this one is set in olden times but leaves outdated gender roles and expectations in the past. Rather than acquiescing to her grandfather’s mandate that she either marry or lose her inheritance, the headstrong titular character embarks on a fierce battle for her independence—albeit with plenty of flirty trysts with her frenemy Lord Julian along the way.
Release date: August 12
The title of this historical romance, set in the Depression Era, refers to Clara, who comes into a surprise inheritance. That catches the eye of Addie, who's scheming to become a companion to a wealthy woman who will support her dreams of a lavish lifestyle. When their connection turns out to be a lot more real than Addie was expecting, things get messy fast.
Queer Romance Books
Release date: April 22
This one is a bit like a queer take on The Holiday, and it just might have you blushing even more than you do at Jude Law’s antics. A small-town Midwestern waitress and Manhattan career woman swap homes for a brief respite from their chaotic lives—only to find themselves each promptly swept up in budding new romances.
Release date: April 8
Jasmine Guillory writes romances for smart, headstrong women everywhere. Her latest novel follows Avery, who’s uptight, single, and wants to explore dating women, but needs help learning to let loose. The titular education comes from local heartbreaker Taylor, who made a bet to avoid sleeping with anyone all summer—made considerably harder by the growing attraction between them.
Release date: May 6
The “internet’s big sister” had already swept bestseller lists with a self-help book filled with dating tips when she tried her hand at fictional romance this year. Tinx’s debut novel follows an N.Y.C. It Girl who flees to the Hamptons after her life implodes, only to end up in an extra-spicy enemies-to-lovers situation with the woman who ruined her life.
Release date: January 28
Award-winning YA author Julian Winters took the fake-dating route in his adult romance debut. Denz must show his family that he’s capable of commitment and, therefore, of succeeding his father as CEO of the family business. Meanwhile, his ex, Braylon, needs access to Denz’s network to score a promotion. Obviously, the best choice here is to strike up a fake relationship that definitely won’t get messy.
Release date: September 2
A sexy and sweet Italian getaway in book form, this novel follows Ramin, who’s just been dumped for being “boring," and embarks on a spontaneous trip to Italy to prove his ex wrong. Once there, he bumps into his high school crush—Noah, who’s vacationing with his ex-wife and son—setting up a whirlwind second-chance romance full of red wine, gelato, and plenty of yearning.
Romantasy Books
Release date: August 5
After her fiancé slits her throat at the altar to take control of her kingdom, a headstrong princess named Jessamine makes a deal with a dark god to return her to life so she can avenge her people. While in the immortal realm, Jessamine can't help but fall for the shadowy god, revealed through the story's POV changes. Thankfully, if you become enamored with Jessamine’s story, it’s already slated to continue in a planned romantasy trilogy.
Release date: August 26
This otherworldly enemies-to-lovers romance stars two rival grad student wizards—human Sebastian and half-elf Thio—who find themselves having to work very close together so they can both win a prestigious research grant. Oh no, not forced proximity with a very hot, very smart classmate! The horror!
Release date: February 18
If the title and cover alone aren’t enough to convince you to dive into this hilarious and very raunchy tale, here’s a bit more about it: It centers around Ph.D. student Dory, who is, yes, abducted by aliens and promptly teams up with a pair of sexy and mysterious extra-terrestrials to find her way back home. The start of any great love story!
Release date: January 21
Rebecca Yarros’s Empyrean series has sparked a global phenomenon like the Harry Potter and Twilight books before it. The third book in the hugely addicting, very steamy romantasy series—which is slated to include five books total—hit shelves at the start of this year and continued ramping up the adventure, political tensions, and, of course, romance that began in Fourth Wing and Iron Flame.
Release date: May 6
With Silver Elite, Dani Francis launched a new series that combines romance and dystopia. Sign us up. It centers on Wren, a secretly psychic young woman who gets the chance to aid a rebel uprising from inside the enemy’s ranks. The already difficult mission becomes even more so as she’s been assigned to train there under a devastatingly handsome commanding officer.
Release date: June 17
This paranormal romance explores the mysterious but undeniable connection between songwriter Joni, who’s been struggling to write new lyrics, and a musician whose gorgeous melody somehow pops into Joni’s head one day. Their strange telepathy brings them physically together, after which they agree to finish their song in hopes of closing the connection. It’s not like the universe is flashing a neon sign at them saying they’re meant to be together or anything!
