11 New Romance Books for Anyone Who Loves Love
Summer 2023 is almost officially here, and with the heat comes the onset of steamy new romance books.
Whether you're looking for a book to bring with you on vacation, your beach bag or a quiet weekend at home, if you enjoy stories about romantic relationships, you'll be sure to find a captivating option on this list.
From a connection in the 1930s to six interconnected love stories to A Midsummer Night’s Dream meets Bridgerton and so much more, we've got them all!
Ready to fall head over heels for some recently-released reads? Here are 11 of our new favorites!
Here at Parade.com, we're all about sharing products we love with our audience. When you make a purchase on an item seen on this page, we may earn a commission, however, all picks are independently chosen unless otherwise mentioned.
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11 Best New Romance Books
The Rebel King (All the King’s Men Duology) by Kennedy Ryan
TikTok favorite Ryan gives readers a love story so sweeping it spans two books—the previously published The Kingmaker and the new The Rebel King (June 27), both from Bloom Books. Maxim Cade, the son of an oil baron groomed to take over the family business, meets Lennix Hunter, an Apache activist, when she’s protesting a pipeline. A chance meeting years later sparks a passionate—if complex—relationship that has the pair navigating a kidnapping attempt, the sordid world of politics and the fight for social justice. $18, amazon.com
Chef’s Choice by TJ Alexander
To convince his celebrity-chef grandfather he’s a worthy heir to the family’s culinary kingdom, trans man Jean-Pierre must cook a series of challenging recipes on camera with a girlfriend by his side. Jean-Pierre turns to Luna, an out-of-work trans woman, who agrees to take on a gig pretending to be his paramour. In between cooking tests and fake dating, real feelings begin to develop. Heartwarming and sweet, fans of Casey McQuiston won’t want to miss Chef’s Choice (Atria). $18, amazon.com
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Even if the Sky Is Falling by Taj McCoy, Farah Heron, Lane Clarke, Charish Reid, Sarah Smith and Denise Williams
What’s better than one romance? A book featuring six interconnected love stories. After an international warning siren accidentally goes off, a half dozen couples quickly pair off, thinking their time on Earth is quickly coming to an end. When they find out the end isn’t imminent, they’re forced to figure out what’s next. Featuring a who’s who of romance writers, Even if the Sky Is Falling (Canary Street Press) explores what happens when we let our inhibitions go. $17, amazon.com
Forget Me Not by Julie Soto
Fanfic sensation Soto offers a pitch-perfect romance for wedding season in Forget Me Not (July 11, Forever). The wedding of an Instagram influencer forces two exes—Ama, a wedding planner who’s vowed never to get married herself, and Elliot, the florist who once proposed to her—to work together. Alternating between Elliot’s perspective on their past and Ama’s on their current predicament, Forget Me Not is a swoon-worthy second-chance romance. $15, amazon.com
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It Happened One Fight by Maureen Lee Lenker
Get ready to be transported to 1930s Hollywood with It Happened One Fight (July 11, Sourcebooks). Actress Joan Davis is about to start a career separate from leading man Dash Howard when she learns they’re married due to an on-set prank gone wrong. To save her reputation, the starlet agrees to film a movie with Dash in Reno, where they’ll be able to secure a divorce, but she starts to wonder if their marriage really is a joke. As fun and fizzy as a glass of champagne. $17, amazon.com
Mortal Follies by Alexis Hall
A Midsummer Night’s Dream meets Bridgerton in Mortal Follies (Del Rey). Narrated by Shakespeare’s Puck, the story follows a young noblewoman, Miss Maelys Mitchelmore, as she teams up with Lady Georgiana Landrake, an alleged witch rumored to have murdered her father, to undo a curse. Hall, author of the bestselling Boyfriend Material, delivers his trademark wry humor and charming banter. $16, amazon.com
Once More With Feeling by Elissa Sussman
Anyone still sentimental about Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears’s early aughts relationship will want to grab Once More With Feeling (Dell). More than a decade after a scandalous one-night stand ruined both their careers as teen pop idols, Kathleen Rosenberg and Cal Kirby reunite to stage a Broadway show. With each blaming the other for their fall from grace, they’re surprised to learn their chemistry is as strong as ever. Perfect for readers seeking TRL vibes. $16, amazon.com
To Have and To Heist by Sara Desai
Why choose between a heist book or a romance novel when To Have and To Heist (July 18, Berkley) offers both? When down-on-her-luck Simi Chopra receives a phone call—not a text—from her best friend Chloe, she knows it’s serious. Just how serious? Chloe’s been set up for the theft of a $25 million necklace. After Simi’s rescue attempt fails spectacularly, a mysterious criminal, Jack, suggests they team up to steal the necklace from the real thief, thereby clearing Chloe’s name and making millions in one move. Come for the crime; stay for the sizzling chemistry. $17, amazon.com
The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
Timing is everything in Poston’s warm and witty new book, The Seven Year Slip (June 27, Berkley). Clementine, a book publicist on the cusp of burning out, begins to fall for her roommate Iwan, an up-and-coming chef. Iwan is kind, loves lemon pie and helps Clementine to process her grief from losing her beloved aunt. The only catch: he lives seven years in the past. A magical read, on many levels. $27, amazon.com
We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian
Beloved queer historical romance writer Sebastian is back with a new book set in a 1950s New York newsroom. Nick Russo worked his way up to become a reporter at one of the city’s top papers. He knows a relationship with a man is dangerous but finds himself drawn to Andy Fleming, son of the paper’s owner. While Sebastian doesn’t shy from depicting the intolerance of the era, We Could Be So Good (Avon) is a celebration of love, joy and found families. $19, amazon.com
The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter
A woman wakes up in Paris with no memory, a splitting headache, people attempting to assassinate her and an attractive man telling her she needs to run. It all starts to make sense when she sees a video of herself fighting off a dozen armed men. The mystery woman concludes she’s a high-powered spy, but her hunky new companion explains that her identical twin sister is the agent. Together, they go on the run—posing as newlyweds—to uncover an international conspiracy and prove her twin’s innocence. Fun and pulse-pounding, The Blonde Identity (August 8, Avon) will keep readers turning pages. $26, amazon.com
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