The Best Romance Books of 2024, So Far

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Part of becoming a mature adult, I’ve found, is admitting romance novels are great. Not all romance novels, alright? But when is any form of art unilaterally faultless? Romance novels feature some of the best character-driven stories on the book market; they often tackle far more complex issues than they’re given credit for; and they’re fun, in a way not all literature can (or should) be. They’re accessible, which is not to say trivial. Romance addicts have been fighting for the legitimacy of their passion, arguably, since the genre first took real shape, and while there are plenty of worthwhile critiques of happily-ever-after tropes and eyebrow-raising bedroom scenes, the enduring popularity of romance is itself an indication to take it seriously. If you haven’t already, it’s time to get on board.

With that in mind, I present the following recommendations for the best (and most anticipated) romances of 2024, from the months of January through April. As with our other best-of book lists (including literary fiction, nonfiction, fantasy and sci-fi, and mysteries and thrillers), this list will receive updates throughout the year as new titles become available, new books pick up buzz, and our staff accumulates fresh favorites. But to start: If you’re looking for a love story to carry you into spring, adventure awaits.

Arya Khanna’s Bollywood Moment by Arushi Avachat

Out now.

A debut high-school rom-com from author Arushi Avachat, Arya Khanna’s Bollywood Moment itself takes the structure of a Bollywood film, with all the heart and drama expected of the genre. It’s refreshing to root for Avachat’s protagonist, Arya, as she helps her family prepare for her sister’s wedding, all while juggling school, work, ample interfamilial strife, and the enemies-to-lovers lure of her student council rival. A sweet, colorful coming-of-age tale with the right serving of romance.

Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban

Out now.

Taylor Swift’s most yearning lyrics meet Bridgerton’s pastel glitz and The Parent Trap’s central conceit in Emma R. Alban’s buzzy series opener. This queer Victorian romance (so not quite Bridgerton’s era!) unites two debutantes as they attempt to maneuver their widowed parents together, only to realize the real attraction is right in front of them. Sticklers for historical accuracy might struggle with immersion, but those eager to soak in the emotions will find a conceit to relish. Just make sure you have “Dress” on repeat.

Okay, Cupid by Mason Deaver

Out now.

Mason Deaver, the author of I Wish You All the Best—now being adapted into a film directed by Tommy Dorfman—has returned with the LGBTQ romantic fantasy Okay, Cupid, the light-hearted tale of a real-life cupid-in-training who gets a little too involved with their latest attempt at matchmaking. Falling in love with a human is a No. 1 no-no in Deaver’s cupid community, but that can’t seem to stop Jude from following their own arrow. Queer joy abounds in Deaver’s whimsical tale.

Principles of Emotion by Sara Read

Out now.

A panic-prone mathematician on the brink of a field-defining discovery falls for a second-chance romance in this thoughtful novel with traces of Lessons in Chemistry. In a genre too often dismissed as frothy, author Sara Read is game to tackle serious topics—mental health, legal troubles, family trauma, grief—while spinning a no-less warm and inviting tale of unlikely love.

Last Call at the Local by Sarah Grunder Ruiz

Out now.

A neurodivergent opposites-attract romance set primarily in a remote Irish pub, Last Call at the Local has all the trademark warmth of its setting, but with the added care its subject matter necessitates. Protagonist Raine is an avid explorer, and her ADHD only makes her rolling-stone lifestyle feel more inevitable. Pub owner Jack, on the other hand, has OCD, and absolutely no plans to abandon the family business he knows (and loves). When Raine starts working (and living) at the Local, their forced proximity brings unexpected feelings—and life-changing choices—to the fore. Last Call at the Local goes down with all the pleasure of its namesake.

Say You’ll Be Mine by Naina Kumar

Out now.

Fake engagement—one of the romance genre’s most stalwart, dependable tropes—reigns supreme in Naina Kumar’s Say You’ll Be Mine, in which a theater teacher and an engineer spark a sham romance to ward off the former’s recent heartbreak and the latter’s familial gripes. As Meghna and Karthik’s connection grows from contrived to genuine, Say You’ll Be Mine offers an insightful look at how cultural and familial expectations can shift even the best-known love stories.

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

Out now.

There’s an immediate musicality to both the language and the atmosphere of this wonderful novel, which, of course, is fitting, given both the title and the setting. Tia Williams’ latest after the 2021 bestseller Seven Days in June, A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is an enticing blend of contemporary and historical fiction, magical realism, and glittering romance. Williams plants readers in Harlem, where the titular Ricki has opened a flower shop in a bid to escape from the influence of her well-known Atlanta family. In New York (and under the watchful eye of her aging neighbor, Miss Della), Ricki meets the musician Ezra “Breeze” Walker, and a supposedly ordinary connection—and a supposedly normal leap year—becomes extraordinary.

Sex, Lies and Sensibility by Nikki Payne

Out February 13.

Pride and Protest author Nikki Payne boosts the drama (and the spice) in this Sense and Sensibility retelling that kicks up oft-trodden ground without betraying the source material. When Nora and her sister arrive at their inherited beach house in rural Maine, their lives have been upended: Their father has died, Nora’s the victim of a recent scandal, and neither of them knows how to run a proper inn. But when local (unauthorized) tour guide Bear shows up, it’s only a matter of time before they learn they work well together—in more ways than one.

Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey

Out February 13.

Genre icon Tessa Bailey is back this year with a story set in the (surprisingly hot?) world of professional golf. Sports romances are a tried-and-true favorite amongst genre readers, and Bailey surveys the playbook with what can only be described as wicked glee—particularly given the grumpy-meets-sunshine manner of the central love affair. Fangirl-turned-caddie Josephine and superstar-turned-burnout Wells are a delight to cheer on; just be aware that the sex is frequent, and, uh, there are golf puns. You’ve been forewarned.

Ready or Not by Cara Bastone

Out February 13.

Accidental pregnancy is a love-it-or-hate-it construct for most romance fans, which could leave Cara Bastone’s friends-to-lovers entry in a tough position. But for those willing to jive with that particular plot twist—and trust me, it’s worth it—Ready or Not is an absolutely buoyant read. Vivacious and funny, Bastone’s first-person perspective through protagonist Eve traces the tricky threads of single parenthood, long-term friendship, infertility, grief, and (yes) sex with skill.

Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair by Laura Piper Lee

Out February 13.

Casually subversive simply for casting a barely-keeping-it-together new mother in the role of alluring romance protagonist, Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair is a snappy but emotionally resonant read about a fixer-upper Airbnb and the couple it was never supposed to bring together. Laura Piper Lee writes with a keen eye for the inherent humor of infancy—both literally, in terms of screaming babies, and figuratively, in the context of a weird-but-wonderful new love affair.

How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang

Out February 27.

How does Yulin Kuang find the time? Already an accomplished Hollywood creative, Kuang is only growing her influence as the writer of fellow romance author Emily Henry’s People We Meet on Vacation screenplay and the director of the same author’s Beach Read feature film. But this year, Kuang has a story out that’s all her own: How to End a Love Story opens with the remarkable first sentence, “All things considered, her little sister’s funeral is a boring affair.” So begins this marvelous work of contemporary romance—a complex, provocative tale about a terrible accident, an accomplished young woman, a traumatized young man, and the big question of blame when the two find each other impossibly drawn together.

Right on Cue by Falon Ballard

Out February 27.

Falon Ballard injects the Hallmark rom-com with some much-needed acidity in this Hollywood co-stars-with-benefits sparkler. Right On Cue follows screenwriter and Tinseltown icon Emmy Harper as she begins production on yet another romantic comedy, this time having been convinced—after many years 0ff-camera—to take on the lead role herself. But when an injury forces her would-be co-star to back out of the project, the only available replacement is Grayson West. Emmy and Grayson’s baggage goes way back, which only makes their professional chemistry (and deepening sexual tension) all the more complicated.

Women of Good Fortune by Sophie Wan

Out March 5.

I love a heist. My husband and I have practically made a tradition out of watching Ocean’s Eleven together every time it’s on TV. So I’ll admit I’m predisposed to appreciate Sophie Wan’s Women of Good Fortune, a nontraditional women’s fiction-meets-romance novel that spins a heist—steal the wedding gifts, transform your life!—out of a high-society Shanghai affair. Best friends Lulu, Rina, and Jane want more out of life. When Lulu gets engaged to a man with whom she shares only middling feelings, the girls realize the answer is right in front of them. On her wedding day, Lulu will get showered with cash gifts. Now, all they have to do together is steal them. But as a crew and a plan come together and the occasion approaches, their friendship—and their romantic relationships—start to interfere with what they thought they needed.

Take Two, Birdie Maxwell by Allison Winn Scotch

Out March 5.

Yet another smart spin on a would-be Hallmark heroine, Take Two, Birdie Maxwell gives the titular movie star a chance to explore her Reputation era as she crawls back to her hometown after an on-set scandal. Back home, she thinks she’s concocted a plan to earn back the public’s adoration: She’ll stage a public reunion with the ex-boyfriend who wrote her a letter, yearning for a second-chance romance. Problem is, she doesn’t know which ex sent the letter. Maybe reporter Elliot O’Brien can aid in her investigation...if only the two of them could stop accidentally catching the other staring. A hilarious, unbridled romp from bestselling author Allison Winn Scotch.

In a Not So Perfect World by Neely Tubati Alexander

Out March 19.

A delightful take on the forced-proximity and fake-relationship tropes, In a Not So Perfect World starts with the kind of premise that should have had its protagonist dashing to HR: While interviewing for a new role at a top gaming company, Sloane Cooper learns she shouldn’t date. The all-male hiring crew simply believes it’d be in her best interest to focus on her career! This ridiculous overstep aside, their “recommendation” launches Sloane into creative mode. She’s desperate for the gig, and so when her neighbor offers her his ex’s ticket to Turks and Caicos, she accepts, considering the vacation a sort of work retreat. In return, this neighbor wants Sloane to pretend to be his girlfriend: Their fake romance will definitely make his ex jealous. But under the Caribbean sun is an easy place to fall in love, and soon Sloane realizes that staying single is going to be a lot harder than she’d anticipated.

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

Out April 2.

The beloved Abby Jimenez gives “it’s just a fling!” a whole new meaning in this ideal beach read, which follows a convenient summer set-up. Justin seems doomed in his relationships; every time he and a partner break up, that partner goes on to find their soulmate soon after. Emma’s heard about this so-called “curse” and wants to put it to the test, especially since she boasts the exact same problem. So when she and Justin start fake-dating, convinced it’ll break their respective “curses,” it’s pretty inconvenient that their complicated families start interfering...along with some unexpected feelings. Far more layered than its breezy, beautiful cover might suggest, Just For the Summer is yet another hit.

Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun

Out April 2.

I always hesitate to describe romance novels as “cute”—it feels so pejorative—but trust me, Here We Go Again is cute. It’s also disarmingly raw, a tragicomedy about aging and death, friendship, and finding one another. A sapphic roadtrip adventure, Alison Cochrun’s latest brings together former childhood friends-turned-rivals Logan and Rosemary as they shuttle their one-time English teacher, Joe, on what seems likely to be the last roadtrip of his life. In what the book describes as “the gayest van west of the Mississippi,” the three of them discover just what they’ve lost—and how to unearth a new path forward.

The Kiss Countdown by Etta Easton

Out April 9.

Amerie Price is running out of time. In Etta Easton’s lovely debut, the struggling Houston event planner has three months before her new fake-boyfriend Vincent leaves the country...for outer space. The two of them synced up to get Amerie back on her feet and Vincent out from under his family’s watchful eye, but now that the clock is ticking on liftoff, their relationship doesn’t feel quite so fake anymore. This charming NASA-adjacent romance is certain to win Easton loyal fans.

The Prospects by KT Hoffman

Out April 9.

A queer sports romance and a triumphant debut from KT Hoffman, The Prospects is a heartstring-pulling tale of two minor-league baseball rivals who realize they play much better together. When Beavers player Gene—the first openly trans athlete in professional baseball—starts to recognize a connection that has nothing to do with field position between him and teammate Luis, he’s forced to learn that big, complicated feelings might, in fact, be what’s best for them both.

When I Think of You by Myah Ariel

Out April 16.

When film studio receptionist Kaliya Wilson met Danny Prescott again, she wanted “a flute of champagne in one hand and Idris Elba’s bicep in the other,” writes Myah Ariel in this effervescent second-chance romance. Unfortunately for her, their reunion takes place at her thankless job, where Danny’s just walked in on her listening to a smutty audiobook. It’s been seven years since their college romance, and Danny’s star is rising in Hollywood while Kaliya is stuck handling the office ant problem. But when Danny offers Kaliya a new opportunity on his own film set, she finally sees a future—and it might even involve them both. This debut not only contains intelligent critiques of Hollywood’s storytelling machine, but the kind of slow-burn love affair that Hollywood itself is made for.

Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings

Out April 16.

An opposites-attract novel that’s cozy but heated (how appropriate), Mazey Eddings’ sapphic Late Bloomer finds its protagonists on a flower farm in Asheville, North Carolina, where lottery winner Opal has come to reinvent herself, and farm owner Pepper has stayed against all odds. They ultimately decide they’ll both call Thistle and Bloom Farms home, but with all this forced proximity, their frequent fighting (and even more frequent flirting) seems poised to take on a life of its own. This is an easygoing, affirming queer story well-immersed in its picturesque locale.

One Last Word by Suzanne Park

Out April 16.

A jaunty, quick read that’s no less captivating for its ease, Suzanne Park’s One Last Word is the stuff early-aughts rom-coms were made of, updated for a more modern decade. Park introduces readers to Sara Chae, tech entrepreneur and creator of the app One Last Word, which sends posthumous messages to your loved ones after you die. But when another Sara Chae that’s not our Sara dies, the app accidentally sends our Sara’s loved ones her pre-drafted messages—and one of them goes to her crush. This STEM romance tackles that particular nightmare with Park’s celebrated wit.

Funny Story by Emily Henry

Out April 23.

I was a late convert to the Emily Henry camp, having only picked up her work in the last year. But 2023’s Happy Place made such an impression that I started chasing a copy of Funny Story as soon as I learned it would land this spring. (And after we ran an excerpt of the book online earlier this year, I was all in.) Henry has a particular knack for characters that feel like dear friends, and Funny Story’s central pair—two recently jilted friends whose exes are now getting married...to each other—promise to be just as adored.

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