RomCom Staff Favorites

The Ex Hex

“In line with Halloween classics such as Hocus Pocus and Practical Magic, The Ex Hex is a funny, witchy rom-com about a hex gone so wrong. Main characters Rhys and Vivi have good banter as they work out the many curses affecting the town. A quick and entertaining read. My favorite character is, of course, Sir Purrcival the cat.”

Sofia, Phoenix Books

First Comes Like

“Alisha Rai has continued to deliver another relevant, swoon-worthy romance with First Comes Like. This book is perfect for readers who love a slow burn or fans of You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria. I enjoyed seeing the perspective of a contemporary Muslim woman in a way that wasn’t sensationalized or exoticized. Rai has written a book that is still sexy, even when the characters aren’t having sex. Jia, the heroine, is a ball of sunshine toward whom I instantly gravitated for her open, generous heart, big dreams, and strong work ethic. Reading about her journey to conquer self-doubt taught me a little bit about reframing my own flaws and accepting myself, too.”

Stephanie Otani-Sunamoto, The Novel Neighbor

If you enjoyed The Kiss Quotient, then you’ll love Heart Principle, The.

“You can always expect tenderness and honesty from Helen Hoang. Her characters’ struggles are often real struggles that people can relate to. The journey Anna goes through to love herself is just as, if not more, powerful than her love story with Quan. Featuring dual narration from Natalie Naudus and Brian Nishii, both of whom did a stellar job evoking the emotions of the characters. Beautiful, sad, and life-affirming. I can’t recommend this book enough!”

Sofie, Phoenix Books

An instant New York Times bestseller!

One of TIME Magazine's 100 Must-Reads of 2021!

Two people realize that it’s no longer an act when they veer off-script in this sizzling romantic comedy by New York Times bestselling author Jasmine Guillory.

Ben Stephens has never bothered with serious relationships. He has plenty of casual dates to keep him... Read more »

Act Your Age, Eve Brown

“Eve is sunshine and chaos, Jacob is all structure and self-reliance - they're both autistic (as is the author), hard-working, and absolutely obsessed with each other from the beginning. Equal parts significant, silly, and sexy, this finale to the Brown Sisters trilogy does not disappoint.”

Miriasha , Phoenix Books

If you enjoyed The Kiss Quotient, then you’ll love The Love Hypothesis.

“Ali Hazelwood's debut is a HIT! This book has it all. On the serious side, we've got valuable conversations of asexuality and a focus on women in STEM and the realities of the academic world. On the tropey side, we've got fake dating, a bit of the grump/sunshine dynamic, and a hilarious play on "there was only one bed"! This book has so many laugh out loud moments, often courtesy of Olive's best friend Ahn, that I cannot stop thinking about. There's really something for everyone in this story, and it's one I couldn't put down! If you are a fan of contemporary romances, or are just starting out in the genre, this is an absolute must-read!!!”

Sarah, Anderson's Bookshop

The Duke and I

“As an avid romance reader, I've been hyper-aware that I lack experience in one sub-genre in particular: historical fiction romance. Right once I picked up The Duke and I, I knew I found the perfect introduction to the genre. Not only was I enamored with Daphne and Simon's love story, but I was impressed by the novel's feminist themes. The women in this series are outspoken, passionate, and easy to root for. The novel left me smiling from ear to ear. The audio was fantastic as well! Rosalyn Landor did a great job differentiating among characters, translating the humor from page to audio, and keeping me invested in the story. ”

Gennifer, Flyleaf Books

An art expert and a thief get caught in a dangerous game in this novel of daring deception and desire from #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts.

After an assault at her family home in Maine, Dr. Miranda Jones is determined to put the experience behind her. Distraction comes when she is summoned to Italy—to verify the authenticity of...

A YALSA 2022 Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults Selection!

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before meets The Farewell in this “entertaining and nuanced” (Kirkus Reviews) romantic comedy about a college student who hires a fake boyfriend to appease her traditional Taiwanese parents, to disastrous results, from the acclaimed author of American... Read more »

Acclaimed author of Ash Malinda Lo returns with her most personal and ambitious novel yet, a gripping story of love and duty set in San Francisco's Chinatown during the 1950s.

"That book. It was about two women, and they fell in love with each other." And then Lily asked the question that had taken root in her, that was even now unfurling its... Read more »