Looking to spice up your reading list with heartfelt tales of love, laughter, and longing? Whether you’re a fan of enemies-to-lovers tension, second chances, or spellbinding magical romances, 2025 is packed with captivating reads that promise to steal your heart. From Emily Henry’s dazzling Great Big Beautiful Life to Rebecca Yarros’ thrilling Onyx Storm and beyond, this year’s lineup of best romance novels to read in 2025 offers something for every kind of romantic at heart. Ready to fall in love with your next great book? Dive into our handpicked list of the 15 best romance novels of the year!
1. Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
In Emily Henry’s dazzling new novel, two writers—Alice Scott, an eternal optimist chasing her big break, and Hayden Anderson, a Pulitzer-winning storm cloud—find themselves on Little Crescent Island competing for the chance to write the biography of Margaret Ives, a reclusive heiress with a life straight out of a scandalous novel. Margaret offers them a one-month trial, sharing tantalizing fragments of her story under strict NDAs, leaving Alice and Hayden to navigate not only the mystery of Margaret’s past but also the undeniable tension between them. As secrets unravel and emotions ignite, this tale of ambition, rivalry, and unexpected connection promises to be anything but predictable—a mystery, tragedy, or love story depending on who’s telling it.
2. Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
Don’t miss the next thrilling chapter in the series everyone’s talking about! From Rebecca Yarros, the bestselling author of Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, comes a gripping tale of survival, courage, and secrets that could change everything. With the battle lines drawn and enemies closing in, Violet Sorrengail must leave Basgiath War College behind and venture into uncharted lands to protect what she holds dear—her dragons, her family, her home, and the one she loves. But as she fights to uncover the truth that could save them all, a storm looms on the horizon, and not everyone will survive its wrath. Pre-order now and prepare to brave the dark!
3. Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston
Ashley Poston, the bestselling author of The Seven Year Slip, is back with a heartwarming magical rom-com you won’t want to miss. Joni Lark dreams of crafting unforgettable songs, but when her parents decide to close the family music venue that shaped her creativity, she’s left uninspired—until a half-formed melody with a voice she can’t shake comes to her. When the man behind that imagined voice unexpectedly arrives in her hometown of Vienna Shores, their inexplicable telepathic connection forces them to collaborate on the haunting tune. But as their clashing personalities threaten to derail their progress, they’ll need to find common ground—or risk turning their shared melody into heartbreak. Pre-order now.
4. Beg, Borrow, Or Steal by Sarah Adams
Two rival second-grade teachers are forced into an unexpected alliance—and an even more awkward living arrangement—in this delightful small-town romance by Sarah Adams, author of The Cheat Sheet and Practice Makes Perfect. Emily Walker, a meticulous planner with a secret side gig as a romance writer, has always clashed with Jack Bennett, her infuriatingly charming nemesis who has just returned to town after a failed engagement. Now, he’s her colleague and next-door neighbor. Jack, a bestselling mystery author hiding behind a pen name, is ready to focus on his house renovation and writing, but his fiery encounters with Emily threaten to derail everything. When a mistake puts Emily’s secret identity at risk, she has no choice but to rely on Jack, setting the stage for a rivalry that could either explode or turn into an unexpected love story.
5. A Match Made in Coven by Camilla Isley
When magical enforcer Sarah Michelle Callidora is called to Salem just before Halloween to investigate a grisly murder, she doesn’t expect her prime suspect to be Lorcan Black—an infuriatingly charming and dangerously attractive wizard from a rival coven. With his enchanted dagger at the center of the crime and a family reputation steeped in darkness, Lorcan has everything stacked against him, including the stubbornly brilliant witch assigned to take him down. But when sparks fly between them—both magical and romantic—they’re forced to team up to uncover the truth. As secrets unravel and danger looms, their forbidden chemistry becomes harder to resist, threatening to ignite a love that could defy centuries-old rivalries. A Match Made in Coven is a spellbinding enemies-to-lovers romcom full of magic, mystery, and sizzling romance, perfect for fans of cozy fall vibes, witchy banter, and heartwarming twists.
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6. On Her Terms by Amy Spalding
A sweetly sexy, deeply relatable sapphic romcom about a fake relationship that leads to very real emotions and discovering your own love story. Bi Clementine never imagined dating women until her relationship with her boyfriend ended, and a chance encounter with the chaotic Chloe Lee makes her wonder if love could be closer than she thought. But Chloe isn’t interested in anything real—she just needs someone to pose as her girlfriend until her friends’ wedding, and in exchange, she’ll guide Clem through her “baby gay” era. As they embark on their fake romance, will they realize they’ve been fooling themselves into something real all along? Perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Alexis Hall.
7. Fake It Like You Mean It by Megan Murphy
Fake It Like You Mean It is a delightful debut romance filled with fake dating, enemies-to-lovers tension, and forced proximity, perfect for fans of The American Roommate Experiment and Fifty First Dates. Elle has always relied on her grandmother, Lovie, who now suffers from Alzheimer’s, so it’s Elle’s turn to take charge. Returning to her childhood home, she’s shocked to find Adam Wheeler, the live-in nurse, in her bed. What begins as a forced partnership to care for Lovie soon turns complicated when Lovie, in her confusion, believes Elle and Adam are madly in love. Thinking it will pass, Elle and Adam play along, but as time goes on, the line between pretend and real blurs, leaving Elle to wonder why she’s fantasizing about Adam when he’s not around. A perfect mix of humor, romance, and heartfelt moments, this story will have readers laughing and swooning.
8. I Think They Love You by Julian Winters
In his funny and heartwarming adult rom-com debut, bestselling YA author Julian Winters takes readers on a journey where fake dating leads to unexpected second chances. Denzel “Denz” Carter’s life is upended when his workaholic father announces his retirement, sparking a competition for the CEO position at 24 Carter Gold. To prove he’s ready, Denz impulsively lies about being in a serious relationship and needs a fake boyfriend to seal the deal. The last person he wants for the role? Braylon, the man who broke his heart. But when Braylon reappears, needing Denz’s connections for his own career, they strike a deal that blurs the lines between business and something much more personal. I Think They Love You is a celebration of love, queer communities, big families, healing, and discovering the person you’re meant to be.
9. Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
Scarlett Vandermeer, a dedicated junior at Stanford and rising platform diving star, is laser-focused on recovering from an injury and getting into med school, leaving no room for distractions—especially not a relationship. Enter Lukas Blomqvist, swim captain, world champion, and disciplined golden boy whose life revolves around perfecting his craft. They seem worlds apart, until a secret brings them together and sparks a connection neither expected. What starts as a temporary, no-strings arrangement heats up as the pressure of the Olympics intensifies, and Scarlett finds herself in deeper waters than she bargained for, realizing that what was supposed to be a fling is quickly turning into something much more complicated.
10. Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez
There may be no such thing as the perfect guy, but Xavier Rush comes dangerously close—he’s a stunning veterinarian with a Greek god vibe, and he’s cuddling a tiny kitten. Instant heartthrob, right? That is until he opens his mouth and proves that even the most chiseled gods can say the absolute wrong thing. Samantha loves nothing more than calling out an arrogant jerk, but after one unforgettable date that seems too perfect to be real, she faces a painful truth—her family is in crisis, and any chance at a relationship is impossible. She begs Xavier to let her go, to remember their night as a beautiful moment in time. Yet, no matter how much time passes, neither can forget the undeniable connection between them, and Samantha realizes that the only thing better than one perfect memory is a life—and a love—that’s worth building.
11. Scythe & Sparrow by Brynne Weaver
I can’t stop thinking about her—how her lips would feel against mine, the heat that would ignite between us. Would she feel the same? Would she melt in my arms, or would the tension snap, unleashing something fierce inside both of us? From the bestselling author of Butcher & Blackbird and Leather & Lark comes the thrilling finale of the Ruinous Love Trilogy, a spicy, darkly comedic romance filled with chaos, murder, and mayhem. Doctor Fionn Kane thought he could escape his broken heart and shattered career in small-town Nebraska, but Rose Evans, a motorcycle stuntwoman with the Silveria Circus, has other plans. When a stunt goes wrong, leaving her injured, she finds herself at Fionn’s doorstep, but not every wound can be healed. And the longer you stay in one place, the harder it is to outrun your ghosts.
12. Wild and Wrangled by Lyla Sage
Camille Ashwood’s life takes a dramatic turn when her fiancé leaves her at the altar, leaving her without a home. Desperate, she finds the house she’s always loved available for rent, but there’s a catch—her neighbor is Dusty Tucker, the man who was once her everything. After years of avoiding each other, Dusty is determined to prove they can just be friends, but Cam soon discovers that being around him feels all too familiar. As old wounds resurface and new feelings emerge, they begin to wonder if their first love could truly be their last, and whether they can make it work this time—forever.
13. Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt
Wren and Ellis Byrd, once inseparable after falling in love as teenagers and building a life in the coastal town of Spunes, Oregon, now find themselves divorced and leading separate lives—Wren running a bakery and Ellis working as a firefighter. When their son Sam is accepted into college, they agree to help him move in together, and Ellis convinces Wren to take a road trip down the California coast to see if they can rekindle their relationship. Surrounded by scenic beauty and long-awaited closeness, Wren begins to believe there might be a chance, but they must confront the ghosts of their past to move forward. With words sometimes failing them, can they bridge the gap with written ones and make the most of their second chance—or will they let each other go for good?
14. All the Missing Pieces by Catherine Cowles
Sometimes, the least expected thing turns out to be exactly what you need, even if it’s a stubborn, brooding sheriff standing in your way. Ridley Sawyer knows the pain of loss all too well, having felt it deeply since the night her twin sister vanished. Channeling that pain into purpose, she travels the country solving cold cases for her true crime podcast, driven to bring justice where she couldn’t for her sister. But her relentless pursuit of truth collides with Sheriff Colter Brooks, who’s determined to keep chaos out of his town—even if it means keeping Ridley at arm’s length. Their clash takes an unexpected turn when Ridley’s case heats up, forcing Colt to protect her, even as she shakes up his orderly world. Now she’s under his roof, drinking his whiskey, winning over his dog, and proving she’s far more than his first impression. But as the case grows deadlier, they’ll have to face not just the danger lurking around them but the undeniable connection drawing them closer together.
15. Story of My Life by Lucy Score
Hazel Hart, once a bestselling romance author, finds herself stuck in a writer’s block spiral after a nasty breakup, drowning in takeout boxes and looming deadlines. When her publisher issues an ultimatum—deliver her manuscript or it’s over—Hazel impulsively buys a crumbling historic house in tiny Story Lake, PA, hoping a change of scenery will spark inspiration. Instead, she’s greeted by a raccoon-infested wreck, a town struggling after its main employer shut down, and an unwanted seat on the town council, which drags her into small-town drama she’d rather avoid. But things take a turn when grumpy, six-foot-three contractor Campbell Bishop unexpectedly reignites her creative spark—starting with a bandage on her forehead and escalating to a fake date for “research purposes.” As Hazel’s new romance novel comes to life, so does her real-life love story, but between town bankruptcy, her fixer-upper’s chaos, and Cam’s reluctance to believe in happily-ever-afters, Hazel’s perfect ending might just be out of reach.
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