2024’s best romance books encompass a wide range of stories, all of which ensure love is in the air — though most tackle deeper conversations about relationships and life as well. Romance books can make for great escapes from reality, but they also portray fundamental human experiences. It’s no wonder their popularity continues to endure, with many of the genre’s biggest authors releasing new titles year after year. That continued in 2024, with writers like Ali Hazelwood, Kennedy Ryan, and Emily Henry all publishing new books.
Well-known romance authors aren’t the only ones who delivered compelling romances this year, either. A good mix of debuts hit shelves, along with more experimental stories, offering readers a variety of options within the genre. From modern fairy tales to Shakespeare reimaginings, there was no shortage of great love stories throughout 2024. Many of them will no doubt be discussed into the new year, even as 2025’s big romance releases debut.
15
A Novel Love Story
By Ashley Poston
Ashley Poston has both fantasy and romance titles under her belt, and the author’s 2024 book perfectly blends romance with a dash of the fantastical. It’s no surprise A Novel Love Story is among the year’s best romance titles, as its premise sets it up for success. With a literature professor getting wrapped up in her favorite fictional world — and falling in love there — A Novel Love Story has all the right ingredients of a charming fairy tale.
Poston’s 2024 book is the perfect story for people who love stories, and its magical realism sets it apart from many of the year’s other big romance releases. It walks the line between fantasy and romance well, and Poston’s writing style makes opening this one feel like coming home. There are a few shortcomings, most notably when it comes to the novel’s pacing and the heroine’s ending, but A Novel Love Story remains a delightful journey.
14
How To End A Love Story
By Yulin Kuang
A Goodreads Choice Awards nominee in the Favorite Romance category and the winner for Favorite Debut, How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang is one of the year’s most notable romance books. The novel’s awards recognition and 3.67 Goodreads rating is impressive for a debut author, promising big things to come from Kuang’s writing career. A great example of the enemies-to-lovers trope, How to End a Love Story follows two writers with a complicated and intertwined past as they work on a TV show together.
While the central dynamic is a compelling reason to pick up this 2024 release, its exploration of deeper themes, like grief, makes this book a must-read.
This setup alone will grip readers, but How to End a Love Story is about so much more than romance. While the central dynamic is a compelling reason to pick up this 2024 release, its exploration of deeper themes, like grief, makes this book a must-read. How to End a Love Story is as emotional as it is clever, and such strengths easily land it among the best romances of the year. The worst thing that can be said about this book is that it will leave readers wanting more of Helen’s and Grant’s happily ever after.
13
The Pairing
By Casey McQuiston
Casey McQuiston has become a must-read romance author after One Last Stop and Red, White & Royal Blue — and their 2024 novel, The Pairing, was one of the most-anticipated romance books of the entire year. For the most part, it lived up to readers’ high expectations, weaving a second-chance romance full of travel, delicious cuisine, and sex. These aspects of Kit and Theo’s story make for a thrilling ride, but it’s their dynamic that really allows The Pairing to shine.
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McQuiston’s characters prove so likable that it’s difficult to avoid becoming fully engaged in their story. There’s so much angst and longing on the heels of the leads’ breakup and reunion, and this will leave readers feeling all the emotions right alongside them. The Pairing does slow down in spots, but overall, it’s one of the most entertaining and original releases to join the romance genre in 2024.
12
Bride
By Ali Hazelwood
Ali Hazelwood released two books in 2024, and both saw the author trekking into uncharted territory — though Bride was just a bit more memorable. A paranormal romance inspired by the Omegaverse, Bride received a lot of attention upon its February debut. It also snagged a Goodreads Choice Awards nomination for Favorite Romance and an impressive 4.08 rating on the platform. Needless to say, Bride resonated with a lot of readers, especially those interested in vampire/werewolf pairings and Omegaverse fiction.
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Of course, Bride has a lot of appeal, even outside those readers. Bride‘s story perfectly blends its romance narrative with its paranormal plot. It also fleshes out both of its leads as individuals as much as it highlights their chemistry together. While it does repeat tropes and archetypes that frequently crop up in Hazelwood’s books, this just ensures that fans of her work will appreciate it. Bride certainly isn’t for everyone, but it’s a breath of fresh air in a genre that could use more risk-taking paranormal stories like it.
11
The Love Of My Afterlife
By Kirsty Greenwood
Kirsty Greenwood returned with a new novel in 2024, and The Love of My Afterlife boasts a premise that all but guarantees a good time. As its title suggests, The Love of My Afterlife begins with two characters hitting it off in the waiting room for the afterlife. The pressure ramps up when the book’s heroine is granted a deal to go back to Earth — and start anew with the mysterious stranger there. The catch is that she needs to find him first, and that brings Delphie and the reader on a journey that’s charming and magical.
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Despite its blend of fantastical elements and romance, The Love of My Afterlife doesn’t shy away from more serious subjects, which feels fitting for a novel that begins with death. The characters in Greenwood’s latest are likable, and that extends beyond the two romantic leads. The Love of My Afterlife earns its 4.09 Goodreads rating and Goodreads Choice Awards nomination in the romance category. It’s a must-read from 2024, even if some of its twists and turns are predictable at times.
10
The Paradise Problem
By Christina Lauren
Author duo Christina Lauren published The Paradise Problem in 2024, and it’s easily one of the best summer romance books of the year. The Paradise Problem puts an all-too-relatable twist on the fake-dating trope, as it starts with its leads getting married for strictly financial reasons. They’re forced back together years after signing the divorce papers, with Anna accompanying Liam to his sister’s wedding — which happens to be on a private island.
The novel doesn’t gloss over its conversations about wealth, privilege, and class, and that’s precisely what places it above so many other 2024 romance books.
The Paradise Problem has the beachy luxury and getaway vibes necessary for any great summer read, but what sets it apart is its commitment to its themes. The novel doesn’t gloss over its conversations about wealth, privilege, and class, and that’s precisely what places it above so many other 2024 romance books. The characters may not be the most original, but it’s easy to step into their shoes thanks to the book’s premise. It’s no wonder The Paradise Problem boasts a 4.10 Goodreads score and Goodreads Choice Awards nomination for Favorite Romance.
9
The Rom-Commers
By Katherine Center
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center lives up to its title, bringing readers the ideal romantic comedy in 2024. Center’s latest is both heartfelt and fun, taking readers on a journey to Hollywood to tell its story. The unlikely pairing of Emma and Charlie proves far more charming than they initially let on, though it does take some getting used to these totally opposite screenwriters. Both have their flaws, but that makes their relationship more believable as they work together and fall for one another.
As Emma’s entire goal throughout The Rom-Commers is to convince Charlie that romantic comedies are worthwhile, this book reads as a love letter to the genre.
As Emma’s entire goal throughout The Rom-Commers is to convince Charlie that romantic comedies are worthwhile, this book reads as a love letter to the genre. It elicits all the giddy feelings and emotional turns that usually accompany rom-coms, and its use of tropes feels entertaining and self-aware. It’s an all-around entertaining ride, even if it doesn’t necessarily bring anything groundbreaking to the table. Its 4.11 Goodreads rating and Goodreads Choice Awards nomination in the romance category speak to that.
8
Marriage & Masti
By Nisha Sharma
The third and final book in Nisha Sharma’s If Shakespeare Was an Auntie series, Marriage & Masti is easily the best of the bunch. A reimagining of the playwright’s Twelfth Night, Marriage & Masti finds its hero and heroine drunkenly getting married — then deciding to keep the arrangement, which will benefit both of their careers. This premise alone warrants Marriage & Masti‘s 4.10 Goodreads rating, but the book’s strengths go beyond it. Its depiction of Indian culture has also been highly praised, and its lovable characters, comedic moments, and steamy scenes all add to the appeal.
|
Books In The If Shakespeare Was An Auntie Series In Order |
Release Year |
|---|---|
|
Dating Dr. Dil |
2022 |
|
Tastes Like Shakkar |
2023 |
|
Marriage & Masti |
2024 |
While Marriage & Masti can be read as a standalone, its conclusion is vastly more satisfying after reading the entirety of Sharma’s series. This book wraps up If Shakespeare Was an Auntie nicely, though it will no doubt leave readers wanting more of Sharma’s world and characters. The business elements of this fake marriage story might not be for everyone, but it will prove an added bonus for fans of workplace romances and businessmen heroes.
7
A Love Song For Ricki Wilde
By Tia Williams
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde has gotten a lot of attention over the last year, with Tia Williams’ latest masterfully blending magical realism and romance. The book has lyrical prose sure to make readers swoon, and its central romance recaptures the passion that made Seven Days in June such a success. The backdrop of Harlem and the artsy themes give this novel a flair that not many other romances have, and such elements land it high among the genre’s best 2024 releases.
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is the ideal read for romance lovers who want an obsessed, head-over-heels hero and a love story that heavily leans into notions of fate.
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is the ideal read for romance lovers who want an obsessed, head-over-heels hero and a love story that heavily leans into notions of fate. The chemistry between Ricki and Ezra’s is as dazzling as the rest of the narrative, making their story an easy one to fall into. Their relationship can feel a little rushed at times, but that only adds to the escalating passion between the characters. A Love Song for Ricki Wilde earns its 4.03 Goodreads rating and Goodreads Choice Awards nomination, proving Williams is an author to watch out for.
6
Play Along
By Liz Tomforde
Plenty of exciting sports romances hit shelves in 2024, but Liz Tomforde’s Play Along is one of the most noteworthy. The fourth addition to Tomforde’s Windy City series, Play Along combines baseball, a fake marriage, and a swoon-worthy hero to form a gripping and satisfying love story. Charming heroes are a staple of Tomforde’s books, and the author doesn’t miss when bringing Isaiah to life in her 2024 novel. His sweet and supportive love for Kennedy is enough to sell this novel, though Kennedy’s arc also has a strong appeal.
|
The Windy City Series Books In Order |
Release Year |
|---|---|
|
Mile High |
2022 |
|
The Right Move |
2023 |
|
Caught Up |
2023 |
|
Play Along |
2024 |
Tackling tougher subjects like trauma and sexism through Kennedy’s story, Tomforde proves that some romances really can do it all. There’s a reason this 2024 release has a high 4.49 average Goodreads rating, along with many rave reviews from readers. It may not have made as much of a splash as the top five romance books of 2024, but it’s more than worthy of the same recognition.
5
Here We Go Again
By Alison Cochrun
Alison Cochrun’s Here We Go Again is an adventurous story, taking readers on a cross-country road trip while its friends-to-lovers romance unravels. A sapphic romance that brings two childhood best friends together on an unexpected journey with their dying ex-English teacher, Here We Go Again is as entertaining and emotional as its premise suggests. Here We Go Again doesn’t shy away from the looming death and grief the characters are grappling with, and this leads to a tearjerker of a story.
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Cochrun’s 2024 book also doesn’t sugarcoat its characters’ flaws, which could prove grating to some readers — though it makes them feel more authentic. There are some sweet and steamy moments between Logan and Rosemary scattered throughout, and Cochrun even manages to inject a bit of light comedic relief in places. However, at its core, Here We Go Again is an incredibly thoughtful and heart-wrenching tale, so it might not be for every romance reader.
4
The Prospects
By KT Hoffman
Another fantastic sports romance from 2024, The Prospects is a heartfelt baseball story with a charming LGBTQ+ relationship at its core. KT Hoffman’s debut has so much going for it, and its impressive 4.24 Goodreads rating underscores its strengths. The author masterfully balances the book’s core romance with baseball itself, which is something not all sports romances manage. The back-and-forth between the characters is top-tier, and The Prospects makes sure to tackle serious subjects throughout its 300+ pages.
The rivalry and passion between Gene and Luis are highlights of The Prospects, but the characters’ individual journeys also prove compelling from start to finish. With discussions about transgender identities, mental health, and creating one’s own family, The Prospects covers so much within its pages. It also features a standout supporting cast, and it’s the type of sports romance that doesn’t require readers to like sports. They’ll be rooting for the characters anyway. It’s a shame this book hasn’t gotten as much attention as some of the bigger romance releases of 2024, as it sorely deserves it.
3
Funny Story
By Emily Henry
It’s never a surprise to see Emily Henry at the top of a best romance books list, and the author’s 2024 novel lands her there again. Funny Story weaves a complicated opposites-attract narrative, with its two leads falling for their exes’ exes. It’s a premise that lives up to the book’s title, as it’s entertaining and delightful to watch Daphne and Miles rewrite their stories together. Funny Story features plenty of familiar tropes as they do, but Henry manages to spin them to her advantage. Nothing about Funny Story‘s romance feels tedious or overdone.
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Funny Story won two Goodreads Choice Awards, in the romance category and the audiobook one, supporting reviewers’ sentiment that it’s one of Henry’s best books yet. For many, Funny Story is the best romance book of the year, and it’s easy to see why. It’s everything a romance should be: entertaining, clever, and hopeful. That said, there are two 2024 romance books with even more powerful messages about love, and they’re undoubtedly the best of the year.
2
This Could Be Us
By Kennedy Ryan
The second installment in Kennedy Ryan’s Skyland series, This Could Be Us manages to surpass Before I Let Go, if only slightly. Ryan’s latest tells a love story that feels deeper and more mature than many of the others to hit shelves in 2024. And that stems from Soledad and Judah’s relationship. Their romance is so much more compelling because they’re properly fleshed out as individuals, and they’re incredible supports to one another, even through the worst of their journeys. Ryan doesn’t shy away from the difficult parts, making this story as moving as it is romantic.
|
The Skyland Books In Order |
Release Year |
|---|---|
|
Before I Let You Go |
2022 |
|
This Could Be Us |
2024 |
Ryan is known for injecting her novels with beautiful prose, and This Could Be Us continues that trend. The author’s stunning descriptions add layers to the narrative, making everything This Could Be Us has to say much more powerful. There are so many great quotes that it’s worth keeping a highlighter on hand. This Could Be Us‘ 4.41 average Goodreads rating makes sense given its strengths, as does its Goodreads Choice Awards nomination. It’s among the very best romance releases of the year, landing just below another great addition to 2024’s lineup.
1
Just For The Summer
By Abby Jimenez
Abby Jimenez’s romances make great additions to any year, and the author’s newest book is the genre’s best of 2024. Just for the Summer looks like another lighthearted summer read on the surface, but that’s never truly the case with Jimenez’s stories. The author consistently paints people and their circumstances in a realistic light, opting to keep all the rough edges. Just for the Summer mixes a fake-dating scenario and a summer getaway with family troubles and trauma, and it strikes just the right balance between all these elements.
Just for the Summer drives home the notion that love isn’t always humorous banter and joy; sometimes, it’s choosing the other person through the ups and downs life throws at you.
Like This Could Be Us, Just for the Summer drives home the notion that love isn’t always humorous banter and joy; sometimes, it’s choosing the other person through the ups and downs life throws at you. Just for the Summer conveys that message in a heartfelt and enjoyable narrative, one that’s landed it a 4.38 average Goodreads rating and multiple Goodreads Choice Award nominations this year. It’s the strongest of 2024’s best romance books, and with such an impressive lineup, that’s saying something.