2024’s bestromancebooks 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.
15A 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 surpriseA Novel Love Storyis 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 Storyhas 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, butA Novel Love Storyremains a delightful journey.
14How To End A Love Story
By Yulin Kuang
AGoodreads Choice Awardsnominee in the Favorite Romance category and the winner for Favorite Debut,How to End a Love Storyby 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 theenemies-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, butHow to End a Love Storyis 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 Storyis 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.
13The Pairing
By Casey McQuiston
Casey McQuiston has become a must-read romance author afterOne Last StopandRed, White & Royal Blue— and their 2024 novel,The Pairing, was one of themost-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, butit’s their dynamic that really allowsThe Pairingto 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 Pairingdoes slow down in spots, but overall, it’s one of the most entertaining and original releases to join the romance genre in 2024.
12Bride
By Ali Hazelwood
Ali Hazelwood released two books in 2024, and both saw the author trekking into uncharted territory — thoughBridewas just a bit more memorable. A paranormal romance inspired by the Omegaverse,Bridereceived 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,Brideresonated with a lot of readers, especially those interested in vampire/werewolf pairingsand Omegaverse fiction.
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Of course,Bridehas 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.Bridecertainly 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.
11The Love Of My Afterlife
By Kirsty Greenwood
Kirsty Greenwood returned with a new novel in 2024, andThe Love of My Afterlifeboasts a premise that all but guarantees a good time. As its title suggests,The Love of My Afterlifebegins 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 Afterlifedoesn’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 Afterlifeearns 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.
10The Paradise Problem
By Christina Lauren
Author duo Christina Lauren publishedThe Paradise Problemin 2024, and it’s easily one of the best summer romance books of the year.The Paradise Problemputs an all-too-relatable twiston 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 Problemhas 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 wonderThe Paradise Problemboasts a 4.10 Goodreads score and Goodreads Choice Awards nomination for Favorite Romance.
9The Rom-Commers
By Katherine Center
The Rom-Commersby 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 throughoutThe Rom-Commersis to convince Charlie that romantic comedies are worthwhile, this book reads as a love letter to the genre.
As Emma’s entire goal throughoutThe Rom-Commersis 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.
8Marriage & Masti
By Nisha Sharma
The third and final book in Nisha Sharma’sIf Shakespeare Was an Auntieseries,Marriage & Mastiis easily the best of the bunch. A reimagining of the playwright’sTwelfth Night,Marriage & Mastifinds its hero and heroine drunkenly getting married — then deciding to keep the arrangement, which will benefit both of their careers. This premise alone warrantsMarriage & 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
2022
2023
Marriage & Masti
2024
WhileMarriage & Mastican be read as a standalone,its conclusion is vastly more satisfying after reading the entirety of Sharma’s series. This book wraps upIf Shakespeare Was an Auntienicely, 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.
7A Love Song For Ricki Wilde
By Tia Williams
A Love Song for Ricki Wildehas 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 madeSeven Days in Junesuch 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 Wildeis 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 Wildeis 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 Wildeearns its 4.03 Goodreads rating and Goodreads Choice Awards nomination, proving Williams is an author to watch out for.
6Play Along
By Liz Tomforde
Plenty of exciting sports romances hit shelves in 2024, but Liz Tomforde’sPlay Alongis one of the most noteworthy. The fourth addition to Tomforde’sWindy Cityseries,Play Alongcombines 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.
Play Along
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.
