With 2026 right around the corner, all we can think about is all of the incredible romances that are going to be released. Whether you’re a fan of fun and flirty fake dating stories, can’t get enough of the brother’s best friend, or you’re searching for tender tales of second chances, the new year is full of romance releases that you aren’t going to want to miss. These are some of our most anticipated romances of 2026!
The Odds of You by Kate Dramis (1/6)
Sage Collins decided to throw caution to the wind when she left her career as a data analyst to pursue her passion as a writer. One bestseller and a struggling second book later, her career may be over before it can even truly begin. And to make matters worse, the paparazzi spotted her and heartthrob actor, Theo Sharpe, on a flight to Comic-Con, mistaking the two as a couple. No matter how much the two try to deny it, the fans are too involved in the drama. Desperate for an escape, Sage runs off to Scotland to work on her next novel in hopes of finding some peace and quiet. What she doesn’t expect is for Theo Sharpe to come back into her life and just how much his reappearance will flip her world upside down.
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Most Eligible by Isabelle Engel (1/13)
Georgia Rose is a journalist hoping for her big break. When she gets the opportunity to go undercover on a reality dating show to write an exposé on the producers, she doesn’t hesitate to take it. However, a wrench is thrown into her plans when she runs into country singer Rhett Auburn, an unforgettable one-night stand she had a year before. Acting as the season’s host, Georgia is forced to keep her history with Rhett a secret until the behind-the-scenes moments start to feel a lot more real than the romance that Georgia is faking on television.
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Next Level Love by Shameez Patel (1/20)
Elizabeth Gordon-Bettencourt is looking to start over. She has a new internship, a shot at her dream job as a civil engineer, and has escaped her family drama that’s been dragging her down. With so much change going on in her life, there’s been one thing that has stayed consistent—gaming with a mystery man that makes her feel understood. What she doesn’t know is that her new hard-to-read boss, Lincoln Carter, is the one she’s been growing closer to as the weeks go on. As their worlds collide, they’re left wondering if a relationship is worth risking both their friendship and their careers.
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The Re-Do List by Denise Williams (1/27)
When Willow Lewis goes through a very public breakup with her high school sweetheart, she’s determined to redo all of the big “firsts” that she feels like she wasted with her ex. After getting the opportunity to dog-sit for her brother during his deployment, she returns home and uses it as a chance to start over. And what better way to start over than to do so with her brother’s best friend, Deacon. He promised Willow’s brother that he would keep his hands off of her, but when the list turns from first dance to first kiss, that promise becomes increasingly difficult. Once everything has been checked off her list, the two must decide if they want to continue the romance or go their separate ways.
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Last First Kiss by Julian Winters (1/27)
Jordan Carter and Jamie Peters have a complicated past. Not only did they share a first kiss when they were teens—and almost shared another years later before Jamie made it abundantly clear that he was not the right one for Jordan. Rather than dwell on it, Jordan throws himself into work as an event planner. Ready to move on, he couldn’t be more excited for the high-profile wedding he’s assigned to. That is, until he finds out that Jamie is the bride’s man of honor. Between venue shopping and cake tasting, their relationship ramps up yet again, forcing the two to confront the feelings they’ve been hiding for years.
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Sunk in Love by Heather McBreen (1/27)
Roslyn and Liam thought they had the marriage thing down. Through residency programs to the publication of Roslyn’s debut romance, they’ve been at each other’s sides through it all. They were confident they could get through anything—until Roslyn’s mom passed away and she was buried in grief. Now the two are going through a divorce, and to top it off, they’re invited on a week-long Hawaiian cruise with Roslyn’s grandparents. Rather than rock the boat and tell her family the truth, the two decide to fake it. After five years of marriage, can the two play pretend, or will the resurfacing feelings of their marriage be enough to save it?
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The Wild Card by Stephanie Archer (2/3)
Tate Ward has everything going for him. He’s one of the best hockey coaches in professional hockey, an even better player, and an attentive, hot single dad. He also happens to love everyone except Jordan Hathaway, his newest staff member, and the only person who can help him save the team from being sold. Tate moves Jordan into his guest house, and the more time she spends with him and his daughter, the more the lines are blurred.
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Picking Daisies on Sundays by Liana Cincotti (2/17)
Hopeless romantic Daniella Daisy Maria was always madly in love with her childhood best friend, Levi. When she risked it all and made her feelings known, it became clear that he didn’t feel the same way. Embarrassed, Daniella swore that she would never see him again. Or so she thought. Four years later, in a crowded bar in the West Village, the two run into each other and agree to enter a fake relationship for his sister’s wedding. Daniella can’t say no to another chance at being friends, but as those feelings return with a vengeance, she can’t help but wonder if she should’ve said no to protect her heart
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And Now Back to You by B.K. Borison (2/24)
Competing meteorologists Jackson Clark and Delilah Stewart have been running in the same circle for years, their run-ins often ending in an argument. Jackson loves routine, and Delilah loves the adventure of being out in the field. When the two are partnered together against their will, Delilah offers Jackson a deal. If he can help her be viewed as a more serious meteorologist, she’ll help him rediscover his fun side. As the two work together, they must weather the storm and navigate their newfound friendship.
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Anderson in Bloom by Jennifer Dugan (3/3)
Former child star Anderson “Andy” Ducharme cut off all ties and moved to New England to work in a flower shop six years ago in hopes of running away from toxic relationships, embezzling agents, and the not-so-glamorous side of being in the spotlight of Hollywood. When her former co-star and ex, Nicole “Nikki” Price, announces her plan to write a tell-all book about growing up in Hollywood and working with Andy, Andy makes the drunken decision to text Nikki for the first time in years. To her surprise, Nikki shows up at the flower shop looking for answers. Andy has every intention of sending her away, but Nikki isn’t letting her get away that easily this time. Can the two reunite without ruining everything Andy has worked so hard to build over the years, or are they destined to crash and burn again?
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No Matter What by Cara Bastone (3/3)
After a traumatic accident, Roz and Vin’s marriage is teetering on the edge. Roz is confident that they can fix it, but unbeknownst to her, Vin has signed a new lease. Still in love with her kind, attractive husband, Roz signs up for a figure drawing class as a distraction from the heartbreak of her impending divorce. However, when Vin offers to let her draw him, she jumps on the opportunity—because nothing makes a legal separation easier than drawing your soon-to-be ex-husband nude. After years of ignoring each other, the two are forced to face the feelings they’ve been ignoring head-on, stripping down physically and emotionally.
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Just Friends by Haley Pham (3/3)
Blair and Declan were inseparable growing up. When the two decided to take their relationship to the next level, everything clicked into place. It just made sense. But as quickly as the romance began, it ended, leaving the two heartbroken. Now, four years later, Blair is back in her hometown to help support her mom while she takes care of her great-aunt. To help pay the bills, Blair decides to get a job as a barista at a local coffee shop, where she discovers that the manager is none other than Declan. Told in dual timelines, Just Friends is about overcoming the past and the beauty of second chances.
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We’re a Bad Idea Right by K.L. Walther (3/3)
Audrey Barbour has done everything right. Her grades are exceptional, she doesn’t date, and she’s been accepted to her dream college. Her parents should trust her, right? They do. Just not enough to let her study her passion—glassblowing—on a prestigious fellowship. So, when her best friend Henry suggests they fake date so that he can get his ex-girlfriend back, Audrey jumps on the opportunity. Especially when they come up with the idea to rent out her family’s Connecticut mansion online to help her pay for the fellowship. What she doesn’t expect is to start questioning everything she knows in one weekend.
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How to Write a Love Story by Catherine Walsh (3/10)
Clara Sharidan’s father left her with three things: an Irish estate that’s in disrepair, an outline for the final book in his bestselling fantasy series, and the inability to write thanks to her crippling writer’s block. As if she doesn’t already have enough on her plate, Sam Avery, a Frank Sheridan superfan and well-known editor, shows up on her doorstep against her wishes. With a looming deadline, the two are forced to collaborate to get the novel written and establish Frank’s legacy as a writer. As the temperatures grow hotter, so does the tension between the two. Will the two create their very own love story or end up a failed plot twist?
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The Fortune Flip by Lauren Kung Jessen (3/17)
Hazel Yen’s entire life is one giant stroke of bad luck. Having lost her job, her mom, and even her dinner, she’s desperate for any sign that things are going to turn around, resulting in a visit to a fortune teller’s booth. There she runs into fate, disguised as Logan Wells and his chaotic cat. After one life-changing kiss, her misfortune takes a turn. She should be happy…except Logan’s luck has taken a turn for the worse. A shared lottery ticket could give them the answers they’re searching for. Has her luck changed forever, and if it has, does that mean that her chance for love has disappeared?
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The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez (3/24)
Larissa learned the lesson that one decision can change the trajectory of your life when she needed a ride home from a concert that night. Rather than go with Chris—someone she came to love as a best friend—she went with his best friend. The ride sprouted into a beautiful relationship, leaving Chris grappling with his feelings for Larissa. Sure, he could admit his feelings for her. But doing so destroys his friendships. In a story of laughter, friendship, and the messy choices life throws our way, Chris must navigate his feelings and the consequences of both his and Larissa’s actions.
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Hold Me Like a Grudge by Celine Ong (3/31)
In the world of professional wrestling, everything is an act. The one thing that’s not, however, is Asher Ross’s hatred for Caleb Knight. After getting drafted to perform as Caleb’s enemy, Asher is confident that he’s about to strip Caleb of his World Championship title. As the two face each other on the mat, they’re surprised to find that their chemistry is the one thing they can’t fight. As much as they want to deny their feelings, the company won’t let them be anything other than rivals, both in the ring and out.
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Unbound by Peyton Corinne (4/7)
Paloma Blake puts up a front for everyone. Underneath her confident attitude is a scared girl with a life’s worth of trauma. Her ex, Bennett Reiner, is an anxiety-riddled, neurodivergent goalie who has no idea why their relationship ended. He’s always seen Palmoa for who she truly is. Alternating between the past and present, in this tension-filled love story, Bennett learns the truth about Paloma’s history, and the two must decide if letting go of the past is the key to finding happiness together again.
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Stranger Things Have Happened by Kasie West (4/14)
Sutton has a lot going on. She’s managing her new restaurant remotely, taking care of her sick mother, and getting broken up with over the phone by the man she thought she was going to marry. The solution? Go to therapy with a man she pretends she’s engaged to in order to help her best friend’s failing relationship. Can the therapist spot the difference between real love and fake love, or does the true connection that begins to form between them threaten to ruin everything?
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Happy Ending by Chloe Liese (4/14)
Thea and Alex have virtually nothing in common. Despite their differences, the two decide to enter a fake relationship when they learn that both of their exes have gotten into a relationship with each other right after their divorces. What starts out as a ruse blossoms into a beautiful friendship over the years. However, when their exes invite them on a two-week beach vacation, they start to wonder if they’ve gotten too carried away. Are they just really good friends, or are there real feelings under the surface that they’re going to be forced to face?
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Boots Beneath Her Bed by Taylor Esposito (4/21)
Ever since Grace Underwood’s parents died, she’s been harboring a secret. The only person who knows the truth is her uncle, and he’s used it against her ever since. When he takes it too far, she decides to throw caution to the wind and walk away forever with no plan. Fortunately, the opportunity to become a horse trainer at Halcyon Ranch falls into her lap, giving her a chance at a new life. But, Crew Caldwell, the son of the owner, doesn’t trust outsiders, and he definitely doesn’t trust Grace thanks to her bloodline. As she works closely with the horses to prove that she’s good at what she does, she earns the trust of Crew and Caldwell. Will her secret unravel or can she fight against it and stay in the only place that feels like home?
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Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune (5/5)
Best friends Frankie and George have had a tumultuous relationship since the moment they met at eight years old. On the eve of Frankie’s wedding weekend, she has no idea whether or not George is going to show up. To her surprise, he walks in, which means that everyone she loves is in one place, and she couldn’t be happier…that is, until her fiancé dumps her via note right before the wedding. Rather than sit and sulk, George decides that the two of them should go on her honeymoon to Tofino together. Frankie reluctantly agrees in hopes of repairing their friendship once and for all, but what she doesn’t know is that the trip could change everything for them.
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First and Forever by Lynn Painter (5/12)
Duffy Distefano is a diehard Minneapolis Coyotes fan, so imagine her surprise when she’s booed out of a game, a moment that goes viral, all because she shoved the mascot away when he made a move on her. Eager to clear her name, she agrees to a morning show interview, where she discovers an unwelcome co-host—the Coyote’s star tight end. Connor and Duffy’s fiery interaction, which was only meant to be damage control, takes the world by storm, and the public falls in love with the two together. To keep the image up, Connor asks Duffy out, which he quickly discovers is much easier than he thought. Can the PR stunt fool everyone, or will it result in the biggest fumble of Connor’s life?
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The Shippers by Katherine Center (5/19)
JoJo Burton has never been good at life. She has a long list of intimacy issues, but she’s ready to face them head-on during her sister’s destination wedding on a cruise ship. While on the trip, she decides to woo the neighborhood guy who was her first crush and first kiss, all with the help of her childhood best friend, Cooper Watts. The same Cooper who is also the man behind the worst heartbreak of her life. The more the two work together to make JoJo’s former crush fall for her, the closer the two become and the more she obsesses over everything that didn’t work out between them in the first place.
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Take Me With You by Steven Rowley
When Jesse del Ruth’s husband of thirty years, Norman, walks out into their Joshua Tree backyard one night and vanishes into a strange beam of light, Jesse’s world falls apart. One minute they were two men quietly stuck in their routines, the next Jesse is alone, with no explanation and no idea if Norman will ever come back. As he tries to piece his life together, he’s also dealing with the growing chaos around him. Norman’s sister shows up at his door with a desperate favor, a conspiracy-theorist neighbor starts spreading wild theories about aliens, and a mysterious man seems to be following him. As the days pass and the questions pile up, Jesse begins to wonder if Norman really chose to leave, or if something much bigger took him.
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Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan (5/26)
Dolly Brick has always been a problem solver. She survived when her mom left when she was younger, and she’s going to make it through moving back to Whitfield, Rhode Island, with her son to keep her dad and brother from losing the family home. So when she comes across Stewart Whitfield stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire on the heels of a bad breakup, she decides that she’s the perfect person to help. When the two decide to enter a fake relationship, Dolly quickly learns that the arrangement may be more than what she bargained for.
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