Get in the heart-fluttering mood from the comfort of your home with the newest book releases for both romance and non-romance lovers alike. From a short story collection about sex to a rom-com featuring two co-workers fighting for the same promotion while cruising through paradise, there’s a little something for everyone.
This Close to Okay by Leesa Cross-Smith
“This was a slow-paced, slow-build novel that packs a major punch. Cross-Smith explores relationships, infidelity, trauma, mental health, family, and racism while intricately looking at the dynamic between the two main characters over the course of three days. It’s definitely unlike anything I’ve read before.” – Alex, @readswithrosie
Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant
“If you’re in the mood for a captivatingly hilarious romantic comedy filled with diverse and vibrant characters that jump off the page, keeping you smiling and laughing from start to finish, then Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant is perfect for you. This is the book I wish I had growing up. I was immediately drawn to Tessa and believe readers, as well as writers, will absolutely fall in love with Happily Ever Afters. Although this is a YA contemporary romance, I highly recommend it to romantics of all ages!” – Morgan Menzies, @prettylittlebookshelf
Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers
“Honey Girl is the late ’20s Millennial coming-of-age novel I never knew I needed, but absolutely did. It’s also a [female, female] romance novel, so you get two genres for the price of one. Jokes aside, I really loved reading as Grace and Yuki’s relationship blossomed and evolved. Honey Girl definitely reads like a contemporary novel, but Rogers also seamlessly incorporates sections of beautiful, more abstract prose that never felt jarring or out of place” – Landice, @manicfemme
First Comes Like (Modern Love #3) by Alisha Rai
“This one totally stole my heart! Even without steam, the romance was addictive and juicy. Between the catfishing plot and culture-specific familial drama, I felt that the story was authentic for South Asian audiences yet accessible to anyone else. Most memorably, misjudgment and miscommunication fueled the drama, but the diverse group of characters do everything out of love. Also, with all the romance in the air, get ready for a fireworks ending! (P.S. to honor the wedding and South Asian influencer themes, pictured are my toe rings – common in South Asian weddings to mark a woman as married (like a wedding band!) and my favorite candle to read with, by @shop_aditi)” – SP, @booksnailmail
Kink: Stories by R.O. Kwon
“What I appreciated most about Kink is that while it is certainly a book about sex, it is also very much a book about human connection. The stories aren’t stereotypical but really specific and vivid. While sex can be very exciting and thrilling and unique, it can also be mundane and common and human, and this book plays into both extremes. I also love that Kink is a truly diverse collection—it includes many kinds of sex with many kids of people and no two writing styles are the same. No two stories are alike and that goes to show that being kinky isn’t niche or fringe, it is very much human, and everyone is into it in some way or another.” – Traci, The Stacks Podcast
The Love Proof by Madeleine Henry
“Picture this: You’re in college when you meet the love of your life. I’m talking a soulmate kind of love. You are a shy but brilliant physicist; he is a kind, ambitious man. You think love is all it takes to keep you two together, oh how wrong you are. What follows is a story of love and loss that spans decades.” – Bernie, @apaperbacklife
Happy Singles Day by Ann Marie Walker
“This book was so cute! It was a quick read for me and reminded me so much of a Hallmark movie with a little extra spice thrown in. But for real. How can I not like a book that describes the main male character as a Ryan Reynolds look-alike, a whole litter of puppies, and the spunkiest little four-year-old girl? Oh, and it is set on an island in North Carolina. SIGN ME UP!” – Molly, @mollysreadingadventure
Act Your Age, Eve Brown (The Brown Sisters #3) by Talia Hibbert
“Ok, but seriously. When I read Chloe’s story in 2019, I loved it. And when I read Dani’s story last year, I really loved it. But then I read Eve’s story last week, and I lost my mind and heart to her and Jacob. Separately, they are both delightful characters, easy to love and incredibly unique. But together? Like Emily (@alifelivedinbooks) said, together they’re magical. Side note: like Dani Brown, this one has a LOT of heat. I had to get a drink of water and walk around to cool down after one scene in particular. Whooo buddy.” – Paige, @lpm_reads
Shipped by Angie Hockman
“I found my first rom-com of 2021 to scream about!!! Maybe I’m starved for a vacation, but the vacay vibes in this book were EXACTLY what I needed right now!!! What an incredible debut!!! I’ve seen this book compared to The Hating Game and The Unhoneymooners and I couldn’t agree more! The premise is two co-workers, Graeme (Graham Cracker) and Henley, fighting for the same promotion while eco-cruising through paradise in the Galápagos Islands!” – Emily, @emmyloves_books
100 Boyfriends by Brontez Purnell
“Filled with sex, drugs and dark humor, 100 Boyfriends is a collection of short stories that give readers a peek into the wild, messy, and heartwrenching lives of Black queer men living in America. It’s raunchy yet honest and while it’s explicit, it shows the vulnerable psyche of Brontez Purnell.” – Jordan, @jord_reads_books
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