Can you feel that warm breeze in the air? It's not quite spring . . . it must be love! That's right, wherever you are and whatever the weather, you can pick up a novel and feel that soft glow of romance. Now that we're a few months into 2021, it's time to start rounding up the best of the batch [1]. Ahead, you'll find our favourite romance books of the year, including The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon, Make Up Break Up by Lily Menon, and Wild Rain by Beverly Jenkins. Not sure where to start? Just pick any of the following titles and you're sure to be titillated.
— Additional reporting by Sabienna Bowman
The Marriage Code by Brooke Burroughs
Brooke Burroughs's The Marriage Code [2] has it all: an enemies-to-lovers plot, a heroine in a STEM field, and an Emily in Paris [3]-style relocation subplot that finds the book's central characters moving to Bangalore. At the heart of the story is Emma, who needs to get her coworker Rishi to join her team after she lands the promotion he was passed over for, but in order to convince him to join her, she'll have to write a code to help him please his parents by finding the perfect wife.
Love Songs For Sceptics by Christina Pishiris
Love Songs For Sceptics [4] by Christina Pishiris is a charming story of first loves and unexpected romance. Music-magazine editor Zoë Frixos loves a good love song, but her own romantic fiascos have left her doubtful about the prospect of falling in love herself. But when an annoying publicist and her best friend/crush both enter her orbit at the same time, Zoe may have to reevaluate her stance on relationships.
Pudge and Prejudice by A.K. Pittman
Set in 1984 Texas, Pudge and Prejudice [5] by A.K. Pittman is a body-positive YA retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. When Elyse Nebbit struggles to accept her body and fit in at her new school, she finds help in the form of her no-nonsense best friend and the handsome boy she can't help but fall for.
Roommate by Sarina Bowen
Don't let the broody cover fool you; Roommate [6] by Sarina Bowen isn't just steamy, it's also a warm-hearted romance between two men who are total opposites. Kieran is an actual lumberjack who is harboring secrets and guarding his heart. Roderick is a chatty baking enthusiast who is determined to get his roommate to open up, even if it means possibly being kicked out of their shared house — and as you might expect, sparks will definitely fly between these guys, no matter how hard they resist their mutual attraction.
The Worst Duke in the World by Lisa Berne
Attention, Bridgerton [7] fans: if you're ready to delve deeper into the world of historical romances, The Worst Duke in the World [8] by Lisa Berne is a fun place to start. The book follows Anthony Farr, the Duke of Radcliffe, who has vowed never to remarry. However, when the very eligible and genuinely loving Jane Kent befriends his 8-year-old son, his resolve begins to crack.
Enjoy the View by Sarah Morgenthaler
Sarah Morgenthaler returns to Moose Springs, AK, for a third round of quirky small-town fun and unexpected romance in Enjoy the View [9]. This time around, former Hollywood sweetheart River Lane arrives in Alaska to film a documentary that she believes will save her career. The only trouble is, the locals aren't interested in talking to her, and her guide, Easton Lockett, is proving to be quite distracting.
Get a Clue by Tiffany Schmidt
Tiffany Schmidt continues her adorable Bookish Boyfriends [10] series with Get a Clue, a story of young love and amateur sleuthing. When Huck and Winston's English teacher assigns their class the Sherlock Holmes stories, the last things the boys expect is to be drawn into a real-life mystery — with a side of romance.
Shipped by Angie Hockman
Are you dreaming of a tropical holiday? Then why not live vicariously through the characters in Angie Hockman's hilarious and sexy Shipped [11], which follows two marketing managers and nemeses as they vie for the same promotion (and reluctantly fall in love) while on a work trip in picturesque Galápagos.
Capturing the Earl by A.S. Fenichel
Capturing the Earl [12] by A.S. Fenichel is a story about what happens when good intentions go horribly awry. Mercedes Parsons's only motivation in investigating Wesley Renshaw is to protect her friend from embarking on a disastrous marriage. Unfortunately, Wesley proves to be far more alluring than she ever imagined, leaving her, her best friend, and the Earl in quite the situation indeed.
The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Rachel Lynn Solomon's highly anticipated adult debut, The Ex Talk [13], more than lives up to the hype. This witty story about a fake ex-relationship between radio hosts is a wild ride that leads to real romance between the protagonists — the only trouble is, both of their careers will be on the line if their listeners realise their radio show about exes giving relationship advice was built on a lie.
Make Up Break Up by Lily Menon
Lily Menon, who has already made a splash in the world of YA romance where she writes as Sandhya Menon, is releasing her first adult rom-com this month, and romance fans should be excited. Make Up Break Up [14] follows Annika Dev, who created an app to help keep people together, and Hudson Craft, who made an app to facilitate quick break ups. In theory, these two have nothing in common, but sparks fly when they meet.
Much Ado About You by Samantha Young
Bestselling author Samantha Young's latest rom-com, Much Ado About You [15], is as cosy as a well-worn blanket. Evangeline Starling needs a break from her boring life in Chicago, and a holiday in England that includes a temporary position running a bookshop sounds like a dream come true. And it is — at least until a sexy local catches her eye and complicates her perfect getaway with matters of the heart.
Detour to Love by Amanda Radley
Detour to Love [16] by Amanda Radley is a hate-to-love rom-com set on a plane. Executive Celia Scott is heading to Japan where she's set to receive a major award that comes with emotional strings attached, and the last thing she needs is to be seated next to Lily, a peppy artist who she's definitely not going to fall for.
A Lady's Formula for Love by Elizabeth Everett
Set in Victorian England, A Lady's Formula for Love [17] by Elizabeth Everett is a delightful romp that follows Lady Violet, a scientist who forms a club for other female scientists — which is scandalous for the time. Violet and her friends are using their intellect to complete a mission for the queen herself, but they need a bit of protection along the way, which is where protection officer Arthur Kneland comes in to keep Violet safe (and fall madly in love with her in the process).
The Spinster and the Rake by Eva Devon
Thanks to Bridgerton [18], TV fans are buzzing about sexy rakes and daring ladies, but romance fans have long known that historical romances are an absolutely divine treat. But just in case you needed reminding, Eva Devon's The Spinster and the Rake [19] is here to put a sexy twist on My Fair Lady this February.
Wild Rain by Beverly Jenkins
Beverly Jenkins's Women Who Dare series continues with Wild Rain [20], which tells the story of Spring Lee, a female rancher in the post-Civil War era. Spring is proud to be able to run her ranch without anyone's help, so she's less than welcoming when Garrett McCray, a Washington reporter, arrives to interview her brother and force her to reconsider her stance on love.
First Comes Like by Alisha Rai
First Comes Like [21] by Alisha Rai is the third book in the author's Modern Love series, which tackles dating in the age of the internet. This time around, Rai zeroes in on beauty influencer Jia Ahmed, who gets catfished by someone impersonating soap star Dev Dixit. When Dev realises what's happening, he and Jia decide to fake date to save face, but it doesn't take long for their faux romance to begin to feel all too real.
Bet the Farm by Staci Hart
Bet the Farm [22] by Staci Hart is a quirky rom-com that centres on a quest to save a dairy farm. Olivia and Jake both inherit half of Brent Farm, but neither wants to work for the other. With no compromise in sight they strike a deal: Olivia has until the end of the summer to either save the farm or leave. But what neither of them anticipate is an outsider who is determined to sabotage them both.
Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers
Morgan Rogers's debut novel Honey Girl [23] is as much a story about finding your path as it is a romance. The one time high achiever Grace Porter decides to let loose she ends up married to a woman she doesn't know in Las Vegas. But rather than run from her marriage to Yuki Yamamoto, she embraces it and discovers that her perfect life plan may not be what she wants after all.
The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros
The Things We Leave Unfinished [24] by Rebecca Yarros is the emotional story of two people's quest to finish an icon's last book. Georgia Stanton is determined her late grandmother's final story be wrapped up the way the gifted writer would have wanted, and she's pretty sure her grandma Scarlett wouldn't want the cocky romance novelist Noah Harrison penning the final pages. However, Noah is a huge fan of Georgia's grandmother, and he refuses to let her chase him away from the project — especially when they discover the story is based on Scarlett's real life tragic World War II romance.