Top 10 Best 2025 Romance Releases… So Far
You know what rocks? These 10 books. In fact, we’d go so far to say these are enjoyable. Pleasurable. Overall great. We rated these 4.0/5 and above because they kept our attention, they’re well-written, and the characters are root-for-able (that’s a word, don’t worry).
And best of all, these ratings are from humans, just like you! We sneeze and trip over invisible obstacles all the time. So you can trust our reviews.
✨ #10 BRIDESMAID BY CHANCE
Author: Meghan Quinn
Series: Bridesmaid for Hire, Book 3
Our Rating: 4.0/5
Genre: Modern Romance
Tropes: Age Gap Romance, Enter Into A Contract, Only One Bed, Boss/Employee, Marriage of Convenience, Brother's Best Friend, Billionaire, Witty Banter, Opposites Attract, Secret Relationship, Slow Burn, Forbidden Love Interest
Spice Level: Hot
Notes: This is a fun, light read that is easy to get into and finish
Our Review: “Better than I expected! Two things that kept me from giving it a higher score: 1. There is NO WAY he's a CEO with only 3 meetings in a day. No fucking way. 2. Hudson was such a whiny bitch about how he shouldn't have her, can't have her, can't give in but then insisted their marriage was 'real'. I had whiplash. It was sweet how she stood up for him at the end.”
FAQ
Standalone or series? → It’s part of a series, but honestly you can read it as a standalone. We did.
Tone? → It’s fun and lighthearted with emotion.
✨ #9 BEG FOR ME
Author: J.T. Geissinger
Series: Morally Gray, Book 3
Our Rating: 4.0/5
Genre: Billionaire Romance
Tropes: Age Gap Romance, Billionaire, Submissive MMC, FMC Going Through a Divorce, Single Working Mom
Spice Level: Hot
Notes: Give this a chance. It’s an age gap where the FMC is older. She’s going through a divorce, feels powerless, and finds comfort and fun in a younger man who likes…to be told what to do.
Our Review: “Carter is precious. He reminds me of Leon/Leo from Zodiac Academy, but he's not sharing his girl with 3 other dudes. I love how open they both were to what they wanted. She thought WAY TOO HARD. Her ex-husband being so abusive was surprising. Her mom threatening him with a cleaver was hilarious.”
FAQ
Standalone or series? → We read the series, but you can read as a standalone. There isn’t much tie-in to the previous books or characters.
Tone? → Refreshing change of trope to have an older FMC who is decisive and confident.
✨ #8 PROBLEMATIC SUMMER ROMANCE
Author: Ali Hazelwood
Series: Standalone
Our Rating: 4.25/5
Genre: Modern Romance
Tropes: Age 20+ FMC, Age Gap Romance, Slow Burn, Friends to Enemies to Lovers, STEM, Italy, Brother's Best Friend, Age 35+ MMC
Spice Level: Medium
Notes: You can feel the chemistry. This is Ali at her best. In fact, we’d say this is as good as Bride.
Our Review: “Intense, world-destroying YEARNING. There were so many endearing and heartbreaking moments, but they were always juxtaposed with comic relief. "It's always water this, water that, but when I try to drink the blood of my enemies-" when Mayageddon is released, might be the best line of the book. Among so many, it's hard to rank.”
FAQ
Standalone or series? → Completely standalone.
Tone? → The yearning. It’s so good. Fun, light, full of hope.
✨ #7 DEADWOOD
Author: Karley Brenna
Series: Secrets of Serpentine, Book 1
Our Rating: 4.25/5
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Tropes: Tattoos, Royalty, Arranged Marriage, Bad Boy/Good Girl, Virgin FMC, MMC/FMC Involved in a Rebellion/Resistance, Loss of Parent (Death), FMC previous abused (not by MMC)
Spice Level: Mild
Notes: Don’t kill us, it ends on a cliffhanger, but it’s not a bad one. More like a medium-sized hill.
Our Review: “So good. An isolated FMC in an arranged marriage who finally leaves her castle. She falls for "the wrong sort" - they experience a slow burn, but significant shift in their relationship and it culminates INTO A FUCKING TO BE CONTINUED.”
FAQ
Standalone or series? → It’s an unfinished series and this is book one. We won’t be offended if you wait for book two, which comes out in 100 years or so. It doesn’t have a release date. We’re so sorry.
Tone? → It’s emotional. You can feel how isolated she is. And how the prospect of leaving the castle even to travel with her unwanted betrothed gives her hope.
✨ #6 SHIELD OF SPARROWS
Author: Devney Perry
Series: Shield of Sparrows, Book 1
Our Rating: 4.5/5
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Tropes: Royalty, Arranged Marriage, Slow Burn, MMC/FMC has a Cute Cat, FMC is a Lonely Rich Girl, FMC with Self-Esteem Issues, Magic, MC has Strained Relationship with Parent, Loss of Parent (Death), Forced Proximity, Mysterious Illness
Spice Level: Mild
Notes: Well, it ends on a large-sized hill. Still not a cliff.
Our Review: “A faster-paced Lightlark. Lots of world-building, deep emotional struggles you can feel. Everyone is lying to everyone. It was bound to unravel. That ‘crux’ discovery makes me excited for the next book...a reminder of my disgruntled feelings toward unfinished series.”
FAQ
Standalone or series? → It’s a series and this is book one, but book two has a date! April 7, 2026 release for Rites of the Starling.
Tone? → Adventure, protection, chemistry, and really immersion world-building.
✨ #5 ROSE IN CHAINS
Author: Julie Soto
Series: The Evermore Trilogy, Book 1
Our Rating: 4.5/5
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Tropes: Royalty, Dramione Fanfic, Enemies to Lovers, Hidden Powers, Auction, Human Trafficking, MC is a Bully (at the start), Slow Burn Due to Past Trauma
Spice Level: Mild
Notes: Okay, fine. This is an actual cliffhanger. Rose in Chains is the adapted fanfic by lovesbitca8 first published on the AO3 fanfic platform.
Our Review: “He's the heir to a throne with a reputation for charm. She's the discarded heir to a different throne, sold to her enemies after the war is settled. They find balance, and maybe more, to write their own story in this new world.”
FAQ
Standalone or series? → It’s a series with the next book scheduled for release…December 2026. We’re not sorry.
Tone? → High chemistry, intrigue, and struggle.
✨ #4 KNIGHT AND THE MOTH
Author: Rachel Gillig
Series: The Stonewater Kingdom, Book 1
Our Rating: 4.5/5
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Tropes: Hidden Identity, Learning a New World, Royalty, Loss of Faith, MC has a Secret Past, MC is trapped, Loss of Sibling (Death), MMC/FMC has limited vision or is blind
Spice Level: Mild
Notes: Honestly, this story wraps up decently, even for a ‘to be continued.’ We were mildly satisfied.
Our Review: “WOW. Incredible story. I did not see that ending coming with Bartholemew, the Diviners, or the twist. A great reminder to follow your gut because there are cunts everywhere.”
FAQ
Standalone or series? → It’s a series. The next book isn’t announced yet.
Tone? → Adventure, discovery, denial
✨ #3 BE WITH ME
Author: Gabrielle Sands
Series: House of Ferraro, Book 1
Our Rating: 4.5/5
Genre: Mafia Romance
Tropes: MC is involved in Mafia/Organized Crime, Enemies to Lovers, MMC/FMC has a Medical Condition, Forbidden Love Interest, Slow Burn
Spice Level: Medium
Notes: HEA for our two main characters (thank God), but the series continues with another couple (we can assume).
Our Review: “So good. The friction between Mia and Romolo is coming from all angles. That ending was not one I saw coming.”
FAQ
Standalone or series? → It’s a series, but it can be read as a standalone. The next book, Marry Me Not, is scheduled to release January 2026
Tone? → You just know there’s something underhanded happening
✨ #2 A THORN IN EVERY HEART
Author: Kate King
Series: Enchanted Legacies, Book 1
Our Rating: 4.5/5
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Tropes: Fairytale Retelling, Fae/Fairies, Royalty, Hidden Powers, Cursed MMC, Soulmates, Separated/Divorcing/Divorced
Spice Level: Hot
Notes: Put down your pitchforks. This ends in an HEA for the main characters.
Our Review: “A fantastic 'Beauty and the Beast' retelling, but with a twist and some very agreeable spice. He has sensitive wings. wiggles eyebrows”
FAQ
Standalone or series? → It’s a series, but it can be read as a standalone. The second book is already out.
Tone? → Playful and heavy chemistry. Infused with the well-known fun of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
✨ #1 SUNRISE ON THE REAPING
Author: Suzanne Collins
Series: The Hunger Games, Book .5
Our Rating: 4.75/5
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Tropes: Hunger Games Vibes, Loss of Faith, Loss of Parent (Death), Politics, Destitute MMC
Spice Level: No Spice
Notes: The romance in this one is completely one-sided. It’s Haymitch pining for his Lenore Dove. If you remember The Hunger Games with Haymitch as the Tributes’ coach, you’ll better understand his surly disposition.
Our Review: “Haymitch's story is a tragedy from every angle. Lenore Dove would never have seen him the way he saw himself. He drew his own poster and it was a tearjerker.”
FAQ
Standalone or series? → Prequel to the established series. It’s so worth a read.
Tone? → Dystopian, failure, heartbreak
That’s a wrap! These are our best rated new releases of 2025. So far. To see all of our 2025 ratings, check out the homepage HERE.
