If you’re looking for something light and fun to read, check out these love stories and rom-coms—lots of meet-cutes, witty banter, and satisfying endings! Also, try any books or audiobooks by popular rom-com authors like Kristy Boyce, Emma Lord, Lynn Painter, Jenna Evans Welch, and Abigail Hing Wen.
-
The Break-up Pact / Emma Lord
June Hart has been adrift since her sister Annie died several years ago. Her quiet life operating the not-so-successful Tea Tide tea shop in her hometown of Benson Beach is turned upside down when she becomes an internet meme after her boyfriend breaks up with her on national television. When June’s former best friend, Levi Shaw, whom she hasn’t spoken to since high school, returns to Benson Beach after his own very public breakup with his celebrity girlfriend, they agree to fake a relationship in order to make Levi’s ex jealous and generate more business for June’s struggling tea shop. All they have to do is convince their followers that they’re in love. Their fake relationship soon takes on a life of its own, but June must work through her feelings over Levi’s betrayal a decade ago before it can turn into a real romance.
-
A Queen’s Game / Katharine McGee
Alix of Hesse is Queen Victoria’s favorite granddaughter, so she can expect to end up with a prince . . . except that the prince she’s falling for is not the one she’s supposed to marry. Ȟ̈lne dOrľans, daughter of the exiled King of France, doesn’t mind being a former princess; it gives her more opportunity to break the rules. Like running around with the handsome, charming, and very much off-limits heir to the British throne, Prince Eddy. Then there’s May of Teck. After spending her entire life on the fringes of the royal world, May is determined to marry a prince – and not just any prince, but the future king.
-
Better Than the Movies / Lynn Painter
Michael, to whom Liz Buxbaum gave her heart long ago, has returned but to get his attention and, perhaps, a prom date she must scheme with her nemesis Wes, her next-door neighbor.
-
If You’re Not the One / Farah Naz Rishi
This crossover coming-of-age book will take your breath away. Anisa has made efforts to appear perfect ever since her parents decided she would marry her childhood friend, Isaac. And why shouldn’t she strive for perfection? Isaac is smart, handsome, rich, and comes from a good family. But even with her skilled hand at makeup and her measured grace, she can’t seem to hold Isaac’s attention when they go away to college. Despite attending schools that are right next to each other, Anisa rarely sees Isaac due to his busy schedule. When her class partner, Marlow, positions himself as her love coach and promises to help her get through to Isaac, Anisa agrees to look past his atrocious fashion sense and take him up on his offer. As the two begin working closely, Anisa lets her guard down and learns that maybe being perfect isn’t the answer.
-
The Rose Bargain / Sasha Peyton Smith
Teenage Ivy wasn’t supposed to be the family breadwinner; that was her older sister Lydia’s job. But Lydia hasn’t been the same since the night she briefly vanished, an unexplained incident Ivy is certain was caused by the mysterious bargain Lydia made with faerie Queen Moryen, something all girls must do when they come of age in Ivy’s alternate Victorian London home. Shadowed by her sister’s tarnished reputation, it’s up to Ivy to find a wealthy husband and save her family from ruin. When Queen Moryen announces that the prince is seeking a bride, Ivy enters the competition to win his hand, but she isn’t the only debutante desperate for the match.
-
Everything I Promised You / Katy Upperman
What comes after heartbreak? Lia and Beck. Beck and Lia. Despite army-brat life orbiting them in and out of each other’s worlds, Lia knows they are destined to be together. It’s more than their friendship and chemistry. When Lia’s mom was a teen, a fortune teller said her daughter would fall in love with her best friend’s son. Lia and Beck were always meant to be. Or so they thought. When tragedy steals Beck away, Lia is devastated. She lived her life by her mom’s old fortune. If she was fated to be with Beck and he is gone, who is she supposed to be? And is there room in her broken heart for life, let alone new love?
-
morePlaces We’ve Never Been / Kasie West
While on a cross-country RV trip with her family, aspiring video game animator Norah reunites with an old friend, prepares for her college interview, and encounters unexpected romance and revelations.
JJ:2/2025
