The most recommended new romance books

I’m drawn to sister stories, which is something I only realized when I started writing this list, and it occurred to me that a number of my recommendations use the slowburn mystery as a means to explore sisterhood (something my own book does, as well).

I have a sister (hi, Diana!) and we have an uncomplicated and happy relationship. So maybe I subconsciously craved more drama growing up? Kidding aside, there’s something innately compelling about the dynamics between two people who may be very different or very similar, who share blood and memories, and who are tied together, for better or worse, for life.

How to Live Without You is a sister story at its best, as Emmy is the only person who’s capable of following Rose’s breadcrumbs.  

I picked up this book when I’d just come back from holiday with a bad case of the back-to-the-desk blues, and it was the perfect remedy.

It’s laugh-out-loud funny and the heroine, control freak Loretta, just jumped off the page, as did Phoebe, the little girl who unexpectedly becomes part of her life. It’s feelgood but not fluffy – there were moments that made me cry as well. I love a book where you can imagine the characters carrying on with their lives after you’ve turned the last page, and this one definitely fits that bill.

A novel that powerfully opened the door to the past from the very first page, this time Constantinople's fall in the 15th century.

I confess it was a time in history I knew little of before reading this novel. Wonderfully researched, Worth’s world building is skilled, as is the crafting of her characters. I felt my heart in my throat as her story moved relentlessly towards Constantinople's fall, dreading the deaths of characters I had taken to my heart.   

I loved the twisty way this debut author stayed ahead of me with her plot. This is a YA novel, but I found the characters, especially the protagonist Addie Blackwood, instantly accessible, even though my teen years are far behind me. The prose was tense and active, taking me on a nonstop rollercoaster ride.

The author deftly combined the very real danger to the characters with the complexity of teen love, which kept me guessing what would happen next. It made me nostalgic for my own teenage years while simultaneously glad I never had to face a terrifying situation like Addie does! 

This book is a fun way to get inside the head of a teen girl with ADHD! I love reading books with characters with ADHD, and I love reading romance, so this book is my happy place. :-) Mazey Eddings does an awesome job of portraying the mental loops an ADHD brain can get into and how to overcome them through connecting with the right others and working towards becoming one's authentic self.

This book is unique in the realm of fantasy, and it dragged me in from the first few pages. The story is built and revealed slowly, always leaving you wanting to read more to find out more about this new world.

The setting and magic are different from anything I've ever read, with heavy influences from Egypt and the surrounding areas, something that has always been a great weakness for me. The visuals were stunning, I have rarely seen a story from a page so clearly in my head. Between the absolutely beautiful artwork and the fast-paced twisting plot, to the brilliant finale, I was enthralled the whole way through and eagerly awaited the next installment. I very rarely begin a series when I know there will be more, but in this case, I just couldn't wait.

As with a lot of books this year, I was drawn in by… show more.

I really enjoyed this story even though it isn’t exactly the kind of mystery I normally choose. At the center is a rather eerie vein of darkness, but the beautiful winter scenes of Minnesota, neighbors who care about one another, and a budding romance, tend to lessen the impact. It’s rather a heartwarming story with a ghoulish murder mystery attached.

A woman returns to her hometown to open a bed-and-breakfast in the old mansion that has been in her family for generations. One wing of the house is blocked off and she wants to open it up for her personal living quarters. Cue scary noises and sudden chilly drafts.

This story is also set by Lake Superior in winter, and you get an authentic taste of Northern Minnesota Nice, but inside, the house has a sinister presence that needs Tess to know what happened fifty years ago.

Sometimes the way you’re brought into the world is a burden you feel you’re meant to carry. This is something a teenager named Michie takes with her into the relationships she develops. It’s the bold and brave love of those around her, not always tied by blood, helping Michie to see the value she has, to not just herself, but the world at large.

I love a good mystery, so I often turn to this author for an enjoyable read. Her Agatha Christie-type mysteries never disappoint and The It Girl is no exception.

This story is set at university in Oxford, England, where Hannah Jones first meets roommate April Clarke-Cliveden, the ultimate “it” girl with a vivacious, outgoing personality. The two girls easily make friends, and their group includes Hugh, Ryan, Will, and Emily. But, by the end of the first term, April is found dead. Who among them would murder her?

Was it really the somewhat creepy porter, John Neville, who was found guilty and sent to prison? Ten years later we meet the characters again after Neville dies in prison and a whole new investigation begins. This is a great read.

I loved this book from page one because I instantly wanted to be the main character, Max Moody’s, friend. He’s incredibly relatable and has impeccable taste in music.

His love interest, Chasten, was charming and sweet, and the combination of their personalities made them easy to root for. Plus, I laughed out loud and smiled all the way through their love story.