If your romance-loving heart needs a good dose of swoon, then you’re in luck because 2026 holds many delightful new romance reads for you! Releasing between the months of January and June, you’ll see new releases from Julian Winters, Tessa Bailey, B.K. Borison, Ashley Herring Blake, Meghan Quinn, Falon Ballard, TJ Alexander, Abby Jimenez, Rainbow Rowell, Chloe Liese, Carley Fortune, Eloisa James, Katherine Center, Mazey Eddings, Ashley Poston, and many more, plus spectacular debuts too!

You’ll be sure to find quite a few exciting new reads within this list and be sure to check out our other 2026 round-ups too, including our Most Anticipated, Anticipated YA Books and Anticipated Fantasy and Sci-Fi Books lists!

JANUARY 2026 ROMANCE BOOK RELEASES

Last First Kiss by Julian Winters

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Sparks fly in this second chance m/m rom com when an unlucky-in-love event planner realizes the man-of-honor at the high profile wedding he’s planning is the same man who broke his heart.

Our Ex’s Wedding by Taleen Voskuni

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Two people who can’t stand each other must come together to plan their mutual ex’s wedding in this new romantic comedy by Taleen Voskuni, author of Lavash at First Sight.

Definitely Maybe Not A Detective by Sarah Fox

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In this delightfully charming rom-com mystery, a woman becomes accidentally entangled in a murder investigation (and with a handsome stranger) when her fake detective agency is enlisted to solve a real homicide.

Catch Her If You Can by Tessa Bailey

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#1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey is back with an all-new marriage of convenience, friends-to-lovers sports romance about a baseball catcher and the burlesque club owner he can’t get out of his head.

Most Eligible by Isabelle Engel

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Miss Congeniality meets The Bachelor in this action-packed rom-com debut about an investigative journalist who sneaks onto reality TV only to fall for the wrong guy.

We’ve Hit Turbulence by Jessica L. Cozzi

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In this swoony young adult rom-com, things get bumpy when a girl gets stuck on a cross-country flight with her ex—as if flying couldn’t get any worse. . . .

Drive Me Crazy by Lizzy Dent

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Sparks fly when an up-and-coming team principle and her new hot-shot driver—and former childhood crush—are forced to work together to save their careers and team in this deliciously winning Formula 1 romance.

A Killer Kind of Romance by Letizia Lorini

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In this new romance from USA TODAY bestselling author Letizia Lorini, a crime podcast host must solve a chilling serial killer case while navigating an unexpected romance with her mysterious next-door neighbor.

Like In Love With You by Emma R. Alban

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Mean Girls meets Northanger Abbey in this brand new, sapphic, rivals-to-lovers Regency Romance by USA Today bestselling author Emma R. Alban!

Sunk in Love by Heather McBreen

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A second chance at love sets sail when a couple on the verge of divorce pretends they’re still together for one last family trip, from the author of Wedding Dashers.

Enchanting the Fae Queen by Stephanie Burgis

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Stephanie Burgis delivers another irreverent, sparkling, and sexy installment in the Queens of Villainy series, where a seductive fae queen meets her unexpected match in the enemy empire’s valiant general.

For Our Next Song by Jessica James

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The decade-long friendship between two rock goddesses is thrust into the spotlight after their mutual desire strikes a perfect—and very public—chord.

FEBRUARY 2026 ROMANCE BOOK RELEASES

Still Into You by Erin Connor

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Two exes reunite for a make-or-break interview that will either bring them back together … or drive them apart forever.

Game, Set, Match by Jennifer Iacopelli

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She’s a tennis superstar on the rise. He’s the bad boy champ who broke her heart. When they meet on the court, their competition is hot—but their chemistry is even hotter.

Love and Other Brain Experiments by Hannah Brohm

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An academic-rivals-to-lovers rom-com set at a New York conference about two neuroscientists who are forced to pretend they’re dating, leading to unexpected chemistry and a heartfelt journey of self-discovery.

And Now, Back to You by B. K. Borison

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Two competing meteorologists are forced to find common ground in this opposites attract, When Harry Met Sally inspired romance, from New York Times bestselling author B.K. Borison.

Maybe This Once by Sophie Sullivan

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A small-town, opposites-attract romance about two people who end up with more feelings than they bargained for after pursuing a summer fling.

Get Over It, April Evans by Ashley Herring Blake

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A summer job at a lake-town resort brings together two women with an unlikely connection in this new contemporary romance by USA Today bestselling author Ashley Herring Blake.

Skate It Till You Make It by Rufaro Faith Mazarura

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The weather might be icy, but the tension is red-hot in this fake―dating hockey rom―com from the author of Let the Games Begin.

Just for the Cameras by Meghan Quinn

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From New York Times bestselling author Meghan Quinn comes a sizzling sports romance full of flamingo feathers, slow-burn heat, and one grump-meets-sunshine love story that’s anything but fake.

One & Only by Maurene Goo

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In Five Years meets a millennial The Joy Luck Club in the adult debut from the author of YA Reese Pick Throwback— a funny and fresh love story of a woman thrown a curveball by fate, and the family secret that will make her question everything.

Over and Over by Becky Hunter

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A sweeping speculative romance following two soulmates who have met in past lives—but are still searching for their HEA—in this angsty novel, perfect for fans of Josie Silver and One Day.

Hunter’s Treasure by Olivia Jackson

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A brand new spicy forced proximity action adventure romcom set on a desert island, perfect for fans of Christina Lauren, Jo Segura and Meghan Quinn.

How To Kill A Guy In Ten Dates by Shailee Thompson

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A humorous, swoony, and downright terrifying slasher rom-com in which a cinephile gets caught in the middle of a murder spree at a speed-dating event and must use her encyclopedic knowledge of the romance and horror genres to make it as a real-life Final Girl.

MARCH 2026 ROMANCE BOOK RELEASES

How to Write a Love Story by Catherine Walsh

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The newest book from bestselling author and Kindle Unlimited sensation Catherine Walsh, in which an ambitious editor travels to Ireland to help the daughter of a fantasy author legend complete her father’s final book, only to fall in love with her in the process.

Star Shipped by Cat Sebastian

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Cat Sebastian’s long-awaited foray into contemporary romance! A witty, emotional, and deliciously slow burn enemies-to-lovers romance between two costars on a popular sci-fi television series.

Toe to Toe by Falon Ballard

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Allegra Hart’s dream of becoming a principal ballerina is in doubt when a director doubts her allure. Seeking help from dancer Cord Donovan, she enters a dangerous partnership. As chemistry ignites and loyalties are tested, Allegra must choose between ambition, desire, and the life she’s built.

The Fortune Flip by Lauren Kung Jessen

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This charming rom-com is filled with Chinese traditions, second chances, and a luck-changing love story that will appeal to readers of Helen Hoang, Jasmine Guillory, and Sarah Adams.  

The Bridge Back To You by Riss M. Neilson

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Exes discover they’ve both inherited the restaurant they love in this sparkling, emotional new novel from the USA Today bestselling author of A Love Like the Sun.

No Place Like You by Jillian Meadows

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Childhood friends turned high school rivals fall into a small-town fake dating scheme in this sweet, spicy, and utterly irresistible romance from the author of Give Me Butterflies.

To Cage A Wild Bird by Brooke Fast

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Enter the brutal world of Endlock, a prison where the wealthy hunt the inmates for sport. The first novel in an electrifying dystopian romance series, this high-octane debut about forbidden love, found family, and a fight for survival will leave you breathless.

A Lady for All Seasons by TJ Alexander

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From the acclaimed author of Chef’s Kiss and A Gentleman’s Gentleman comes a riotous Regency romp, featuring a charming and unforgettable genderfluid lead.

Thirty Love by Tom Vellner

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Things heat up on and off the court for two tennis rivals in this steamy debut gay sports rom-com, perfect for fans of TJ Alexander and Casey McQuiston.

Anderson In Bloom by Jennifer Dugan

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From the author of Love at First Set, a hilariously sexy enemies-to-lovers, second-chance rom-com about a reclusive former child star turned florist whose quiet life is turned upside down when her annoyingly hot ex (and former costar) shows up in town, with plans to write a tell-all memoir.

The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez

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From the #1New York Times bestselling author of Say You’ll Remember Me comes a beautiful, compelling novel that revels in laughter, friendship, and the messy choices life can throw our way.

In Her Own League by Liz Tomforde

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Reese Remington, baseball’s first female owner, battles scrutiny while proving her worth. Focused and guarded, she clashes with Emmett Montgomery, a former star turned manager. Forced together, rivalry ignites chemistry. With careers and the team at stake, they struggle to resist feelings that could jeopardise everything during a high-stakes season.

APRIL 2026 ROMANCE BOOK RELEASES

Unbound by Peyton Corinne

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A new “angsty, sexy, emotional” (Farrah Rochon, New York Times bestselling author) lyrical romance by Peyton Corinne that follows a college couple through first love, heartbreak, and the struggle to come together again.

Fast Lane by C.S. Quill

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The Flatshare meets Elle Kennedy’s Off Campus series in this opposites-attract campus romance where a brooding bad boy and a heartbroken girl become reluctant roommates amid fast cars and faster chemistry.

Stranger Things Have Happened by Kasie West

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Can fake dating lead to real love? In Kasie West’s next sexy adult romcom two people must decide where the lie ends and the chemistry begins.

How to Fake It in Society by KJ Charles

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Bridgerton meets The Goldfinch in How to Fake It in Society, a stunning queer romance by rising genre star KJ Charles.

The Auction by Sadie Kincaid

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The queen of dark mafia romance, Sadie Kincaid, begins her new explosively sexy Wages of Sin series with The Auction. Beauty and the Beast meets organized crime in this tense slow-burn romance with scorching spice, thrilling suspense, and life-altering secrets. 

The Name Game by Beth O’Leary

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A man and a woman with the same name are looking for a fresh start only to discover they have landed the same job in this charming new romance by bestselling author Beth O’Leary.

Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell

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#1 New York Times bestselling author Rainbow Rowell returns with a breathtakingly honest novel about a woman who lost everything — and isn’t sure she wants it back.

Happy Ending by Chloe Liese

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From USA TODAY bestselling author Chloe Liese, a clever and heartwarming rom-com that is perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Annabel Monaghan about two best friends who must fake a relationship for their exes.

Enemies to Lovers by Alisha Rai

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From the author of Partners in Crime, comes a sparkling new adventure rom-com where a con woman and a lawman team up on an epic cross-country road trip to save their families…and each other. 

We Become Darkness by Grace Morrow

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A human and a Vampyr forge an unsteady alliance in this marriage-of-convenience romantic fantasy, perfect for fans of The Serpent and the Wings of Night and One Dark Window.

Our Rogue Fates by Sarah Glenn Marsh

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On the hunt for hidden treasure, two former best friends turned adversaries must put the past behind them if they hope to make it home. This childhood friends-to-lovers male/male romantic fantasy for fans of Tusk Love and Sara Raasch crackles with tension and heat.

Don’t Tell Me How It Ends by Adrienne Thurman

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A floundering twenty-something, who’s sworn off romance finds herself roped into her meddling sister’s matchmaking business—in this sparkling debut rom-com that asks: can we protect ourselves while falling in love?

MAY 2026 ROMANCE BOOK RELEASES

Broken Dove by Dani Francis

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In the heart-pounding sequel to the New York Times bestselling dystopian romance Silver Elite, lines will be crossed, loyalties will be tested, and the fight for the Continent is only just beginning as Wren Darlington finds herself caught in the middle of two wars: one for the fate of her home and another for the fate of her heart.

Soon by You by Dahlia Adler

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27 Dresses meets The Intimacy Experiment in this sexy, emotional, opposites-attract rom-com set in New York City’s Modern Orthodox community.

Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune

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Best friends have one week in paradise to fix their friendship or fall apart in this heart-stopping, utterly romantic new novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Every Summer After and One Golden Summer.

The Last Lady B by Eloisa James

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Lady B may have married Bluebeard; she may have fallen in love with a gorgeous, grumpy solicitor; she may have met a ghost and survived to tell the tale! New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Eloisa James delights with witty historical romance with a gothic twist.

Bromantasy by Máire Roche

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BROMANTASY is a cozy, queer fantasy about the mortifying ordeal of being known by your totally platonic best friend and the epic quest that might force you to confront the truth.

By The Bootstraps by Alexa Martin

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A cowboy romance enthusiast discovers that everything’s bigger in Texas—even love—in this swoony novel from beloved author Alexa Martin.

The Shippers by Katherine Center

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One of the hottest, fastest-rising rom-com stars delivers her latest swoon-worthy novel about a destination wedding on a cruise ship.

First and Forever by Lynn Painter

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A football star and his team’s die-hard fan find themselves entangled in a PR stunt—that only one side knows is fake—but it might just be the right play…

Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan

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A hardworking single mom returns to her seaside hometown and stumbles into a fake dating situationship with a wealthy, workaholic scion, from the New York Times bestselling author of Nora Goes Off Script.

It Happened One Murder by Liz Lawson

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Only Murders in the Building gets a rom-com twist in a laugh-out-loud mystery-romance following one woman who will have to pair up with an unlikely ally to solve a murder in their quaint New Jersey beach town.

Take Me with You by Steven Rowley

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In Take Me With You, Steven Rowley brings his resonant wit and emotional insight to an epic love story – an exploration of the forces that draw two people into the same orbit and the gravity that threatens to pull them apart.

The Summer Share by Jenn McKinlay

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When two misfits discover they’ve inherited the same beach house, sparks fly in the most unexpected ways, in this hilarious and heartfelt rom-com from the New York Times bestselling author of Summer Reading.

JUNE 2026 ROMANCE BOOK RELEASES

Nemesis Mine by Amy Archer

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A not-so-evil villain strikes a deal with a not-quite-perfect hero to fake a feud, boost their reputations . . . and try not to fall in love in the process—in this hilarious, tender, sexy, and outrageously fun romp that blends the humor of Assistant to the Villain with the unforgettable romance of Red, White, & Royal Blue and the cozy fantasy vibes of Legends & Lattes.

White Lights by Lauren Kate

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#1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Kate, whose Fallen series has over 10 million copies in print and has sold over 11 million copies of her novels around the world, is returning to the romantasy world of angels that’s perfect for Fallen fans and new audiences alike.

You Won’t Forget Me by Mazey Eddings

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Cubby Clark is spiralling—her band is broken, her ex is famous, and inspiration is gone. As tabloids spin a love triangle and a summer tour amplifies tensions, Cubby and her best friend Darcy must confront buried feelings or risk losing each other and the music they love.

The Very Definition of Love by Sophia Benoit

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Bridgerton meets Emily Henry in this fresh take on regency romance about a wallflower writing a dictionary of bawdy slang who arranges her own marriage to the ultimate instructor: the town rake.

The Shrouded Queen by Ashley Tropea

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In the first book in this romantasy duology inspired by ancient Egyptian mythology, a slave and a princess switch places during an enemy attack, igniting parallel journeys of love and survival.

Scandal of the Summer by Alexandra Vasti

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A desperate debutante meets a ragtag smuggler in this sexy Regency romp by USA Today bestselling author Alexandra Vasti.

Harvest Season by Brynne Weaver

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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Brynne Weaver comes the second book in the devilishly steamy Seasons of Carnage trilogy where dark romantic comedy meets thrilling suspense—and where love is ripe for ruin.

Witch Season by Julia Bianco

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Exhilarating, dangerous, and seductive, Witch Season is an action-packed and fiercely romantic contemporary fantasy from debut author and screenwriter Julia Bianco.

The Someday Garden by Ashley Poston

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The new head gardener at the enchanting Lilymoor House stumbles upon a secret garden . . . with a mysterious man trapped inside, in the next magical novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Sounds Like Love and The Seven Year Slip.

The Missed Connection by Tia Williams

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New York Times bestselling author Tia Williams returns with an intensely romantic, deliciously sexy tale about a woman searching for her handsome seatmate on a European flight—and the unexpected places her hunt for love leads her.

The Open Era by Edward Schmit

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Austin Hardy’s Grand Slam debut makes history and headlines as the first openly gay competitor. With anxiety mounting and a complicated bond forming with rival Diego Cruz, Austin must fight pressure, expectations, and his own heart at the US Open.

Tropesick by Lauren Okie

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In this lush, slow-burning romance, two childhood neighbors, connected by a shared tragedy, unexpectedly reunite to ghostwrite a love story for a reclusive author. Spending the summer at her secluded Hamptons estate, they soon discover that dozens of classic romance tropes, including the ones they’re crafting on page, are mysteriously playing out in real life.

Will you be picking up any of these romance reads? Are there any others you’re looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below! Plus be sure to check back later in the year for our July to December picks!

The post Swoonworthy 2026 Romance Book Releases You Need appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

About The Breakup Artists: Adriana Mather, New York Times bestselling author of How to Hang a Witch, brings her signature wit, wild imagination, and all the feels to her new YA novel, The Breakup Artists—perfect for fans of Jennifer E. Smith’s The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight.

Who doesn’t love a good meet-cute to swoon over or giggle about? Just in case you’re not familiar with this endearing term, a meet-cute is a playful, amusing moment when two characters meet and sparks fly! As someone who just crafted one for The Breakup Artists (number 3 on this list!), I can vouch that they do in fact lead to sigh-worthy romantic journeys. These memorable first encounters will melt your heart like ice-cream on a hot summer’s day!

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

To say it went badly is an understatement. Dimple and Rishi’s first encounter is a classic case of miscommunication. Their parents have decided to arrange a marriage for them, and while Rishi is all for it, Dimple is not, but that’s partly because she didn’t know anything about it. So when Rishi refers to her as his future wife, you can’t blame her for throwing her drink at him!

Love and Luck by Jenna Evans Welch

What is more romantic than a tackle? Well for Rowan, every little. He sees Addie tackle her older brother in a parking lot in Ireland and is immediately smitten. Sure, it’s a wee bit complicated considering Rowan is actually Addie’s brother’s friend. But he’s also attractive with an Irish accent, and drawn to her spunk and determination. Besides, he seems to understand her in a way very few people do.

The Breakup Artists by Adriana Mather

August has been secretly hired to break up Ella from her awful boyfriend. He devises a plan to bump into her at her fav coffee shop, but his timing is all wrong and at the exact moment he takes the top off his coffee, her elbow swings around, leading to a coffee-soaked Ella and a horrified August. Besides her never wanting to see to him again, August has another problem, he kinda really enjoys her. Maybe too much? Which is the last thing that can happen, not only because she’s his newest case, but because everything he’s told her so far has been a lie, including his name.

Somewhere Only We Know by Maurene Goo

Catherine “Lucky” Nam is a huge K-pop star who just performed in Hong Kong for her many adoring fans and is now trying to fall asleep in her fancy hotel. A not so great mix of sleep and anxiety medication and a deep desire for a hamburger, has her in the lobby in her slippers moments later where she runs into Jack Lim—a gifted photographer and tabloid paparazzo. What could possibly go right? Maybe everything?

Meet-Cute Diary by Emery Lee

Noah Ramirez has a super popular blog, the Meet Cute Diary, a collection of trans happily-ever-afters. There’s just one problem—all the stories are fake. When a troll exposes the blog as fiction, Noah’s world unravels. Then in comes Drew, who agrees to fake-date Noah to convince everyone that the stories are true and save the Diary. But when Noah’s feelings grow, he realizes that dating in real life isn’t the same as finding love on the page.

Tell Me How You Really Feel by Aminah Mae Safi

The first time Sana asked out a girl (Rachel) it was such a disaster that she never did it again. Meanwhile, Rachel was furious because she thought Sana was trying to prank her by asking her on a date. Now Rachel is an aspiring director and when it comes time for Rachel to cast her senior project, she knows without a doubt that there is no one more perfect for the lead than Sana. They have to try to get past their failed meet cute and make something beautiful together in this enemies-to-lovers romance.

I Love So Mochi by Sarah Kuhn

Fashion-obsessed Kimi takes an impromptu trip to Japan and meets a handsome local, Akira. Only he’s dressed as a costumed mochi mascot! Costume aside, he’s actually a med student, and the best part is he helps her rediscover her passion for creating clothes—and maybe something more.

The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West

Gia’s prom plans go awry when her boyfriend dumps her in the parking lot of her high school prom. Desperate and frustrated she recruits a random stranger (who is just waiting to pick up his sister), Hayden, as her fake date. The task is simple: two hours, zero commitment, a few white lies. But could fake feelings turn real?

Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia

In the real world, Eliza is shy, awkward, and friendless. However, Eliza is also the anonymous creator of a hugely popular online comic. Wallace is its biggest fan. Online, Eliza flirts with Wallace. But when he transfers to her school, he doesn’t know who Eliza is in real life and they have the opportunity and the challenge of meeting all over again!

Meet Cute: Some People Are Destined to Meet

And last, but never least, a collection of diverse short stories by some amazing YA authors who have a love for hilarious and heart-thumping meet-cutes that will certainly make you smile and sigh!

These charming and unforgettable meet-cutes remind us that love can be found in the most unexpected and comical of circumstances. So, the next time you’re strolling through the park, swapping phones with a stranger, or even battling your professional rival, keep an open mind—you might just stumble upon your very own hilarious love story!

The post 10 Hilarious and Swoony Meet-Cutes In YA Novels appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

In this quirky 90’s-esque, Back To The Future YA contemporary fantasy, a modern teenager must help her (then) teen mother come out on top as Homecoming Queen.

Unlike most typical YA books trickling into the typical themes of Cheesy Teen Romance, Good vs. Evil, and life-changing events changing the course of their entire life, Throwback by Maurene Goo provides a more real and refreshing take to the genre. Sam (Samantha Kang), the leading character of the story, who is your everyday Korean American teenager with very average traits. Despite the wishes of her parents, especially her high-expectations, no B.S. mother, Sam is happy with who she is. She doesn’t need to be popular, join all of the clubs simply to impress colleges, and is okay with getting B+ grades. But when Sam’s mother gets word of her being on the Homecoming court, things take a turn for the worst. After a huge fight leads their relationship to rock bottom, Sam finds herself at school but thirty years into the past. Better yet, she sees Priscilla (who is none other than Sam’s mother) as a drop-dead gorgeous teen who to no surprise, is running for Homecoming Queen. As Sam learns to navigate her way through the prime teen years of her mother, will she able to help her win the Crown, and tie up the loose and messy ends that their relationship holds before going back to a time she knows? Only time will tell.

I appreciated this novel in many ways. Firstly, Sam is one of the most relatable YA characters you could read about. She is not the girl next door everyone yearns for who is pretty, smart, and perfect. She’s the average girl who doesn’t feel this need to impress everyone she knows, takes what she gets for grades and is okay with it, and is a lover of video games. And quite honestly, this is what I think the genre needs more of. Give us the characters who want to take a stand and appreciate where they are at! Sometimes showing content personalities can lead the characters into bigger avenues they never thought would go down.

Contemporary fiction with a dash of fantasy are always fun stories. The worldbuilding was easy to visualise, and the plot never strayed too much off of the main mission Sam sought to complete. Its uniqueness stems from a blend of modern times, with the trends and lingos associated with the 90’s. I mean, imagine walking into high school in 2025 thinking it’s just a normal day, just to end up in the era of your parent’s teen years. Sam knows she already sticks out like a sore thumb. But having to learn:

• To rock the loud and wacky clothing and hair trends
• How little student diversity exists on campus
• Cell phones, social media, and technology are virtually non-existent
• About the high school drama heard by word of mouth, and
• How popularity was the most analogue way of marketing your teen self

This is anything but familiar to her, and this is where the reading became really fun! The use of blatant and straightforward language, political, and social gaps seen nearly thirty years before Sam’s time was also very refreshing to read about. This is because it bridges a more open-minded understanding of what it was like growing up in an era quite close, but totally different from your parents. A lot of things have the potential to change in a short amount of time, and Sam experiences and recognises these things in the era of her mother.

Mother-daughter relationships, especially with those who come from first- and second-generation immigrant families, was the big highlight of this book for me. Sometimes, it’s really hard to see eye to eye with your parents. They only want the best for you, and their ways of showing it can be very different from what you might want. This is exactly what Sam’s time travel mission is all about. To better understand why her Mom is the way she is in the present, and how she can help Priscilla understand this better in the future.

The only real note on this book I had was that YA genre plotlines can often get repetitive. You have a young protagonist trying to navigate the unfamiliar world to better themselves from either generational trauma, psychological, or physical distress, and learn from it in some way shape or form. However, this was well-done in most senses of YA and would recommend it to readers who yearn for relatable characters, is a sucker for time travel tropes, and wants to better learn and understand from generations past.

Throwback is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up Throwback? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Back to the Future meets The Joy Luck Club in this YA contemporary romance about a Korean American girl sent back to the ’90s to (reluctantly) help her teenage mom win Homecoming Queen.

Being a first-generation Asian American immigrant is hard. You know what’s harder? Being the daughter of one. Samantha Kang has never gotten along with her mother, Priscilla—and has never understood her bougie-nightmare, John Hughes high school expectations. After a huge fight between them, Sam is desperate to move forward—but instead, finds herself thrown back. Way back.

To her shock, Sam finds herself back in high school . . . in the ’90s . . . with a 17-year-old Priscilla. Now this Gen Z girl must try to fit into an analog world. She’s got the fashion down, but everything else is baffling. What is “microfiche”? What’s with the casual racism and misogyny? And why does it feel like Priscilla is someone she could actually be . . . friends with?

Sam’s blast to the past has her finding the right romance in the wrong time while questioning everything she thought she knew about her mom . . . and herself. Will Sam figure out what she needs to do to fix things for her mom so that she can go back to a time she understands? Brimming with heart and humor, Maurene Goo’s time-travel romance asks big questions about what exactly one inherits and loses in the immigrant experience.

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With the rising trend of Korean pop, or more commonly known as K-pop, Maurene Goo’s new YA contemporary novel Somewhere Only We Know is about a Korean artist named Lucky.

Lucky is the biggest K-pop star on the scene, and she’s just performed her hit song “Heartbeat” in Hong Kong to thousands of adoring fans. She’s about to debut on The Tonight Show in America with hopefully a breakout performance for her career. But right now? She’s in her fancy hotel, trying to fall asleep but dying for a hamburger so she tries to be rebellious by sneaking out of her hotel room. Then there’s Jack who is trying to sneak into a fancy hotel while on assignment for his tabloid job that he keeps secret from his parents. On his way out of the hotel, he runs into a girl wearing slippers, a girl who is determined to find a hamburger. She looks kind of familiar, she’s very cute, and he’s a little curious. The two characters have lived different lives until now. At first Jack doesn’t know he was with a famous K-pop star because Lucky refers to herself as “Fern”, but when he finds out, he still sees her for who she is.

With the characters and the situation, it was reminiscent of Nicola Yoon’s The Sun Is Also A Star with the characters being total opposites yet falling in love within a day, especially since this book is also told in dual perspectives.

Once again, Maurene Goo does a fantastic job with exposing Asian culture to bring representation to the world of books by not only having both leads as Asian-American. This is also done by incorporating other aspects into the culture such as giving a strong description of the setting and the food of Hong Kong where the story takes place.

It was also interesting to see what it was like from a K-pop idol’s perspective. Nowadays, many are incredibly interested in Korean pop, so why not have it written in a book? We may not know what it is truly like to be an idol but the character of Lucky was well done. Most people know that these artists must deal with tight restrictions and high expectations and Maurene depicts a K-pop artist rather well. As for Jack, it gave that relatable Asian-American experience. Jack took a gap year because he doesn’t know what he wants to do with his future. While they’re both Asian-American, their way of living was different along with their mindsets. They share great chemistry and it was a good balance between tension and sweetness. What lacked in this novel was the setting. Maurene Goo’s past novels like I Believe In A Thing Called Love and The Way You Make Me Feel did an amazing job by giving a descriptive setting, which easily transported you into the story. Unfortunately, in this novel, you didn’t get that feeling and it would be nice to read the setting of Hong Kong that is such rich in culture as well.

Another part that lacked in the book was the story itself. As much as character based stories are worth reading, this wasn’t. The story was bland with no outstanding scenes that occurred. In fact, while reading the book, the plot was almost non-existent with little character development.

As for the writing itself, Maurene Goo is a mix of Jenny Han (To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before) and Morgan Matson (Save the Date) as she gives a heartwarming and youthful vibe in her novels. But this time, in Goo’s novel, the dialogue specifically was a little cringey making it feel a little unnatural and unrealistic.

For those who have read Maurene Goo’s novel The Way You Make Me Feel, there is a slight easter egg at the end of the novel for Somewhere Only We Know. If you’re into K-pop and YA Contemporary Romance novels, this book is for you!

Somewhere Only We Know is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.

Will you be reading Somewhere Only We Know? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

10 00 p.m.: Lucky is the biggest K-pop star on the scene, and she’s just performed her hit song “Heartbeat” in Hong Kong to thousands of adoring fans. She’s about to debut on The Tonight Show in America, hopefully a breakout performance for her career. But right now? She’s in her fancy hotel, trying to fall asleep but dying for a hamburger.

11 00 p.m.: Jack is sneaking into a fancy hotel, on assignment for his tabloid job that he keeps secret from his parents. On his way out of the hotel, he runs into a girl wearing slippers, a girl who is single-mindedly determined to find a hamburger. She looks kind of familiar. She’s very cute. He’s maybe curious.

12:00 a.m.: Nothing will ever be the same.

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