12 Must-Read Romance Books for Adults

Updated: 17 October 2023

I will admit that I am a fairly new romance reader, but I immediately fell in love with the genre. This is a list of my favourite romance books for adults. This is a subjective list (as all reading is subjective) but I wanted to give you these recommendations because I really enjoyed these books, and I hope you will too.

Let’s hop into my must-read romance books for adults!

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Must-read romance books for adults

This list mainly only covers contemporary romance and rom-coms. At some point I will probably make a different list for YA, and for fantasy/sci-fi. But for now, here are some of my favourite contemporary romance books for adults!

If Only You by Chloe Liese (Bergman Brothers #6)

Brace yourself for longing, laughter, and a swoony slow-burn in this brother’s best-friend sports romance about scoring the love of your life when you least expect to.

Generally, I would recommend every single book in the Bergman Brothers series, but this one, in particular, stood out to me. If Only You contains, in my opinion, really productive bisexual, pansexual, autism, and celiac disease representation. Chloe Liese’s entire career is about writing love stories that everyone can see themselves in. If Only You captures that perfectly.

Not only does it have productive rep, but it’s also a really sweet love story. There’s some top-notch banter, really funny and heartwarming scenes, sibling shenanigans, and so much more. I could not recommend this book, and this series, more.

Purchase Link | Review to Come

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Nora knows she’s not an ideal heroine, and Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, but as these bookish rivals are thrown together again and again—in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow—what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves.

I know this is not most people’s favourite Emily Henry book, but it is mine. For one reason, I relate to Nora HARD. We’re basically the same person. I also know a lot of people don’t class Emily Henry’s books as romance, but since this one has a HEA, I think it counts. I love how Henry subverts genre expectations, and how she twists general conventions. Book Lovers is definitely a favourite.

Purchase Links | Review

Stuck with You by Ali Hazelwood (STEMinist Novellas #2)

Logically, Sadie knows that civil engineers are supposed to build bridges. However, as a woman of STEM she also understands that variables can change, and when you are stuck for hours in a tiny New York elevator with the man who broke your heart, you earn the right to burn that brawny, blond bridge to the ground.

This book made me cry. Which is no small feat, since I don’t often find myself crying at books. However, this one just hit me straight up in the feels, and it’s a novella. Stuck With You has essentially stuck with me. Though it is a bit short, and might feel a bit insta-lovey, I really enjoyed it. The characters and their romance felt genuine. It’s about taking a leap of faith, even though your faith is completely shattered. I really loved it.

Purchase Link

How to Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams

One daring to-do list and a crash course in flirtation turn a Type A overachiever’s world upside down.

This book came out of nowhere, and ended up being one of my favourite books of 2022. How to Fail at Flirting follows Naya, a university professor who had her confidence destroyed by an abusive ex (check trigger warnings before reading). She slowly builds it back up with the help of Jake, a charming businessman who might just hold her job in his hands. Things get complicated, fast. But, it’s an incredibly cute story. I laughed and cried, it was awesome.

Purchase Link

Get A Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

Chloe Brown is a chronically ill computer geek with a goal, a plan, and a list. After almost—but not quite—dying, she’s come up with six directives to help her “Get a Life”. Enter Red, her building’s handyman, whom she enlists in her mission to rebel, she learns things about him that no spy session could teach her. Like why he clearly resents Chloe’s wealthy background. And why he never shows his art to anyone. And what really lies beneath his rough exterior…

Another romance book that made me cry, because it made me feel really seen. Also, the chronically ill representation was really productive. I loved the way Chloe and Red communicated with each other, and how open they were about their struggles. I truly believe romance books such as these are so valuable in teaching us how to have healthy conversations and relationships. Highly recommend this romance book for adults.

Purchase Links | Tier Ranking Book Club Books

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

As a third-year Ph.D. candidate, Olive Smith doesn’t believe in lasting romantic relationships–but her best friend does, and that’s what got her into this situation. Convincing Anh that Olive is dating and well on her way to a happily ever after was always going to take more than hand-wavy Jedi mind tricks: Scientists require proof. So, like any self-respecting biologist, Olive panics and kisses the first man she sees. And thus begins some wild shenanigans, fake dating, and real feelings.

Okay look, this book gets a lot of hate. And in my opinion, it’s entirely undeserved. The Love Hypothesis contains some of the most productive demisexual representations I have ever read. A lot of people take issue with the sex scene, but to me, it’s a very realistic portrayal of how it feels to have sex as a demisexual person. The way they communicate with each other, and the way it plays out, it honestly made me so emotional. It hits home.

Also, some people have small boobs. Get over it.

Purchase Link | Review

Well Met by Jen DeLuca

All’s faire in love and war for two sworn enemies who indulge in a harmless flirtation. This summer was only ever supposed to be a pit stop on the way to somewhere else for Emily, but soon she can’t seem to shake the fantasy of establishing something more with Simon, or a permanent home of her own in Willow Creek.

I didn’t know I needed a romance book that takes place at a Renaissance Faire until I read Well Met. I binged this book in one day, and I am still obsessed with it. There’s a very sexy pirate (who wears eyeliner), what more could you need?

Purchase Links | Well Matched Review

Icebreaker (Maple Hills #1) by Hannah Grace

A competitive figure skater since she was five years old, a full college scholarship thanks to her place on the Maple Hills skating team, and a schedule that would make even the most driven person weep, Stassie comes to win. No exceptions.

Nathan Hawkins has never had a problem he couldn’t solve. As captain of the Maple Hills Titans, he knows the responsibility of keeping the hockey team on the ice rests on his shoulders.

When a misunderstanding results in the two teams sharing a rink, and Anastasia’s partner gets hurt in the aftermath, Nate finds himself swapping his stick for tights, and one scary coach for an even scarier one.

The pair find themselves stuck together in more ways than one, but it’s fine, because Anastasia doesn’t even like hockey players…right?

Icebreaker was SO GOOD. The relationship building, the side-characters, the setting, the main characters, everything was so good. This seriously felt like reading fanfiction, in the best possible way. The story was so well plotted in my opinion, and it felt like we really got to know the characters and root for their relationship. I immediately need more in this series. This is an excellent romance book for adults!

Find the audiobook on Scribd!

Happy Place by Emily Henry

A couple who broke up months ago make a pact to pretend to still be together for their annual weeklong vacation with their best friends in this glittering and wise new novel from Emily Henry.

I absolutely adored Happy Place. It had me hooked from the very first chapter. Emily Henry’s characters are just so relatable and lovable, I can’t help but root for them.

If you want a romance book that also features badass female friendships, found family, and self-discovery, then this book is for you!

LibroFM | Happy Place Review

Wildfire by Hannah Grace (Maple Hills #2)

The latest in the Maple Hills series follows two summer camp counselors who reconnect after a sizzling one-night stand.

I think at this point I’ll love everything that Hannah Grace writes. This is the perfect summer romance read. Grace just writes such realistic characters and romances, you can’t help but root for them.

LibroFM | Purchase Links

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

A novel of terrible first impressions, hilarious second chances, and the joy in finding your perfect match.

I still think about this book, despite the fact that I read it months ago. It was just SO GOOD. The writing, the emotional beats, the characters, everything was just perfect.

Scribd | Yours Truly Review

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

A theoretical physicist meets her match with the hot older brother of the person she’s currently fake dating.

Look, I was all set to not love another Ali Hazelwood again (the more I think about Love on the Brain the more I dislike it), but this one blew me away. It packed such a big emotional punch, that I found myself sobbing while listening to the audiobook. I love it when romance books have heavier subject matter, and this one delivered. I highly recommend it. It’s both funny and heartwarming. Read it immediately.

LibroFM | Love Theoretically Review

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