The 18 Best Romance Novels of 2026

From brooding anti-heroes and sprawling fantasy realms to sun-drenched rom-coms and rekindled rockstar romances, this year's new releases run the full emotional spectrum. Cast your vote for the one that swept you off your feet.

1

Woman Down

Colleen Hoover's January 2026 romantic thriller, described by the author as one of her darkest books yet.

1000pts

2

Tempting Venom

Rina Kent's June 2026 dark romance, the third book in her Vipers series of morally gray anti-heroes.

763pts

3

Savage Bonds

E.V. Mitchell's March 2026 paranormal wolf-shifter romance and the second book in her Shadowmist Pack series.

680pts

4

Marry Me Not

Gabrielle Sands' July 2026 dark romance built around a forced-marriage premise between rival families.

624pts

5

Happy Ending

Chloe Liese's April 2026 contemporary romance closing out her Bergman Brothers series with a neurodivergent-rep love story.

560pts

6

Star Shipped

Cat Sebastian's March 2026 contemporary debut, an enemies-to-lovers romance between two costars on a long-running sci-fi show.

485pts

7

King of Gluttony

Ana Huang's April 2026 billionaire enemies-to-lovers romance, the sixth book in her bestselling Kings of Sin series.

485pts

8

The Night We Met

Abby Jimenez's March 2026 contemporary romance and sequel to Say You'll Remember Me.

485pts

9

Twisted Pawn

L.J. Shen's April 2026 dark romance about a ruthless enforcer and the woman he was ordered to destroy.

485pts

10

Whisper of a Shadow

Monty Jay's April 2026 dark romance that broke out as one of the year's buzziest indie hits.

397pts

11

Crown of War and Shadow

J.R. Ward's 2026 leap into epic high fantasy romance, pairing a war-torn kingdom with deep emotional stakes.

397pts

12

Still Into You

Erin Connor's February 2026 second-chance rockstar rom-com about a metal frontman and the journalist sent to interview him.

397pts

13

Broken Rival

Tessa Bailey's October 2026 standalone sports romance about rival athletes forced together.

291pts

14

The Keeper

Ana Huang's October 2026 sports romance, the third book in her Gods of the Game series.

291pts

15

The Night Prince

Lauren Palphreyman's 2026 romantasy centered on royal intrigue and a forbidden bond with a magical prince.

162pts

16

Catch Her If You Can

Tessa Bailey's January 2026 sports romance, the fifth entry in her Big Shots series.

162pts

17

My Dreadful Darling

H.D. Carlton's April 2026 dark romance following her signature blend of obsession and horror-tinged suspense.

162pts

18

The Romance Revival

Christina Lauren's July 2026 contemporary rom-com about a small town rallying to save its struggling bookstore.

162pts