List
2024 Staff Picks: Romance
Our expert staff members look back at the year and share their favorite titles.
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The Truth According to Ember
2024 by Nava, DanicaGet this itemA delightful workplace romance featuring two Indigenous main characters. Ember and Danuwoa have great banter and chemistry. We loved watching their relationship bloom! Suggested by Brenna, Rummanah, and Sharon.
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Experienced
2024 by Young, KateGet this itemIt's so refreshing to have queer stories that go beyond the coming out storyline. This novel is much more in the "figuring it out" vein, and its characters' humor and honesty are touching. Suggested by Amy K. and Suzanne.
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That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon
2024 by Lemming, KimberlyGet this itemWe loved this romantasy because it was adventurous, cozy, hilarious, and lighthearted with a little bit of spice. Suggested by Aubree and Suzanne.
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Here for the Wrong Reasons
2024 by Paulsen, AnnabelGet this itemWe loved the way this book follows all the beats of an online dating competition, but twists things on their heads with some really interesting and introspective characters. Plus a queering of a Bachelor-like program is always welcome! Suggested by Amy K. and Aubree.
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Let the Games Begin
2024 by Mazarura, Rufaro FaithGet this itemI thoroughly enjoyed this delightful, closed door, sports romance. The characters of Zeke and Olivia were highly relatable to me as a first-generation immigrant who is constantly striving to achieve and meet parental expectations. I like how their relationship isn't solely based on physical attraction but also on a shared heritage. Suggested by Rummanah.
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Out on a Limb
2024 by Bonam-Young, HannahGet this itemI loved how the author tackled ability/disability with great humor, while also giving it visibility. Suggested by Suzanne.
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Maya's Laws of Love
2024 by Khawaja, AlinaGet this itemA really charming debut that reminded me of bits of my favorite Bollywood movies and Pakistani dramas. I loved how this book actually addressed the complexities of marriage and not the fairy-tale ending that we were told. I also appreciated the character development and how lovingly the Pakistani representation was handled. Suggested by Rummanah.
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Just for the Summer
2024 by Jimenez, AbbyGet this itemEmma and Justin both believe they’re “cursed” in relationships, but maybe dating each other can break the curse? We really appreciate how Abby Jimenez writes flawed and realistic characters whose personal growth is integral to their journey to find love. Suggested by Brenna, Rummanah, and Sharon.
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A Dark and Drowning Tide
2024 by Saft, AllisonGet this itemA group of students with different magical specialties set out with their mentor to find the Ursprung, a spring that is fabled to be the source of all magic. A dark academia with a group of unreliable characters, a world with unique magical creatures, academic and sapphic rivals to lovers, and a murder mystery. Suggested by Aubree and Suzanne.
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The Lily of Ludgate Hill
2024 by Matthews, MimiGet this itemA romance with interesting plot features such as the class tensions between the older noble landowning and rising business and manufacturing people. Engaging characters and plot turns. Suggested by Bill.
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Birding with Benefits
2024 by Dubb, Sarah T.Get this itemWe loved this outdoorsy romance because of its charming and adventurous story about love in the world of birding. Suggested by Brenna and Suzanne.
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My Season of Scandal
2024 by Long, Julie AnneGet this itemA gentle and angsty love story. Catherine has one chance at a London season and she's going to make the most of it. Intending to land a husband, she finds herself easily distracted by the elusive and jaded rake, Dominic. The two seem drawn to each other despite an age difference and different life goals. This book made my heart sing and solidified my love for all the inhabits of the Palace of Rogues. Suggested by Amber H.
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Not Bad for a Girl
2024 by Ryan, AnastasiaGet this itemThis workplace/mistaken identity comedy is laugh-out-loud funny, all the while tackling issues related to women working in male-dominated fields. Suggested by Rummanah and Sharon.
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Summer Fridays
2024 by Rindell, SuzanneGet this itemI loved the way this story develops over the course of time and the way the characters find themselves in love, despite never looking for it. Suggested by Suzanne.
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Say You'll Be Mine
2024 by Kumar, NainaGet this itemA charming, slow-burn friends to lovers contemporary romance that has a great deal of emotional depth and Indian culture representation. I loved how this story weaves traditional and modern lifestyles that worked for the characters. Suggested by Rummanah.
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A Feather So Black
2024 by Selene, LyraGet this itemI loved the world building and romance in this book. Suggested by Suzanne.
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How You Get the Girl
2024 by Kelly, AnitaGet this itemYou don’t need to be a sports fan to cheer for this queer romance about two coaches falling for each other on and off the court. Shout out for asexual spectrum representation, which is not found often enough in romances. Suggested by Brenna.
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Hot Summer
2024 by Everhart, ElleGet this itemI absolutely loved this queer plot-twist storyline to a show like The Bachelor. The secondary characters are equally well developed and either intensely lovable or completely despicable. Suggested by Suzanne.
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Match Me If You Can
2024 by Hegde, SwatiGet this itemA heartwarming debut novel set in the bustling city of Mumbai, India. A slow-burn friends to lovers romance with a subtle nod to Jane Austen's Emma, I loved the author's own desi twist to the story. Suggested by Rummanah.
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Just Some Stupid Love Story
2024 by Doyle, KatelynGet this itemI loved this romance because it was funny and hopeful, but also explored a more nuanced side of each character. Suggested by Suzanne.
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Last Call at the Local
2024 by Ruiz, Sarah GrunderGet this itemOne of my top romances of 2024, Loraine “Raine” and Jack are lovable characters who you will root for from page one. Both Raine’s depiction of ADHD and Jack’s OCD are compassionately portrayed and openly discussed. Sweet, heartwarming, and absolutely adorable. Suggested by Rummanah.
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Morbidly Yours
2024 by Fairbanks, IvyGet this itemI loved this romance because it had a great range, but the morbid humor was the best. I also loved that it featured a demisexual main character, which is hard to find. Suggested by Suzanne.
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Isabel and the Rogue: A Luna Sisters Novel
2024 by De la Rosa, LianaGet this itemIsabel and Sirius may be very different at a first glance, but they share many commonalities that make them both extremely suitable to become spies for their individual purposes. Their chemistry sizzled in this book, and watching them dance around themselves was a pure pleasure. The combination of suspense, historical fiction, and romance makes the story richer. The complex, relatable Latine main character is just chef's kiss. Suggested by Rummanah.
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Expiration Dates
2024 by Serle, RebeccaGet this itemI loved this magical plot of universal conspiracy determining the people we meet, and how long they stay, and what love is, if not the person who knows and loves you best. Suggested by Suzanne.
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Don't Want You Like a Best Friend
2024 by Alban, Emma R.Get this itemA delightful queer historical romance debut in which two debutantes distract themselves from having to seek husbands by setting up their widowed parents. Instead, they find their perfect match in each other. Suggested by Rummanah.
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A Novel Love Story
2024 by Poston, AshleyGet this itemI loved the blending of fiction within fiction in this book and it felt like a tribute to romance novels, while also being funny and lighthearted. Suggested by Suzanne.
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You Should Be So Lucky
2024 by Sebastian, CatGet this itemI love how this romance is not only a slow burn but also a light of shining hope and joy for the characters despite the circumstances they face to keep their true selves hidden. Suggested by Rummanah.
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How to End a Love Story
2024 by Kuang, YulinGet this itemI thought this was truly a beautiful and big love story that dealt with trauma in a heartening way. Suggested by Suzanne.
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In a Not-So-Perfect World
2024 by Alexander, Neely TubatiGet this itemI loved how this contemporary romance delivers on the escapist vibes along with a slow-burn romance and a heartfelt journey of self discovery. Sloane and Charlie's chemistry leaps off the page and they try to find themselves after heartbreak. Highly recommended for fans of Emily Henry. Suggested by Rummanah.
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Late Bloomer
2024 by Eddings, MazeyGet this itemI loved the delightful humor in this sapphic romance that had me really rooting for the main characters, who have a history of being taken advantage. I thought it was sexy, funny, and sweet. Suggested by Suzanne.
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Love You a Latke
2024 by Elliot, AmandaGet this itemA heartwarming, chaste Hanukkah romance between Abby, a grumpy café owner, and her infuriatingly cheery customer Seth. I learned a lot about the customs surrounding Hanukkah. Perfect for the holiday season! Suggested by Rummanah.
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Bride
2024 by Hazelwood, AliGet this itemI loved this departure toward paranormal romance from Ali Hazelwood. I loved the world building, the witty dialogue, and the twists. Suggested by Suzanne.
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Here We Go Again
2024 by Cochrun, AlisonGet this itemA heartfelt romantic comedy about second chances with a friends to enemies to lovers romance. I loved getting to know Rosemary and Logan as they reconcile with their past mistakes and discover new truths about themselves along with the hijinks of a legendary road trip. Suggested by Rummanah.
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Dark Restraint
2024 by Robert, KateeGet this itemI love this series from Katee Robert, and this newest addition is no exception. I love the twisty plot, the diversity of characters, and the spice. Suggested by Suzanne.
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The Love of My Afterlife
2024 by Greenwood, KirstyGet this itemI enjoyed the plot twists and unexpected turns this romance took, as well as the growth the main character faces as she learns to ask for help. Suggested by Suzanne.
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Funny Story
2024 by Henry, EmilyGet this itemAfter their romantic partners run off together, Daphne and Miles have no choice but to become temporary roommates. After a night of drinks, they enter a fake dating arrangement to show their partners that they're doing better without them, and along the way they open up to each other and realize that their fake dates might mean a bit more to them. Miles isn't the typical Emily Henry love interest, which made him all the more memorable! I can se myself reading this book over and over. Suggested by Amber H.
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The Pairing
2024 by McQuiston, CaseyGet this itemI absolutely loved the lush and wanderlust-inducing background to this beautiful and delightfully queer romance. Suggested by Suzanne.
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