Several upcomingromancebooks are scheduled to come out in 2025, establishing an excellent year. There is a lot to look forward to regarding the romance genre in 2025, fromupcoming fantasy movies releasing in 2025that contain romantic elements toactors with exciting new moviesthat will have romance. The romance genre is popular and beloved for a reason—there is so much potential to work with. There aretime travel romance booksandmovies that perfectly blend adventure and romance. Regardless of the narrative,romance is a timeless genre with many untold stories.
There are so many romance novels coming out in 2025 that it is challenging to include them all. However,there are 15 romance books that are the most highly anticipated and exciting releases of the upcoming year. Renowned romance authors such as Emily Henry and Tessa Bailey are releasing new books, and there will be exciting romance debuts to devour. These 15 books contain various tropes, from forbidden love to enemies-to-lovers to rom-com retellings. However, these books are worth reading and will make 2025 an excellent year.
15The Broposal By Sonora Reyes
Expected Release: August 01, 2025
Sonora Reyes is best known for their critically acclaimed young adult novel,The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School. The book won a Lambda Literary Award and was a finalist for the National Book Award.The Broposalis Reyes' first adult romance novel,about two best friends, Han and Kenny, who decide to get married to protect Han’s immigration status and make Kenny’s ex-girlfriend jealous. This book combines some of the bestromance tropes, including friends to lovers, marriage of convenience, and fake dating.
Sonora Reyes' books fall into the romance genre but always include critical themes, such as misogyny, identity and selfhood, coming-of-age narratives, oppression, and social justice.The Broposalwill undoubtedly be an epic romance book but will contain some of these critical subjects, especially regarding immigration, xenophobia, and LGBTQIA+ themes. It is an excellent way to tell a story while integrating key conversations.
14The Relationship Mechanic By Karmen Lee
The Relationship Mechanicby Karmen Lee is the second installment in thePeach Blossomseries. The first book,The 7-10 Split, focuses on two former best friends coaching their school’s bowling team while reconciling their failed friendship and romance. However,The Relationship Mechanictakes a different route. Instead of following former best friends,The Relationship Mechanicis about a whirlwind steamy fling that has the potential to become more. However, the protagonists—Jessica Jae-un Miller and Vini Williams—want very different things despite their mutual attraction.
Karmen Lee has stated onInstagramthat her favorite tropes include enemies to lovers, forced proximity, workplace romance, small town, second chance, and friends to lovers, although the only one on this list confirmed forThe Relationship Mechanicis small town.It will be interesting to see what draws Jessica and Vini together (other than Jessica’s car breaking down).A final installment inPeach Blossom,The Secret Crush Book Club, is expected to be released later in the year, on June 27, 2025.
13It’s A Love/Skate Relationship By Carli J. Corson
Expected Release: June 08, 2025
It’s a Love/Skate Relationshipis Carli J. Corson’s debut novel about two teenagers who must partner together for a skating competition.Charlie is a hockey player, but she is suspended for the season, while Alexa, a figure skater, needs a new skating partner because hers is injured.Charlie becomes Alexa’s skating partner in exchange for Alexa securing a spot for Charlie in front of college scouts for hockey. However, it is challenging for Charlie and Alexa to work together, given their opposite personalities.
10 Great Hockey Romance Books To Read This NHL Season
There are several great sports romance books focusing on hockey that are perfect to read during the NHL season, with various tropes and situations.
It’s a Love/Skate Relationshipis a young adult romance novel, and expectations are high for thisenemies to loversromance. However, the reviews seem promising so far—Kirkussaid, “This lighthearted teen romance hits in all the right ways; it’s well plotted and well written,” insisting that it is a “treat for lovers of fluffy lesbian romance.“It’s a Love/Skate Relationshipis an excellent book to kick off the year with.
12Deep End By Ali Hazelwood
Expected Release: August 15, 2025
Ali Hazelwood’s new romance novel,Deep End, is a new adult sports romance standalone bookabout a diver and swimmer who begin a friends-with-benefits agreement leading up to the Olympics. It is the first time Hazelwood dives into the new adult romance genre involving sports. It is a surprise from Hazelwood, given her history of writing about finding love in STEM spaces, but certainly not unwelcome. In recent years,Ali Hazelwood’s bookshave expanded by exploring other genres, settings, and dynamics, andDeep Endwill continue the trend.
Ali Hazelwood’s books always contain nail-biting and steamy chemistry between the two leads.Based onDeep End’s premise alone, it seems that Scarlett and Lukas will join the ranks of Adam and Olive, Misery and Lowe, and Jack and Elsie while maintaining an air of originality. Ali Hazelwood plans to publish a sequel to her paranormal romanceBride, andDeep Endis the perfect book to consume before diving back into Hazelwood’s realm of vampires and werewolves.
11Dream Girl Drama By Tessa Bailey
Tessa Bailey has finally entered the sports romance genre with her new series,Big Shots. The first book centers on a golf star, but the last three installments focus on hockey.Dream Girl Dramais the third book inBig Shots, and it will be the steamiest yet. It revolves aroundSig and Chloe, who meet and fall inlove at first sight, only to realize that Sig’s dad and Chloe’s mom are engaged—meaning they will soon be stepsiblings. Reality comes crashing down on this fated pair, but they decide to be friends anyway.
Tessa Bailey is a master at balancing electrifying chemistry, angsty moments, and funny quips.
However, as Sig and Chloe grow closer, they will soon realize it is much more difficult to remain platonic, no matter how hard they try. Tessa Bailey is a master at balancing electrifying chemistry, angsty moments, and funny quips. WhileDream Girl Dramaborderlines taboo subjects, given that Sig and Chloe will soon be stepsiblings.However, Bailey is excellent at her craft, and the narrative will reach a conclusion that provides the perfect happy ending for Sig and Chloe.
10First-Time Caller By B.K. Borison
Expected Release: July 31, 2025
B.K. Borison is best known for herLovelightseries, specifically the first installment,Lovelight Farms. Now, she is back with a new romantic comedy novel,First-Time Caller, based onSleepless in Seattle.First-Time Calleris about Aiden, the host of his Heartstrings podcast, who goes viral after a young girl calls in to ask for dating advice regarding her mother.The girl’s mother, Lucie, is suddenly Baltimore’s hottest topic, which forces her to reevaluate her love life.Sleepless in Seattleis a timelessrom-com that would benefit from a modern reboot, butFirst-Time Callerstill has big shoes to fill.
Sleepless in Seattlestars Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, who also played the leads inYou’ve Got Mail. Meg Ryan also starred inWhen Harry Met Sally, another romcom written by Nora Ephron.
B.K. Borison is an underrated rom-com author who knows how to pull all the right strings when crafting a love story.First-Time Callermight have high expectations, but the book will surely exceed them.First-Time Calleris inspired by an underrated romantic comedy, butSleepless in Seattlestill holds up today, which B.K. Borison’s book will demonstrate.
9On Her Terms by Amy Spalding
Expected Release: August 12, 2025
Amy Spalding’s new book,On Her Terms, is the third installment of herOut in Hollywoodseries.The book is about TikTok star Clementine and dog-walker Chloe agreeing to fake date for Clementine’s parents' anniversary celebration and Chloe’s friend’s wedding.However, the stakes are high because Clementine recently broke up with her long-term boyfriend, while Chloe does not see Clementine as anything more than a friend. Amy Spalding’sOut in Hollywoodseries tackles various types of famous characters and their eccentric lives, drastically changing their relationships with romance.
Amy Spalding has received numerous accolades for her young adult books, including landing on several Best Books of 2018 lists. Some of these lists includeNPR,Kirkus, and theBoston Globe.WhileOn Her Termsis part of Spalding’s adult romance works, her previous accolades are a testament to her talent.On Her Termswill be another great romance book to add to the 2025 collection.
8Say You’ll Remember Me By Abby Jimenez
Expected Release: August 15, 2025
Abby Jimenez is coming out with a new standalone romance novel in April 2025,Say You’ll Remember Me. The book revolves around Xavier and Samantha, who spend one incredible night together before parting ways because Samantha cannot pursue a relationship right now. However,Say You’ll Remember Mewill prove that time, distance, and circumstances cannot diminish a once-in-a-lifetime romantic connection. Abby Jimenez is known for writing timeless romance stories that make love seem too good to be true.
Abby Jimenez has been a Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee for Romance every year since 2019.Say You’ll Remember Mewill likely be the first installment in Jimenez’s new series.She writes complex characters with compelling dynamics, andSay You’ll Remember Mewill be no different. Abby Jimenez became a #1 New York Times bestselling author with the final installment of herPart of Your Worldseries,Just for the Summer, and the streak will likely continue withSay You’ll Remember Me.
7Flirting Lessons By Jasmine Guillory
Expected Release: June 29, 2025
Jasmine Guillory is a bestselling romance author best known for her book series,The Wedding Date.Flirting Lessonswill be Guillory’s firstLGBTQ+ romance bookand an excellent addition to her bibliography.Flirting Lessonsrevolves around romance novice Avery and receiving flirting lessons from notorious flirt, Taylor.While Avery is looking to let loose, Taylor bets her best friend that she can last two months without falling into bed with someone—giving her the perfect excuse to focus on teaching Avery.However, the more Avery learns and the deeper Taylor’s lessons evolve, the more they fall for each other.
Jasmine Guillory is a beloved romance author. Her writing has been featured inOprah Magazine,The Today Show’s website, andShondaland’s website. She has a diverse list of romance book recommendations onBookshop.org, proving she knows her way around the romance genre.Flirting Lessonsmight be new territory, given that it is Guillory’s first LGBTQ+ romance, but it will definitely be a compelling book as Avery and Taylor’s love story unfolds.
6Great Big Beautiful Life By Emily Henry
Expected Release: Jul 10, 2025
Emily Henry is possibly today’s biggest romance author, with iconic books such asPeople We Meet on VacationandBeach Read. She crafts her love stories in a way that allows romance to be the central focus while including layered characters and conflicts.Emily Henry’s booksare more than just romance novels; they are life-changing stories that provoke interesting discussions.Her next book,Great Big Beautiful Life, will be released in April 2025, but it already stands out from her previous works as Henry’s first novel to prioritize non-romantic aspects of the narrative.
People We Meet on Vacation
Cast
People We Meet on Vacation follows Poppy and Alex, two contrasting personalities who maintain a decade-long friendship despite living in separate cities. Every summer, they embark on vacations together, eventually confronting the nature of their relationship and facing the possibility of a romantic connection.
Great Big Beautiful Liferevolves around two writers, Alice and Hayden, competing to write Margaret Ives' biography, a notorious heiress of the twentieth century.However, unbeknownst to Alice and Hayden, Margaret only tells them pieces of her life rather than the entire story, leading Alice and Hayden to concoct very different accounts of Margaret’s life.While Alice and Hayden’s chemistry will explode into an epic romance, their relationship is not the primary focus ofGreat Big Beautiful Life. Emily Henry’s new book will stand out from her previous works while still delivering a timeless romance.
