70 Exciting New Romance Books to Read in Fall 2025

As a Last Resort by Kristin Wollett

When Sam gets sent back to her Florida hometown, the last thing she expects is to run into Austin, her old crush who’s now the town’s golden-boy ferry captain. He’s charming, infuriating, and absolutely not part of her big-city plans. As they spend more time together, she wonders if home has more to offer than she thought.

By the Horns by Ruby Dixon

If you like your fantasy romance packed with danger and banter, By the Horns is for you. Gwenna’s just trying to land a steady job and ignore the pesky dead people who keep talking to her, which is easier said than done. Toss in Raptor, the cocky minotaur she can’t quite forget, and suddenly she’s accused of theft, running from danger, and battling feelings she doesn’t have time for.

Every Step She Takes by Alison Cochrun

When Sadie signs up for a Camino de Santiago walking tour to shake up her routine, she blurts out all her secrets to a stranger on the flight over. Cue the surprise when that stranger, Mal, is on the same trip, and suddenly Sadie’s walking straight into a journey of self-discovery, queer joy, and maybe even love.

Head Witch in Charge by Avery Flynn

Head Witch in Charge is the next book in the Sherwood Witches series. It follows Leona, who makes a big mistake, a midnight marriage to her family’s enemy heir. Now the only way out is a road trip with her not-quite-ex, where trolls, nymphs, and a lot of unresolved chemistry wait around every corner. What could go wrong?

If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia

This book screams fall to me. Post-divorce life wasn’t supposed to look like burned scones and a failing B&B, but it does. Enter Cliff, the small-town golden boy, single dad, and baker with forearms you definitely won’t notice. He’s impossible to avoid, impossible to resist, and exactly the wrong person to fall for when you’re planning to leave in three months.

Save You by Mona Kasten

I can’t wait to pick this one up—I already have it lined up on my Kobo. Ruby wants nothing more than to forget James’s betrayal, but fate and Oxford have other plans. Stuck in the same orbit, with old hurts still fresh, Ruby has to decide if she can forgive the boy who broke her heart or if their love deserves a second chance.

See You at the Finish Line by Zac Hammett

George and Lucas are rowing teammates who can’t stand each other, until a tutoring deal turns enemies into reluctant allies. Between gruelling practices, sarcastic banter, and lessons that get a little too personal, they might find that their biggest rivalry is giving way to something sweeter.

The Baby Dragon Bakery by A.T. Qureshi

The cozy, magical friends-to-lovers story you don’t want to miss this fall, complete with adorable baby dragons. Lavinia’s got her dream life: school, a job at the Baby Dragon Café, and her best friend Theo at her side. The only problem is she’s hopelessly in love with him, and their fake-dating plan might just set everything on fire.

Ghost Business by Jen DeLuca

If you’re in the mood for spooky season, don’t miss the next book in the Boneyard Keys series. Sophie’s beloved hometown ghost tour collides with Tristan’s flashy new franchise, and suddenly she’s fighting to save both her business and her heart. Their rivalry is fiery, their banter is off the charts, and when begrudging respect turns into attraction, things get hauntingly good. Think enemies-to-lovers with ghosts.

People Watching by Hannah Bonam-Young

Prue’s quiet life in her small town turns upside down when Milo, a free-spirited, adventurous guy, rolls in with his beat-up van. What starts as friendship and a no-strings arrangement soon sparks something deeper, pushing them both to imagine a life far outside their comfort zones. This one can’t be missed.

Pitcher Perfect by Tessa Bailey

If you’re anything like me, you can never turn down a Tessa Bailey book. In Pitcher Perfect, Robbie, an NHL rookie with a playboy reputation, meets his match in Skylar, a disciplined softball pitcher who sees right through him. When a fake-dating scheme throws them together, their practice starts to feel very real. Expect classic Tessa Bailey: banter, steam, and irresistible enemies-to-lovers tension.

Wild Card by Elsie Silver

Honestly, this list wouldn’t be complete without Wild Card. I can’t wait to read it! Gwen never stopped thinking about Sebastian, the grumpy, brooding fire pilot who also happens to be her ex’s dad. A twist of fate brings them back under the same roof, and resisting each other proves impossible, no matter how forbidden it is. If you’re looking for a standout age-gap romance, Elsie Silver delivers.

Fun at Parties by Jamie Harrow

When spin instructor Quinn has a post-breakup meltdown mid-class, her boss orders her to take a break, and suddenly, a road trip with Nate, her high school crush, becomes the distraction she didn’t know she needed. Their chaotic journey across party towns and music festivals might give them the second chance neither expected.

Hopelessly Teavoted by Audrey Goldberg Ruoff

If you loved The Ex Hex, you’ll adore this witchy rom-com full of cursed kisses, family secrets, and second-chance sparks. Azrael returns to his haunted family manor and teams up with his childhood crush, Vickie, whose new tea shop and deal with a devil, entangle them both in danger. It sounds like an equal mix of cozy, funny, and delightfully spooky.

The Austen Affair by Madeline Bell

In The Austen Affair, two feuding co-stars of a Northanger Abby film adaptation are accidentally transported straight into Regency England. Tess is messy and big-hearted, Hugh is broody and disciplined, and together they must survive corsets, cravats, and their undeniable chemistry. It sounds like a hilarious, time-travelling love letter to Austen fans, and I can’t wait to read it.

The Gingerbread Bakery by Laurie Gilmore

The Gingerbread Bakery, the newest in the Dream Harbor series, brings snowy small-town charm to an enemies-to-lovers romance. Annie and Mac can barely get along long enough to help plan the wedding of the year. Under twinkling lights and found-family warmth, the sparks start to fly.

We Met Like This by Kasie West

I’m incredibly excited about Kasie West’s adult debut, We Met Like This. It’s a witty rom-com about a hopeless romantic who keeps rematching with the one guy she swears is wrong for her. With sharp banter, disastrous meet-cutes, and golden-retriever energy, this one screams pure joy.

Dragon Fires Everywhere by Hazel Beck

If The Ex Hex met Fourth Wing, you’d get this magical fake-dating adventure between Georgie, a bookish witch, and the dragon shifter she accidentally frees from an enchanted storybook. With an evil coven to defeat, ancient secrets to unravel, and sparks that refuse to be ignored, this one is fiery in every sense. The newest in the Witchlore series is bound to be a hit.

I’ll Be Home for Christmas by Jenny Bayliss

Jenny Bayliss, the beloved holiday romance author, returns with another cozy winter story. Between reconnecting with her first love and feeling an unexpected spark with a visiting journalist, Fred has to figure out where her heart truly belongs. A charming, Christmassy read perfect for fans of Jenny Colgan.

Road Trip with a Vampire by Jenna Levine

Jenna Levine is back with another quirky paranormal romp. Road Trip with a Vampire follows Zelda, a “reformed” bad witch, and Peter, the amnesiac vampire who shows up on her doorstep. Their cross-country trip to unravel Peter’s past is equal parts heartfelt and steamy, with plenty of banter along the way.

The Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O’Clover

Ellen O’Clover makes her adult debut with The Heartbreak Hotel. It follows Louisa, who convinces her grumpy landlord to let her turn his Colorado house into a B&B for the brokenhearted. As guests arrive, Lou and Henry are drawn closer, but their own secrets could unravel everything. Tender and uplifting, this one is perfect if you love second chances and healing romances.

Tourist Season by Brynne Weaver

Tourist Season kicks off Brynne Weaver’s new Seasons of Carnage series, a dark romantic comedy where small-town charm collides with suspense and bloodshed. Harper, a sharp-tongued gardener with secrets of her own, and Nolan, a vengeful stranger, should be enemies. Their uneasy truce spirals into obsession, slow-burn chemistry, and a love you won’t be able to resist.

You Make it Feel Like Christmas by Sophie Sullivan

Sophie Sullivan’s books are always so much fun. Maisie thought she’d left her embarrassing one-night stand behind, until the grumpy hockey player who ghosted her shows up at her family’s Christmas tree farm. Nick may be benched with an injury, but he’s determined not to let Maisie slip away a second time. With holiday lights, forced proximity, and second-chance sparks, this one sounds like cozy winter perfection.

A Mannequin for Christmas by Timothy Janovsky

Timothy Janovsky returns with the second of his queer Christmas romances, complete with a speculative twist. When Henry wishes for love, the mannequin in his shop window comes to life just in time to be his holiday plus-one. Teaching Aidan how to be human is hilarious, awkward, and unexpectedly tender, but the clock is ticking, because when the ball drops on New Year’s Eve, Aidan could turn back into plastic.

Christmas People by Iva-Marie Palmer

Christmas People is pitched as The Seven Year Slip meets Hallmark, and it sounds like pure festive fun. After one hazy night, Jill wakes to find her whole town transformed into the set of a picture-perfect Christmas movie. To get back to real life, she has to follow the script, including rekindling a romance with the one who got away, all while her flannel-clad ex is watching. Funny, cozy, and a little bit magical.

Ghost of a Chance by Katherine Garbera

In this cozy paranormal rom-com, mystery writer Kirsty has been faking ghost sightings for years, until her one-night stand, Jasper, turns out to be actually haunted. Together they set out to solve the mystery of his Judge Judy–obsessed poltergeist, and somewhere between haunted libraries and late-night stakeouts, their chemistry becomes very real. Ghost of a Chance is a spooky treat with banter, steam, and a supernatural twist.

Holiday Ever After by Hannah Grace

Hannah Grace is back—this time, with a holiday romance. Clara is determined to save her family’s toy business from a PR nightmare, which means charming the locals of Fraser Falls, even if it means facing off with Jack, the small-town toymaker her company wronged. Their frosty rivalry quickly heats up into something far more complicated in this enemies-to-lovers story full of snowy charm and festive spirit.

It’s Different This Time by Joss Richard

In this sweeping second-chance romance, June and Adam, once roommates and now estranged, find themselves back under the same roof in their beloved New York brownstone. With autumn leaves falling around them, unresolved tension and long-buried feelings resurface. Tender and emotional, It’s Different This Time is perfect for fans of slow-burn reconnections.

Soul Searching by Lyla Sage

Lyla Sage, author of the beloved Rebel Blue Ranch series, returns with a small-town romance full of ghosts, second chances, and found family. When Collins returns to Sweetwater Peak to save her parents’ antique shop, she rents a room from Brady, the mysterious upholsterer next door. With ghosts meddling in their lives and chemistry they can’t ignore, their temporary arrangement might become something permanent.

Cover Story by Mhairi McFarlane

Pitched as Mr. & Mrs. Smith meets The Hating Game, this rom-com instantly caught my attention. Two rival journalists fake a romance to land a career-defining scoop, only to discover that pretending to be madly in love might not be so fake after all. I have an early copy, and I’m looking forward to diving in.

Dealing with a Desperate Demon by Charlotte Stein

Charlotte Stein always comes up with the quirkiest, most unique titles, and I’m here for it. A grumpy demon and a reluctant witch team up for practice dates in this steamy supernatural rom-com about fated love, found family, and second chances.

Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh

Ten years of seatmates-only tradition turns into a holiday dash when a snowstorm strands Molly and Andrew stateside. She doesn’t do Christmas; he lives for it, so she vows to get him home to Dublin, no matter how many planes, trains, and ferries it takes. I’ve already read this one, and it’s a true favourite—I love that it’s being traditionally published this fall.

Mate by Ali Hazelwood

Serena, the first Human–Were hybrid, is tired of being everyone’s pawn, so she runs to the one wolf who can keep her safe: Alpha Koen. He’ll protect her whether or not she wants the bond, until old enemies and older secrets rise again. A companion to Bride, this one looks darker and full of fated moments.

My Favorite Holidate by Lauren Blakely

I’m especially excited to pick this up. A fiery designer and her billionaire boss fake a festive romance to win a holiday competition, and their flirty charade quickly turns into something real. A steamy Christmas rom-com that promises plenty of sparkle.

Yours for the Season by Emily Stone

Mel agrees to fake-date her ex for one week in the Scottish Highlands to keep his mum’s perfect Christmas dream alive, with one condition: she gets to dump him publicly at the end. It sounds easy until cozy traditions, long-buried feelings, and one very familiar smile start to thaw her grudge. Perfect for fans of second-chance romance and fake-dating.

And Then There Was The One by Martha Waters

The title instantly caught my eye; it echoes Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. Here, amateur sleuth Georgiana Radcliffe teams up with a dashing, slightly irritating detective’s assistant to solve another village murder, only to discover she may be unravelling her own love story too. A delightful blend of romance and mystery.

Christmas Fling by Lindsey Kelk

After an ill-timed shower encounter, Laura gets mistaken for Callum’s girlfriend and says yes to Christmas with his family in the Highlands. Expect fake-dating, best friends posing as her “relatives,” and an ex who won’t stay an ex. With chemistry that feels a little too real for pretend, this is the holiday rom-com I’m reaching for.

Date Night in December by Jaqueline Snowe

Laney flees to her snow-dusted hometown to mend a broken heart, only for her workaholic husband to show up determined to win her back. Hot-chocolate dates turn into hard conversations as they try to prove love can trump ladder-climbing. A second-chance holiday romance that will tug on your heartstrings.

Grace & Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman

Two new widowers, Grace and Henry, aren’t ready to date, but they can try a Christmas movie marathon together. Between popcorn and classic films, friendship softens into something more. A quiet, grown-up holiday romance for readers who love stories of grief, hope, and healing.

Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal by Meghan Quinn

I’m a big Meghan Quinn fan, so this is already at the top of my list of books to read this fall. Rival tree farms, a grumpy heir trying to save the family business, and a sunshine newcomer full of holiday cheer collide in the best way. Expect pranks, blizzards, and a spectacular public gesture as enemies turn into something much swoonier.

My Big Fat Vampire Wedding by Jessica Gadziala

Pandora, a night-barista vampire, needs a marriage of convenience to secure her inheritance, and Victor, a debt-ridden grad student, needs a miracle. Their fake engagement should be purely practical, yet sparks fly amid coffee-shop nights and paranormal family drama. Humour, spice, and supernatural charm all in one.

Napkins and Other Distractions by M.A. Wardell

A principal and a tech consultant hook up on a disastrous first date, then run into each other again when his company takes a contract at the school. Kent is careful, and Vincent worries his OCD makes him too much, but their chemistry keeps crossing every line. A tender queer romance that’s getting a new life in print this year.

Revolve by Bal Khabra

I’m really looking forward to Bal Khabra’s next romance, and it’s always fun to champion a Canadian romance author. An Olympic figure skater battling panic attacks and a reckless hockey player trying to revive his career team up on the rink and might find redemption and love in the process.

The Princess Knight by Cait Jacobs

Princess Clía chases the prince who won’t propose to a brutal coastal military academy and ends up falling for the warrior training her instead. Duels, destiny, and an otter-like sidekick collide as war looms and hearts misfire. A sparkling romantic-fantasy debut for fans of slow-burn betrayals and messy royals.

Thirsty by Lucy Lehane

A human advice columnist drowning in supernatural dating questions reluctantly teams up with a vampire who wants revenge. Between demon drama and a chaotic monster friend group, enemies start looking a lot like lovers. Thirsty brings paranormal rom-com chaos with bite.

Wolf.e by Paisley Hope

When good-girl Brinley runs home, she collides with Gabriel Wolfe, a ruthless MC president and the last man she should want. Obsession takes over, and the club rides for its own. The first in the Soldiers of Bedlam series promises darkness and spice.

A Little Holiday Fling by Farah Heron

Farah Heron’s books always leave me smiling. In A Little Holiday Fling, Christmas-loving Ruby strikes a deal with a grumpy Brit to get one step closer to her dream of running an inn in the UK. Holiday sparks fly, and so do real feelings, in this cozy festive romance.

Backslide by Nora Dahlia

There’s something about a second-chance romance that always hits differently, and this one looks like it will deliver. Childhood exes reunite at a wine-country “un-wedding,” where old wounds and lingering chemistry bubble to the surface in a witty, emotional dual-timeline story.

Breathe with Me by Becka Mack

The fifth book in Playing for Keeps definitely deserves a spot on this list. In this emotional finale, a power couple faces the heartbreaking reality of infertility and fights to stay united when everything feels broken.

Good Spirits by B.K. Borison

I have an early copy of Good Spirits, so expect full thoughts this fall. A sweet people-pleaser meets the literal Ghost of Christmas Past in a magical, moving holiday romance about second chances, healing, and finding your future in the past.

The Devil She Knows by Alexandria Bellefleur

After a proposal implodes, Samantha gets stuck in an elevator with a pink-clad demon offering six wishes for her soul. Each wish twists tighter, and the only thing softening is her heart for the demon herself. A perfect sapphic pick for your fall romance TBR.

The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah by Jean Meltzer

Jean Meltzer always delivers thoughtful Jewish romance, and I’m especially excited for this festive release. A TV producer haunted by romantic regrets, and her ex-husband, is forced to relive the ghosts of Hanukkah’s past in a hilarious, heartfelt second-chance rom-com.

Cowboy, It’s Cold Outside by Maisey Yates

Sheena needs help launching an axe-throwing bar by Christmas; Denver owes her a debt he’s finally ready to pay. Snow falls, sparks fly, and the two black sheep of Pyrite Falls realize off-limits might be just right. The next book in The Four Corners Ranch series promises cowboy heat and holiday heart.

Never Over by Clare Gilmore

This sounds so good. A rising songwriter asks her ex to re-break her heart for inspiration, but as old sparks reignite, she has to choose between her music and the love she never truly let go. A heartfelt second-chance romance that should hit all the right notes.

Pickle Perfect by Ilana Long

Lulu, a single mom and former tennis prodigy, signs up for a de-stress pickleball vacation in Costa Rica, only to find her high-school fling, now a notorious pro, across the net. Sun, serves, and second chances make for a rally she didn’t plan to play. Pickle Perfect sounds like a funny, swoony sports rom-com with vacation vibes.

Some Kind of Famous by Ava Wilder

I loved my first Ava Wilder read last year, so I’m excited for her next release. A reclusive former pop star and a swoony small-town handyman can’t deny their chemistry when a renovation forces them together. Steamy and emotional, this one’s about healing, second chances, and finding love after loss.

While It Was Snowing by Julia London

A single mom and a sidelined pro golfer double-book the same Texas lake house for the holidays and agree to share it. Between late-night firesides, nosy nutcrackers, and unexpected healing, they start to feel like home to each other. Cozy, grown-up, and quietly irresistible.

Save Us by Mona Kasten

It’s no surprise that the third and final book in the Maxton Hall series is on the list. I have an early copy—so you can expect my thoughts soon. In this emotional finale, Ruby and James face betrayal, broken trust, and family pressure as they fight for love and for their future against all odds. I’m already not ready for it to end.

These Violet Delights by Madeleine Roux

I love a good historical romance, and this one immediately caught my eye. When a disgraced painter and the heir to a rival estate join forces to stop a forbidden romance and uncover an arsonist, their own sizzling chemistry might be the hardest mystery to contain.

Thrown for a Loop by Sarina Bowen

Thrown for a Loop is another sports romance on my radar this year, and I can’t wait to dive in. A hockey star and a former figure skater must team up and confront their unresolved past when a viral video forces them back into the spotlight in this steamy second-chance romance.

An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister

Sadie and Jonah have been sparring since undergrad, and now they’re competing for the same coveted teaching position. Her solution is a fake marriage that lands them both the job, but the act starts to feel a little too real. Smart and scorching, perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood’s brand of nerdy rivals-to-lovers.

Not You Again by Erin La Rosa

Carly is stuck reliving her dad’s funeral, and Adam is trapped in the moment his wife’s betrayal blew up his life. The only way out of their shared time loop is working together, even though they can’t stand each other. It sounds like a great enemies-to-lovers pick for your fall 2025 romance books list.

Take a Hike by Katie Ruggle

This adventurous romance sounds like so much fun. A tough bounty hunter and a brooding firefighter team up to catch her con-artist mom and clear his name, all while sparks fly in the wilds of Colorado. The cover is adorable, too!

The Proposal Project by Donna Marchetti

The Proposal Project is a charming place to start if you’re new to Donna Marchetti. A perfectionist event planner secretly teams up with her best friend’s infuriating, swoony friend to pull off a surprise double proposal, only to realize the sparks between them may matter just as much as the big event.

Daddy Issues by Kate Goldbeck

Sam is 26, broke, and still living with her mom when single dad Nick and his daughter move in next door. She’s messy, but he’s steady. What starts as neighbours with nothing in common turns into late-night talks through thin walls and the chance at a future she never expected. If you love an age-gap romance, pick this up.

Husband of the Year by M.A. Wardell

Olan and Marvin are ready to say “I do,” but blending families comes with plenty of growing pains. Between wedding jitters, old wounds, and daily chaos, the final Teachers in Love book asks if forever can really be built on a whirlwind romance. Tender, funny, and full of found family.

Pick Me by Victoria Schade

This one feels like the perfect grumpy-and-sunshine setup. A romance ghostwriter with a looming deadline joins a pickleball league and falls for her grumpy coach. Expect banter, heart, spice, and playful sportiness.

Secret Nights and Northern Lights by Megan Oliver

Until I make it to Iceland to see the Northern Lights myself, this romance will do. On a work trip, Mona reunites with her childhood best friend and first heartbreak, sparking old emotions and the possibility of a second chance at love.

Second Chance Romance by Olivia Dade

I’ll never pass up an Olivia Dade novel. When Molly flies to Harlot’s Bay to mourn an old crush after reading his mistaken obituary, she finds Karl very much alive. What follows is a grumpy-grumpy reunion that might finally give them a real shot at love.

The Marriage Method by Mimi Matthews

Penelope “Nell” Trewlove is supposed to shut down a nosy editor poking into the Benevolent Academy’s secrets. Miles Quincy is supposed to stay out of trouble. Instead, scandal, murder, and a marriage of necessity throw them together in a witty Victorian caper. Fans of historical slow-burns with intrigue will love it.