The Best New May 2026 Romance Books to Read

Austenland by Shannon Hale

Return to Austenland with this stunning new edition! A Regency fantasy comes to life when Jane, a hopeless romantic, is swept away to an Austen-inspired resort where everything feels straight out of a novel. Surrounded by swoon-worthy characters and period drama, she must decide whether real love can live up to her expectations. It’s a charming, whimsical, and delightfully romantic story, perfect for anyone who wishes to step into their favourite book!

How the Story Goes by Andrew Forrester

If a heartfelt romance about second chances and healing appeals to you, you’ll want to read How the Story Goes. After his renowned author’s wife passes away, Whit faces an impossible task—finishing the final book in her beloved fantasy series. When he collaborates with Merritt, a bookstore employee and dedicated fan of the series, they begin writing together and gradually mend their broken hearts.

Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune

Spoiler alert: I’ve already read this one and loved it! I never miss a Carley Fortune release, and this one is definitely worth picking up this May. On the eve of her wedding, Frankie’s life unravels when her fiancé calls it off—leaving her with a honeymoon she never expected to take. Determined to help her heal, her best friend George convinces her to go anyway, turning a week in Tofino into a chance to repair what’s broken between them. It’s an emotional friends-to-lovers romance set in a stunning Canadian setting you won’t want to miss!

Our Secret Summer by R.S Grey

After her sister’s sudden death, a woman travels to Ibiza to complete the bucket list she left behind, determined to finally start living life on her own terms. Between new friendships, late nights at a buzzing nightclub, and working for her irresistible boss Cristiano, her summer quickly becomes unforgettable. I’d pick this one up if you’re hoping for workplace tension and a steamy summer romance!

Rules for the Summer by Meghan Quinn

I adore Meghan Quinn—I never miss one of her releases, and I’m so excited to pick up Rules for the Summer! Renley is determined to save her family’s failing candy shop on her own, but her plans get complicated when her new (and unexpected) neighbour turns out to be Theo, a runaway groom with nowhere else to go. As their forced proximity turns into something more, both are forced to confront what they really want before summer ends. I already know this laugh-out-loud rom-com will be perfect for the start of summer!

The Daisy Chain Flower Shop by Laurie Gilmore

The next book in the Dream Harbor series is here! Daisy’s flower shop has been labelled “cursed,” and after one too many disappointments in love, she’s starting to believe it. But when Elliot, who’s been avoiding the shop, unexpectedly walks through the door, their connection begins to shift their luck. It’s a cozy romance that blends small-town vibes, a fake relationship and a sweet love story.

The Love Variations by Victoria Lee

Two talented musicians find themselves competing in a prestigious international piano competition—each determined to prove they deserve the spotlight. But when circumstances force Goldie and Jamie to practice and live together, their fierce rivalry slowly gives way to unexpected chemistry. The Love Variations sounds like an emotional romance with rivals-to-lovers tension and stories about ambition, healing and second chances.

The Miseducation of Caroline Bingley by Lindz McLeod

The Miseducation of Caroline Bingley is a sapphic romance with a Pride and Prejudice twist. After a humiliating rejection from Mr. Darcy, Caroline Bingley decides to reinvent herself with the help of the impeccably proper Georgiana Darcy. But as Georgiana reluctantly agrees to give Caroline lessons in kindness and charm, their unlikely partnership begins to grow into something far more complicated. It will be full of plenty of banter, growth, and unexpected love.

The Rule of Three by Sara Cate

One unexpected night in a Paris elevator changes everything when three strangers discover a connection they can’t walk away from. What begins as a moment of vulnerability quickly deepens into something far more complicated as desire, ambition, and emotion collide. This spinoff of the Salacious Players Club is bold, steamy, and emotionally charged, while exploring trust, healing, and the courage to want more.

The Undergrads: Student Union by Julie Murphy

Fans of Elle Kennedy and Hannah Grace will love this college romance and the start of a new series from Julie Murphy. Clover has her future planned out—until a housing issue forces her into a marriage of convenience with the one person she never wanted to see again. Bennett may be the last person she’d choose, but as they fake their relationship to secure a place to live, old history and undeniable chemistry resurface. It will be full of tension, banter and forced proximity.

Two’s a Charm by Heather Spellman

There’s nothing better than a witchy romance! In Two’s a Charm, two witchy sisters who can barely stand each other are suddenly forced to work together when something sinister threatens their small town. Between misfiring magic, family drama, and unexpected romance, they’ll have to put aside their rivalry before everything unravels. Cozy, charming, and full of heart, this romantasy blends sisterhood, small-town magic, and love—what a fun combination!

Burnout Summer by Jenna Ramirez

Burnout Summer is perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Tessa Bailey, and friends-to-lovers romance. This beachy romance follows Cam as she escapes her stalled post-grad life for a summer in a small Rhode Island town. Staying with her longtime friend Danny, who now runs a seaside restaurant, she finds herself rediscovering joy, purpose, and feelings she never expected. As summer comes to an end, she’s forced to decide whether to return to the life she planned or take a chance on something new.

Dangerously Ours by Krista and Becca Ritchie

This one blends found family, high-stakes drama, and a slow-burning romance that so many readers will love! Secrets, cons, and loyalty collide when a former grifter is forced to pull off one last, impossible scheme to protect the people she’s come to love. As danger closes in, the line between survival and something more blurs—especially when feelings get tangled with trust.

First and Forever by Lynn Painter

Lynn Painter is an author I never miss—and since I’ve already read and loved First and Forever, it definitely deserves a spot on your TBR. It follows a die-hard football fan and a star player who get swept up in a viral moment that turns into a PR relationship … except only one of them knows it’s fake. As their chemistry grows both on and off camera, keeping the truth hidden becomes more complicated than either expected. It’s perfect for fans of sports romance and for those wanting subtle Taylor and Travis vibes.

Reality Bites by Amy Mass

If you’re looking for a rom-com with a reality TV twist from a debut author? You’ll want to pick up Reality Bites. It follows a scientist who reluctantly joins a dating show to save her lab, only to find herself completely out of her element—and caught between the cameras and an unexpected connection behind the scenes. As the competition heats up, keeping her real motives and her growing feelings under wraps becomes harder than she ever imagined.

The Cupid Dilemma by April Asher

Down-on-her-luck wedding planner Adalyn, daughter of Aphrodite, needs a PR win after a disastrous event damages her business. When her rockstar neighbour Phoenix “Nix” suggests a fake relationship to boost both their reputations, the plan seems like the perfect fix. But as their fauxmance heats up, the line between pretend and real feelings becomes impossible to ignore. How fun does this one sound?

The Last Page by Katie Holt

If you love bookish romance, you shouldn’t miss The Last Page. Ella has spent her entire life at The Last Page bookstore and believed she would one day run it herself—until the owner’s estranged grandson, Henry, unexpectedly inherits everything. Determined to prove he’s not the villain she assumes, Henry reluctantly teams up with Ella to save the struggling shop. The cozy bookstore setting, the rivals-to-lovers tension, and witty banter make this a must-read!

There’s Something Fishy About My Boyfriend by Gloria Duke

When a mysterious, and mostly naked, stranger washes up on the Jersey Shore, Hannah assumes she’s just helping a stranded tourist. She quickly learns that Xander is a charming (and slightly chaotic) merman who once saved her life. This quirky paranormal romance is perfect for readers who love beachy settings, second chances, and a splash of magical mayhem.

Fever Dream by Elsie Silver

I adore Elsie Silver, and I can’t wait for the start of her next series, Emerald Lake. Fever Dream is a small-town, rivals-to-lovers romance about a bull rider who signs up for a reality dating show to save his family’s farm—only to fall for the one woman he definitely shouldn’t want. As Emmett and Julia’s off-limits connection grows behind the scenes, keeping things professional (and secret) becomes nearly impossible. This one is not to be missed!

Forty Love by Jane Costello

Jules has spent years watching the tennis club from afar, but as she faces an empty nest, she decides it’s time to try something new—even if she’s never held a racket. Joining the local team brings unexpected friendships, renewed confidence, and a second chance with her old crush. This fun, feel-good romance is about starting over and taking a chance on yourself—and maybe love, too.

Hot & Cold by Tegan Phillips

Hot & Cold is a steamy, chaotic sports romance full of tension, blurred lines, big feelings, and falling for the one person you were never supposed to love. One drunken night in Vegas leads to a marriage neither of them planned—and suddenly, walking away isn’t so simple. What starts as a fake relationship to protect family and reputation quickly turns into something much harder to control, especially with secrets and outside pressure closing in.

My Brilliant AI Boyfriend by Stella Hayward

What if your perfect match was the AI you created? When a brilliant yet socially reluctant scientist discovers her program has quite literally taken on a life of its own, her carefully controlled world is thrown into chaos. Smart and funny, this rom-com blends science, self-discovery, and unexpected romance in the most charming way.

Pot Shot by Laura Piper Lee

If you love a quirky romance theme and small-town romance, don’t miss Pot Shot! It follows a cannabis-loving entrepreneur and a straight-laced doctor who go head-to-head in a town battle. What starts as a rivalry quickly turns into something far more complicated as old history, sharp banter and undeniable chemistry collide. It will be funny, steamy and full of personality!

Score by Kennedy Ryan

Perfect for fans of second-chance romance, Score follows a screenwriter and a musician forced to reunite years after a devastating breakup. As Verity and Monk collaborate on a high-profile film, old wounds resurface alongside the undeniable connection they never truly lost. From the author of Before I Let Go, this is an emotional, layered romance about love, regret, and what it takes to start again.

Soon by You by Dahlia Adler

Burned out from being a perpetual bridesmaid, Arielle is ready to swear off love altogether—until she keeps crossing paths with a charming (and frustrating) wedding singer who challenges everything she thought she wanted. As their banter turns into something more, both are forced to reconsider their assumptions about relationships and the futures they’ve been chasing. Set in New York’s Modern Orthodox community, this opposites-attract romance blends humour, heart, and undeniable chemistry. I feel like this one will be perfect for fans of 27 Dresses.

The Night Bus by Tessa Bickers

Every morning on the same night bus, Daisy notices a mysterious passenger obsessively rereading Orlando by Virginia Woolf. When she learns Tom is searching the novel for clues about why his girlfriend suddenly left him, Daisy offers to help solve the literary mystery. But as their late-night journey unfolds, Daisy begins to wonder if the answer Tom is searching for might take him somewhere entirely unexpected. How interesting does this one sound?

The Shippers by Katherine Center

Katherine Center’s next romance definitely deserves a spot on your radar! After fainting at the altar, JoJo realizes she’s been heading toward the wrong future—just as her estranged childhood friend reappears to help her navigate the fallout. When they’re thrown together again on a cruise ship for her sister’s wedding, old feelings and unanswered questions resurface. Set against a sun-soaked backdrop, this swoony romance is full of second chances, secrets, and the possibility that love was there all along.

The Worst Wedding Date by Pippa Grant

When Laney Kingston agrees to be maid of honour at her best friend’s destination wedding in Hawaii, she doesn’t expect to be stuck sharing a bungalow and a bed with Theo, the groom’s infuriating older brother. Their constant bickering soon gives way to undeniable chemistry as wedding chaos, family drama, and plenty of mishaps unfold. This laugh-out-loud rom-com is perfect for readers who love enemies-to-lovers tension, forced proximity, and destination wedding hijinks.

Bad Boy Era by Amy Daws

A summer on the mountain was supposed to be simple—until her best friend’s grumpy and very attractive twin brother shows up. When a no-strings fling turns into something a little too real, lines blur fast between what was supposed to be temporary and what might actually last. Flirty, steamy, and full of small-town charm, this romance is packed with banter, bad-boy energy, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting.

By the Bootstraps by Alexa Martin

I love Alexa Martin’s books, and I plan to pick this one up soon—I’m really looking forward to it! By the Bootstraps follows a romance publicist who trades city life for a Texas farm, only to clash with and connect with a local handyman who wants nothing to do with cowboy culture. As their chemistry grows, she begins to realize that real-life love might be even better than the fantasy. It sounds like the perfect mix of small-town romance and a cowboy twist!

Curses, Keys and Secret Societies by Breanna Randall

Magical academies, forbidden secrets, and a touch of romance are woven into this romantasy. When Eléa returns to her family estate in the French countryside, she discovers it has been transformed into Shadowcraft Academy—an elite magical school run by her ruthless father. As secrets about her powerful magic and a dangerous prophecy begin to surface, Eléa finds herself caught between two very different men and a destiny she can’t escape.

Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan

From the author of Nora Goes Off the Script and Summer Romance, this is a heartfelt, chemistry-filled romance about trust, second chances, and finding love where you least expect it. It follows a single mom who returns to her seaside hometown determined to save her family home—but an unexpected run-in with a wealthy local sparks a fake dating arrangement neither of them planned. As their staged relationship starts to feel all too real, she’s forced to reconsider whether she can finally let someone in.

Evening the Score by Lexi LaFleur Brown

If you’re a fan of revenge, hockey and fake dating, you’ll love this one. When a determined heroine goes undercover to take down a hockey dynasty, the last thing she expects is to fall for the very player she’s meant to sabotage. It’s flirty, fast-paced and full of on-ice tension!

Fortune by Kristin Cast

A dating-app match becomes something much bigger when a tarot-fuelled accident drops two strangers into a magical kingdom—and straight into a fake marriage. With a broody, battle-scarred warrior at her side and a world she doesn’t understand, Amanda must navigate power, performance, and very real feelings. Steamy, chaotic, and full of magic, this romantasy is all about letting go of control and embracing the fire—and if you’ve been around for a while, it’s by the co-author of the House of Night series!

The Summer of Lost Things by Jenn Bennett

Perfect for fans of Outer Banks and adventure-filled romance, this story follows two former best friends as they reunite for one last shot at finding a legendary treasure in their small beach town. As Paige and Seb dive back into the mystery, old feelings resurface alongside long-buried secrets. I love Jenn Bennett’s young adult romances, so I’m especially excited to dive into this swoony, high-stakes adventure.

The Summer Share by Jenn McKinlay

When two strangers inherit the same beach house, they’re forced to spend the summer together, fixing it up—whether they like it or not. As Hannah and Simon clash over the property, their partnership slowly shifts into something neither of them expected. From the author of Summer Reading, this heartfelt rom-com blends enemies-to-lovers tension with small-town charm and a love story that might just be worth holding onto.

Too Fast to Fall by Karen Booth

Fans of Formula One won’t want to miss this new romance! When Piper takes a temporary job as a dog sitter for brooding Formula One driver Emilio, she doesn’t expect to end up living with him and his adorable Labrador in London. As Piper’s sunny personality clashes with Emilio’s grumpy intensity, the tension between them quickly becomes impossible to ignore. Perfect for readers who love grumpy-sunshine romances, workplace sparks, and a touch of Formula One glamour.