In the delightful final volume of Daws’s Mountain Man Matchmaker quartet (after Honeymoon Phase), the focus finally turns to perky Everly Fletcher, who, having successfully paired up her father and all three of her uncles, is now looking for love of her own. Unfortunately, her talent as a matchmaker doesn’t translate to her own romantic life, which sees her nervously discussing her pooping habits while trying to flirt. As she prepares to graduate from Dublin’s Trinity College and return to her Colorado hometown, Everly doesn’t expect to have her best friend Cliona’s surly twin brother, Conri “Wolf” Reilly, in tow. Wolf is a talented rugby player, but after getting into one too many fights on the pitch, no Irish team will take him. There’s a fledgling squad in Denver that’s interested, on the condition that he prove he can play nice with others. He recruits Everly to help clean up his image and, while working together at Everly’s aunt’s animal rescue, the pair let their guards down and fall in love. Daws delivers all the spice and raunchy humor that fans expect, coupled with touching displays of vulnerability. Cameos from past series leads add to the appeal. This is grumpy/sunshine done right. (May)

Reviewed on 04/10/2026 | Details & Permalink

The explosive conclusion to Robert’s bestselling Dark Olympus series (after Tender Cruelty) offers readers an un-put-downable final trip to the dystopian city of Olympus, where the ruling council of 13 “gods” face the wrath of Circe. Fifteen years before the start of the book, Circe was ripped away from her lover, Hecate, by the reigning Zeus, who wanted her for a bride and is widely believed to have murdered her. There’s been a regime change since then, however, and the new legacy titleholders are far more principled than their predecessors. So much so that Hecate, who infiltrated the ranks of the 13, taking up the mantle of Hermes to seek revenge, is now willing to move on and explore the possibility of new love with her dear friend Atalanta. But Circe, who has revealed herself to be very much alive, remains out for blood. As her twisty revenge mission plays out, however, she doesn’t expect to fall hard for both Hermes and Atalanta. Injuries, close calls, and unexpected deaths abound in the page-turning political plot, bolstered by the women’s tense emotional arcs and powerful chemistry. This is a worthy finale to a blockbuster series. (June)

Reviewed on 04/10/2026 | Details & Permalink

Debut author Averick sparkles in this empowering rom-com. Pre-K teacher and romance novel lover Phoebe Berman is a few weeks away from her 30th birthday and despairing that she’s never had sex. Unfortunately, crippling social anxiety has left her terrified of dating, still traumatized by an unfortunate vomiting incident during her first kiss 17 years ago. Now, however, the chronic list maker creates a “Guide to Losing Her Virginity in Thirty Days,” encouraging herself to explore a range of scenarios for potentially meeting someone, from the cute (petting a dog and striking up a conversation with its attractive owner) to the last resort (advertising herself on Craigslist). Things seem to be looking up for Phoebe when school starts and she meets gorgeous new fourth-grade teacher Finn. But even as Finn appears to take an interest, Phoebe’s roommate and close friend, Jonathan, suddenly starts acting weird (could he be jealous?), and a former classmate, Matthew, with whom she once exchanged flirtatious text messages, unexpectedly reenters her life. Averick makes the romantic entanglements fun and surprising, and Phoebe’s personality—including her palpable and sensitively handled anxiety—leaps off the page. The result is smart, savvy, and irresistible. (May)

Reviewed on 04/10/2026 | Details & Permalink

Like a rom-com twist on the Hangover movies, this genuinely funny contemporary from Martin (The Year We Fall Apart) centers on a wild night that neither of its protagonists remember. Music talent scout Eleanor Thompson is in Vegas looking to sign indie rock band Dempsey. So is her former colleague Adam Shaw. The pair can’t stand each other: Adam was one of the many gossips at Eleanor’s old company who thought she owed her career to a relationship with their former boss, while Eleanor has always written Adam off as a nepo baby. But when the two wake up married the night after their mutually unsuccessful meeting with the band, they work together to piece together what happened—and figure out the logistics of getting an annulment—while still vying against each other professionally. Along the way, both reevaluate their former opinions of the other. Martin makes good use of the Vegas setting, and her leads’ chemistry is obvious even when they’re competing. It’s a fun, lively take on the forced-proximity trope. (June)

Reviewed on 04/03/2026 | Details & Permalink

Torres (X Is Where I Am) explores the contours of lust, longing, and intimacy in this winding and introspective literary romance. After a charged email correspondence, an esteemed 50-year-old writer invites a 32-year-old photographer to stay at her home for the summer. The photographer, a woman vexed by her self-image but bolstered by her sexuality, is confused to find that their connection feels stilted in person. The writer remains elusive, offering few hints as to her intentions, and the women share many languid days fraught with anxiety and filled with fantasy, circling each other in the house. When another woman, Greta, the only named character, joins them for an extended stay, the trio struggle to understand how they all fit together. Greta, a beautiful and gregarious friend of the writer who has “a weightlessness to her, as if she finds life easy,” complicates the dynamic while also acting as a relief valve. As tensions rise and communication remains sparse, it becomes clear that the women’s backstories—their families, past relationships, and sense of themselves—are obstructing their desires and must be faced before they can give in to passion. Those looking for a straightforward romance won’t find it here. Instead, Torres spins an enigmatic tale replete with poetic prose, meandering philosophical musings, and intentional ambiguity. It’s a heady and, yes, seductive affair. (June)

Reviewed on 04/03/2026 | Details & Permalink

Bestseller Lauren, the pen name for writing partners Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings (Tangled Up in You), delivers tender vulnerability and meaningful character growth in this sweetly spicy romance. Dr. Emery Martín has it all: a job at a biomedical company that allows her to follow her passion; a fierce best friend in veterinarian Annie; and a husband, Luca, who perfectly balances her out. But due to the top secret nature of her work developing technology that, she hopes, might have prevented the deaths of her parents, she’s forced to keep things from Luca, straining their marriage. Then Luca dies and a desperate Emery uses the experimental procedure she’s developed to bring him back. It works—but he doesn’t remember anything about their life together. For such an intense setup, the ensuing romance is surprisingly fluffy as Emery gets a second chance to be the partner she wishes she could have been and build a better, stronger relationship with Luca. As they endearingly rediscover the chemistry and love that brought them together in the first place, they’re able to grow both as people and as a couple. Readers hoping for a more high-octane plot involving Emery’s secret lab work may be disappointed by how little is done with it, but it’s impossible not to root for this devoted couple. Luca and Emery are adorable. (July)

Reviewed on 04/03/2026 | Details & Permalink

This ambitious romantasy from Corland (the Broken Blades series) gets off to a slow start but develops into a tense locked-room murder mystery rife with political intrigue and secrets. Twenty years ago, the senators of Pryor murdered their tyrannical king and exterminated his magical Elusian bloodline, ending a century-long war and establishing a republic. Every year, these events are commemorated in the Revelry, a night of indulgence coinciding with the annual conclave, a weeklong gathering of the Republic’s leaders to debate and pass legislation. When one of the senators is murdered, Praetorian Torren Morvane’s investigation leads him to Kerasea Vestal, High Priestess of the Temple of Truth, though it quickly becomes clear that she is being framed. With the conclave under lockdown and more bodies piling up, Torren and Kerasea must overcome years of mutual distrust to determine who among them is a killer. Meanwhile, as the two grow closer and eventually give in to newfound desire, Kerasea hides her secret heritage as the last surviving Elusian. The ancient Rome–flavored worldbuilding gets somewhat muddled, but surly Torren and resourceful Kerasea have satisfying chemistry and, once the claustrophobic mystery picks up, it’s fun to watch them navigate this fraught situation. An abrupt cliffhanger ending leaves much to be developed in further installments. Corland fans will be eager for more. (May)

Reviewed on 04/03/2026 | Details & Permalink

A woman who feels like she was “born in the wrong century” puts that theory to the test in this memorable time-travel romance from Silva (Love and Fury). Literary agency assistant and Jane Austen superfan Annabel Blake dreams of publishing her own Regency, but her first draft lacks romantic spark. When her boss tasks Annabel with sorting through her “crumbling old pile of a country house” in England, Annabel jumps at the chance, and her influencer sister, Cassie, and Cassie’s ex-boyfriend turned “creative consultant,” Billy, tag along to film content. This unlikely trio attends a ball hosted by the local Regency Society, only to find themselves transported back in time to 1815. Cassie and Billy are desperate to get back to the 21st century, but Annabel is not so sure—especially after meeting Henry Leighton D’Evercy, the handsome owner of the beautiful Ellesmere estate. As Annabel falls hard for Henry, she is faced with the choice of seeking a way to return to the present or risking all for the possibility of the love—and inspiration—of a lifetime. Humor and romance keep the pages of this smart, lighthearted novel turning. It’s hard to put down. (June)

Reviewed on 04/03/2026 | Details & Permalink

Archer debuts with a rousing queer romantasy about a fake rivalry complicated by real feelings. Cyrus’s reputation as the formidable villain Earthshaker relies on the public’s assumption that his magic once caused a major earthquake. Despite his regular attempts at evildoing, his status has been slipping and if the truth about his magic specialty, the ability to communicate with and coax growth from plants, ever got out, he’d become a laughing stock. To bolster his standing, he attacks Maximilian, a champion of good, but their fight ends in a draw. Cyrus is stunned when, later, Maximilian clandestinely contacts him with a scheme to stage future confrontations and thereby increase both their notoriety. For his part, Maximilian is concerned that he’s about to be ousted in the triennial election for his city’s champion spot and needs the good PR. The men’s scheming and feigned spats give rise to attachment and attraction even as their plan works better than they’d ever hoped. Archer imbues her characters with sharp wit and artfully combines romance tropes and exciting swashbuckling. The result is wryly funny and deeply satisfying. Agent: Lucy Irvine, Peters Fraser & Dunlop. (June)

Reviewed on 04/03/2026 | Details & Permalink

A touch of interdimensional magic sets the stage for this fun and heartfelt rom-rom from Greenwood (The Love of My After Life). London-based romance novelist Gertie Bickerstaff is too brokenhearted after her boyfriend leaves her to finish writing the final book in her Bedlam Creek Ranch series, which is due to her publisher in two weeks. Crying in her bathtub isn’t helping, but the unexpected appearance in the real world of the sexy villain of her series, swaggering cowboy River Oakley, just might. Even more surprising, he’s not the bad guy Gertie has painted him as, just an overworked rancher who hasn’t gotten to tell his side of the story. He’s eager to get back to his own reality and thinks the way to do so is by helping Gertie find love, so he volunteers to help her win back her ex by making him jealous. Before long, Gertie, River, and Gertie’s neighbor’s scene-stealing dog, Squish, become close collaborators, and the chemistry blossoms. It’s undeniably diverting to watch River get to know London and compare his world to Gertie’s as she reevaluates what makes a good romantic hero. Witty, winkingly meta, and wonderfully told, this is sure to entertain. (June)

Reviewed on 04/03/2026 | Details & Permalink