Best Contemporary Romance Novels 2025: Top 6 Reviews

Feeling the love for contemporary romance novels? Discover heartwarming tales and captivating characters in our carefully curated top picks.

Beach Read coverGet a Life, Chloe Brown coverThe Kiss Quotient cover

Ah, contemporary romance novels – our sweet escape into worlds where love finds a way, no matter the odds! When picking books for our list, we focus on heartwarming plots, relatable characters, and the kind of chemistry that makes you giggle like a schoolkid. We’ve sifted through endless pages of charm, wit, and swoon-worthy moments to bring you six top-tier reads that embody modern love connections. Whether you’re seeking laughs, tears, or just a touch of magic, these contemporary romance novels promise a delightful escapade into love’s embrace. Prepare for a bookish adventure that’ll have you grinning ear to ear, eager for your next literary crush.

On this list:

6 Beach Read by Emily Henry

Beach Read cover

  • Genre: Contemporary Romance
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2020
  • Pages: 384

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Emily Henry’s ‘Beach Read’ hits you with the perfect mix of humor and heart. Two writers, one sunny beach house, and lots of banter. We loved the zingy dialogue and that crazy twist mid-story.

5 Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

Get a Life, Chloe Brown cover

  • Genre: Contemporary Romance
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2019
  • Pages: 373

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Chloe Brown keeps a list of changes she wants. Redford ‘Red’ Morgan is the hot artist helping her. We laughed, we aww’d, and we may have cried a little.

4 The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

The Kiss Quotient cover

  • Genre: Contemporary Romance
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2018
  • Pages: 336

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Helen Hoang’s ‘The Kiss Quotient’ offers a heartfelt romance with a twist. Stella’s autism gives you a unique love story. It’s sweet, it’s funny, it’s everything you didn’t know you needed.

3 You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria

You Had Me at Hola cover

  • Genre: Contemporary Romance
  • Formats: Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2020
  • Pages: 384

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This one’s for the soap opera lovers. Jasmine and Ashton’s love story is fiery and steamy. We had fun swooning over their electric chemistry. Plus, the Latinx representation shines.

2 Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Red, White & Royal Blue cover

  • Genre: Contemporary Romance
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2019
  • Pages: 421

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Politics, royalty, and romance collide. It’s an enemies-to-lovers story with a prince and a first son. The writing is witty, and they make a charming pair. We had a good laugh throughout.

1 The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

The Hating Game cover

  • Genre: Contemporary Romance
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2016
  • Pages: 384

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Sally Thorne’s ‘The Hating Game’ stands out as the best. It’s a heartwarming mix of love, rivalry, and humor. Lucy and Joshua start as office foes but, surprise, their hate turns into a thrilling romance. The chemistry crackles off the pages. We were kept on our toes with their witty exchanges, and the tension was almost too good to handle. It’s a read that made us smile, laugh, and swoon in equal measure. It’s also easy to see why it’s a contemporary romance favorite. With top-notch banter, it’s no wonder this book ends up as the best on our list.

Steve Peterson Cartoonified
Steve Peterson

Hi there! I'm Steve Peterson, a passionate reading enthusiast who loves nothing more than getting lost in a good book. My love for literature spans across genres, from thrilling mysteries and gripping fantasy to thought-provoking non-fiction.

I hope my reviews help you find the perfect next book to dive into!