15 Best Contemporary Romance Novels to Read in 2025
Looking for the best contemporary romance novels? We picked our favorites, sharing real laughs, swoons, and honest thoughts. Love stories await!
If you’re anything like us, you don’t want to waste your time with a romance novel that’s all fluff and no spark. We’ve spent weekend after weekend laughing, sighing, and maybe shedding a tear (or three) with friends, on a quest to find the best contemporary romance novels out there. For our list, we chose stories that have amazing chemistry, strong characters, and plots that don’t make you roll your eyes. Whether you love a slow burn, a quirky meet-cute, or some steamy banter, these contemporary romance novels promise a wild ride—and hopefully, a happy ending for everyone involved. Ready to find your next favorite love story? Let’s get to it!
On this list:
15 The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
We chose this for its quirky heroine and super sweet romance. The plot is original—a math whiz hires an escort to learn about dating. It’s both fun and heartfelt. Strong diversity, but pacing gets weird in the middle.
14 Beach Read by Emily Henry
We picked this book because it’s funny, sad, and super smart. The two lead characters are writers with major baggage. Good banter, but a bit predictable at times.
13 It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
This one is a bestseller in contemporary romance novels for a reason. It’s deep and emotional, but watch out—it’s intense and covers real tough topics. Maybe keep tissues close by.
12 People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
We liked this friends-to-lovers story. It’s cute and funny, with lots of travel thrown in. Great chemistry, but the back-and-forth timeline might throw you off.
11 The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
Enemies to lovers? Yes please! The office setting makes it even better. The banter is gold, but sometimes the characters act like actual children. Still, a fun read.
10 November 9 by Colleen Hoover
Colleen Hoover strikes again with this twisty and emotional read. The yearly meeting gimmick is fresh, but sometimes the drama feels a bit forced.
9 The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
We had to include this one for the adorable fake-dating trope with scientists! It’s nerdy, funny, and cute, though it depends a lot on one big misunderstanding.
8 Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
This book is pure fun. Imagine a prince falling for the First Son of the USA. It’s romantic and political, a rare mix! Some scenes are over-the-top, but we didn’t mind.
7 Book Lovers by Emily Henry
We love how meta this novel is—main characters work in publishing! It’s sharp and witty, but a touch formulaic. Still, Emily Henry is clearly the queen of contemporary romance novels.
6 The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
This has fake relationships, big families, and a sunny Spanish wedding. It’s charming, but it takes a while to get going. Stick with it for the payoff.
5 The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary
Two strangers share a flat, but never meet. Post-it notes spark romance! It’s unique, but the setup is a bit hard to believe. Still, we smiled the whole way.
4 Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle
Opposites attract in this fun, slow-burn romance. The main couple is so awkward, you can’t help but root for them. A bit slow, but worth the wait.
3 The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
Enemies stranded at a resort pretending to be newlyweds? Sign us up. It’s silly, swoony, and moves fast, even if some plot turns get a little wild.
2 One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
We loved the time-travel twist and found family vibes. It’s quirky and LGBTQ+ friendly. The plot gets a little weird, but it’s so fun and full of heart.
1 Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
This is our top pick for contemporary romance novels because it nails the blend of first love, heartbreak, and second chances. The back-and-forth timeline keeps you on your toes, and the chemistry between the characters is through the roof. We were totally hooked, partly because the authors use such simple, heartfelt language. The emotional punch is real, but never feels forced. Even our pickiest friend (the one who hates cheese and happy endings) admitted this one hit different. If you want a book that is easy to read, makes you laugh, and probably cry a bit too, go for this. The pacing drags a tiny bit in the middle, but by the end, we were all ugly crying and texting each other about it. Seriously, it’s that good.
