20 Romance Novels We Can't Wait to Read in 2025

For lovers of all tropes and spice levels.

a collage of book covers of the best romance books of 2025
(Image credit: Various publishers)

Books can transport us into different worlds, mindsets, and lives—and with everything going on nowadays, it’s understandable if you’re looking for an escape right about now. And what better genre to get swept up in than romance? Romance novels have been booming for the last few years, partially because there’s something for everyone: The newest love stories range from sweet to sexy, and everywhere in between, with every race, gender, and sexuality represented. They span nearly every genre on the shelf, from historical to sci-fi to horror to fantasy, and cover every classic-for-a-reason trope, like enemies-to-lovers, friends-to-lovers, grumpy-sunshine, fake relationship, forbidden love…the list goes on (and on).

This year’s slate of new romance offerings promises to whisk readers away into heart-pounding stories sure to leave you swooning. Here are the best romance books of 2025 so far, and exciting, upcoming titles to look out for. (For even more recommendations for your TBR stack, check out our list of the best romance books of 2024.)

Contemporary Romance Books

Historical Romance Books

Queer Romance Books

Romantasy Books

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Andrea Park

Andrea Park is a freelance writer for Marie Claire, where she writes mainly about pop culture, drawing on her lifelong obsessions with consuming every book, movie, and TV show she can get her hands on. Andrea is based in Chicago and graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism and Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. Her byline has also appeared in W, Glamour, Teen Vogue, PEOPLE, and more.