The Best Romance Books of 2023

Love is in the air

Whether you’re sad or happy, romance books can turn things around, even when the world is at its dreariest. The genre reaffirms the belief that anyone — no matter who they are — can find not only love but also a happily ever after as well as hope. From utter hatred to full-blown obsession tropes, we’ve curated a list of romance books that were a big hit in 2023. Scroll below to see the most heartbreaking, heartwarming and steamy romance books to lust after.

Take a look at the best romance books of 2023:

Happy Place 

new books to read in april 2023

Emily Henry

This is a heartbreaking, heartwarming, and steamy book that will have you swooning. Known for her forte in romance, Emily Henry’s newest release is a modern romance story that you’ll fall in love with instantly. The book follows a broken-up couple who made a pact to pretend to still be together for their annual weeklong vacation with their best friends. However, Harriet and Wyn are lying through their teeth while trying not to notice how desperately they still want each other. 

Reckless

New book releases

Elsie Silver

Just like Elsie Silver’s other romance books, this book will not be short of immaculate sex scenes, angst, and fluffy moments. Reckless follows Theo Silva, a notorious playboy and bull rider who gets his one-night stand, Winter Hamilton pregnant. While it was supposed to be a one-time thing, Winter finds her unable to resist the hot trouble especially now when there’s a kid in the mix.

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Sable Peak

Book Releases

Devney Perry

If you’re looking for a love recipe that hits, then Devney Perry’s books are perfect for you. More than just a girl meets boy, Sable Peak is a sweet single-parent and small-town romance that will have you kicking and giggling. This contemporary romance book follows Vera Gallagher who unexpectedly falls for the handsome and charming Mateo Eden, who ends up giving her an unrequited love at first. But, as they spend more time together, Mateo finally starts seeing who she truly is. 

Wildfire

Book releases

Hannah Grace

If you couldn’t put down Icebreaker by Hannah Grace, we’re sure you will be similarly enthralled with her follow-up romance book, Wildfire. Peppered with fluff, sweet moments and intense spicy scenes, this latest book in the Maple Hills series follows Russ Callaghan and Aurora Roberts —two summer camp counsellors— who reignite their flames after a sizzling one-night stand.

Shadows Of You

Catherine Cowles

Taking the typical conventions and tossing them aside, Catherine Cowles is always known for adding a dash of mystery to her romances. And, there’s nothing we don’t love about it. Shadows of You takes us on a tender and explorative journey on the aspects of love and companionship in a contemporary way. This romance mystery sees Aspen Barlow fighting her demons and taking a fresh start in a small town with her little girl. The last thing she expected to disrupt her world was the broody mountain man, Roan Hartley. With forced proximity and angst setting off the series of events, this book is surely a fun ride.

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The Summer We Fell

books with love triangles

Elizabeth O’Roark

The Summer We Fell is an angsty, second-chance, and forbidden romance that will have you bawling your eyes out. The book follows Juliet who unexpectedly falls in love with her boyfriend’s best friend after spending the summer with him. As much as she tried to hate Luke Taylor, the line between hate and love started becoming blurry as they both found solace in each other – making it harder for them to stay away from each other.  Warning: This book does contain the cheating trope. 

Yours Truly

new books to read in april 2023

Abby Jimenez

The author of Part of Your World, Abby Jimenez brings us another great read about finding your perfect match. From terrible first impressions to hilarious second chances and a quiet, sexy doctor, Yours Truly follows Dr Briana Ortiz who’s on the hunt for a kidney for her brother when an unexpected, funny and likeable doctor comes into the picture offering his kidney in return for a special favour.

Practice Makes Perfect

new books to read

Sarah Adams

Known for her Tik Tok sensation, The Cheat Sheet, Sarah Adams comes back again with another swoon-worthy romance. This friends-to-lovers book sees Annie, an owner of the local flower shop agreeing to a fake date with a tattooed bad boy, so she could learn how to be the next leading lady in her small town. However, it doesn’t take long for the lines of their friendship to blur and for them to second-guess their agreement. 

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Love, Theoretically

Ali Hazelwood

From the author of The Love Hypothesis and Love On The Brain, comes a new romantic comedy that will tug your heartstrings. This romance novel sees rival physicists who get caught in an academic feud with each other. If you’re a die-hard fan of fake dating, then you can’t skip this book.

Things We Left Behind 

Lucy Score

Back with another spicy read, Lucy Score will not disappoint us with this one. Things We Left Behind follows the highly anticipated couple everyone’s been waiting for in the Knockemout series, Lucian and Sloane. In this enemies-to-lovers book, you see them being bonded by an old, dark secret from the past while bickering non-stop until it turns into a steamy one-night stand. But, with Sloane ready to start a family and Lucian refusing to consider the idea of marriage, these two find themselves stuck.

The Graham Effect

Elle Kennedy

Fans of sports romance and Elle Kennedy will devour this book instantly. Delivering a classic romance hit, The Graham Effect revolves around Gigi Graham who’s trying to qualify for the women’s national hockey team, but to do so, she’ll need help from Luke Ryder, her university’s new hockey co-captain. The problem? It is their intense chemistry, which they can’t seem to ignore even while fighting for what they each want in their lives. 

A lover of steamy romance books and all things green, Syameen Salehaldin is the Senior Content Producer for Harper's BAZAAR Malaysia. She spends most of her time immersed in books, and food and doing anything that makes her happy. Expect to see her diving into lifestyle, fashion and beauty trends on this platform.