It’s a funny thing called love
And, with that, the best romance books of 2024 are here. You know the story; boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in love. But, it’s more than just that with these books. Some of our favourite romance authors have peppered in real-life struggles and complex stories into these books, making it tearjerkers as well. Even better, these books are also shaped in a way that gives us the best happily-ever-afters too—producing serendipity moments that get us even more addicted to love and these kind of stories. Incredibly accessible, romance novels are light and fun reads that you can binge-read in a day.
Thankfully, this year, there’s a list of worthy romantic novels that swooned us in the best way possible. Dotted with passion, spice and emotional depth, these romance books of 2024 are standouts that will be read again and again. From Emily Henry to Abby Jimenez and Ana Huang, these bestselling romance authors have given us the best romance books of 2024.
The best romance books of 2024 to swoon over:
Funny Story
Emily Henry
By far, one of the best and most popular books of the year, Funny Story is far more schmaltzy than the title of the book suggests. Going beyond the happily-ever-after trope, this charming and layered romance novel tells the story of how Daphne Vincent rebuilds her life after a heartbreak. The heroine, Daphne ends up moving in with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex, Miles Nowak. She makes a pact with him to fake date to make their exes jealous, but, she doesn’t expect to fall in love with her complete opposite. “You can’t force a person to show up, but you can learn a lesson when they don’t”—with quotes like this, every bit of the story will leave you crying, laughing and appreciating the formation of love.
Just For The Summer
Abby Jimenez
Treating intimacy and the severity of mental health with care, Abby Jimenez unfolded this summertime read in beautiful layers. Set in Minnesota, Emma and Justin decide to date each other to cancel out their curses—every person they date goes on to find their soulmate the second they break up. But, when real feelings surface, they both find it difficult to avoid fate. As the hero and heroine learn about letting go, being in love and doing the right thing, this complex tale makes a point to let us know that just because you love someone doesn’t mean you need them or have to keep them in your life.
This Summer Will Be Different
Carley Fortune
Reigning supreme at tugging your heartstrings, this emotional book is about accepting the love they deserve. When promises are broken and feelings are hurt, Lucy and Felix must fix their romantic entanglements—fling—before things go from bad to worse. But, only when they’re pushed together again is when they realise that their feelings for each other run deeper than they thought. Carley Fortune does a wonderful job drawing out the struggle of realising and accepting love after getting tangled in a situationship.
Lost and Lassoed
Lyla Sage
Let’s be real, the cowboy core looks better on paper. With tropes lying heavily on the Western hero, enemies-to-lovers and figuring out life, this ranch-themed romance novel is life-affirming in the very best way. The book follows Teddy Anderson who decides to nanny her best friend’s niece for the summer. The catch? She hates the niece’s dad. With tearjerkers, angst and banters, Lost and Lassoed take single dad romances to a whole new level—” I want you to know that I think Teddy would make a hell of a bonus parent, and it would be an honour to add her to our team.”
This Could Be Us
Kennedy Ryan
For those of you who prefer a more complex tale about motherhood, relationships and rediscovery, then This Could Be Us is a worthy read. After the man she loves disappears, Soledad Barnes’ life implodes in the worst way possible. Coated with betrayal, she chooses not to sulk and instead survive for her and her daughter. But, then an unlikely man enters the picture—the forbidden one, the one she shouldn’t want but can’t seem to resist. If you’re looking to redefine your self-worth then curl up with this read before the year ends.
The Dixon Rule
Elle Kennedy
A writer who writes steamy romances, Elle Kennedy takes us on a heart-rendering story this time around with this enemies-to-lovers. Still peppered with the best of humour, banter and spicy escapades, this book too tackles domestic violence, choosing you despite the ugly parts and learning to accept yourself tropes. The Dixon Rule follows Diana and Shane, who get catapulted into a fake relationship to make their exes jealous and stay far away from them. The best part? It has some of the best spiciest scenes. “Get on your knees, Diana” — if that doesn’t get your mind and gears turning, then nothing will.
Leather & Lark
Brynne Weaver
Not for the faintest of hearts, Leather & Lark isn’t a light romantic read—ludicrously hot though. Brimmed with dark humour, the marriage-of-convenience book sees contract killer Lachlan and indie singer-songwriter Lark as they navigate their dark, bloody world and tumultuous relationship. Fake relationships are nothing new when it comes to romance books, but this one is particularly fun if you’re a true crime fanatic.
King of Sloth
Ana Huang
A simple billionaire romance, Ana Huang, takes on a poignant narrative that addresses emotional abuse, family estrangement, personal demons and pressures of families. A little predictable yet still a lot of fun, this follows the charming, easy-going Xavier Castilo as he develops feelings for his high-powered publicist—the only woman in the world who is “supposedly” immune to his charms until she wasn’t. Jumping from one perspective to another, this steamy romance highlights how two opposites can’t be a fated match.
Play Along
Liz Tomforde
Known to always depict realistic, healthy relationships, Liz Tomforde stole the crowd this year with this sports romance book. Melding witty banter, real-life struggles and sexy scenes, there’s nothing you wouldn’t love about this book. Play Along follows Kennedy, a baseball team athletic trainer who finds herself in a sticky situation with the reckless, charming, hot baseball player after a spontaneous marriage in Vegas. The twist? It was all a fuzzy, drunken mistake. To maintain their perfect image, they must now navigate the romantic tension and pretend to be a happily married couple. Get ready for a story that will leave you breathless as they learn to ‘play along.
Wild Love
Elsie Silver
As featured in BAZAAR’s best steamy romance read of 2024—Wild Love will drive you hot and bothered with its sexual tension. But, what we love most about the book is also seeing how Elsie Silver highlights the struggle of being a father, dealing with sexual harassment and finding out what you want to do with your life. Trust us, it’s an inviting brother’s best friend’s tale about the unlikeliest of love yet the most perfect one. If you love sexy verbal sparring in and out of the bedroom then this needs to be on your list of romance books to devour.
Nothing Like The Movies
Lynn Painter
Offering an insightful, emotional look on second chance romances—a tried-and-true favourite amongs readers. Nothing Like The Movies is a sweet, funny read for young readers. In this romance novel, Wez does everything he can to win back the girl he lost, Liz with a foolproof plan that revolves around rom-com-worthy grand gestures. Sacchrinely bittersweet, this is a light romantic read that’ll make you smile, even if you’re in your 30s.
Bride
Ali Hazelwood
A little bit unorthodox, yet a lot of fun, this paranormal romance is one to read if you’re feeling a bit frisky. The romance book follows a dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha Werewolf—where their love gets deeper than they expected it to be. Trust it, this one to sink your teeth into.
House of Flame and Shadow
Sarah J. Maas
Surprised to see this here? We’re not! Brimmed with sexiness, adventures and betrayals, this romantasy read is a pageturner if you’re into fantasies. Stranded in a world far from Midgard — her home — Bryce Quinlan must fight against all odds to return to her life where her mate and the love of her life, Hunt is waiting for her, even when she has no idea who to trust. As Bryce and Hunt’s world is brought to the brink of collapse, they must fight for their future.
