The best romance books of 2024 so far, as chosen by the Amazon Editors
![Amazon Editors' Best Books of 2024 So Far, including "Just for the Summer" by Abby Jimenez, "This Could Be Us" by Kennedy Ryan, and "Funny Story" by Emily Henry](https://cdn.statically.io/img/d1ysvut1l4lkly.cloudfront.net/B0CW391CZ9/9/image-0-0.jpg)
Few things will be as fun as putting together the list of our best romances of the year so far. This list has something for every romance reader, from our favorite genres—sports, regency, rom-com—to the best tropes—grumpy/sunshine, enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, only one bed (my personal favorite), and so much more. Our top pick, Kennedy Ryan’s This Could Be Us, is a beautifully told story of rediscovery and second chances. We couldn’t put it down.
Check out all of the Amazon Editors’ Best Books of the Year So Far, including the best books across genres such as mysteries and thrillers, sci-fi and fantasy, nonfiction, and more.
Have you ever been so into a story that nothing else registers? That is the trance This Could Be Us put me in. This book can be read as a stand-alone but loosely links a trio of friends first introduced in Kennedy Ryan’s last novel, Before I Let Go. So multi-dimensional—as life is—This Could Be Us covers the complicated journeys of divorce, self-discovery, raising kids, autism, friendship, and so much more, all written in a way that is real and relatable. Soledad senses something is off with her husband but can't quite figure out what it is. It all comes to a head one dreadful night—leaving Soledad to figure out how to support herself and her girls while starting a personal journey to heal from the trauma of it all. Steeped in lessons of self-love and opening yourself to receive the love you deserve from others—this is a read you won’t be able to put down. —Kami Tei, Amazon Editor
In her sparkling new romance, Funny Story, Daphne and Miles become unfortunate, unexpected roommates after their partners abruptly leave them…for each other. When they receive an invite to their exes’ wedding, pretending to date seems like a deserved dose of revenge. This book has all the trademarks we expect from Henry—charm, wit, beautiful scenery, the list goes on and on. But it’s also a departure from her previous books. Daphne and Miles don’t have a shared history, and it’s a delight watching their journey as they discover each other for the first time. There are poignant insights about the challenges of overcoming our baggage—difficult childhoods, losing ourselves in relationships—that make their love story feel genuine and nuanced. I love Daphne’s combination of shyness and snark, Miles’ openness, and the endearingly quirky cast of supporting characters. This book is a feast for the senses (and the heart), and I didn’t want it to end. —Abby Abell, Amazon Editor
If you’re into stories that take you on an emotional roller coaster, this one is for you. I laughed, cried, and gripped my heart from the tenderness of this more-than-a-romance love story. Author Abby Jimenez has this canny ability to weave complex storylines into her romantic plots, creating an emotional depth that is unmatched. I didn’t know it was possible, but Jimenez takes her amazing storytelling to the next level with Emma and Justin. The two meet on a Reddit thread and hit it off. Comments on Reddit lead to text messages then phone calls. Emma, a traveling nurse, surprises Justin by taking her next assignment in Minnesota, where Justin lives. This spontaneous summer romance becomes complicated with family obligation and drama. Just for the Summer is in the running to be my favorite romance of the year. —Kami Tei, Amazon Editor
Annabel Monaghan writes women, particularly mothers, so well. They are witty, messy, complicated women I want to be friends with. Summer Romance is no exception, and I greedily binged it in one sitting. Ali is a professional organizer whose life is in chaos. She is still grieving her mother’s death, going through a divorce, and hasn’t worn “hard pants” (read: jeans) since who knows when. But when her friend's younger brother, Ethan, returns to town, he remembers Ali as the vibrant, fearless girl who he's always had a crush on; and she starts to remember that girl, too, and how she lost her somewhere along the way. What begins as a lighthearted summer romance quickly becomes so much more. This is a story about what a scary but worthwhile risk love is, in all its many forms. It’s also brimming with insights about so many things—motherhood, friendship, the unbearable cruelty of seventh grade girls. I could go on and on, but instead I’ll say, relish every moment of this endearing, charming romance. —Abby Abell, Amazon Editor
The Paradise Problem is one of my favorite summer romances of 2024. From the authors of The True Love Experiment (among others), The Paradise Problem follows Anna and West, practical strangers, who get married to access subsidized housing in college. They go their separate ways until, years later, it turns out they’re not divorced like Anna thought, and West needs her to attend his sister's wedding on a private island to ensure he gets his inheritance. Anna is a laid-back artist, and West is an uptight professor with a lot at stake. Throw in fake marriage and forced proximity, and you have a recipe for a delicious, tension-filled rom-com. This is a smart, sexy escape with witty banter, sizzling chemistry, and a side of Succession-style drama. Let this romance transport you to paradise, and maybe book that tropical vacation you’ve been putting off. —Abby Abell, Amazon Editor
I was completely swept away by the latest novel from Carley Fortune. This transporting, swoon-worthy romance follows Lucy as she visits Prince Edward Island (PEI) and has an instant connection, and an incredibly sexy night, with a local named Felix. But the world is small, and it turns out that Felix is her best friend Bridget’s brother…and very off limits. Despite vowing to never repeat that night again, every year Lucy visits PEI, she falls back in love with the island, and back into Felix’s bed (and various other locations). When Bridget flees to PEI weeks before her wedding, Lucy must face that her best friend is in crisis, and that the feelings for Felix she’s refused to acknowledge can’t be ignored anymore. The longing in this book is matched only by the incredible setting that has me planning a trip to PEI. It is aching and beautiful and I didn’t want it to end. This book is a dream. —Abby Abell, Amazon Editor
The enemies-to-lovers story fans have been waiting for! Hints of Sloane’s ire with playboy Xavier appear in King of Greed but are on full display here. Sloane has been hired to be Xavier’s publicist but soon learns keeping Xavier out of the tabloids is a full-time job—more than she thought she was signing up for. Babysitting Xavier, working with her other clients, and managing her business leaves no time for any fun. Xavier wants to change that. Xavier strikes a deal for workaholic Sloane to take a vacation in exchange for his good behavior. There is fun banter and antics, but both Sloane and Xavier are forced to deal with strained family relationships and business troubles. Sloane has her amazing group of friends to support her through it all. Fans of Ana Huang’s work may also recognize cameos of characters from her other series. The Amazon Editors’ recently interviewed Ana Huang, and you can see her thoughts about King of Sloth and what she has coming next. —Kami Tei, Amazon Editor
I devoured this paranormal romance in one sitting (bad werewolf/vampire pun intended), and I couldn’t have had more fun. In a world where humans, vampyres, and werewolves tensely coexist, Vampyre Misery agrees to a political marriage to stranger and Alpha Werewolf Lowe, in the hopes of keeping the peace between the two species. But Misery has a deeply personal ulterior motive for agreeing to this precarious arrangement. As Misery and Lowe warily begin to trust each other and work together to solve a mystery, the attraction between them becomes as undeniable as it is forbidden. This story is filled with longing, passion, and intrigue. Misery is a witty heroine you’re rooting for from page one, and Lowe will make you temporarily forget (and resent?) mere mortal men. My only warning – prepare to lose sleep reading this book. It’s worth it. —Abby Abell, Amazon Editor
A truly delightful debut—I smiled and giggled my way through it. Meghna and Karthik are arranged to meet by their mothers, who have hopes for wedding bliss, but they couldn’t be more different. Meghna is fun and open where Karthik is stiff and stoic. Motivated to get a bit of peace from his mother, Karthik convinces Meghna to trick their families by faking their engagement. And there’s a little quid pro quo involved—if Meghna goes along with the ruse, Karthik will be her plus one at the wedding of her ex-boyfriend/best friend, who she still has a crush on. There’s so much more to this story than the fake-dating, enemies-to-lovers tropes. It’s about self-discovery, stepping outside your comfort zone, and going for what you want. Throw in musicals and punny t-shirts, and you have a story that will stay with you. —Kami Tei, Amazon Editor
I’m a baseball fan and love any story with the diamond at its center (A League of Their Own, Bull Durham, Money Ball). You Should Be So Lucky is now officially on that list. It’s 1960, and handsome professional baseball player Eddie O’Leary is in the worst slump of his career on a new team that hates him. Mark Bailey is not a sports reporter but has been assigned to report on Eddie for his struggling newspaper. This grumpy-sunshine romance caught me by surprise with its tenderness as Mark and Eddie slowly lower their defenses and take a huge risk in falling for each other. And at the heart of it all is this game that makes us crazy but we just can’t quit (much like love). A home run of a romance! —Abby Abell, Amazon Editor
This delightful historical romance debut is perfect for Bridgerton fans. When Emily Leverton takes a new role as a governess, she’s determined to leave her past behind. And when she becomes part of a secret network that spies on the ton, it feels like redemption. Ex-soldier-turned-railroad-magnate Zach hasn’t met his match in a woman, until Emily blows him a kiss one night and he discovers a strong, clever, woman who isn’t afraid to speak her mind. Sparks fly, but Emily’s past threatens to ruin everything. Fun and gripping and sexy. —Abby Abell, Amazon Editor
This is your next romantasy obsession! In a world of Vikings with godly powers, Freya is trapped in a loveless marriage to a cruel “child of the gods.” But in a twist of rage and fate, Freya reveals a secret that is at the heart of a prophecy—she is also a child of the gods, the shield maiden, gifted with the power to unite Skaland under a single ruler. She immediately becomes the pawn of Jarl Snorri, who believes it is his destiny to rule as long as he controls Freya. As he begins his bid to conquer, he demands that his son, Bjorn, protect Freya at all costs. Freya grapples with the depths of her powers and her forbidden feelings for Bjorn that grow harder to resist each day. I loved being immersed in this new world and following Freya as she battles to take control of her destiny. This book ended with so many threads unraveled, I will be excitedly and impatiently waiting for the next book in the series! —Abby Abell, Amazon Editor
“We were so different. Vibrant color and shades of gray. Bursting blooms and the darkest nights.” Readers are going to fall head over heels (as I did) for Anson and Rho in this opposites-attract suspense romance. Rho is actively healing from past trauma while Anson is blocking everyone and everything that could possibly hurt him. A home-renovation project connects these two tender souls, but past secrets find Anson threatening to disrupt everything he is working to keep hidden. This is the first book in a new series with a wonderful cast of characters (Supergran Lolli is amazing!) I can’t wait to learn more about. —Kami Tei, Amazon Editor
This is not your average love story. Yes, it’s one of those (obviously, it’s in the title)—but the best part of this novel is that it’s a love letter to Harlem, to music, and to the impossibility—and necessity—of letting go of your past. Ricki Wilde and the handsome, quiet man whom she can’t seem to shake, are the epitome of two young twenty-somethings trying to figure it all out. For Ricki, there’s something magical about living in Harlem amidst the history of the Harlem Renaissance—as she says, “imagine living through that time. The style! The music! The parties”—and discovering the small historical plaques that commemorate “when Black Brilliance captivated the world." As Ricki pursues her dream of opening a flower shop and continues to run into her mystery man, Tia Williams also introduces the story of Breeze, a 1920s jazz musician who played in the clubs that Ricki can only dream about. Moving back and forth between Ricki’s present day and Breeze’s life in the early 20th century, Williams crafts an unforgettable story of heartache and the lift of love. —Al Woodworth, Amazon Editor
I know I love a book when I can’t stop thinking (and talking) about it. That’s how I feel about Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle. For over twenty years, Daphne has received a note with a name and number, telling her how long each of her relationships will last—three days with Martin, three intense months with her now-best friend Hugo, etc. Until one day, Daphne receives a note with just a name—Jack. As their relationship unfolds, Daphne contemplates what she thought “forever” would look like and the ways in which fate has shaped her life and how she’s let it, for better or worse. What could have been a lighthearted romance becomes something richer with each layer Serle deftly adds to this insightful and heartbreaking novel. I cherished every character in this story, including the city of Los Angeles, which came alive on the page. I’m jealous of everyone who gets to read this book for the first time! —Abby Abell, Amazon Editor
I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Love Unwritten, book two of the Lakefront Billionaires series (don’t worry, this can be read as a stand-alone). This grumpy/sunshine romance features Rafael, a divorced billionaire and single father to Nico who keeps everyone at arm’s length; and Ellie, a songwriter-turned-nanny to Nico. Rafael and Ellie have managed to tolerate each other for the sake of Nico, but a trip to Hawaii changes it all. Both Rafael and Ellie each have their own pain, on top of their complicated boss/nanny dynamic. The rising tension, or perhaps passion, seems to be more than the two can handle. The love, support, and gentle ribbing from the Lopez/Munoz clans provide the perfect mix of light heartedness and tough love. The banter and drama between Rafael and Ellie, with the backdrop of the beautiful Hawaiian Islands, makes this the perfect beach read. —Kami Tei, Amazon Editor
This is a love song to traditional romances—the art and magic of falling in love. This story is told in second person, with the main character, sweet Emma, talking to us readers, which I found refreshingly fun and entertaining. Emma is a budding screenwriter who has been obsessed with famous screenwriter Charlie Yates. When Emma has an opportunity to write a screenplay with Charlie, she jumps at the opportunity and uproots her life for six weeks. Emma’s love and belief in the power of rom-coms is alluring, something even romance non-believer Charlie can’t resist. The two tangle to do what seems an insurmountable feat at times, write the screenplay of their lives. —Kami Tei, Amazon Editor
I hadn’t read a love story like Jack and Raine’s, and I cherished every minute. Raine is a musician with ADHD traveling across Europe as a busker until an unfortunate theft leaves her stranded at The Local in Cobh, Ireland. Enter Jack, charming Irishman and owner of the bar. Their chemistry is instant, but Jack has a business proposition instead—hire Raine to bring life back into his bar. The only problem is Jack’s OCD makes change a struggle. Raine and Jack’s endless compassion for one another challenges them to think beyond the limitations they’ve put on themselves in both life and love. This tender, sexy, witty romance was a breath of fresh air, and I was rooting for Jack and Raine from the first page to the last. There was also a fantastic supporting cast of characters, including an enigmatic cat (is there any other kind) named Sebastian. —Abby Abell, Amazon Editor
This steamy western romance from the Rebel Blue Ranch series caught me by surprise with its tenderness and vulnerability. Ada Hart is ready for independence after the end of her short-lived marriage to a controlling man. But things get off to a sexy yet rocky start when the handsome cowboy she impulsively makes out with at a local bar turns out to be the client for her biggest renovation project to date—a ranch bed and breakfast in Wyoming. Weston Ryder (such a good name) is immediately smitten with Ada, but she refuses to consider what they could become. I wasn’t expecting the honesty of these characters as they struggle to overcome the fears and burdens of their pasts to build a future…hopefully together. It was a breath of fresh air, just like the incredible Wyoming landscapes that made me want to move out west. I had so much fun with this book and am mildly obsessed with the cover. I can’t wait for the next book in this delightful series! —Abby Abell, Amazon Editor
What a delight! I'm pretty sure I read this book in my head with an over-the-top southern accent. Full of wacky sayings, country music references (especially the beloved Dolly Parton), crazy casseroles, love of pork rinds, Tennessee hot chicken, and a loving community, Love and Hot Chicken melted my heart. Laugh-out-loud funny, there are sweet family relationships, a ride-or-die best friend, and a romantic interest all set to the backdrop of the small town of Pennywhistle and the Chickie Shak beauty pageant. There are also deeper topics like dealing with loss, uncovering your roots, and charting a future out of uncertainty. A brilliant debut novel that was a joy to read. —Kami Tei, Amazon Editor
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