It’s Bookstore Romance Day, a new nationwide initiative developed by bookseller Billie B. of Third Street Books aimed at celebrating romance novels and their readers. To get us in the mood to swoon, we've asked a few of our resident experts to share their favorite new romance novels.
Rebel
by Beverly Jenkins
I love historical romances, but I'm guilty of picking up books that cover obscure parts of English history and ignoring excellent authors writing about American history. My new favorite author is Beverly Jenkins and her books about powerful African American men and women after the Civil War.Rebel has one of her strongest leads yet with the story of Valinda Lacy and her quest for independence from her family. Her growing relationship with Drake LeVeq and his family is life-changing for her. They give her the love and support she needs to realize her dream of teaching former slaves and children. As someone who didn't want to marry, she realizes how loving Drake can enrich her life instead of restrict her dreams.
— Jennifer V.
Forever Wolf (The Legend of All Wolves #3)
by Maria Vale
I devoured the three books in the Maria Vale series The Legend of All Wolves. The third book, Forever Wolf, came out this year and it was the most wild of the pack. These books have the most natural and untamed account of a pack that is trying to survive living with humans and other shifters. I've enjoyed Vale's unique Wolf world and hunger for more books about the Great North Pack.
— Jennifer V.
Wrong to Need You (Forbidden Hearts #2)
by Alisha Rai
The Forbidden Hearts series by Alisha Rai is astonishing in its intensity. My favorite book is the second in the series, Wrong to Need You. I love the mix of family history and sexy characters. I read a lot of romance books and this one definitely stands out as one of my favorites.
— Jennifer V.
Dragon Bound
by Thea Harrison
Pia is half human and half... something else. She's not entirely sure what. Pia made the mistake of trusting someone with her secrets and to fix it, she has to steal from a dragon. When this dragon catches up with her, their passion practically sets them on fire. While the romance is very intense, this book still had me laughing. My first paranormal romance... and you never forget your first.
— Rose H.
Secrets of a Summer Night (Wallflowers #1)
by Lisa Kleypas
Kleypas's Wallflowers books are the perfect Regency romance novels. A group of friends, dubbed this season's "wallflowers," are determined to find great husbands... "trap" is probably a better word. The first book in the series starts with Annabelle — she looks the part of a noble, except that she isn't one. And she's determined to find a rich aristocrat to save her family from the streets. Simon, rich but without a title, ruins everything...
— Rose H.
The Duke and I (Bridgertons #1)
by Julia Quinn
Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series is one of my all-time favorites. The first book, The Duke and I, introduces a family saga so heartwarming, funny, romantic, and sexy that I find myself coming back again and again. Don't sleep on these books — especially because Shonda Rhimes is adapting the series for Netflix. Looking for queer historical romance as good as Julia Quinn? Try Cat Sebastian!
— Joanna S.
Misadventures in Matchmaking Series
by Vivienne Lorret
This is a wonderful series about three sisters and their uncle who run a matchmaking firm. Well let’s be honest, the uncle is constantly off writing poetry for his current lady love of the day, so the sisters are the real matchmakers here. After having grown up watching their mother waste away from heartbreak, they each have their own takeaways on how they approach love and help people find their match. Jacinda (How to Forget a Duke) is feisty and tenacious, always on the hunt for the information (secrets) people leave off their matchmaking forms. Briar (Ten Kisses to Scandal) is the naive romantic who still believes there is love out there but is constantly bumbling around matching the wrong people together. Ainsley (The Rogue to Ruin) is the non-romantic older sister trying to hold the firm and the family together by any means possible. All three books are tied together with quotes from Emma as that was a treasured story they all shared with their mother. For the most enjoyment I recommend reading these books in order. Ten Kisses to Scandal is still my favorite of the three. I just love how Briar goes after what she feels she needs to know to succeed at matchmaking. Plus the banter between her and her rake had me laughing throughout the story.
— Mecca A.
Beyond Scandal and Desire (A Sin for All Seasons #1)
by Lorraine Heath
Beyond Scandal and Desire is the first book in the A Sin for All Seasons series. The whole series revolves around the Trewlove siblings. They are not related to each other but all have a fierce love for the widow who took them in as babies and an incredible loyalty to their makeshift family. With three books out so far and the fourth about to arrive in August, Mick and Aslyn's story from Beyond Scandal is still my favorite of them all. What's not to love when the illegitimate son who was abandoned makes a name for himself and strikes out on revenge, only to find love?
— Mecca A.
The Girl With the Make-Believe Husband (A Bridgertons Prequel)
by Julia Quinn
I typically hate the "lying to an amnesiac" trope and have a hard time imagining a HEA for someone who starts a relationship with a lie, but this book has turned my bias upside down. Julia Quinn found a masterful way to make me fall in love with Cecilia — despite her deception — and especially with Edward. Edward's essential goodness and good humor, even when he felt betrayed by the woman he loves, puts him in the running for Hero of the Year. These two were so in love and so heartbroken, I was in thrall to their story and found myself crying for the last few chapters!
— McKenzie W.
The Other Miss Bridgerton (A Bridgertons Prequel)
by Julia Quinn
The Other Miss Bridgerton has everything I want in a romance: smugglers and/or pirates, jigsaw puzzles, fried dough dipped in sugar, references to Titanic (the movie, not the tragedy), and a lightning storm that sparks a proposal. Totally swoony.
— McKenzie W.
For a longer list of recent romance favorites, check out 17 Reasons to Read a Romance Novel.