THE AMERICA ONE NEWS
Jun 5, 2025  |  
0
 | Remer,MN
Sponsor:  QWIKET 
Sponsor:  QWIKET 
Sponsor:  QWIKET: Elevate your fantasy game! Interactive Sports Knowledge.
Sponsor:  QWIKET: Elevate your fantasy game! Interactive Sports Knowledge and Reasoning Support for Fantasy Sports and Betting Enthusiasts.
back  
topic
NY Post
New York Post
20 Dec 2024


NextImg:The 17 best contemporary romance novels of 2024, per avid romance readers

If you walk into any bookstore these days, you’ll likely be greeted with at least one table of brightly illustrated romance novels. No matter how you feel about the animated cover trend (and the opinions are definitely strong), it’s hard to ignore that romance is having a moment.

How do you sum up a year in romance? Goodreads lists and best-seller charts make an excellent starting point, but personally, I’m more likely to take a book recommendation from people who know romance — and read lots of it.

RELATED: I’ve been an Audible member for 2 plus years — here’s why you should join

Meet Bad Bitch Book Club, a fully virtual book club founded by lit consultant Mackenzie Newcomb with over 61K followers on Instagram and an active Facebook community of over 32,000 members. In addition to the main Facebook group, there are sub-groups for most genres, in addition to interest-and-identity-specific groups.

As a member of BBBC myself, I knew there would be no better place to source a list of wonderful, diverse contemporary romance novels other than the romance-specific sub-group Bad Bitches in Love.

So, I put out a call to the people I love reading with the most, asking members to share their favorite contemporary romance released in 2024. This is how you sum up a year in romance, by rounding up the books that romance readers genuinely loved reading.

Without further ado, here are the best contemporary romance novels of 2024, per the seasoned romance readers in Bad Bitches in Love.

Amazon

Goodreads rating: 3.68/5 stars

About the book: Two writers with a complicated history end up working on the same TV show… Can they write themselves a new ending? A sexy and emotional enemies-to-lovers romance guaranteed to pull on your heartstrings and give you a book hangover.

“How to End A Love Story” comes recommended by Brittany Arreguin, a co-admin of Bad Bitches in Love who has been a part of the book club for four years. “There are many reasons I love this book, but I just think the prose is written in such a memorable way and when I think about growing up Chinese, maybe feeling some of the same struggles of trying to hold it all together when life feels like it’s falling apart, this book resonates with me in that aspect. I felt for the characters, who both share some past trauma, and read them work through it in one of my favorite books this year, and even ever in my life.”

Arreguin’s co-admin Jordan Ellis cosigns this recommendation. “This book is as much a story about grief as it is a hot and tension-filled romance. Kuang’s real life experience writing screenplays really shines through. And don’t tell me Taylor [Swift] didn’t write “Guilty As Sin?” about Grant and Helen!”

Victoria Desmond, another longtime book club member, also named this a favorite romance novel of 2024. “I have not stopped thinking about this book. Before I read it, I thought the premise would be an automatic no for me but I loved the story so much! Kuang’s writing really draws you in and I couldn’t help falling for the story.”

Audiobook narrator: Katharine Chin, Andrew Eiden | Run time: 11 hours and 6 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

James Charles and E. V. Saroja sitting on a swing
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 4.11/5 stars

About the book: This ode to “Twelfth Night” is the perfect friends to lovers romp featuring an accidental wedding, meddling families, and plenty of sizzling chemistry.

“Marriage and Masti” is a recommendation from Newcomb, the aforementioned founder of Bad Bitch Book Club. “Nisha Sharma strikes the perfect balance of swoony & steamy. She writes characters that are multi-dimensional and complex and yet still relatable. “Marriage and Masti” is the third and final book in the “If Shakespeare Were An Auntie” series and it closes it in a perfect way.”

Katie Ritoch, who has been in BBBC for four years, also named this her 2024 favorite. “‘Marriage and Masti’ is the best romance book I read this year. It’s an ode to oldest daughters with family trauma and the perfect friends to lovers. Sharma perfectly blended the healing aspects of Veera’s journey with Veera and Deepak’s love story. This book was healing, funny and spicy!”

Audiobook narrator: Vikas Adam, Soneela Nankani | Run time: 10 hours and 24 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

Book cover featuring text and illustrations for 'Rules for Ghosting'
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 3.91/5 stars

About the book: To save his family’s failing funeral home—and his own chance at a queer love story—a reluctant clairvoyant must embrace the gift he long ignored.

“Rules for Ghosting” comes recommended by Sarah Martin, who has been reading with the BBBC for three years. “This book is a love letter to queerness and the many forms love and family come in. It’s a warm hug after a long day!”

Audiobook narrator: Petey Gibson | Run time: 12 hours and 42 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

Book cover titled 'You-Should-Be-So-Lucky'
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 4.34/5 stars

About the book: An emotional, slow-burn, grumpy/sunshine, queer mid-century romance about grief and found family between the new star shortstop stuck in a batting slump and the reporter assigned to (reluctantly) cover his first season

As a member of Bad Bitch Book Club myself, I (Angela Tricarico, the author of this very piece!) believe “You Should Be So Lucky” is one of the best romance novels of 2024. “I’m bending the rules here just a little bit because I simply can’t help myself and I didn’t read a better romance this year. Set in 1960, “You Should Be So Lucky” is not quite contemporary, but compared to the majority of Cat Sebastian’s bibliography (most of which is set in the Regency era), it’s contemporary enough. At least, that’s what I’m telling myself to justify its inclusion on this list. “You Should Be So Lucky” checks a lot of boxes for me as a reader: it’s a slow-burn baseball romance with an arts reporter trying his best as the main character, written by my favorite author. A recipe for success if I ever heard one. No one writes sad boys like Sebastian, and it is so, so easy to get invested in this sweet and moving story about these two men who find ways to overcome loss together.”

Audiobook narrator: Joel Leslie | Run time: 11 hours and 59 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

A man and woman lying down, relating to 'A Love Song for Ricki Wilde'
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 4.0/5 stars

About the book: In this enchanting love story, a free-spirited florist and an enigmatic musician are irreversibly linked through the history, art, and magic of Harlem.

“A Love Song for Ricki Wilde” comes recommended by Mel Suckow, a member of Bad Bitch Book Club since its inception. “This book made me believe in magic. It’s a reminder of how the power of art has the ability to transform relationships and transcend time.”

Audiobook narrator: Mela Lee, Preston Butler | Run time: 11 hours and 42 minutes | Buy hardcover | Buy Kindle e-book

Book cover image
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 4.1/5 stars

About the book: This novel follows once-childhood best friends forced together to drive their former teacher across the country.

“Here We Go Again” is a recommendation from longtime Bad Bitch Book Club member Emma-Cate. “‘Here We Go Again’ by Alison Cochrun is my favorite sapphic romance of the year. It explores grief and reconciliation on the gayest road trip you could imagine – two childhood best friends turned enemies turned coworkers on a cross country road trip with their terminally ill high school teacher. The story is sweet, funny, sad, and the most meaningful!”

Audiobook narrator: Natalie Naudus, Jeremy Carlisle Parker | Run time: 12 hours and 28 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

A man and woman sharing a kiss
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 4.3/5 stars

About the book: “Delicate Escape” is a swoony small-town romance that will set your heart racing with elements of suspense and an exploration of trust and commitment.

“Delicate Escape” comes recommended by Amber, a two-year member of BBBC. “I loved the character development and the way they grew to love each other! I also really enjoyed the added suspense aspects.”

Audiobook narrator: Teddy Hamilton, Erin Mallon | Run time: 10 hours and 15 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

a woman with curly hair and flowers
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 4.41/5 stars

About the book: “This Could Be Us” is a steamy combination of women’s fiction and romance following a single mother on a path of healing and figuring out life after her divorce.

“This Could Be Us” comes recommended by Tomi Obebe, who joined BBBC two years ago. “Kennedy Ryan consistently reminds me why | love reading. Her ability to write such rich characters and storylines is a credit to her talent but should also inspire others in the genre. Ryan finds a way to make each novel a source of introspection on how we approach our own personal relationships and growth! Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book — couldn’t put it down! I feel like it was a major book club discussion in 2024 for those discovering life after divorce, confidence, and boundaries in relationships. I think this is one of her best yet!”

Additionally, Ritoch mentioned this novel as an all-time favorite. “Kennedy Ryan perfectly balanced the growth of Soledad’s personal journey and the romance storyline. I think this book is not only a testament to second chances in life but also to female friendships and the strength of women who have been wronged by men.”

Audiobook narrator: Ines del Castillo, Jakobi Diem | Run time: 12 hours and 20 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

A man and woman reading books
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 3.7/5 stars

About the book: A struggling writer is forced to walk down the aisle at her best friend’s wedding with the man who gave her book a very public one-star rating in this fresh romantic comedy.

“One Star Romance” is a rec from Claire Handscombe, who has been reading with BBBC for several years. “This book was such a well written and emotionally intelligence exploration of friendship and found family. It also did such a good job of portraying the vulnerability of being a writer and how hard, and all-consuming, that can be.”

Audiobook narrator: Laura Hankin | Run time: 10 hours and 57 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

Book cover of 'Four Weekends and a Funeral' featuring a man and woman walking,
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 3.8/5 stars

About the book: Ellie Palmer’s debut novel follows a woman post-double-mastectomy finding the right guy at the wrong time and striking up a tenuous friendship with him over the course of, well, four weekends.

“Four Weekends and a Funeral” was recommended by Morgan Rohbock, who has been in BBBC for over four years. “‘Four Weekends and a Funeral’ is one of those books where I could truly see the circumstances that befall the main character happen to me or a friend where this crazy circumstance does create love. It’s an ode to early 2000s rom coms while also being this complex, nuanced story of a woman with the BRCA1 mutation & unexpected loss navigating challenging circumstances and figuring herself out. And in the end, she finds first happiness and then love through the chaos of life in this really beautiful way.”

Audiobook narrator: Karissa Vacker | Run time: 9 hours and 40 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

A man and woman sitting on a dock with a dog, featuring Andrée Melly
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 4.17/5 stars

About the book: In this cozy, friends-to-lovers romance, Maren Laughlin has been fishing her whole life, but she’s finally ready to be caught.

“Catch and Keep” is a recommendation from Victoria Mescall, who joined BBBC in 2020. “I loved how unexpectedly emotional this fishing romance was. Family was at the center of this story and I loved how it challenged stereotypes about autism and sexism.”

Audiobook narrator: Zura Johnson, Michal Norman Johnson | Run time: 9 hours and 6 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

a woman riding a bicycle with a man
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 4.0/5 stars

About the book: A surprise pregnancy after an uncharacteristic one-night stand leads to even more life-changing revelations for Eve and the baby’s father, who she finds herself growing closer to.

“Ready or Not” was recommended by Teresa, who joined BBBC two years ago. “I don’t even like pregnancy based romance books, but this one was incredibly good! The audiobook narrator also brought a lot to it.”

Audiobook narrator: Alex Finke | Run time: 10 hours and 50 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

Book cover of 'Sex, Lies, and Sensibility' featuring a woman and a man
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 3.7/5 stars

About the book: Two sisters roll up their sleeves to run a dilapidated inn but must learn to work with the locals in this deliciously spicy novel inspired by “Sense and Sensibility.”

Martin also recommended a second 2024 book. “Nikki Payne is out here absolutely crushing the Austen retelling game. This book was hilarious and chaotic and so heartfelt, I could not put it down. I loved everything about this book and I want everyone to experience Nora and Bear’s love.”

Audiobook narrator: Kacie Rogers, Phil Ava | Run time: 11 hours and 9 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

Book cover of 'Just for the Summer' featuring a couple running in water
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 4.4/5 stars

About the book: Two people with the same “curse” — the people they date go on to find their soulmates in their next relationships — are hoping to break it, so they decide to date long enough and well enough to set each other free.

“Just For the Summer” is the best romance pick of Megan Brown, a newer member of Bad Bitch Book Club. “This book really just captivated me from the start. The writing, the characters, and the story itself was amazing. I still think about it months later.”

Marissa, another newer member, seconded the recommendation. “‘Just for the Summer’ (and the whole series) focuses on mental health challenges in thoughtful and meaningful ways. Emma and Justin also have the cutest meet cute – via a Reddit thread discussing their “curse”. The MMC [male main character] is the definition if “if he wanted to he would” – we see a man who is thoughtful, caring, and understanding.”

Audiobook narrator: Christine Lakin, Zachary Webber | Run time: 11 hours and 43 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

Toby Sheldon kissing a woman in a field
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 4.2/5 stars

About the book: Estranged exes must stick close together to save their best friend’s wedding after a string of disasters in this swoony and steamy second-chance romance

Newer book club member Lauren O’Donnell says “The Ex Vows” is the best romance of 2024. “The characters felt real and very accessible, and I felt like the main character grew rather than being a stick in the mud for themselves. The banter was stellar, and the dialogue also felt non-cliche.”

Audiobook narrator: Kyla Garcia | Run time: 11 hours and 10 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

A pink book cover with white text and floral decorations
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 3.8/5 stars

About the book: A teacher with big dreams joins forces with a no-nonsense engineer to survive an ex’s wedding and escape matchmaking pressure from their Indian families. Their plan? Faking an engagement, of course.

Though not a BBBC member, Post Wanted’s Victoria Giardina is an avid reader, and recommends this novel. “‘Say You’ll Be Mine’ by Naina Kumar paints a poignant narrative of independence, staying true to your beliefs and letting your heart be your guide. I’m a big fan of contemporary romance novels but this one earned a spot on my best five-star books of 2024 list, and for a good reason — it wasn’t corny, had an engaging protagonist and love interest and shone a spotlight on the AAPI culture that I found to be particularly interesting and insightful. I read this around Valentine’s Day but it’s an excellent book to pick up for any time of year, especially if you want something witty, lighthearted and page-turning.”

Audiobook narrator: Soneela Nankani | Run time: 10 hours and 45 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

A man and woman sitting at a table
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 4.2/5 stars

About the book: Daphne’s ex-fiancé Peter leaves her in a bit of a pickle when he leaves her for his childhood best friend Petra. Stranded in Michigan without any nearby family or friends, practical, no-nonsense Daphne agrees to live with Petra’s ex-boyfriend, Miles. How do they end up having to fake a relationship in front of both of their exes? Well, it’s kind of a funny story…

“Funny Story” is another favorite of mine. “This list wouldn’t be complete without the latest from Emily Henry. “Funny Story” is the author’s fifth adult rom-com, and it’s high on my list of her books, too. This book is the opposites attract trope done perfectly, with carefree, chaotic Miles a perfect foil to uptight, practical Daphne. It also uses the fake dating trope in a fun and unexpected way to tell their story.”

Audiobook narrator: Julia Whelan | Run time: 11 hours and 23 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

We also asked Bad Bitch Book Club members what their favorite contemporary romance of all time is. Here’s what they had to say.

Book cover showing two men standing on a stage
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 4.1/5 stars

About the book: In this witty and heartwarming romantic comedy, an awkward tech wunderkind on a reality dating show goes off-script when sparks fly with his producer.

My favorite romance novel of all time is “The Charm Offensive.” “Do you ever read something and just feel it so deeply? That’s how I felt the first time I read “The Charm Offensive,” and how I’ve felt on every subsequent re-read or re-listen (and there have been quite a few!). In her debut romance, Cochrun crafts a whirlwind romance between the producer of a “Bachelor”-esque dating show who creates other peoples’ happily ever afters (but never his own) and the star of the show himself — someone who doesn’t believe that true love is in the cards for him at all. The stakes just feel so real, like you can absolutely picture something like this happening in real life. Plus it also has some of the best commentary on complicated identity and mental health of any romance I’ve read.”

Audiobook narrator: 10 hours and 52 minutes | Run time: Vikas Adam, Graham Halstead, Cassandra Campbell | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

Book cover featuring a couple of men
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 4.1/5 stars

About the book: After causing an international incident at a royal wedding, the first son of the United States, Alex Claremont-Diaz, is forced to fake a friendship with the youngest Prince of England; the two have always been pit against each other as rivals in the press, but the rivalry turns into a friendship, and quickly, that friendship turns to something much larger than either of them anticipate.

Oops, I couldn’t limit myself to just one pick. “‘Red, White & Royal Blue’ is the book that made me fall in love with reading again. How often is it that you remember exactly where you were when you read a book for the first time? I’ll never forget being alone in my college dorm just a week before graduation, so engrossed in the story that I could barely put it down long enough to meet a friend for dinner. McQuiston’s debut novel is truly something special; so easy to lose yourself in and endlessly relatable. I’ll always be in awe at their ability to write characters who are so complex and real that you start to feel like you know them — or maybe you are them.”

Audiobook narrator: Ramon de Ocampo | Run time: 12 hours and 15 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

A group of people lying on towels at the beach
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 4.0/5 stars

About the book: A romance writer who no longer believes in love and a literary writer stuck in a rut engage in a summer-long challenge that may just upend everything they believe about happily ever afters.

Grace Hodges, a longtime BBBC member, names “Beach Read” her favorite contemporary romance novel. “‘Beach Read’ is a book that takes two people in difficult times who are willing to bend their expectations for life in a sleepy beach town because they both need a friend. Two writers working on their craft and becoming close and falling in love over and over again, not because or despite, but regardless, is enough to make a cold, hopeless heart warm.”

Audiobook narrator: Julia Whelan | Run time: 10 hours and 13 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

Book cover of The Heart Principle featuring a woman wearing sunglasses
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 3.9/5 stars

About the book: When her longtime boyfriend announces he wants an open relationship before making a final commitment, a hurt and angry Anna decides that if he wants an open relationship, then she does, too. Translation: She’s going to embark on a string of one-night stands. The more unacceptable the men, the better. That’s where tattooed, motorcycle-riding Quan Diep comes in. Their first attempt at a one-night stand fails, as does their second, and their third, because being with Quan is more than sex – he accepts Anna on an unconditional level that she has just started to understand herself.

“The Heart Principle” was picked by Arreguin. “In a similar vein, again books that speak to my heritage and experience really resonate with me. This one specifically is my favorite, but I love all of Helen’s work. It’s the story of feeling like you have to work twice as hard, like in this case with the main character’s neurodivergence, and still never feeling enough, but finding love from a person who thinks you are.”

Audiobook narrator: Brian Nishii, Natalie Naudus | Run time: 9 hours and 30 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

A glass filled with pink flowers next to a beverage
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 3.9/5 stars

About the book: “Yerba Buena” is the debut adult novel by the bestselling and award-winning YA author Nina LaCour, following two women on a star-crossed journey toward each other.

“Yerba Buena” is an all-time favorite pick from Suckow. “I loved how this one really showcased how people grow on their own in order to be able to grow together. Yerba Buena was just so real, you know?”

Audiobook narrator: Julia Whelan | Run time: 8 hours and 1 minute | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

Book cover titled 'Romantic Comedy'
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 3.6/5 stars

About the book: A comedy writer thinks she’s sworn off love, until a dreamy pop star flips the script on all her assumptions.

Martin recommended this “SNL”-inspired rom-com. “Sally Milz is me and I am her. Where is my hot pop star?!”

Audiobook narrator: Kristen Sieh | Run time: 9 hours and 5 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

A woman with curly hair surrounded by colorful leaves
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 4.4/5 stars

About the book: This compelling, scorching novel is about hope and healing, and what it truly means to love for a lifetime, following a couple trying to save their marriage.

BBBC founder Newcomb recommends the first book in Kennedy Ryan’s Skyland series. “Kennedy Ryan is the best romance author of our generation. She writes stories about complicated people finding love and re-discovering themselves. “Before I Let Go” is the perfect example of her work.”

Audiobook narrator: Wesleigh Siobhan, Jakobi Diem | Run time: 13 hours and 45 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

A book cover featuring a couple of people sitting on luggage
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 4.1/5 stars

About the book: If literary agent Nora knows she’s not an ideal heroine, book editor Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, but as they are thrown together again and again—in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow—what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves.

“Book Lovers” is a true book club fan favorite. Here’s what Obebe has to say about it. “Witty dialogue. A+ chemistry between the MMC [male main character] and FMC [female main character]. And a unique take on rom coms where we get to follow the jilted, well meaning, type-A ex-girlfriend’s from those cheesy Hallmark movies for once! “High maintenance”, career-loving women deserve a happily ever after too! I’ve described this book to many friends as a similar vibe to “Gilmore Girls” banter- so definitely add to your list if you’re a fan of the show.”

Desmond agreed with this novel being among the best. “Books about books are always going to be a hit but this one has that special EmHen pizzaz. I love reading their journey to each other every time, and I appreciate that the other characters play such a big role as well.”

Brown was the third member to recommend “Book Lovers.” “This book is one I just love dearly. I see myself in the characters so much and love the writing of Emily Henry!”

Audiobook narrator: Julia Whelan | Run time: 11 hours and 23 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

A man and woman hugging in front of a cityscape
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 4.3/5 stars

About the book: After seeing him on the silver screen, Nora believes that Gary is her soulmate, her one true love, the man she’s supposed to grow old and wrinkly with. She knows it sounds nuts, she knows it’s completely crazy. But sometimes love is crazy, right? With the help of a sunny Californian weather girl, a super hot but super grumpy script writer, and a very passionate Adam Levine tribute act, Nora is about to try the impossible and let fate decide her future….

When asked for an all-time favorite romance, Handscome recommended “He Will Be Mine.” “This was such a good story of a celebrity crush, because it did an excellent job of showing how it can feel to know that the hope that something might happen is crazy, but also might be real. I loved Nora, I loved her ballsy risk taking, and I identified deeply with her.”

Audiobook narrator: Emmy Rose | Run time: 11 hours and 20 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

A man and woman kissing
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 4.3/5 stars

About the book: Years ago, Marlon James (a musician otherwise known as Grip) and Bristol spent a few magical nights together. Since then, she’s gone on to manage his career, but it’s getting harder to resist her

Bad Bitches in Love co-admin Ellis recommends “Grip,” another Kennedy Ryan title. “This is a perfect book by our best contemporary romance author! Second chance romance that discusses fame and race, but still provides sex scenes that blow you out of the water? Kennedy Ryan is the best to ever do it!”

Audiobook narrator: Jakobi Diem, Maxine Mitchell | Run time: 14 hours and 49 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

LISTEN ON AUDIBLE
A book cover featuring two men kissing
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 4.3/5 stars

About the book: A mid-century grumpy/sunshine rom-dram about a scrappy reporter and a newspaper mogul’s son finding love despite the odds stacked against them.

Rohbock, who “really love[s] romance books and waxing poetic about some faves” picked this as an all-time favorite. “I still think about Nick and Andy at least twice a week. This is the gay Newsies story of your dreams where two best friends fall in love at a time when two men aren’t supposed to be in love and the way they treat each other is truly one of the most beautiful stories ever, especially as they discover they are accepted and deserving of each other. Andy making Nick’s family recipe soup will get me every time.”

(For the record, this is another instance of bent rules, as this book would have been one of my — the author of this piece — personal choices and is, again, set in the 1960s! Historical, technically, but contemporary compared to Sebastian’s other works!)

Audiobook narrator: Joel Leslie | Run time: 11 hours and 46 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

Book cover of 'One Last Stop'
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 3.9/5 stars

About the book: August Landry is a cynical pseudo-detective who has just moved to NYC; she keeps spotting the same mysterious woman on her Q train commute and the two quickly form a connection. The only problem? The woman, Jane, is literally displaced in time — pulled straight from the 1970s and bound to the Q.

This is a pick from Teresa, who says, “It pulled me out of a reading slump and really surprised me.”

Audiobook narrator: Natalie Naudus | Run time: 12 hours and 10 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

A woman lying on a couch
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 4.5/5 stars

About the book: A Broadway actress has a chance at stardom when cast by a major Hollywood director, but the role of her dreams may cost her the love of a lifetime in this epic novel 

Martin also provided a second all-time favorite rec, marking the fourth Kennedy Ryan inclusion on this list so far. “This is the blueprint for a Hollywood romance. Kennedy Ryan has me out here believing that fictional people are soulmates.”

Audiobook narrator: Eboni Flower, Jakobi Diem, Nicole Small | Run time: 17 hours and 14 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

Jeong Du-hong standing with a woman in front of a colorful cover
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 3.6/5 stars

About the book: A commitment-phobe and a hopeless romantic clash over and over again, but heartbreak and chemistry bring them together in this romance.

O’Donnell provided a very strong recommendation for this “When Harry Met Sally” inspired romance. “Beyond it being a love letter to New York, I loved the main characters. So rarely is there casual representation of alternative romantic relationships (open relationships, fluid sexuality) that isn’t a cornerstone/focal point of a book, and there was real growth throughout the book while also allowing the main characters space to have flaws. I regularly return to time periods and scenes in this book because the dialogue and internal dialogue is so strong”

Audiobook narrator: Kristen DiMercurio | Run time: 11 hours and 5 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

Book cover titled 'The Seven Year Slip'
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 4.2/5 stars

About the book: An overworked book publicist with a perfectly planned future hits a snag when she falls in love with her temporary roommate… only to discover he lives seven years in the past. After all, love is never a matter of time—but a matter of timing.

Marissa recommends checking out one of Ashley Poston’s magical rom-coms. “This book is just so fun. Who wouldn’t want a magical apartment to help them find love?! It’s a light, exciting read and is so different than any other romance I have read.”

Audiobook narrator: Brittany Pressley | Run time: 9 hours and 43 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

A wing of an airplane flying above the clouds
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 4.2/5 stars

About the book: From the author of “Fourth Wing” comes a sweeping romance about the sustained power of chance encounters that sees two people meeting on a plane and their lives becoming inextricably linked by that moment.

This book was recommended by Mescall. “I love epic love stores that span time and location and this book is a delicious ten year journey from the U.S. to Afghanistan and back. I have never before seen an author so seamlessly weave love, grief, family relationships, socioeconomic circumstance, and current events together. This book makes you think about fate, and you root for the characters the entire time.”

Audiobook narrator: Carly Robins, Teddy Hamilton | Run time: 10 hours and 30 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

City skyline overlooking a body of water under a blue sky
Amazon

Goodreads rating: 4.4/5 stars

About the book: In this book, a romantic wonders if sharing a roof with her best friend’s brother was the right move after all, especially as they pretend to be a couple.

Amber is the reader who recommended “The Right Move.” “Liz is a fantastic author! I absolutely fell in love with Ryan Shay & I love Indy as well. They both show how important quiet love can (taking notice of your partner & caring for them).”

Audiobook narrator: Sean Crisden, Junpier Young | Run time: 14 hours and 19 minutes | Buy paperback | Buy Kindle e-book

For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America’s go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance. We’re not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products, and consult experts on any topics we aren’t already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we’re known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.

Looking for a headline-worthy haul? Keep shopping Post Wanted.