12 Romance Books That Will Make Your Heart Swoon

Jennie Marts’ Wish Upon a Cowboy is “the perfect blend of humor, grit, and sexy cowboy spice. Delicious!” said best-selling author, Kari Lynn Dell.

Logan Rivers, a rancher and hockey coach, is constantly on the lookout for a good housekeeper that isn’t trying to clean up the cobwebs of his heart as well as his home. But when Harper Evans, a single mom who came to Colorado to find and bring her son home, stumbles upon the open post in Logan’s residence, her indifference to the handsome athlete grants her the position. The delicious meals Harper concocts, and the lack of sparks between her and Logan, assures her of job security, but both parties soon find they’re struggling to resist the heat in the kitchen. As Logan’s secret financial disparity – caused by a mathematical mistake due to his dyslexia- surfaces, Harper takes it upon herself to step beyond her role as house keeper and assist him in saving his ranch and all that he holds dear. And, as Harper gets closer to Logan, he cannot help but hold her dearly as well.

“With the holidays approaching and a storm closing in, he and Harper have to save his ranch and fight for her son. But can Harper trust the cowboy who is offering her both a home―and his heart?”

Is there a better romantic comedy theme out there than the “rent a significant other” plot? I thought not. Boyfriend Material, by the award-winning author, Alexis Hall, embellishes this premise with LGBTQIA+ representation, and proves that the “fake boyfriend” trope is anything but tired. In fact, it’s downright hilarious and dreamily rewarding.

When Luc O’Donnell- living in the shadow of his rock star father’s fame- finds his reputation tarnished by a compromising photo, he decides that finding the perfect boyfriend is the best way to build up his image. Then, Luc finds Oliver Blackwood, a barrister, ethical vegetarian and the proper, picturesque arm candy that he feels he desperately needs. But arranging this partnership isn’t as perfect as Oliver appears. With the exception of both of them being gay, Luc and Oliver are as opposite as they come. As they are both in need of a date, they arrange a plan to pretend to be together for their respected events. Fake boyfriends, for now, they promise one another, until real feelings sneak their way into Luc and Oliver’s false pretenses.

“Discover the LGBT romance about exact opposites falling in perfectly imperfect love that New York Times and USA Today best-selling author, Christina Lauren, calls ‘hilarious, witty, tender, and stunning.’”

Mistletoe in Texas by The New York Times best-selling author, Kari Lynn Dell, explores the depths of losing what one thinks they want in order to discover their true desires. Check out the holiday romance novel that Publisher’s Weekly deems “Illuminating…a standout in western romance.”

Hank Brookman is a rodeo bullfighter with his sights set for the limelight, never looking back. But when one misstep unravels all the plans he had for his path to fame, he sinks into a void of despondency and self-pity. Tired of bathing in regret, Hank resolves to return to his home in Texas and make amends with his loss. Little does he know, however, that the treasure he’d truly lost resides still in the small town he’d left years ago. His old flame, Grace McKenna, now face to face again with the man who’d walked out on her, must choose whether to share a secret she’s kept from him during all these years of separation.

“He may be back looking for redemption, but after everything they’ve been through, how can she admit what he really walked away from all those years ago? Hank always knew persuading Grace to trust him again would be a tall order. Convincing her they deserve a happily ever after? That may take a Texas-sized Christmas miracle.”

Can’t get enough of those hunky holiday cowboys? Well, buck up; you’re in luck! Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas by the award-winning author, Joanne Kennedy, is the second novel in her Blue Sky Cowboys series.

When Griff Bailey returns to his father’s ranch in Wyoming after a long deployment, he looks forward to a quiet Christmas, but those plans are dashed when he learns that his former lover, Riley James, has moved in. Although Riley vowed to stay away from just the kind of brusque and brooding man that she knows Griff to be, his battle scars lure her in and trigger her sympathy. As the broken pair struggles to coexist, Riley wants to be the one to heal Griff’s emotional wounds, and Griff must admit that he’s not entirely averse to her touch… but is there enough Christmas magic to help these two guarded people become vulnerable once again?

“Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas is an emotional, compelling story from a master of the genre. Joanne Kennedy’s sexy cowboy romances feature the rugged and lonely Wyoming range, where the nearest neighbors are miles away and the climate is brutal for man and beast. This beautiful and sensuous tale takes place at the holidays, when a lonely cowboy is more desperate than ever to connect with the woman of his dreams.”

Annabeth Albert’s LGBTQIA+ romance novel, Conventionally Yours, is an Amazon Best Book of the year, a YA crossover that deals with themes of identity and self-acceptance, and a perfect read for gamers, convention goers and those enmeshed in the world of fandom.

Every serious gamer knows how important pure focus is in achieving a win. The popular Conrad Stewart, and the intellectual, seemingly perfect Alden Roth, won’t let anything distract them from the upcoming tournament at the Massive Odyssey Con West; certainly not an infamous gaming rivalry between one another. As the two opposites find themselves carpooling together toward the convention in Vegas where they’ll play in the most pinnacle competition of their lives, they realize that a possible connection between them is no game. However, Conrad and Alden both have something at stake at Odyssey Con and no amount of sparks will get in the way of their win, even if they must let go of something beautifully rare and unexpectedly meaningful.

“A True Colors LGBT Romance for fans of Red, White & Royal Blue and Geekerella set in the world of gaming, conventions, and fandom.”

The New York Times and USA Today best-selling author, Samantha Chase, has brought another tender holiday romance to her readers. Fans of The Christmas Cottage/ Ever After, and Mistletoe Between Friends/ The Snowflake Inn will find A Dash of Christmas to die for.

Even the most long nourished of rivalries can be mended by a dash of Christmas magic. Childhood nemeses, Carter Montgomery and Emery Monaghan, are forced to be civil as lifechanging circumstances bring the two together. Carter is a seasoned restaurateur who had gone against his family’s traditions when he pursued the culinary arts, but he realizes he’s ready for a career change. Emery is looking for a way out of her relationship after her fiancé had mixed her up in a scandal, and the two adversaries meet when Emery’s mentor, Eliza Montogomery, offers her a place to stay. Carter just so happens to reside there as well, and tensions flare, among other feelings.

“But all it takes is one Christmas kiss to turn these enemies into lovers ready for a little sweet forgiveness.”

Mistletoe & Mr. Right by award-winning author and RWA Golden Heart finalist, Sarah Morgenthaler, has written a fabulous romantic comedy- and second instalment of the Moose Springs, Alaska series- blending the thaw of Christmas love with a moose on the loose in her fictional town of Alaska. See why Sarah Morgan, the USA Today bestselling author of A Wedding in December, calls it “Fresh, fun and romantic.” 

When Lana Montgomery moves to Moose Springs, a town she’s been in love with since she was a child, she has a hard time winning the favor of the locals. Determined to earn their respect, Lana hatches a plan to stop the mischievous moose that has been destroying everyone’s Christmas decorations. But when she accidentally tranquillizes Rick Harding, a man that absolutely adores Lana, instead of the Santa Moose, Rick resorts to assisting her in her mission of winning over the town. And together, as they venture to save the town from utter moose havoc, Rick hopes to also win Lana’s heart in the process.

“Lana Montgomery is everything the quirky small town of Moose Springs, Alaska can’t stand: a rich socialite with dreams of changing things for the better. But Lana’s determined to prove that she belongs… even if it means trading her stilettos for snow boots and tracking one of the town’s hairiest Christmas mysteries: the Santa Moose, an antlered grinch hell-bent on destroying every bit of holiday cheer (and tinsel) it can sink its teeth into.”

Grace Burrowes, queen of regency romance, has written a heart-melting novel of secrets and loving sacrifice in Lady Louisa’s Christmas Knight. A work for which USA Today Happy Ever After exclaims, “My Christmas wish for you is that Santa brings you this book… a joyful, sensual read.”

The reputation of Lady Louisa Windham, the most reserved and proper of the Duke of Moreland’s daughters, is in the hands of a fortune-hunting scoundrel threatening to reveal her identity as the author of the sensual poems she wrote on a past dare by her brother. As she races to destroy all copies before her pseudonym is exposed and her honor devastated, family friend, Sir Joseph Carrington, offers her his hand in marriage.

“As he courts Louisa with gentleness and gallantry, she finds in him a man perceptive enough to discern her hidden creative heart. They begin to realize their match may be the best Christmas gift either could imagine. But Sir Joseph has a secret of his own….”