As the year ends, let us recognize some of this year’s best and most popular romance releases based on their subgenre. There are so many different types of romance books it can be hard to track. Still, here I’ll include specific popular subgenres like romantasy, western, and even sports romances that everyone was thrilled to read as soon as they came out. Too many amazingly written and beautifully told stories were released in 2024, but here is a quick list of the best before 2025 appears.
Contemporary Romance
Funny Story by Emily Henry
Everyone loves Emily Henry — her writing, her comedy, her love stories, and all of her books have been a massive hit. To top it off, they have all been confirmed for the big screen, and we can’t wait to watch them. She has such a way of combining romance with reality that makes the characters and storyline more relatable for readers hoping to find love of their own. And let’s not forget her incredible comedic timing and delivery. Funny Story specifically drew readers to a relationship fated to not work, but with effort and communication, a romantic love story can still occur.
Romantasy
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
The romantasy genre blew up this year, which made it incredibly hard to pick just one favorite. Bride by Ali Hazelwood was her introduction to this genre, and she made a big splash. I didn’t plan on reading more about werewolves since the Twilight series, but Ali Hazelwood cannot be resisted. The unlikely couple between the Vampyre and the Were is what captivated readers because who doesn’t love an angsty enemies-to-lovers story? There was spice, witty banter, and a twisty plotline that had everyone on their toes. Bride is a prime example of an engaging and romantic romantasy read.
Young Adult Romance
Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter
The anticipated sequel to the book that made everyone fall in love with Wes is Better Than the Movies. Lynn Painter did not disappoint as she made it possible for everyone to adore Wes even more. In this dual POV masterpiece, Lynn Painter showcases the beauty of young and innocent love while also depicting how hard it can be to maintain a healthy relationship when one-half of the couple is mentally struggling. Grief takes a toll on people, and Lynn Painter told that story realistically and beautifully.
Dark Romance
Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver
Never thought I’d fall in love with an assassin, but here we are. Dark romance has taken the world by storm, specifically Brynne Weaver as the author in this series. There’s lust, danger, and love included in Leather & Lark, but to give it even more interest, it includes a singer-songwriter who falls for her contract killer. You have to read this book to find out how on earth that could happen. There’s nothing more entertaining than watching the dangerous bad boy fall hard for a woman who drives him insane.
LGBTQ+ Romance
Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings
Sapphic opposites attract romance, which embodies the struggles behind mental health and neurodivergence without distracting from the main plotline. Deep messaging aside, Mazey Eddings tells an emotional, endearing love story between Opal and the stubborn Pepper when they find themselves in forced proximity. Dealing with substance abuse issues is traumatic, but Mazey Eddings finds a way to tell this story optimistically, helping others see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Western Romance
Wild Love by Elsie Silver
A sweet and steamy love story between the world’s hottest billionaire and his best friend’s sister, taking place in a small western town. Elsie Silver is the reason I love cowboys and rodeo men now, before her, I never thought twice about reading a western cowboy romance. Now, I am constantly waiting for her next release. Wild Love is a small-town romance but has one of the best heroines you’ll ever meet because she’s powerful, strong-willed, and irresistible. While book boyfriends are great, having a book role model is even better, and Rosie Belmont is one I will always look up to.
Sports Romance
Play Along by Liz Tomforde
Becoming a WAG is on top of a lot of people’s lists, reading Liz Tomforde’s Windy City series is enough for me. She’s covered hockey, basketball, and baseball, and each book just gets better and better. She showcases the character’s vulnerabilities, insecurities, and weaknesses, all while providing readers with the most realistic and healthy relationship examples. The communication between each character and their love stories is top-tier and puts an end to the miscommunication trope. She creates characters everyone can relate to and learn from, which makes her books, especially Play Along, worth the read, and some of the best sports romances.
There were so many different romance releases in 2024; this list only touched base on some of the best from this year. We can’t wait to see and read all that 2025 brings us wherever the romance is involved. Who knows, maybe there will be a whole new subgenre to review next year.
Find out if you’ve hit a romance read bingo for 2024 by checking out this article here.
For more romance recommendations, click here.
