Best of 2023: Romance Novels might feature spoilers for various books. Please be advised if there’s something you don’t want to know.
The last few years have been incredible for romance novels, and in 2023, we’ve (thankfully) had more time to read more than usual. With the amount that both editors read here, we decided to combine our efforts into one list to highlight as many of the Best of 2023 romance novels we adored, celebrating the different ways these stories left a mark and made our year a bit more special.
For more end-of-the-year coverage, be sure to check out our Best of 2023: Romantic Relationships, the Best of 2023: Scene-Stealers, the Best of 2023: Performances, the Best of 2023: Romantic Scenes, the Best of 2023: Found Families, and the Best of 2023: TV Episodes.
Forever Your Rogue
Erin Langston
Erin Langston’s Forever Your Rogue isn’t just one of the Best of 2023 romance novels, but it’s the kind of story that will undoubtedly go on to feel like a classic years from now. From the first word to the last, Langston’s thoughtfully poetic prose take readers on journeys that feel earned, comforting, and deeply memorable. It’s one many readers won’t be forgetting anytime soon. (We certainly won’t.) The novel is a love letter to second chances, the notion of becoming better, children and families, and the promise that growth is possible when people choose to adore others with every fiber of their beings. As we’d said in our review, “Not every writer will give us the kind of awakening and entrance into the brilliant world of regency romanticization that Jane Austen did. But damn if some books don’t come incredibly close, reaching that level by finding ways into the most vulnerable corridors of your heart and latching on for dear life, engraving a space where they’ll remain forever.” [BY: Gissane Sophia and Jenna G]
Divine Rivals
Rebecca Ross
Pain, longing, angst, and a beautiful love story with lyrical writing and characters that feel so real, it’s hard to put the magic of Divine Rivals into words. Rebecca Ross‘ Young Adult Letters of Enchantment series is her best one to date, with the kind of storytelling deeply rooted in healing and uncovering one’s purpose in a world with complications bigger than the characters can grasp. Despite the challenges in both character journeys, Roman and Iris find themselves discovering that they’re each other’s anchor—the one they can turn to who’ll believe in them even when they don’t believe in themselves and the one who’ll go out of their way to protect them through everything. It’s an enchanting story that encapsulates how endurance is strength and how lovely it is to have people beside you through life’s hardships. It’s a transcendent romance and a story about friendships all in one that gorgeously weaves in the thematic significance of writing something that matters into an indescribable tapestry of words. [BY: Gissane Sophia and Jenna G]
Yours Truly
Abby Jimenez
Yours Truly is Abby Jimenez’s best book to date—the one she’ll have to (and likely will) top, but it’ll remain one of the most exceptional stories in contemporary romances. It’s a story that understands a soulmate cannot fix all problems, but they can be the getaway that’ll give those of us who suffer from social anxiety a safe space to be transparent with our feelings. It’s a gorgeously tender, profoundly moving story that allows two hurting characters to understand, really and truly, that they’re both going to be harmless with each other for the rest of their lives. It dives deep into rejection, heartbreaks, and nuanced conversations about agency while allowing characters the space to grow from their realistic flaws and complexities. Jimenez’s effortless means of telling an engaging story with seamless banter, undeniable heart, and beautiful intimacy is unmatched, but it’s even more beautiful in Yours Truly with one of the most captivating love declarations in ages. [BY: Gissane Sophia and Jenna G]
A Wicked Game
Kate Bateman
A Wicked Game was released late last year, but considering it didn’t mean our cut-off date, we’re adding it to the list here. And while it doesn’t top our collective favorite, This Earl of Mine, Kate Bateman outdoes herself with one of the hottest and most addictive books of the year. It makes for a stupendous new year when the first book you read has you kicking your feet in the air with such glee that you pull a muscle, but good Lord, Captain Davies—what a man! The emotional beats within the book, coupled with the steam, provide something so intoxicating that it’s rare to close a book and not feel like something was missing from it. Bateman gives us everything and more with this one, and as we’d said in our initial review: “Every time Morgan and Harriet open a part of themselves to the other, physically or emotionally, something shifts brilliantly within the text, coaxing the narrative forward in an incredibly organic way that feels raw. Their intimacy feels like the kind of comforting embrace a book should feel like, with imagery and emotions that are hopeful and vulnerable.” [BY: Gissane Sophia and Jenna G]
You, With a View
Jessica Joyce
Jessica Joyce is the romance author to look out for as someone who could probably write my least favorite tropes and somehow still make them the greatest things I’ve ever read. Joyce’s debut, You, With a View, is a boldly vulnerable exhibition of grief and transparency as it dives into secrets to uncover the human heart and profound beats of longing that aren’t always easy to capture. As a compelling road trip romance that looks into the rivals-to-lovers trope, Joyce beautifully captures how time heals and changes by showing the readers everything they need to know through tender moments of sincerity and steam. There’s something achingly magnetic in the novel that intimately and quietly unravels the importance of trust as we follow Noelle, Theo, and Paul. It’s a picturesque story that effectively seizes what can often be ephemeral in narratives, nudging us to pay attention to the moments that are fleeting and hold on hard to them. It’s a striking, warm story that tugs on the pieces of us we don’t often look into because they hurt more than they feel great, making them sting a little less as someone else’s experiences remind us that we aren’t alone. [BY: Gissane Sophia]
Mrs. Nash’s Ashes
Sarah Adler
The daze that Sarah Adler’s Mrs. Nash’s Ashes left me in after finishing is still something I can’t fight the right words for. How is it possible to be so sad and simultaneously so deeply satisfied? It’s the power of a great novel with astounding prose and heartwarming banter, I suppose. And in every way where it matters, Mrs. Nash’s Ashes is the kind of book that’s hard to come by regarding road trip romances. It feels so familiar to readers, even if you’ve never experienced it yourself—like something from another life of sorts that gnaws at you to remember. The rollercoaster of emotions Adler puts us through and the gentle heart we get amid some of the steamiest moments is something only exceptional writers can do with seamless threading. The intricate plot, exceptional pacing, and witty dialogue bring the grump and sunshine trope to life with unique ease and memorable beats. It’s two love stories for the price of one that leaves something inexplicable with the readers when the book ends. [BY: Gissane Sophia]
Out on a Limb
Hannah Bonam-Young
Hannah Bonam-Young’s Out On a Limb is unlike anything else on the market right now, and it’s a novel that will (and surely does) mean the world to an entire community whose voices are dimmed everywhere, not just the romance world. While accidental pregnancy might not be everyone’s cup of tea, Out On a Limb should be on everyone’s must-read list. It’s an achingly tender and gorgeously heartwarming story with so much love sprinkled into every page that it feels like you’re holding your breath from the emotions that are hard to contain. It’s the kind of transparent gem that reminds readers that there’s profound healing in two people simply showing up for one another and holding them through whatever darkness engulfs them. The world remains a cruel place despite how much progress we’ve made in inclusivity and representation, but novels like Out On a Limb carve an enormous safe space for people not only to belong but to thrive. It’s not just one of the Best of 2023 romance novels, but it’s the kind of book that will undoubtedly change lives for years to come. [BY: Gissane Sophia]
Practice Makes Perfect
Sarah Adams
Sarah Adams has mastered closed-door romance so gorgeously that she outdoes herself every time—intimate enough that it makes your heart tug in incomparable ways. Practice Makes Perfect is her steamiest novel yet, beautifully encompassing the art of experiments in a wholesome manner that’s still thoroughly sexy. Pirates and bodices, banana-print pajamas, and sweet banter, there’s something so heartwarming about how everything occurs with Annie and Will; once you start it, you won’t want to put it down. It’s a story for those who want to be seen as they are while being given the safe space to embrace all the pieces of their being they’ve frequently tucked away. It’s Adams’ best book to date for the softness in exhibits amid a sweet love story blossoming through honest conversations. It’s about two people seeing each other as they are and, in turn, becoming the best versions of themselves possible. It’s for those of us who are tired of being perceived as one thing when human beings are far more complex than that. [BY: Gissane Sophia]
The Seven-Year Slip
Ashley Poston
Ashley Poston’s The Seven Year Slip isn’t for everybody. I held off on it for a while because I wasn’t sure it was for me either, but goodness, it’s special and so hard to describe. It’s a feeling more than anything else—an experience you don’t often get with romance novels, which I’m now certain is Poston’s rare gift. It’s a story about grief, disentangling the worst parts of it while holding on to the best and protecting one’s heart in the process of opening it up. There’s something indescribably nostalgic threaded into every page that’s difficult to describe—a magic that feels a little too real and not at all fictional. And that’s just it. Poston’s dealing with an odd situation, but it feels so real that it’s a little frightening, heartwarming, and simultaneously challenging to put into words. It’s not a novel you could spoil. It’s one that readers should read when they’re in the right headspace for something simultaneously heavy and so comforting that it will leave them sobbing in their room for hours. It’s a romance, and there’s a happy ending, but it’s not light or fluffy—it’s a little dark and sad and yet so beautifully honest in its exploration of understanding human experiences and the invisible strings that bind fated mates together. [BY: Gissane Sophia]
Better Hate Than Never
Chloe Liese
While it’s still rare to get demisexual representation in the literary world, Chloe Liese delivers impeccably on all fronts in Better Hate Than Never. Kate and Christopher’s story is a tremendous package full of exciting banter, high-charged emotions, and so much gentle vulnerability that my eyes stung from trying to keep my tears in check. It’s Liese’s best romance novel to date, full of such careful nuances (as all her books tend to be) and emotional intimacy that makes it easy to believe in the relationship unfolding before us. As we’d mentioned in our review: “Above all, it’s how the story explores consent and desires through a gorgeously earnest lens that allows the reader to feel safe alongside the characters. This is a story about coming home and releasing the chains that come from inner heartaches. It’s understanding that you can be incredibly liberated in the presence of people who accept you as you are, even if you aren’t moving from place to place.” Surely, as she often does, Liese will likely top this, but for those of us who are a lot like Kate, it’s going to hold a special place in our hearts for a long, long time. [BY: Gissane Sophia]
Ana María and The Fox
Liana De la Rosa
Ana María and The Fox is for the eldest siblings, and it’s one of the most exceptionally written historical novels as it tackles a realism that we don’t see much of in the literary world. The Luna sisters are each so easy to care for, and novels that intricately balance platonic relationships with romantic ones are something we value a ton here. As mentioned in our review, “The historical and cultural influences in the novel are more decadent and thoroughly engaging than anything else. It’s clear that a lot of heart is threaded through every line, ensuring that readers learn more about Mexican culture, which makes each heroine astoundingly complex and well-written. It’s always easy to appreciate reading novels that focus on a culture that isn’t your own, written by an author with an intimate understanding and deep care. Seeing Spanish words accurately written makes the story more exquisite and engaging, allowing anyone who doesn’t know to learn right alongside the characters who are unfamiliar, like Gideon.” The relationship feels more lived-in, intrinsically safe in a way that’s hard to describe, and so beautifully memorable. It’s the kind of novel you’ll find yourself itching to see on-screen with such crafty world-building that’s simply enamoring. [BY: Gissane Sophia and Jenna G]
Fancy Meeting You Here
Julie Tieu
Julie Tieu’s Fancy Meeting You Here is one of the most enjoyable reading experiences I’ve had, and I knew it’d be on our Best of 2023 romance novels list nearly the moment I started it. It’s for all the girlies whose favorite rom-com is 27 Dresses, but it’s also for those who are still a little bit sad that it seems they’re bending and breaking for others while their happy ending takes its sweet time. It’s the kind of novel that strikes a perfect balance between romance and friendship, which is one of our favorite things in storytelling, and Tieu does so effortlessly. It gorgeously brings to life Chinese American wedding customs and ensures that readers feel the experiences alongside the characters, making it delightfully charming to get to know every person who comes onto the page. Tieu is an author to look out for with characters who feel real, vulnerable, and beautifully warm. Fancy Meeting You Here also does an exceptional job of the best friend’s brother trope, making it one of the most thrilling showcases of it to date. [BY: Gissane Sophia]
Snowed In
Catherine Walsh
Catherine Walsh’s Snowed In is without question the holiday romance of the year and, simultaneously, further proof that the author will continue topping herself with every book she writes. It’s a gorgeous companion to another holiday gem of hers, Holiday Romance, and it’s the kind of love story with such striking dialogue that you’ll find yourself grinning with every page you turn. Picture it: put Taylor Swift’s “Begin Again” on in the background, then dive into a story that unravels why it’s essential to choose someone who’ll allow you to be your best self while showing up for you any time you need them. It’s a deliciously warm romance novel that genuinely feels as warm as Christmas should, with witty and hilarious dialogue, secondary characters who shine, and the kind of fake dating that evokes a flurry of butterflies at every turn. [BY: Gissane Sophia]
A Study in Drowning
Ava Reid
Ava Reid deals with some heavier themes in A Study in Drowning within her dark academia setting while giving us one of the best displays of forced proximity. Effy, an architecture student, has dealt with a lot in her life, and it haunts her. She gets an assignment away from her university, where she meets Preston, a literature student, at the house of her favorite author, who died recently. She wins the opportunity to redesign the house while Preston does research there. They start off on the wrong foot but end up working together, making it easy to root for them as they learn more about each other. They both have demons that haunt them, and they help each other deal with them, resulting in the best kind of romance. Reid crafts a story with mystery and a sprinkling of magic, making something that feels ordinary and a little extraordinary. [BY: Jenna G]
Vampires of El Norte
Isabel Cañas
Isabel Cañas‘ Vampires of El Norte is full of longing and heart. The main conflict between our heroes, Nena and Néstor, is born out of a misunderstanding—the kind where you can easily understand how each person feels. The longing is palpable between them even after the years apart and hurt feelings. They have a second chance at love after years of separation, making the emotions feel more noticeable. It is a very angsty tale, but when they get together, it is a palpable relief, resulting in one of the best 2023 romance novels. While their reconnection is the main plot, it is not the only thing Nena and Néstor have to face; it’s vampires. Cañas’ vampires feel like an old folk tale that everyone should be wary of. I enjoyed that they are not the sole focus of the novel, but their presence is in the background, and they bring the circumstances for Nena and Néstor’s separation for years. [BY: Jenna G]
Two Twisted Crowns
Rachel Gillig
Two Twisted Crowns is the conclusion to One Dark Window, which is great on its own as we see more of the characters that were easy to fall for in the first one. The magic system is intriguing and unique. Rachel Gillig paints a beautiful and eerie picture of this gothic world she created, making it a solid read for spooky season. There are two relationships in this that I really enjoyed, with Elm and Ione’s relationship as my favorite part of the book. Both are dealing with the events of the previous book, and their paths become intertwined, giving them the chance to help and fall for each other. I wish we got more from Elsbeth because the lack of her from the first book is jarring even with the circumstances, but Ravyn’s determination to save her makes your heart ache. I love how Gillig weaved each character’s arc together to make a beautiful sequel. [BY: Jenna G]
That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Human
Kimberly Lemming
Kimberly Lemming‘s Mead Mishaps series has been such a fun read and that is no exception with her third installment. Like its predecessors, it is very, very spicy, but overall, it’s a cute story with some darker themes and a ton of heart. It can be chaotic at times and hilarious with fast pacing, making it hard to put down and easy to finish quickly. Our heroes, Dante, a storm dragon, instantly knows Cherry is his mate, but we see Cherry fall for him. He is attentive and shows her the world she has been missing while she was imprisoned. Given what she has been through, Cherry takes a little bit to trust him, but she is also thrilled to be experiencing life again, so he is not her top priority. As she gets to know and trust him, that changes, making That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Human a fun, hard-to-put-down, light read that will make you laugh and feel cozy. [BY: Jenna G]
Knockout
Sarah MacLean
Sarah MacLean’s Hell’s Belles series is based on a real crime ring of women in Victorian England, the Forty Elephants. Imogen Loveless was most inspired by Alice Diamond, who had a penchant for explosives herself. Imogen knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it. She is constantly taking risks while Thomas Peck, a detective, is orderly. They have fantastic banter that makes it easy to root for them from the beginning. I don’t always love it when the hero is hung up on class differences, but I wasn’t too bothered by it in Knockout. Their progression felt very natural, starting with Imogen handing Tommy evidence damning the terrible people the Hell’s Belles work to take down. Tommy does what is right and finishes their job without fully knowing what they do. He learns how amazing she is when his path with Imogen becomes more entwined. MacLean knows how to write a good historical romance that also showcases how life was with the research she does in her novels, and Knockout is yet another winner. [BY: Jenna G]
What the River Knows
Isabel Ibañez
Isabel Ibañez’s What the River Knows is an adventurous tale about Inez Olivera, a Bolivian-Argentinian who is part of the upper class in Argentina and travels across the Atlantic to Egypt in order to learn about the circumstances of her parents’ deaths. There, she meets Whitford Hayes, whom her uncle tasked to handle her. As much as they fight it, they are drawn to each other. But the more she learns about her uncle and Whit’s goals, the more she doesn’t know if she can trust him. I love how Ibañez incorporates history and magic into this tale with enchanted objects. What the River Knows has vibes of The Mummy and Indiana Jones, making it a fun read with high stakes. I cannot wait for the next installment. [BY: Jenna G]
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries
Heather Fawcett
Heather Fawcett brings a bit of magic to history with Emily Wilide’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries. It is the first installment of a new series and has all the feelings of a cozy fantasy. We follow Emily’s adventures in Iceland where she is studying the fair folk that reside there. Wendell Brambleby, her academic rival, joins her, much to her dismay. He is the sunshine, and she is the sunshine. She has trouble with people, and he makes friends with all the townsfolk. They make a good team, even if she does not want to admit it. She reluctantly lets him join her on her research expeditions in the Icelandic countryside, and even if she doesn’t want to admit it, he worms his way under her tough exterior. The novel is a fun read and sets up the beginnings of their relationship nicely for the next installment. [BY: Jenna G]
Honorable Mentions: The Roommate Pact by Allison Ashley, Planes, Trains, and All the Feels by Livy Hart, Happy Place by Emily Henry, With Love, From Cold World by Alicia Thompson, Unfortunately Yours by Tessa Bailey.