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The Best Romance Novels of 2022
The most sensual, sexy, and sweet stories of the year.
Published on November 15, 2022
Honey and Spice: A Novel
Bolu BabalolaBabalola’s debut novel is a contemporary rom-com, with all its inherent humor, but it also delves seriously into the topics of identity, belonging, and, ultimately, Black joy. The protagonists — Kiki Banjo, a British Nigerian student at Whitewell College, and Malakai Korede, a smug recent transfer — are distinctly written, and the fake relationship trope plays out beautifully here.
Electric Idol
Katee RobertRobert continues her “Dark Olympus” series with a retelling of the myth of Psyche and Eros, where Eros marries Psyche so he won’t have to kill her. Way to start a marriage, huh? Consent and sexual dynamics are skillfully at play here and, combined with Robert’s worldbuilding, this novel makes for a scorchingly hot and satisfying read.
Heartbreaker: A Hell's Belles Novel
Sarah MacLeanThe second book in MacLean’s “Hell’s Belles” series — which she describes as “female ‘Avengers’” — is different from previous MacLean books, and the change makes for a more intimate romance. There’s lots of action and adventure, but also plenty of quiet moments. MacLean is just hitting the peak of her writing powers.
On the Hustle
Adriana HerreraHerrera infuses this contemporary romance with her Dominican heritage, writing a determined woman who decides to chuck her life in New York — along with her infuriating boss — and head to Texas. But said infuriating boss follows, and their romance is off-the-charts hot and compelling.
The Wedding Crasher: A Novel
Mia SosaFake dating, opposites attract, only one bed — Sosa’s rom-com has all the tropes, and she delivers them in an enticing way. The meet-cute between Solange Pereira and Dean Chapman is unique (she crashes and ultimately cancels his wedding), and the characters are well-drawn. It’s a charming, satisfying read.
A Caribbean Heiress in Paris
Adriana HerreraHerrera’s book is as bold and fearless as her heroine, Luz Alana, a Latina from Santa Domingo who arrives in 1889 Paris with her two best friends (“Las Leonas”) to spotlight and expand her family’s rum business. There, she meets James Evanston Sinclair, a Scottish lord who’s equally intent on building his whisky business and taking his cruelly manipulative father down. Plot twists and turns lead to the two entering a marriage of convenience, but of course it’s not convenient when they fall in love. Herrera’s research is meticulous, delving into topics you don’t normally encounter in historical romances.
Hook, Line, and Sinker: A Novel
Tessa BaileyBailey’s deft way with super-sexy rom-coms is evident here, in the second book of her “Bellinger Sisters” series. When Hannah Bellinger meets Fox Thornton, a notorious player, she has no intention of being another notch on his bedpost. Instead, she just wants to be friends. He’s flummoxed by his initial attraction to her, and gets even more perplexed when he develops real feelings.
American Royalty: A Novel
Tracey LivesayRipped from the headlines, Livesay’s “American Royalty” pairs a Black American hip-hop star with a reclusive prince who discovers — too late — that her “Duchess” moniker doesn’t mean she’s polite and polished like his uptight family. Livesay takes the “opposites attract” trope to the extreme, making for a delightfully romantic read.
Count Your Lucky Stars: A Novel
Alexandria BellefleurBellefleur’s “Count Your Lucky Stars” is a queer second-chance contemporary romance, where a cynical woman reunites with her first love — and has to decide whether to open her heart again. Bellefleur’s ability to elicit simultaneous laughter and tears is remarkable.
For You & No One Else
Roni LorenThe third book in Loren’s “Say Anything” series details the trickiness of social media, and asks the question, “who does the therapist talk to when they’re struggling?” Loren’s books usually tap into characters’ past trauma, and “For You & No One Else” is no exception. It’s sexy and evocative.
The Kiss Curse: A Novel
Erin SterlingSterling’s sharp, snarky writing style suits this enemies-to-lovers story with a paranormal twist. Gwyn Jones is a witch who’s content with her life of establishing her coven and running her small business, a shop called Something Wicked. Llewellyn “Wells” Penhallow opens his own store across the street, and that’s when the magical sparks fly. Banter, stolen kisses, and witchy hijinks make “The Kiss Curse” a fun read.
The Bride Goes Rogue
Joanna ShupeShupe’s Gilded Age romances are deliciously sexy, and “The Bride Goes Rogue” — the third book in her “Fifth Avenue Rebels” series — is the sexiest by far. An arranged marriage goes sideways, and the jilted bride goes to a masquerade, where she has a passionate tryst with a handsome stranger. Since this is a romance, the characters figure out who’s who quickly and enter into a battle of wits and passion.
Something Wilder
Christina LaurenLauren’s “Something Wilder” is part rom-com, part romantic suspense, and adds in a delicious second-chance romance. Leo Grady has pined for Lily Wilder for 10 years, but she wants nothing to do with him. Still, somehow, they end up on a swashbuckling adventure together, with careening action of all sorts happening at the same time.