Romance

I loved Guillory’s debut The Wedding Date so much that I jumped at the chance to read The Proposal. The story starts with the Most Awkward Meet Cute, then blends together hilarious dialogue and steamy sexy times. Guillory gives Nik fantastic girlfriends who are there for her but will not let her get away with anything. This is the romcom we’ve been waiting for. Someone call Shonda Rhimes and make this a movie. - Karena

I think I’ve yet to dislike a book by Tessa Dare. She knows how to give us the romance we want and deserve. She gives us a bookstore meet cute, a heroine who is unafraid to take risks even though she’s a timekeeper not a governess (thank you very much), and a hero who is the kind of guy you can take home to mama, but also will kiss you blind as soon as she leaves the room. The very best part? His wards are two little girls whose hobbies include daily funerals for a doll named Daisy. - Karena

Sweet, sexy Katie is a small-town girl who was a champion rider in Kentucky and writes letters to her mama every week. Bold, handsome Cassidy has built her life around playing as hard as she works. Both are ambitious lawyers whose tension sizzles across the boardroom table and in the dark corners of a divey, neighborhood lesbian bar. This book is the perfect rom-com! - Clara

Stella is a brilliant, beautiful econometrician. While most people don’t know she has Asperger’s, her past sexual encounters have been less than exceptional, and Stella decides she needs professional help so that she can snag a mate. Michael, a charming Vietnamese escort, takes her under his wing, but both learn more than they bargained for. This novel is smart, tender, and sexy, an exploration of self-discovery and a fabulously fun read. - Sara

This is Sarah MacLean at her very best. She has a talent for showing you the side of Regency England that others decide to skip. She illustrates the difference in worlds between the nobility and the seedier side of London with an eye for detail and an understanding for what readers want. Felicity and Devil have an amazing dynamic and whip-smart dialogue. I am absolutely in love with her side characters and can’t wait for their stories. - Karena

I've long been a fan of Cat Sebastian's  queer historical romances and wondered about her transition to Avon. I should never have feared, this book is everything I could have hoped for! Both of the protagonists are unique for the genre (bisexual protagonist! nonbinary protagonist!!) but more than that they're compelling and complicated enough to keep you from anticipating all the twists and turns. This was a wonderful romance and a wonderful read. - Clara

Right away I knew I was going to love this book. This is one instance where you should judge the book by its cover because of how lovely it is. Naledi is a capable, intelligent woman who really had zero time for Thasibo's privileged nonsense. Cole layers her sexy smooches with real world issues, smart dialogue, and just a fun plot. Life hack: Read this after you watch Black Panther, because then you’ll picture T’Challa as Thasibo and it’ll be that much better. - Karena

I’m a sucker for a good marriage of convenience plot, but imagine my surprise when it was in a contemporary romance instead of the typical historical. I love that Holland, the heroine, is not perfect. She’s a little bit of a mess yet she is relatable and I found myself rooting for her and Calvin. - Karena

There is nothing I don't love about this book. The dialogue is smart, the sex scenes are sizzling, and the cover is gorgeous. The heroine is a tattoo artist with a complicated history with her first love who she keeps encountering when she moves back home. Bonus: this is Rai's first novel with a major publisher and it's well deserved. - Karena

I love Pandora, the heroine of this story. She’s over married life and just wants to create and sell board games. Kleypas does get into marriage and property laws of the era which I found fascinating. The love story is passionate and the dialogue is smart. - Karena