Alison Doherty is a writing teacher and part time assistant professor living in Brooklyn, New York. She has an MFA from The New School in writing for children and teenagers. She loves writing about books on the Internet, listening to audiobooks on the subway, and reading anything with a twisty plot or a happily ever after.
Now that we’re creeping to the end of 2025, publications everywhere will start publishing their best books of the year lists. This year was a hard one for me, personally and politically. And it seemed extra hard for just about every person I know. For almost two decades, when times get really difficult, I turn to romance novels. Some criticize romance as a genre, but I wish those people would try some of the nuanced, thoughtful, subversive, beautiful romance novels that came out this year. Because it really was a banner year for the genre.
It’s one of the reasons you will see so many romance novels on Book Riot’s Best Books of 2025 list. I am sharing just a few of the romance novels that Book Riot writers picked for their favorite books of the year, along with my own personal picks. From deeply emotional contemporary love stories and an immersive, escapist Romantasy to a thrilling historical mystery and a hilarious science fiction romcom, each of these books promises love, hope, and (of course) a happy ending.
3 of My Favorite Romance Books of 2025
Along Came Amor by Alexis Daria
Along Came Amor was one of my picks for best book of 2025, so I had to include it here. Ava is a divorced middle school teacher. Roman is a self-made and, somehow, ethical billionaire hotel owner. A chance meeting leads to a one-night stand. But then Ava finds out that Roman is the best man in her cousin’s wedding. And she is the maid of honor. Roman is delighted and clears his schedule to accompany Ava to Puerto Rico to help organize the wedding. But Ava isn’t so sure. She’s feeling wounded from her divorce, pressure from her family, and unable to trust anything—even her own feelings. I am a former teacher and people pleaser, so I loved seeing Ava work through her complex emotions to get the fantasy romance she deserved!
Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood
Ali Hazelwood is a romance writing powerhouse, both in the prolific number of books she publishes (three novels this year alone!) and in the strength of her storytelling. I always have high standards when I read her books, but this one blew me away. Maya somehow became secret best friends with her older brother’s best friend and business partner, Conor. But that was before Conor abruptly cut off contact with her, and she responded by moving to Switzerland. It’s clear there are feelings between them. But Maya is 23 and Conor is 38. It’s a problematic age gap—at least, Conor thinks so. But they are stuck at a destination wedding in Sicily together, and they can’t keep hiding from each other or their feelings. Friends, I blushed so much while reading this. I’ve never loved age gap romance before, but this book may have converted me.
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All of Us Murderers by K.J. Charles
In this Edwardian era gothic romance, Zeb reluctantly visits his cousin Wynn’s remote country manor—only to find his ex-boss and lover, Gideon, is his cousin’s secretary. Zeb’s entire family is there to play an inheritance game: whoever marries Wynn’s mysterious ward (a newly discovered cousin from the illegitimate side of their family) will inherit his home and fortune. Zeb has no intention of playing, but finds himself unable to escape the premises. And when the game turns deadly, he turns to Gideon for help surviving the weekend. People talk a lot about the death of historical fiction, but this book is so fun, atmospheric, and romantic. It’s also a great buddy read for These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean, a contemporary novel with a different twist on an inheritance game.
3 of Book Rioters’ Favorite Romance Books of 2025
Here are just a few of my fellow Book Riot writers’ picks for the best romance books of 2025! Click through to the full list for even more.
When the Tides Held the Moon by Venessa Vida Kelley
Fantasy! Romance! Historical Fiction! Found family! Gorgeous art! Venessa Vida Kelley’s dreamy debut When the Tides Held the Moon has something for everyone. Puerto Rican blacksmith Benny is tasked with building a giant glass tank. When he delivers it to the 1910s Coney Island carnival sideshow that commissioned it, he realizes it was constructed for a real merman captured from the East River. And when he falls in love with that merman, Benny realizes he’s constructed his prison and now must find a way to help him escape. The ensemble cast of “human curiosities” and Vida Kelley’s vivid illustrations make this story truly shine. —Susie Dumond
August Lane by Regina Black
This brilliant literary romance is a powerful reminder that Black country artists have always been here. One-hit-wonder Luke is honored to open for his idol, 90’s superstar JoJo Lane, at her induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. But he’ll have to confront his complicated past, because the concert is being held in his and JoJo’s small hometown in Arkansas. Luke was close to JoJo’s daughter, August, until a shocking betrayal ripped them apart and jump-started his career. As Luke, August, and JoJo grapple with their complicated relationships to the music industry, a new love song takes shape. It’s fantastic in any format, but I recommend the full-cast audiobook. —Susie Dumond
I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I’m Trapped in a Rom-Com by Kimberly Lemming
When it comes to whimsy, irreverence, and outright silliness, Kimberly Lemming is That Girl. In her first sci-fi romance that takes the teeniest amount of inspiration from The Wizard of Oz, a grad student who just wants to complete her research and write her dissertation gets kidnapped by aliens alongside the lion that’s about to eat her, and it just gets more wild from there. Whether it’s about proper academic research, the lines of consent with regard to genetic programming, or trying to make Only One Bed happen when there are plenty to choose from, this book talks about both the serious and the silly in the most hilarious way. —Jessica Pryde
Don’t forget to check out the full list of the best books of 2025, including even more of the best romance books of the year!
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