Best Romance Books January 2025

Home Front

In “Home Front,” Kristin Hannah weaves a poignant tale of love, duty, and sacrifice. Jolene, a National Guard helicopter pilot, faces the ultimate test when she’s deployed to Iraq, leaving behind her troubled marriage and two young daughters. As she navigates the horrors of war, her family grapples with her absence and their own demons. Hannah’s vivid prose brings the battlefield and homefront to life, tugging at heartstrings with raw emotion and unflinching honesty. A powerful exploration of family, courage, and the true cost of service.

Magic Hour

As twilight descends on the rugged Olympic Peninsula, a wild child emerges from the forest, captivating a small town. Dr. Julia Cates, a child psychiatrist haunted by her past, sees a chance for redemption in this mysterious girl. With her sister’s help, Julia unravels the child’s secrets, confronting her own demons along the way. Hannah’s poignant tale explores the resilience of the human spirit and the healing power of love, leaving readers spellbound until the last page.

Winter Garden

Meredith and Nina Whitson, two sisters with a strained relationship, are brought together by their father’s death. As they grapple with grief, they uncover their mother’s hidden past through a Russian fairy tale she’s reluctantly sharing. The story unfolds, revealing a tale of love, loss, and survival during the Siege of Leningrad. As the sisters piece together their family history, they discover the strength of their bond and the power of forgiveness. Hannah’s prose is haunting and beautiful, weaving past and present into a tapestry of human resilience.

Sweet Disaster

Olivia never expected her life to unravel so spectacularly. One moment, she’s planning her dream wedding; the next, she’s nursing a broken heart in her childhood bedroom. But when a freak accident lands her back in her hometown’s quirky bakery, she finds unexpected solace in sugar and flour. As she kneads dough and frosts cupcakes, Olivia rediscovers parts of herself she’d long forgotten. And then there’s Jack, the infuriatingly charming firefighter next door, who seems determined to add some spice to her carefully measured life. Maybe disaster isn’t so bad after all.

Beautiful Oblivion

Cami Camlin’s life is a whirlwind of work and family obligations, leaving little room for romance. But when she meets the charming and enigmatic Trenton Maddox, her carefully constructed world begins to unravel. As their connection deepens, Cami finds herself torn between her growing feelings and the secrets of her past. With each stolen moment, she discovers that love can be both beautiful and dangerous, forcing her to confront the truths she’s long buried. Will Cami risk it all for a chance at happiness, or will her fears keep her trapped in beautiful oblivion?

Walking Disaster

Abby’s world turned upside down when she met Travis Maddox, the tattooed bad boy with a heart of gold. Now, experience their tumultuous love story through Travis’s eyes. Raw and unfiltered, this companion novel delves deeper into his troubled past, revealing the vulnerabilities beneath his tough exterior. As Travis navigates college life, underground fighting, and his growing feelings for Abby, readers will be captivated by his struggle to overcome his demons and become the man she deserves.

Beautiful Disaster

Abby Abernathy is determined to leave her dark past behind and reinvent herself at college. But her carefully crafted new image is threatened when she meets Travis Maddox, a tattooed bad boy with a reputation for underground fighting. Despite her best efforts to resist, Abby finds herself drawn into Travis’s world of passion and danger. As their relationship intensifies, she must confront her own demons and decide if love is worth the risk of losing everything she’s worked so hard to build.

The Heart Principle

Anna Sun, a talented violinist, finds her world unraveling when her boyfriend suggests an open relationship. Struggling with burnout and a recent autism diagnosis, she seeks solace in a no-strings-attached fling with tattooed motorcyclist Quan. As their connection deepens, Anna grapples with family expectations and her own identity. Hoang’s poignant exploration of self-discovery and love resonated with me, reminding us that sometimes the most unexpected encounters can lead to profound personal growth. I couldn’t put it down!

The Kiss Quotient

Stella Lane, a brilliant but socially awkward mathematician, decides to tackle her lack of romantic experience head-on. She hires Michael Phan, a charming escort, to teach her the ins and outs of intimacy. As their lessons progress, Stella finds herself drawn to Michael’s warmth and understanding. But can their arrangement evolve into something real? This heartwarming tale explores love, self-discovery, and the beauty of embracing one’s uniqueness. Hoang’s debut novel is a refreshing take on romance, filled with humor, tenderness, and unexpected connections.

The Bride Test

Khai Diep’s autism makes romance challenging, but his meddling mother won’t give up. She travels to Vietnam to find him a bride, returning with Esme Tran, a mixed-race girl from the slums of Ho Chi Minh City. Esme seizes this chance for a better life, determined to win Khai’s heart. As they navigate cultural differences and personal struggles, unexpected sparks fly. But can Esme break through Khai’s emotional barriers? A touching tale of love, family, and self-discovery that will leave you rooting for this unlikely pair.