Best Romance Books May 2025

One Last Stop

August Landry’s life takes an unexpected turn when she moves to New York City and meets Jane, a mysterious, punk-rock girl on the subway. There’s an instant connection, but August soon realizes Jane is literally displaced in time from the 1970s. As August falls deeper in love, she becomes determined to unravel the mystery of Jane’s past and find a way to bring her into the present. A charming, queer romance that blends nostalgia, found family, and a touch of magic in the bustling heart of the city.

The Starless Sea

Zachary stumbles upon a mysterious book in his university library, unlocking a world of underground harbors, magic, and lost cities. As he delves deeper, he discovers his own story intertwined with ancient tales of pirates and star-crossed lovers. Morgenstern’s lyrical prose weaves a spellbinding tapestry of interconnected narratives, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. I found myself lost in the labyrinthine plot, savoring each twist and turn like a perfectly crafted cocktail. A love letter to storytelling that left me breathless and yearning for more.

A Conjuring of Light

Darkness looms over the magical world of Red London as the final battle approaches. Kell, Lila, and Alucard must face their greatest challenge yet: an ancient evil that threatens to consume everything in its path. As alliances shift and loyalties are tested, our heroes grapple with their own demons and the weight of their destinies. Schwab’s masterful prose weaves a spellbinding tale of sacrifice, love, and the true nature of power. I couldn’t put it down, my heart racing with every twist and turn. A thrilling conclusion to an unforgettable trilogy.

A Gathering of Shadows

Kell’s London is a world of magic and danger, where parallel realities collide. Four months after the harrowing events of “A Darker Shade of Magic,” he struggles to adjust to his new life. Meanwhile, Lila Bard, the pickpocket turned pirate, chases adventure on the high seas. As the Element Games approach, bringing magicians from across the empire to compete, dark forces gather in the shadows. Kell and Lila’s paths intertwine once more, testing their loyalties and pushing them to their limits in this thrilling sequel that will leave readers breathless for more.

The King of Crows

Dive into the thrilling conclusion of Libba Bray’s Diviners series. As the King of Crows looms over a devastated New York City, our beloved characters must confront their deepest fears and harness their supernatural powers. With heart-pounding action and gut-wrenching emotion, Bray weaves a tale of friendship, sacrifice, and the fight against darkness. I couldn’t put it down, staying up way too late to see how it all unfolds. A bittersweet farewell to characters who feel like old friends.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

In a moment of desperation, Addie LaRue makes a Faustian bargain: immortality in exchange for being forgotten by everyone she meets. Thus begins her extraordinary journey through centuries, leaving no mark, until one day, she encounters a young man who remembers her name. Schwab’s prose is hauntingly beautiful, weaving a tale of love, loss, and the ache of loneliness that spans lifetimes. As Addie navigates the complexities of her curse, readers are drawn into a mesmerizing exploration of what it truly means to leave a lasting impression on the world.

Lair of Dreams

Dive into the glittering, dangerous world of 1920s New York in this spellbinding sequel. As a mysterious sleeping sickness grips the city, Evie and her supernatural friends must navigate a realm where dreams and reality blur. Bray’s lush prose brings the Jazz Age to life, weaving together romance, mystery, and the occult. With richly drawn characters and heart-pounding suspense, this book kept me up way past my bedtime, totally engrossed in its dreamlike atmosphere. A thrilling adventure you won’t want to wake up from.

The Diviners

Evie O’Neill’s sharp tongue lands her in hot water in Ohio, forcing her parents to ship her off to Manhattan. But 1920s New York City holds more than speakeasies and jazz for Evie. Her uncanny ability to “read” objects reveals a sinister connection to a serial killer terrorizing the city. Teaming up with her uncle and a ragtag group of misfits, each with their own supernatural gifts, Evie races to stop the murderer before it’s too late. Bray’s vivid prose brings the Roaring Twenties to life in this thrilling paranormal mystery that will keep you up all night.

The Mask Falling

Paige Mahoney, the dreamwalker, finds herself in a precarious position as she navigates the treacherous waters of Scion Paris. Torn between her loyalty to the rebellion and her growing feelings for Warden, she must make impossible choices that could alter the fate of both humans and voyants. Shannon’s vivid prose brings this dystopian world to life, weaving intricate politics with heart-pounding action. I found myself holding my breath during the tense undercover missions, feeling Paige’s internal struggle as if it were my own. A thrilling continuation of the series that left me eagerly anticipating the next installment.

The Bone Season

In a dystopian London, Paige Mahoney navigates a dangerous underworld as a dreamwalker, a rare clairvoyant hunted by the government. When she’s captured and thrust into a hidden city ruled by powerful beings, she discovers her own untapped abilities. As she unravels the city’s secrets, Paige forms unlikely alliances and faces heart-wrenching choices. I couldn’t put it down, staying up late to devour just one more chapter. Shannon’s vivid world-building and complex characters left me craving the next installment in this thrilling series.