“You’re everything I always wanted and never thought I deserved.”
Whether it has been filled with an array of new loves, rekindled relationships or nights spent on the sofa with a tub of ice cream, the romance genre has had you covered this year. Fuelled by veteran names and exciting newcomers alike, there have been so many great stories released across 2023. From epic fantasy worlds filled with fire-breathing dragons to cutesy workplace flings, find your perfect match at What We Reading with the best romance books from 2023!
Happy Place – Emily Henry
First up on our list of the best 2023 romance books is Emily Henry’s Happy Place. The winner of Best Romance in the Goodreads Choice Awards introduces readers to Harriet and Wyn, the seemingly perfect couple who have been together since college. Yet, what their friends don’t realise is that they broke up six months ago.
Every year, Harriet and Wyn organise a week-long getaway trip to Maine with their friends. It’s a tradition that involves getting away from the city and indulging in far too much seafood, wine and cheese. To preserve this treasured vacation, Harriet and Wyn agree to continue faking their relationship in front of their friends. But, after years of being the perfect couple, will they be able to fool those who know them best? Happy Place is an imaginative summer romance read that taps into insecurities, introspection and character and the power of second chances.
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Things We Hide From The Light (Knockemout #2) – Lucy Score
Always armed with a quip and a smile, Nash Morgan was always known as the good Morgan brother. But, in the wake of being shot, this chief of police now finds himself a husk of a man, constantly plagued by panic attacks and nightmares. But, in the touch of his smart and sexy neighbour, Lina, he begins to feel a connection. She feels it too, but there are secrets surrounding this woman and the reason she finds herself in Nash’s town. If he were to find out, he would never forgive her.
Readers return to Knockemout in Lucy Score’s acclaimed 2023 romance book, Things We Hide from the Light. In it, this New York Times bestselling author weaves together a contemporary story of a local cop and him staring down the danger that almost killed him, all to get to the relationship he wants.
The Rom-Com Agenda – Jayne Denker
Jayne Denker is renowned for her closed-door, low-spice romantic comedies, and returns with her take on the typical ‘rom-com makeover’ tropes in The Rom-Com Agenda. Eli Masterson is determined to win his ex, Victoria, back after she jets off to Rome for a year. Channelling all of their rom-com experience together, his girlfriends force him to watch all the classic movies and embark on a complete overhaul of his personality.
Leah Keegan is used to being alone but finds herself as Eli’s primary guide through the grand gestures and meet-cutes. But she doesn’t think there’s anything about Eli that needs to change. Soon, she begins to find herself falling for him, and Eli for her…
Fourth Wing – Rebecca Yarros
One of the most anticipated fantasy romance books from 2023, Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing has more than lived up to its hype. Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail had been hoping for a quiet life of books and history in the Scribe Quadrant. Until her mother demands she joins the hundreds of candidates aiming to become the next batch of Navarre: dragon riders.
From impressive worldbuilding, memorable characters and tension-filled romance, Rebecca Yarros whisks readers into the heart of Basgiath War College. But, with everyone at the school having their ambitions, agendas and secrets, the fiery breath of the dragons may just be one of many dangers Violet has to contend with.
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Highly Suspicious And Unfairly Cute – Talia Hibbert
New York Times bestselling author Talia Hibbert, famed for her Brown Sisters trilogy, delivers a laugh-out-loud story of a quirky content creator and a polished athlete attempting to survive the great outdoors and each other in Highly Suspicious And Unfairly Cute.
Bradley and Celine are used to academic rivalries and trading blows against one another. But when Celine signs up for a nature survival class, she is surprised to see him right beside her. Paired together as a team, they are forced to trudge through the very real mud and dirt around them, but also their messy history together. Nevertheless, adventure soon begins to bring them back together, remembering the good times they had along the way. But, has too much time passed for a new relationship to be sparked into life?
Lunar Love – Lauren Kung Jessen
Lauren Kung Jessen presents one of the best enemies-to-lovers 2023 romance books in Lunar Love. Filled with aspects of Chinese astrology, this debut novel follows Olivia Huang Christenson, a woman who is taking over her grandfather’s matchmaking business. Utilising the Chinese zodiac to pick out a person’s ideal match, she is soon outraged when a new competitor arrives on the market owned by Bennett O’Brien, L.A.’s most eligible bachelor.
As the two companies go head-to-head, the pair strike a deal: they’ll find a match for each other using their systems, and whoever falls in love first loses. But, when dealing with a man who is adept at stealing business ideas, what’s to stop Bennett from stealing Olivia’s heart too?
The True Love Experiment (DNADuo #2) – Christina Lauren
Felicity “Fizzy” Chen is lost. Despite being a bestselling romance novelist, she realises that she has never actually been in love herself. Connor Prince is a filmmaker who, when asked to make a reality TV show by his profit-obsessed boss, stumbles upon Fizzy as the perfect lead for him. She agrees to appear on the show, but only if her list of romance archetypes for the contestants is accepted.
Christina Lauren’s second book in her DNADuo series is a passionate homage to the romance genre and all of its readers. Featuring a unique premise revolving around reality TV, the chemistry between Fizzy and Connor is something to behold, even if it does threaten to pull everything off-script.
Yours Truly (Part of Your World #2) – Abby Jimenez
For a 2023 romance book that celebrates terrible first impressions, hilarious second chances and the joy that comes from finding the perfect match, Abby Jimenez’s Yours Truly is an absolute must-read.
Dr. Briana Ortiz’s life is starting to flatline. Her divorce is being finalised, her brother is running out of time to find an organ donor, and the promotion she has been gunning for is more than likely going to the new doctor in her building. But then Dr. Jacob Maddox sends her a letter. A really good letter. The sort of letter that leads to plenty of hilarious exchanges and lunchtimes spent sitting together in the ‘sob closet’. And when Jacob promises to make the ultimate donation, Briana begins to wonder how she can resist this quietly sexy doctor.
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Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
