These Romance Authors Are All Over BookTok—but Are They Worth the Hype?

If you love an enemies-to-lovers arc, Beach Read is a must for your shelf. January Andrews, a romance writer, no longer believes in love after discovering her father’s affair following his death. In an attempt to get out of her writing rut, she retreats to his beach house—only to run into Augustus Everett, a literary fiction writer, and her former college rival. The two challenge each other to write a book in each other’s genre, and as they delve into the challenge, their relationship begins to shift from dislike to something more.

This book beautifully captures the essence of female friendship alongside romance. If your best friends are the true loves of your life, this is the Emily Henry book for you. Harriet and Wyn have been inseparable since college, and their friends have always been convinced they were destined to marry. But what their friends don’t know is that they broke up six months ago. When it’s time for their annual vacation with their besties in Maine, Harriet and Wyn decide to fake being together to avoid ruining the trip—especially since this is the last time they’ll all be staying in the cottage before it’s sold. As they navigate the deception, they realize their relationship might not be as doomed as they thought.

I think this book may have been written solely for the eldest sisters, and it should be required reading if you occupy that role. Nora is a publishing professional who lives her life around book tropes—unfortunately, hers is the classic “uptight workaholic with no time for love.” The only person who can convince her to slow down is her younger sister, Libby, who persuades her to take a break and spend some time in the idyllic small town of Sunshine Falls, North Carolina. But Nora’s relaxation plans are disrupted when she keeps running into her publishing rival, editor Charlie Lastra. As their encounters continue, she begins to realize he might not be the type she’s written him as in her mind, and a surprising friendship (or more) starts to bloom.

Emily Henry’s latest release is a heartfelt exploration of finding yourself after a relationship disguised as a swoon-worthy romance. Daphne thought she had found Mr. Right, only to be left by him on the night of his bachelor party for his girl best friend—the one he swore she didn’t need to worry about. Suddenly single and kicked out of the home she loves, Daphne has no choice but to move in with the only person she knows who needs a roommate: Miles, the boyfriend of the woman her fiancé left her for. As they both nurse their broken hearts, Daphne and Miles begin to break through each other’s walls, discovering the real people behind the heartbreak.

This is the novel that put Ali Hazelwood on the map and took the internet by storm. Olive Smith, a third-year PhD candidate, isn’t interested in long-term relationships and doesn’t really believe in them anyway. Her best friend, Anh, however, is convinced Olive needs to experience love. In a panic to get Anh off her back, Olive impulsively kisses Adam Carlsen, a tall, handsome, and notoriously tough professor. To Olive’s surprise, Adam agrees to fake date her. As they navigate their scientific world and their fake relationship, it becomes harder to tell what’s real and what’s not.

If you love one Ali Hazelwood book, you’re bound to enjoy them all, but Love, Theoretically is often considered her best work. The story follows Elsie Hannaway, a theoretical physicist and adjunct professor, who works as a fake girlfriend on the side to make ends meet. Her double life works just fine until she meets Jack Smith, the older brother of one of her clients. Jack, a physicist who ruined the reputation of theorists and destroyed Elsie’s mentor’s career, also happens to be on the hiring committee for her dream job at MIT. As she fights to get her dream job, her growing feelings for Jack complicate everything.

For readers who prefer a young adult novel without spice, Check & Mate is the perfect pick. Mallory Greenleaf swore off chess after it tore her family apart four years ago. But when she reluctantly agrees to play in a charity tournament, she accidentally defeats world chess champion Nolan Sawyer in a shocking upset. Stunned by the loss, Nolan insists on playing again, but Mallory isn’t so sure. Despite her reluctance, the lure of cash prizes keeps her in the game, drawing her back into the world of chess. As her involvement deepens, keeping her family away from the game becomes increasingly complex, especially when the game and her competition are equally thrilling and infuriating.

If you’re primarily a fantasy reader looking to foray into romance, Bride is the ideal stepping stone. It’s definitely a fantasy novel, but it still has that signature Ali Hazelwood romance voice, blending the two genres seamlessly. The book follows Misery Lark, daughter of the most powerful Vampyre, who has always struggled to fit in. Sent to live with humans as a child for political reasons, she was never fully accepted by them, and her time away from the Vampyre world has made her an outcast among her own people. To further his political power, Misery’s father arranges her marriage to Lowe Moreland, the alpha of the were pack and the Vampyre’s mortal enemy. Misery agrees to the marriage only to find her missing best friend, whom she suspects Lowe has information on. Alone in the wolf’s den, Misery must gain Lowe’s trust, find her friend, and survive in a world that sees her as an outsider.

One of their most widely adored novels, Love & Other Words, alternates between two timelines: one follows Macy Sorensen and Elliot Petropoulos as teenagers falling in love, bonding over books and life’s struggles; the other picks up a decade later when they run into each other after years of silence. As the story unfolds, you watch their young romance bloom while eagerly anticipating the mystery of what tore them apart and whether they can find their way back to each other as adults.

The Paradise Problem leans into fun, witty banter and a fake marriage trope rather than deep emotion. It’s a slow-burn romance between billionaire Stanford professor Liam “West” Weston and free-spirited artist Anna. They initially get married to access subsidized family housing at UCLA, then part ways amicably. Years later, West realizes a clause in his grandfather’s will means he won’t inherit any of the family fortune unless he stays married for five years. He reconnects with Anna, introducing her to his traditional family to claim the inheritance. However, as their fake relationship unfolds, West begins to question whether the money is worth risking the real feelings that develop.

If you’re obsessed with celebrity relationships and live for Hollywood drama, The True Love Experiment is for you. This romance dives into the chaotic world of fame when a romance novelist and a documentary filmmaker team up for the ultimate Hollywood love story. Felicity “Fizzy” Chen may be a bestselling romance author, but she’s never experienced the kind of love she writes about and feels like a fraud. When she crosses paths with filmmaker Connor Prince, who’s stuck producing a reality TV show for his company, he has a lightbulb moment: Why not create a show where Fizzy, the queen of crafting romance, finds love herself? Reluctantly, she agrees, and The True Love Experiment, a Bachelorette-style show, begins. But what if the true love she’s searching for was actually behind the camera all along?

In The Unhoneymooners, Olive is happy her sister is getting married, but isn’t thrilled about being stuck all day with her nemesis, Ethan, who happens to be the best man. Just when she thinks she’s survived the day, the entire wedding party is hit with food poisoning—except for Olive and Ethan. With the honeymoon now up for grabs, the two agree to put aside their differences and enjoy a free vacation in Hawaii. But things get complicated when Olive bumps into her boss at the resort, forcing her and Ethan to pretend to be newlyweds. Shockingly, the charade feels more natural than Olive ever expected.

If The Princess Diaries was your childhood favorite and you’re fascinated by British royalty, Red, White & Royal Blue is bound to become a new five-star read. In the U.S., we may not have a royal family, but First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz comes close. As the son of President Ellen Claremont, Alex gets to enjoy the perks of White House life with his sister and the Vice President’s granddaughter. But he can’t avoid forced attendance at socialite events. At one such event, Alex’s feud with Britain’s Prince Henry leads to a public spat that lands them both in the tabloids. To control the damage, especially with his mom’s reelection campaign looming, Alex and Henry are forced to fake a friendship. What begins as a PR move turns into something much more complicated and incredibly romantic.

We’ve all had a crush we always see on the way to work that makes the daily commute a little brighter, and for cynical 23-year-old August, that person is Jane, a mysterious girl she spots on the subway. But as August gets to know her, she realizes Jane isn’t just rocking a retro look—she’s literally from the 1970s. Now, August is determined to help Jane, who’s stuck in time, even if it means revisiting painful past memories.

While McQuiston’s other novels are adult romances, I Kissed Shara Wheeler is their first YA book, serving up all the nostalgic high school feels. Chloe Green is focused on one thing—becoming valedictorian. After moving from California to Alabama, Chloe’s plan has been to avoid drama, ace her classes, and beat her only real rival: prom queen Shara Wheeler. But everything gets thrown off track when Shara kisses Chloe out of nowhere and then disappears. Chloe soon realizes she’s not the only one Shara kissed or left clues for. Now, she teams up with Shara’s quarterback boyfriend and the bad boy next door to solve the mystery. As Chloe gets closer to uncovering the truth, she discovers that there’s more to Shara and the small town she was so eager to leave than she realized.

McQuiston’s latest release, The Pairing, is by far their steamiest. Theo and Kit were childhood best friends who fell in love—until they dramatically broke up mid-flight on the way to their dream European food and wine tour. Four years later, both are doing well. Theo is an aspiring wine sommelier, and Kit stayed in Europe, where he became a sought-after pastry chef. The unused tour voucher from their canceled trip is about to expire, and they both decide to take the tour separately, only to bump into each other on the bus. Trapped together for three weeks of culinary bliss, they swear they’re over each other. So much so that they place a bet on who can sleep with their hot tour guide first. What starts as a game quickly turns into something deeper as they realize what they truly want might have been right in front of them all along.

The first book in The Off-Campus series, The Deal, is viral for a reason. Hannah Wells is confident in almost every area of her life—except the bedroom. When a guy finally catches her eye, she decides to make him jealous by tutoring Garrett, the arrogant captain of the hockey team. Garrett agrees to the tutoring arrangement to pass his class, but when their academic partnership leads to an unexpected kiss, sparks fly. Now, Garrett is determined to show Hannah he’s the guy she’s really looking for.

Hockey star John Logan is used to getting any girl he wants, except for Grace Ivers. After a hookup gone wrong the year before, Logan is set on showing Grace he’s worth a second chance. But Grace has changed since their last encounter; she’s more confident, self-assured, and not about to fall back into Logan’s arms so easily. If Logan wants another chance, he’s going to have to prove he’s worth it, and Grace is more than ready to make him work for it.

Summer is majorly crushing, but, unfortunately, it’s on her brother’s best friend, Colin “Fitzy” Fitzgerald. Fitzy is a tattooed, video-game-obsessed hockey player—everything Summer isn’t. Though they’re total opposites, their undeniable chemistry keeps pulling them together. Even though Fitzy claims he’s not interested, their fiery attraction is hard to ignore, and things get complicated when Summer moves in as his new roommate.

Gigi Graham is set on her goals: make the women’s national hockey team and win an Olympic gold medal. But to get there, she needs to improve her game, and the best person to help is Luke Ryder, Briar University’s new hockey co-captain. Ryder agrees to help Gigi. After all, he’s vying for a position alongside her father, Garrett Graham, and coaching her means she’ll vouch for him. What neither of them expected, however, is the electric chemistry that builds between them, threatening to derail their focus—and their dreams.

After a near-death experience caused by her chronic illness, Chloe Brown decides she needs to “get a life.” She makes a list of six things to achieve: enjoy a drunken night out, ride a motorcycle, go camping, have meaningless sex, travel with just one bag, and do something bad. But Chloe realizes she might need help crossing off these rebellious goals. Enter Redford “Red” Morgan, a tattooed, motorcycle-riding handyman who she’s secretly been spying on. When Red agrees to help her tackle her list, Chloe discovers that beneath his tough exterior, Red has his own vulnerabilities, and she’s drawn to the softer side he reveals to her.

Danika Brown has had enough relationships and is searching for the perfect friends-with-benefits situation. When a workplace fire drill goes wrong and Zafir, a sexy security guard, saves Dani, the internet goes wild over their “rescue” moment. Zaf proposes they take advantage of their viral fame by faking a relationship to raise money for his children’s sports charity. Dani agrees, planning to seduce Zaf in the process and finally get the no-strings-attached relationship she craves. However, Zaf is a hopeless romantic, and his mission to win Dani over with real love might just work.

Eve Brown is a lovable mess. Despite her best efforts, everything she touches seems to go wrong. After she accidentally ruins a wedding, her parents give her a wake-up call and tell her it’s time to grow up. Eve stumbles upon a job listing for a chef at a quaint bed and breakfast, but the B&B’s uptight owner, Jacob Wayne, is certain she’s not the right fit. After Eve accidentally hits Jacob with her car, breaking his arm, she decides to stick around to help out. Even though Jacob should despise the fact that Eve seems to be everywhere she shouldn’t, her warm personality and the undeniable chemistry between them start to break down his stony exterior.

If you like your romances with a healthy dose of spice and royals, it’s time to head straight to the bookstore for The Princess Trap. Cherry Neita has no interest in romance, but she’s more than open to a one-night stand with the handsome man who walks into her office. What she doesn’t know is that this mystery man is Prince Ruben of Helgmøre, and when the paparazzi catch them kissing, a fake engagement becomes his solution to the scandal. Cherry isn’t thrilled, and neither is Ruben’s father, the King. But as the royal ruse continues, Cherry and Ruben realize that their attraction might be more than just an act.

Piper Bellinger is the stereotype of an influencer. She’s a reckless party girl who isn’t concerned with much outside herself. After one wild night lands her in jail, her stepdad decides to cut her off and send her to a small coastal town in Washington to manage her late father’s dive bar—a social death sentence in Piper’s world. As soon as she arrive in the small coastal town of Westport, she meats the bearded, burly sea captain, Brendan, who thinks she’ll be running out of Westport in no time. Piper is determined to prove him, and her stepfather wrong. She finds herself bumping into Brendan everywhere she goes, and while the two are complete opposites, they have one thing in common—a strong attraction to each other. As she becomes more comfortable Westport, Piper is torn between her growing feelings for the town and Brendan and her glamorous life back in LA.

This sequel follows Piper’s sister, Hannah, who becomes fast friends with Fox Thornton, a notorious player and king crab fisherman. When Hannah returns to town for work, she ends up crashing at Fox’s place and enlisting his help to win over her crush. But as Fox gives Hannah flirting tips, he starts to realize his feelings for her go beyond friendship. And the more time they spend together, the harder it is for Hannah to ignore that she might be falling for the one guy she never expected.

Hallie Welch has been crushing on Julian Vos since she was 14. Now that Julian is back in town and Hallie’s been hired to revamp the vineyard’s gardens, she’s thrilled to be around him again. Unfortunately for her, Julian is a total grump, and their personalities completely clash. Drunkenly at a girl’s wine night Hallie leaves Julian a love letter as a secret admirer. Unbeknownst to Hallie, Julian is enthralled by her personality, and even with a secret admirer letter plaguing him, he can’t get his mind off of her.

Taylor, a second-grade teacher, is excited for a relaxing Cape Cod vacation with her brother. But her plans are derailed when they find a dead body in their rental house. Now their vacay is crashed, no-nonsense bounty hunter hired to track down the killer, who dismisses Taylor’s enthusiasm for crime-solving—despite her extensive knowledge from true crime podcasts. As they begrudgingly team up to crack the case, the tension between them turns into something far more heated than just detective work.

Alexis Montgomery is a well-organized city girl and ER doctor whose life takes a turn when she meets Daniel Grant, a charming carpenter who’s ten years her junior. As Alexis spends time in Daniel’s small town, she begins to reassess her values. However, turning their relationship into something more serious would require her to leave behind her family and the job she loves. Caught between two worlds, Alexis faces a tough choice: her current life or a future with Daniel.

Briana Ortiz’s life is unraveling. Recently divorced, she’s grappling with her brother’s serious illness and the likelihood that a promotion she desperately wants will go to a new male doctor she can’t stand. Just when she thinks she’s settled on hating him, he sends her a funny, well-written letter that catches her off guard. As they exchange letters and share lunch, Briana finds it increasingly difficult to resist him, especially when he offers her a favor she can’t refuse.

Justin believes he’s cursed—every woman he dates seems to meet “the one” immediately after their breakup. After sharing his misfortune online, he receives a DM from Emma, a woman with the same problem. They concoct a plan to break their respective curses: date each other, break up, and then move on to their soulmates. However, what was supposed to be a simple summer fling becomes complicated as feelings grow. Emma, a traveling nurse, fears commitment, while Justin is about to become the guardian of his three younger siblings. Their summer romance which was supposed to come with an expiration date, suddenly has a lot of feelings and unexpected baggage.

Kristen Petersen is thrilled to be planning her best friend’s wedding, ready to do anything for her. However, it’s complicated by a secret she’s hiding: she needs surgery that will leave her unable to have children. While juggling wedding details, she meets Josh Copeland, the charming and funny best man, who perfectly matches her energy. As their connection deepens, Kristen grapples with her growing feelings for Josh, who dreams of a big family. She knows she shouldn’t get too attached, but resisting him becomes increasingly difficult.