16 Swoon-Worthy Romance Novels Book Clubs Will Love

Is your book club in the mood for something romantic? Whether you’re looking for a light and sweet romance novel or something deeply emotional, there are lots of fabulous book club romance novels to choose from in the list below. I’ve included popular contemporary romance books, cozy fantasy romance novels, and everything in between!

romance novels for book clubs

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Perfect Romance Books for Book Clubs to Read

Get ready to swoon with these wonderful romance reads – perfect for book clubs to enjoy! You’ll find popular romance authors like Emily Henry and Abby Jimenez in this list, along with lesser-known (but just as talented) authors.

While all of these novels are mostly focused on romance or have a main romantic plot line, I’ve included a mix of genres here so you can switch things up to your heart’s content.

A few of these romance books have some spice, but be sure to check out my list of the best romantasy books for adults if that’s your vibe!

Need more book club ideas? Here are more wonderful, discussion-worthy book club books of 2024, perfect historical fiction novels for book clubs, and funny and feel-good novels perfect for book clubs. Or, try these enchanting book club fantasy novels!

You Are Here by David Nicholls

You Are Here book cover

Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance

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Marnie and Michael are two strangers struggling to get by in a world that’s wearing them down.

But when a mutual friend brings them together, they find themselves on an epic walk through England that may be the hopeful beginning of a new friendship – and possibly something more.

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

Just for the Summer book cover

Genre: Contemporary Romance

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Emma is a traveling nurse who lives with her best friend, Maddy. Every few months, she packs everything she owns into two suitcases and they travel to a new city for a new assignment. But while her career is thriving, her love life is not.

Meanwhile, in Minnesota, a man named Justin is convinced he’s cursed. Every time he dates someone and they break up, that person then goes on to meet the person they’ll marry.

Emma learns about Justin from a Reddit thread, realizing she has a very similar curse. If they date – just for the summer – and then break up, will that lift their curse for good?

If you’re looking for an emotional contemporary romance that’s also a great summer read, this is a perfect choice!

Here is a book club guide with a plot recap and discussion questions for Just for the Summer!

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde book cover

Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance

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If you loved Seven Days In June, you’ll be happy to hear there’s a new novel by Tia Williams coming in February!

Ricki Wilde is the misfit daughter of a rich family in Atlanta. With famous socialites for sisters, she doesn’t feel like she belongs.

She leaves her former life behind to open a flower shop in Harlem, where she meets a dashing stranger who sweeps her off her feet.

The Days I Loved You Most by Amy Neff

The Days I Loved You Most book cover

Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance/Historical Fiction

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After over 60 years together, Evelyn and Joseph gather their family to deliver news of a devastating diagnosis.

They decide that over the course of the year they have left, they will retrace their lives – both joyful and sad memories – and reconnect with their children.

This heartfelt and heart-wrenching story is set along the New England coast, spanning decades – from World War II to the early 21st century.

Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater

Half a Soul book cover

Genre: Fantasy/Romance/Historical Fiction

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This wholesome genre-mashup combines cozy fantasy and regency historical romance for a story that’s described as Bridgerton meets Howl’s Moving Castle.

A faerie-cursed young woman without the ability to feel fear or embarrassment attempts to get through a season of high society unscathed. But of course, things don’t go according to plan.

Funny Story by Emily Henry

Funny Story book cover by Emily Henry

Genre: Contemporary Romance

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When Daphne’s fiancé realizes he’s in love with his childhood best friend Petra and calls off the engagement, Daphne finds herself stranded in a lakeside town in Michigan.

She needs a roommate but doesn’t know anyone, aside from the one person who might understand what she’s going through: Petra’s ex.

The two form a plan to help each other make it look like they’re having the best summer ever (while they secretly wallow in their misery).

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid book cover

Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance

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High school sweethearts Emma and Jesse get married in their twenties, and spend their first year of marriage traveling and living life to the fullest. But on their first wedding anniversary, Jesse goes missing during a helicopter ride over the Pacific Ocean.

Years later, Emma has finally started putting the pieces of her life back together. She falls in love again, this time with an old friend named Sam, and they get engaged.

But Emma is shocked to find out that Jesse is alive and well, and has been trying to find her after all these years – leaving Emma with a difficult decision to make.

The Good Part by Sophie Cousens

The Good Part book cover

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Magical Realism

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A twenty-something young woman who’s feeling beaten down by life suddenly wakes up inside her dream life – in her 40’s, married with children, with a high-end career.

But is it truly what she wants? And if not, can she get those lost years of her life back?

Shark Heart by Emily Habeck

Shark Heart book cover

Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Magical Realism/Romance

A few weeks after getting married, a man is diagnosed with a rare condition: while he will keep his mind, his body will slowly change into that of a great white shark. He and his new wife must grapple with this news – and figure out what it means for their future.

This unique, genre-bending novel delves into the heart of marriage, and what happens when one person goes through a life-altering change.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches book cover

Genre: Cozy Fantasy/Romance

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A lonely witch who’s been forced into hiding her entire life receives a message one day, inviting her to teach magic at a school called Nowhere House.

There, she meets a host of interesting characters – including the prickly librarian – and eventually starts to feel like she belongs. But soon, the school and everyone who lives there are threatened.

For more books with witches, check out this post with the best witchy fiction books (both cozy & spooky)!

Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell

Slow Dance book cover

Genre: Contemporary Romance

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Bestselling author Rainbow Rowell‘s newest novel is an ode to love, friendship, and second chances.

As teenagers, best friends Shiloh and Cary promised they would stay friends after high school – but life got in the way.

Now, after years apart, they reunite at an old friend’s wedding. As two adults who both feel lost, can they rediscover the magic they once had?

Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan

Same Time Next Summer book cover

Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance

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This summery read is about an engaged woman who runs into her first love – the one that broke her heart when they were teenagers – after fourteen years and begins to question everything about her life.

Here are more perfect summer book club books to savor!

Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries book cover

Genre: Cozy Fantasy/Historical Fiction/Romance

In this cozy historical fantasy romance, a grumpy scholar and faerie lore expert travels to a small town to study a group of secretive faeries called The Hidden Ones.

But so does her infuriatingly charming academic rival, who manages to involve himself in her research – to her chagrin.

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

Love Theoretically book cover

Genre: Romance/Contemporary Fiction

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This enemies-to-lovers romance is about a theoretical physicist named Elsie who moonlights as a fake girlfriend for extra cash.

She finds out the experimental physicist who ruined her mother’s career happens to sit on the hiring board at MIT, where Elsie dreams of working.

Hello Stranger by Katherine Center

Hello Stranger book cover

Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance

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An artist suffering from sudden ‘face blindness’ – where she can’t recognize or remember faces – meets and becomes involved with two very different men in the midst of her condition.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews

Bright Lights Big Christmas book cover

Genre: Romance/Contemporary Fiction

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Looking for a holiday romance for your November or December book club pick? This one is super festive!

Kerry Tolliver’s family owns and operates a Christmas tree farm in North Carolina. In the fall, she travels to New York City for the first time to help her brother sell the trees, while living in a tiny camper.

She becomes close with her neighbors, including the single dad who lives down the street. But is their holiday romance meant to last?

I hope this list helps you find your next romance book club pick! Happy reading. 🙂

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