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Diverse romance books that will dazzle you
From ethnicity to gender identity to age, these romance books tell inclusive stories — and are all the more extraordinary for it.
Published on March 20, 2024
You Had Me at Hola: A Novel
Alexis DariaStep into the fiery and glamorous world of telenovelas with Daria’s “You Had Me at Hola.” Jasmine and Ashton, two actors each determined to take their careers to the next level, are co-stars with undeniable chemistry — both on and off the screen. In addition to its steamy romance scenes, this story-within-a-story excels at celebrating Latine representation in Hollywood and portraying the close relationships often exhibited in Hispanic families.
The Right Swipe: A Novel
Alisha RaiRhiannon Hunter created one of the most successful dating apps on the market in this rom-com, but she’s stopped swiping for Mr. Right after being burned so many times. “The Right Swipe” is lighthearted and full of prickly people with tender hearts that will have you reconsidering ghosts from your past.
Cleat Cute: A Novel
Meryl WilsnerWilsner’s third sapphic romance pairs Grace Henderson, a veteran soccer player, with Phoebe Matthews, the novice who subs in when Grace gets injured (think “Ted Lasso,” only queer). Grace and Phoebe (both of whom are neurodivergent) end up in a friends-with-benefits situation — but could there be more to their relationship? Turns out it’s complicated. “Cleat Cute” offers lots of steamy, consensual sex scenes and introspection against the heated rivalries and heart left on the soccer field.
Arya Khanna's Bollywood Moment
Arushi AvachatAvachat’s YA rom-com is reminiscent of a Bollywood movie (including an intermission) and all the more fun for it. Arya’s complicated family dynamics become extra tense in the lead-up to her sister’s wedding. Meanwhile, she’s dealing with drama at school — like being part of a dissolving friend group and having to work with Dean, who beat her out for class president. But to Arya’s surprise, Dean may be more of a supporter than a rival.
Dating Dr. Dil: A Novel
Nisha SharmaSharma puts a South Asian twist (with plenty of meddling aunties) on Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.” Kareena needs a husband, fast, to secure her inheritance, while Dr. Prem Verma, better known as “Dr. Dil” on his TV show, needs to bolster his reputation after speaking out against true love. Fake dating seems like the perfect solution, until faking it feels like the fakest part of all.
The Worst Best Man: A Novel
Mia SosaCarolina, a Brazilian wedding planner, finds herself falling in love with the brother of her ex-fiancé — the very sibling who encouraged her romantic partner to stand her up on her wedding day. Yeah. Talk about awkward. Sosa has written the perfect enemies-to-lovers story.
Every Reason We Shouldn't
Sara FujimuraOlivia Kennedy, figure skater and daughter of gold medalists, gives up on her own Olympic dreams to focus on being a regular teenager. Then she meets Jonah, a speed skater and Olympic hopeful, and can’t help but feel drawn to his passion and perseverance. Fujimara’s YA romance highlights the pressure put on teens of high-achieving parents, with Olivia and Jonah’s relationship unfolding in a sweet, supportive way.
Loveboat, Taipei
Abigail Hing WenThis #OwnVoices romantic comedy follows Ever Wong, who has steeled herself for a summer of Mandarin lessons at a rigorous foreign exchange program, but ends up with plenty of freedom to party it up and find herself. “Loveboat, Taipei” is based on the author’s experiences doing the same program, and the film version, titled “Love in Taipei,” is streaming on Paramount+.
Red, White & Royal Blue: A Novel
Casey McQuistonAlex, the First Son of the United States, starts off frenemies and ends up lovers with Henry, the Prince of Wales. This sweet LGBTQ+ love story provides a heavy dose of much-needed escapism from real-world politics, and it inspired a 2023 Prime Video movie adaptation. McQuiston is a favorite in the romance category, especially for those of us who adore a great queer love story. Check out “One Last Stop” and “I Kissed Shara Wheeler” next.
Get a Life, Chloe Brown: A Novel
Talia HibbertHibbert’s quirky characters in “The Brown Sisters” trilogy are impossible not to fall in love with. Her protagonists are often neurodivergent, and their course toward love is delightfully rocky. Chloe Brown is a plus-sized woman of color suffering from a chronic illness — and determined to let none of those factors hold her back any longer. To ensure she has a lot of flippant fun, Chloe makes a list of rebellious activities she has to do, and attaches herself to biker Redford for a hilarious ride.
Last First Kiss
Nicole FallsFalls’ books are like being wrapped in a warm hug while you cry. “Last First Kiss” sparkles with joy, friendship, and plenty of straight talk. Calista, the heroine, is a great BFF to her friend, who’s suddenly found the one — which means spending time with the best man, who’s a single dad due to his sibling’s unexpected death. Laughter, tears, sexy times, and a great community make “Last First Kiss” a delight.
Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating
Christina LaurenJosh and Hazel are not dating. They’re just friends who go on blind dates together with other people. Other people they don’t end up liking, because they’re totally in love with each other and won’t admit it. But can chaotic Hazel and mellow Josh really work romantically? Fans of friends to lovers stories won’t be disappointed.
Mixed Match
Mia HeintzelmanThe protagonists in Heintzelman’s “Mixed Match” are both striving to achieve their dreams, but taking very different paths there. While the book is a rom-com, it’s not all mistaken identities and hijinks. The characters are messy, sometimes wrong, and their respective goals speak to their sense of self. Heintzelman has a deft hand with dialogue, and it’s fun to watch this romance unfold.
Mechanics of Love
Meka JamesJames’ “Love on Madison Island” series crafts a world where people are more than the sum of their relationships, which is especially true in the third book of the series (that can be read as a standalone). Two women who’ve lived their lives in diametrically opposed ways discover they actually have a lot in common. Their eventual romance is a celebration of them and their world.
Cemetery Boys
Aiden ThomasA cute, queer YA romance between a gay trans boy and a ghost. Yadriel is determined to prove his gender identity to his Latinx family by exhibiting powers of a brujo rather than a bruja. Yadriel means to summon the ghost of his recently deceased cousin, but instead ends up with the spirit of his school’s bad boy, Julian Diaz. This stunning #OwnVoices story breaks down several barriers.
Fourth Wing
Rebecca YarrosIn “Fourth Wing,” Violet, the bookish daughter of a formidable mother, must put aside her fear to become a dragon rider. But first, she has to survive Basgiath War College, where everyone and everything seems out to kill her. Besides the riveting action and romance, this story has also gained immense appreciation for its treatment of chronic illness. Yarros, who has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, drew inspiration from her own life to create Violet’s character.
The Art of Losing
Ruby LangGia Franchetti, adopted at birth and raised in Boston, decides to move to Shanghai and reconnect with her roots. In China, she meets Cal, a Black American tourist, and their connection is instantaneous. But Gia is staying and Cal is returning, forcing them to decide what matters most. Lang’s novella is a sweet, authentic romance that deals with issues many of us have faced, including grief, regret, questioning one’s destiny, and more.
Long Shot: A HOOPS Novel
Kennedy RyanSet in the competitive world of the NBA, “Long Shot” follows Iris, who’s trapped in an abusive relationship with one basketball player while dreaming of a safer, more loving life with another. For fans of “It Ends with Us,” this story shines a painful light on the effects of abuse and the courage it takes to survive and ultimately break the cycle.
Fit: The Fit Trilogy, #1
Rebekah WeatherspoonThe tagline of Weatherspoon’s website — “Where the Happily Ever Afters Are Always in Color” — makes the desires she’s fulfilling pretty clear. If you want a lighthearted romance with a healthy (but kinky) relationship, Weatherspoon’s FIT trilogy is here for you.
A Caribbean Heiress in Paris
Adriana HerreraThree friends from the Caribbean star as the heroines of Herrera’s historical “Las Leonas” series. In this series-starter, Luz Alana arrives in 1889 Paris to expand her family’s rum business. There, she meets James Evanston Sinclair, a Scottish lord who’s equally intent on building his whisky business and taking his cruelly manipulative father down. Plot twists and turns lead to the two entering a marriage of convenience, but of course it’s not convenient when they fall in love.
Rebel
Beverly JenkinsJenkins is a trailblazer. She’s been publishing multicultural romance novels starring Black protagonists and other people of color for decades. Not only are they fun, stirring adventures featuring authentic characters that feel like real people, but Jenkins fills them with well-researched historical details, too. “Rebel” is sexy AND historically accurate — a winner all around.
An Extraordinary Union
Alyssa ColeCole breaks so many molds with respectful regard for her tough subject matter in “An Extraordinary Union.” Two spies fall in love during the American Civil War — a white man pretending to be a Confederate soldier and a free Black woman pretending to be a slave in Virginia. It’s fraught, brimming with tension, and, as the title says, extraordinary.
The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen
KJ CharlesLeave it to Charles to make a 19th century queer romance even more complicated. Gareth has inherited a baronetcy from his estranged father; Joss is the head of a smuggling ring called Doomsday. They’ve been engaged in a longstanding anonymous hookup, so things get, er, awkward when they find out who the other truly is. Class differences, family loyalties, hidden secrets, and fears of being outed ramp up the tension.
Butterfly Swords
Jeannie LinHistorical romance has, in particular, focused on a very narrow subset of countries and time periods (we’re looking at you, Regency and Victorian eras). Expand your horizons with this historical set in China during the Tang Dynasty, where Princess Ai Li ends up falling in love with a foreign warrior.
Mrs. Martin's Incomparable Adventure: The Worth Saga
Courtney MilanThis novella tears down a ton of barriers with an economy of words. Goodbye, ageism and terrible men. Hello, spunky older ladies finding love with each other. You’ll laugh, you’ll cheer, you might even cry at this satisfyingly angry — er, PASSIONATE — romance.
Seasons of Love: A Lesbian Romance Novel
Harper BlissA scandalous and sweet age-gap lesbian romance is the heart of Bliss’ novella. Alice, in her 50s, suddenly finds herself alone, on vacation, with her business partner’s 29-year-old daughter, Joy. Sparks fly, guilt grows, and love conquers all.