Booksology 
“The Open Era” by Edward Schmidt
Being gay wasn’t an important fact until Austin Hardy played in a Grand Slam. Now, he’s in the news as the first openly gay man to compete in a professional tennis tournament, and his anxiety disorders are at an all-time high. Austin never expected to fall into a flirtatious off-court friendship when he stumbled in front of charming rival Diego Cruz. As the two continue to compete on the court, their complicated friendship tumbles into something akin to love in Schmidt’s shocking debut romance.
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How to fake it in society By KJ Charles
For Nicolas-Marc, pretending to be the son of the daughter of a wronged French aristocrat would have been an easy way to secure the funds he needed to get his family out of the hands of creditors. He did not explain Titus Pilcrow, a former shopkeeper with a newly inherited fortune, who was simply too kind to commit fraud. The more time Nico and Titus spend together, the less he wants to have money even though he desperately needs it. When Titus and Nico begin building a home together, Nico is faced with a lie that may hinder their happy future.
“Marriage Rebound” by Meka James
Atlanta Cannons star Courtney Johnson found herself stumbling after a winning season of basketball. Her professional success can’t overcome her quarrels with beautiful wife Sasha Adams-Johnson. Sasha, a former exotic dancer, has not yet established herself as a lonely housewife. When Courtney is forced to sit out the Europa League season due to injury, they are finally given the opportunity to confront the issues at the heart of their marriage.
Rear and vice by EM Caro
Caro’s historical pirate romance follows a polyamorous trio as they fight for safety and happiness in the waters of the Americas in 1816. After the war, as a member of the Royal Navy stationed for many years on the Great Lakes, Everand was shocked to find that his ex-lover had been court-martialed on charges of piracy. After his last and only mission, he would never forget Vitya, but he was not going to let him die now. Fortunately, Preston Darcy is willing to help Vitya break out of prison and start a life of piracy. As romance blossoms between Ever, Vitya, and Preston, they must confront internal barriers to love and external dangers on land and sea to preserve their happily ever after.
“Works of the Feywild” by CL Polk
A Polk queer romance in which a con man and a bard get a second chance at love and collaborate on a dangerous Feywild heist. Since making a magical pact never to fall in love in exchange for power, Saeldians have avoided all romantic relationships. Someone hires a Saeldian to steal the jewel and deliver it to the Feywild, but keeping his promise becomes even more difficult when he brings along his ex-lover Kell. For the past ten years, Kell has been hurt by a chaotic breakup, but he can’t walk away from a job that could potentially lead him back to the Feywild. Saeldian and Kel’s romantic and daring adventure reignites their passion as they unravel a powerful conspiracy that threatens more than just their relationship.
By the Bootstrap by Alexa Martin
In Luna Star’s daydreams, she imagines moving to a small farm in Celestial, Texas, and wandering into the setting of her favorite cowboy romance book. That is, until her new home begins to crumble around her. She needs the help of Tate Jacobs, her high school head coach and the town’s handyman. As the son of a large ranching family, Tate dislikes cowboys, but he may be Luna’s dream partner. While building a new home, Tate and Luna develop a love that surpasses their favorite novels.
“Bromantasi” by Maire Roche
When two completely platonic brothers are forced to hunt monsters at the behest of the government, they discover the dangers of speciesism and the true depth of their romantic connection. Juniper O’Reilly loves living a quiet life on the farm with her talented best friend, Mo Elmthorne. So getting into a bar fight, spending a night in jail, and ending up with orders to immediately set off on a quest was basically Juniper’s worst nightmare until Mo agreed to go with him. When Maw and Juniper discover that the monster they were supposed to be hunting is just a frightened child, they must become the heroes needed to fight the Knights of their Tail.
“As I Fall in Love with You” by Emma R. Alban
Catherine Pine and Lady Rosalie are the daughters of adversaries and are destined to continue their mothers’ feud in Bath. Aiming to obtain a suitor for Lady Rosalie, Catherine will do everything in her power to take revenge. However, after facing Rosalie’s seductive tirade, Catherine begins to fall in love with her. Even better, Rosalie is willing to give her heart to a wonderful and challenging woman like Katherine. The two must now find a way to avoid the engagement and their mothers while preserving their reputations in this situation. mean girls– Inspired by the Regency romances of Safia.
“False Fortune Telling Crime” by Sarah Raasch
Larsh delivers a sexy queer fantasy sports romance that explores PTSD and religious trauma while still having fun. As a professional lowball player, Orok feels he has to save the beautiful Alexo from a bar brawl. However, as the altercation spreads, team management and his church patrons want to maintain good PR with their sham relationship. Alexo will have the chance to become a full-time cheerleader, and although his departure from the church will be delayed, Orok hopes to have the opportunity to support him. If Orok is lucky, she might even get the chance to form a real relationship with the man of her dreams.
Pre-order Rioter’s Best Romance Books of the Year
Lost Connections by Tia Williams
My best advice when reading a Tia Williams romance is to start reading without reading the reviews or even the description on the back of the book. Because in a genre where you can always guess how the ending will turn out (thank goodness!), she has a great way of keeping readers guessing. Williams’ latest book is further proof that she’s the queen of romantic twists and big surprises. Without giving too much away, here’s the hook. When Sasha makes contact with a handsome Italian man on a transatlantic flight, she can’t get his name or phone number, so she tipsily texts a friend from work to help her find him. However, she accidentally CCs the entire company and ends up searching the world for a potential soulmate. This is the perfect vacation book. Better yet, read it on your next flight. —Susie Dumond
Stars shipped by Kat Sebastian
Together with his heartwarming girlfriend, Sebastian boldly ventures to places no one has gone before. star trek– A contemporary debut film inspired after the actors on the long-running sci-fi show get into an argument and end up falling in love. Simon hopes to retire when his contract ends and continue his career in New York City. There’s one problem. He doesn’t want the industry to think he’s difficult because he has frequent petty fights with Charlie. A cautious romance begins as you begin to PR your friendship to change the narrative. Now, Charlie and Simon have to navigate their relationship through fan chatter, industry expectations, and unruly inner thoughts. If the fastidious people who make up the queer community are also your Matatabi, you’ve found gold. —R. Nassor
From Enemies to Lovers by Alisha Rai
Alisha Rai is reviving the adventure romantic comedy, bringing her trademark character-building depth to this hilariously outrageous love story. Krish pretends to be the brother of a missing federal agent. search Brother of a missing federal agent. He kidnaps Sejal, who is basically a low-level con artist, as he is convinced that her criminal family has the information he needs, and the two end up fighting and helping each other on a cross-border rescue mission. The great thing about Rai is that even when her stories are boring, they never feel silly. The emotional stakes are well established and the confusion is well earned. —Trisha Brown
Moss in space Rebecca Thorne
Cozy sci-fi + spaceship adventure + moss life support system with serious abandonment issues? Yes, please! That alone would be more than enough to charm me. But when you add in an overly optimistic heroine determined to save her sister’s life, some compelling sci-fi world-building, an interesting alien species, and an unrequited romance, you can see why I was hooked on this book. I guarantee you will too. —Rachel Britten
When in doubt, reading the year’s best books is a great way to fall in love with romance again. Once you’re done reading these 2026 romances, check out these queer romance novels with later-in-life coming-out plots, recent romances perfect to read when it’s hot, and Juneteenth Bay.
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