10 New Romance Novels to Heat Things Up This Winter

It’s a new year, with new romance novels to dive into. Authors continue offering dreamy, dramatic, entertaining, and sexy reads. Romance buffs can look forward to new works from fan-favorite authors, including Ali Hazelwood, Tessa Bailey, and Sarah Adams, as well as the first adult romance from acclaimed YA author Julian Winters. And we’ve got all your favorite tropes: fake dating, enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, forbidden love—you name it. So whether you’re seeking a literary companion for this Valentine’s Day or a cozy story to match the current climate, these romance options will keep things hot even when the temperatures outside are anything but.

The Lodge by Kayla Olson (out January 7)
Are you a pop culture lover? In Kayla Olsen’s sophomore novel, entertainment journalist Alix is staying at a fancy ski resort while ghostwriting a memoir for Sebastian Green, a former member of the boy band True North (read: a fictitious version of Harry Styles and One Direction). Between lessons with the resort’s hot ski instructor, Alix is working to uncover the mystery of why and how True North’s bandmate Jett Beckett fell out with the band—and disappeared.

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams (out January 7)
The third novel in Adams’ Rome, Kentucky series doesn’t require the first two to be read first, but you may just fall in love with her mix of small town settings and spicy scenes. Elementary school teacher Emily is thrilled when her workplace rival Jack leaves town with his fiancee— and not super happy when he returns after calling off the wedding. They’re both secretly novelists on the side, but when an accidental email threatens to expose Emily’s NSFW romance manuscript to their conservative principal, she enlists the help of her enemy (who’s becoming more attractive by the second) to help save her job.

For One Night Only by Jessica James (out January 7)
Valerie Quinn needs to reunite her former pop punk band, Glitter Bats, to save her dwindling entertainment career. Too bad she and former lover Caleb, the band’s bassist, broke up the band with their messy breakup. After finally convincing him to play just one final reunion show, Valerie and Caleb lean into romance reunion rumors, too. Can their fake dating scheme hit the right notes this time?

The Favorites by Layne Fargo (out January 14)
Fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid will love this dramatic, sexy sports drama with a modern-day nod to Wuthering Heights. (It even has Jodi Picoult’s stamp of approval!) Ice skater Katarina Shaw always knew she was destined for the Olympics, even without the financial or familial support to do so. But after meeting Heath Rocha, a lonely kid in the foster system, the two build an explosive relationship on and off the ice that later prompts a documentary to investigate how their passionate romance made them stars—before destroying both their careers and relationships.

Flirting With Disaster by Naina Kumar (out January 14)
Fans of ’90s and ’00s rom-com flicks will love Kumar’s literary nod to Sweet Home Alabama. Meena Nader is a woman with a perfect boyfriend and a big-city career. She’s set in her life. But the man she spontaneously eloped with seven years ago still refuses to sign their divorce papers, so she heads back to her hometown in Houston to settle the deal. One problem: a sudden hurricane leaves the two trapped in their old home, forcing Meena to reconsider the accolades she’s been chasing and what she actually wants for herself.

I Think They Love You by Julian Winters (January 28)
When Denz Carter’s father, the CEO of a major Atlanta company, unexpectedly decides to retire, Denz has to prove that he’s serious enough to be the successor to the family company. How? By pretending to be in a serious relationship despite actually being single. The only person available is his college ex-boyfriend Braylon, who agrees to a pretend relationship, which turns out to feel not-so-fake after all.

Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey (out February 4)
Bailey has found a groove in her sports romance series, and the newest installment is one fans have been waiting with bated breath to see how she’d tackle. Pro hockey player Sig Gauthier just made out with his dream girl—so you can imagine the horror when she’s later introduced to him as his future step-sister. Chloe comes from old money and is desperate to escape a world not meticulously puppeteered by her mother, so she decides to join her future step-brother in Boston and learn from him how to live on her own. But that mutual attraction from day one still lingers, threatening to destroy both of their reputations.

Deep End by Ali Hazelwood (out February 4)
Stanford University diver Scarlett has enough on her plate, between getting into med school and recovering from a nearly career-ending injury. Swim captain Lukas is the swim team’s golden boy, who is also harboring a secret. The two plot a temporary, no-strings-attached fling as Olympic trials demand their complete focus. Simple, right? Then why can’t Scarlett stop him from swimming around in her head all the time?

Change of Heart by Falon Ballard (out February 11)
Calling all Hallmark Channel romance lovers: while it might seem like a dream to suddenly wake up in an alternate universe that might be the setting of a cutesy, small-town rom-com, it’s a nightmare for jaded lawyer Campbell Andrews. But the only way to return to her normal life is to melt her frozen heart and fall in love.

Big Name Fan by Ruthie Knox and Annie Mare (February 25)
Pop culture rewatch podcast lovers are in for a treat. In this book, two actors famous for their on-screen chemistry playing detectives (ala Mulder and Scully) reunite to investigate a real-life mystery. Bex and Sam are A-listers married to other people but are brought back together for a reunion special and subsequent rewatch podcast that forces them to investigate a Hollywood murder plot—along with the sparks that keep igniting between them.