4 Of The Best Romance Books Of 2025, According To Reviews

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2025 was full of endlessly juicy reads — from heart-stopping thrillers to fantasies, there were best-sellers across all genres. However, romance held a top spot in book lovers' hearts, and several releases were definitely top-tier this year. Some of the best contemporary romance books came out in the 2020s, and this year in particular was full of steamy reads. Romantasy also captivated readers, with the subgenre full of imaginative world-building and enemies-turned-lovers plotlines.

There's nothing like getting lost in a love story that starts messy and wraps up with a happily-ever-after. And, while we adore a sweet meet-cute, we've also learned some love lessons from the biggest romance books of the 2020s. We can always find a reason (or several) to pick up a love story, and according to ratings, the following four releases were among the top fan-favorites of 2025.

If you're looking for one of the best feel-good book releases of 2025 to boost your mood, look no further than "Say You'll Remember Me." This contemporary romance, written by Abby Jimenez, is not so much a will-they-won't-they, but more of a how-will-they. After meeting at Xavier Rush's veterinary clinic, he and Samantha Diaz spend the perfect day together, but circumstances tear them apart and across the country. Duty, work, and family obligations take precedent, but Rush and Diaz's love for each other is stronger than any obstacles, and it's up to them to figure out how to make their relationship work.

With almost 500,000 ratings on Amazon and Goodreads combined, "Say You'll Remember Me" is one of 2025's most beloved romance books. Many loved the instant attraction between the main characters, with one reviewer sharing, "The chemistry between Xavier and Sam was so sweet and realistic. The plot felt real and not cheesy at all. The addition of other issues and themes in the book was perfectly balanced with the romance in the book." In addition to the couple's romance, readers will also root for Diaz's messy family, and this book is guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings in the best possible way.

A princess as the main character, royal intrigue between kingdoms, and a mysterious stranger are just a few elements that make "Shield of Sparrows" one of 2025's top romance novels. Devney Perry's romantasy takes readers on a journey through the eyes of Odessa, who is ordered to marry a prince and embark on a journey to save her kingdom. With that comes magic and monsters, but also a slow-burning romance between Odessa and an unexpected hero.

Readers were instantly hooked from the start, and one wrote on Amazon, "There were scenes that genuinely gave me chills and others that made me stop reading just to take it all in. It's the kind of book that lingers long after you've finished, the kind that reminds you why you love reading in the first place." Another raved about the main character, "She starts off not really knowing who she is, but her sheer determination to grow, help others, and refuse to be helpless is incredible ... Watching her journey from uncertainty to strength was absolutely captivating, and the slow build really allowed me to connect with her on a deep level."

Fans of light-hearted romance books will love B.K. Borison's "First-Time Caller." This February 2025 release centers around a romance hotline radio host named Aiden Valentine, who doesn't believe in love. Enter Lucie Stone, whose daughter wants her to start dating, and she ends up sharing her story on-air. Valentine becomes invested in finding Stone's forever partner, but complications arise when the two develop feelings for each other.

While the plot of "First-Time Caller" may seem a bit simple, Valentine and Stone's personalities shine through the pages. One reader shared, "Lucie and Aiden's story felt incredibly real and believable. It was the perfect grumpy-sunshine romance, with Lucie bringing light and warmth while Aiden, in all his grumpiness, had his own reasons for holding back. I loved watching his walls slowly come down." Another wrote, "I wanted to reread this book immediately after finishing because I had a smile plastered to my face the ENTIRE TIME I was reading it. I laughed so hard the whole way through. The banter is 10 out of 10!" If you need a feel-good book that checks all the rom-com boxes, add "First-Time Caller" to your TBR.

Readers who follow Elsie Silver's Rose Hill series are in for a treat with the highly rated third installment, "Wild Side," which holds an average 4.3-star rating between Amazon and Goodreads. This time, the story centers around Tabitha Garrison and Rhys Dupris, who are unexpectedly brought together after a tragedy. Circumstances force them to get married, but over time, the two realize that their feelings run deeper than they thought. On making her characters come to life, Silver told Us Weekly, "I love creating a hero — and a heroine for that matter — but a hero who feels really different from the last book, and Rhys is certainly that. He is kind of one of those people who is so much more than meets the eye."

"Wild Side" is a romance book, but readers appreciated the well-rounded narrative, with one noting, "Lately, it seems that many popular authors focus on creating books that are heavy on spice but light on storyline, so I genuinely appreciate your work. While I enjoy a spicy scene as well, I prefer a book rich in content that offers depth." There's a reason Silver is one of the most popular authors in the romance genre, and her ability to craft a realistic story while delivering the chemistry between her main characters keeps readers coming back.

As we all know, books are very subjective, and readers have varied tastes when it comes to romance. That's why we based our list of 2025's top romance reads purely on reviews found on Amazon and Goodreads. While the average ratings took top priority, we also factored in how many reviews they received, with three of our picks garnering over 200,000 on Goodreads. "Say You'll Remember Me" was even more widely received, with over 430,000 reviews on the site to date. After compiling our list, the comments left by readers said it all, and the majority enthusiastically shared just why they loved these books. Whether you're into romantasy or simply need a cozy, contemporary, feel-good romance, at least one of these reads will be sure to fit the bill.