The 12 Hottest Romance Books Coming 2026
Okay romance readers … it’s officially February, which means two things:
We’ve already added way too many books to our 2026 TBR.
The biggest romance book releases of 2026 are still ahead of us.
If you’re already hunting for the hottest romance books coming in 2026, you’re in exactly the right place. Because the remainder of this year is stacked with upcoming romance releases that are about to dominate BookTok, book clubs, and every “what should I read next?” thread on the internet.
We’re talking:
Highly anticipated romance sequels
Brand-new romance series launches
Swoon-worthy contemporary romance
Addictive romantasy with morally gray love interests
Small-town slow burns that will emotionally ruin us
And at least three book boyfriends we will not be normal about
And the best part? These 2026 romance releases are still rolling out over the next several months—which means you have time to preorder, plan your reading calendar and emotionally prepare.
If you love staying ahead of trending romance books, tracking the most anticipated romance novels of 202, and being the friend who says “I read that before it blew up,” this list is for you.
Here are the 12 Hottest Romance Books Coming in 2026:
Lonesome Ridge (Rustler Mountain Book 3) by Maisey Yates – expected release 24 February
Perfect for readers who love swoony modern-day westerns and cowboys.
The Island Retreat by Cathy Kelly – Expected 26 February
Perfect for lovers of emotional holiday stories.
Vanished in the Crowd by Rhys Bowens & Clare Broyles – Expected 10 March
Perfect for lovers of historical cozy mysteries.
The Started Ex by Mia Sosa – Expected 10 March
Perfect for lovers of fake dating & enemies to lovers.
Faking Cindarella by Pippa Grant – Expected 17 March
Perfect for readers who love a grumpy former bodyguard, an heiress in disguise, and an accidental roommate situation.
Beneath by Ariel Sullivan – Expected 31 March
Perfect for readers who love fantasy romance and dystopian fiction.
Volik by S.J. Tilly – Expected 11 June
Perfect for lovers of vampire romance, age gap, and plus-size heroines + spicy romance.
The Beginning of Us by Emma Mugglesone – Expected 22 April
Perfect for lovers of small-town, fake-dating romance.
The Wretched Divine by Adalyn Grace– Expected 22 September
Perfect for lovers of epic fantasy and coming-of-age stories.
Unrivaled by Rachel Reid – Expected 29 September
Perfect for lovers of ice hockey romance. The highly anticipated final book in New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Rachel Reid's Game Changers series.
Warrior by H.M. Hodgson – Expected 30 November
Perfect for lovers of the National Treasure movies and witchy, spicy romance books.
(P)Rhyme Numbers by Sarah Beran – Expected 21 December
Perfect for lovers of urban fantasy with a dash of comedy.
If 2026 has proven anything, it’s that romance readers are being completely spoiled – and with so many highly anticipated romance books still releasing in the remainder of the year, your TBR is about to get dangerously out of control.
So go ahead and preorder your favorites, make room on your shelf, and get ready to say you read them before they became best sellers.
2026 is coming in hot!
