Always and Forever by Beverly Jenkins (2000)

Historical romance. Standalone novel. Events overlap with Topaz. Prologue starts with Grace being jilted at the altar, but that’s a pretty minor detail aside from her not trusting men. She’s being asked by her cousin to round up some mail order brides for him and his men in Kansas. So she’s leading a wagon train to their destination. (Not the regular train, because, you know, Jim Crow). She hires Jackson to help get the women ready for the trip and to guide them along the way. Sparks are definitely flying between these two, and as much as Grace tries to resist, she gives in pretty quickly. Jackson has his own hangups, with being a wanted man in Texas after an altercation with the family who killed his father. His plan is to get justice and clear his name after the wagon train business is done, but Grace thinks that’s a bad idea. Lots of danger and drama here. Classic Ms. Bev.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Return to Sender by Stephanie Parente (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Ooh, this book was so messy and emotional. Violet is guardian to her 14-year-old sister Phoebe after the sudden death of their father, and she’s dealing with a sullen closed-off teenager. Until they receive a letter returned to the previous occupant of their apartment. Of course Phoebe opens the letter and gets all emotionally invested in the story there. Violet is excited to see a spark of life in Phoebe after all this time. So now, they track down the letter writer, a Benji Dexter, and try to get the letter to its intended recipient. Dex is the grumpiest of grumps, but somehow friendly and caring of Phoebe. The three of them end up on a cross-country road trip to deliver the letter, and Violet and Dex grow closer along the way. It’s definitely a slow build of friendship, trust, and more here, with the road trip forcing everyone out of their comfort zones. I loved this book.

Advance ebook provided by Dial Press via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

In Stormy Weather by Chelsea Curto (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. They’re not really rivals: clearly this guy Sebastian has had a crush on Quincy since high school. But when they finally get together, it’s like fate coming together. So Quincy is a super smart, super talented, self-employed meteorologist who’s in the running for a job with the National Weather Service. Sebastian is a super arrogant, somewhat famous, national news-appearing meteorologist who’s burnt out from his New York City life and spending hurricane season in Florida. He’s also the brother of Quincy’s best friend Mia. There’s a big overlapping friend group here that forces Quincy and Sebastian together a lot over the Summer. And when they start teaming up for storm chases and social media reporting, it turns into so much more. Ugh, I love how Sebastian is so impressed by Quincy and how he sticks up for her.

Advance ebook provided by Atria Books via NetGalley.

Married with Benefits by Ellie Palmer (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Omg, this book made me laugh so much while I was listening/reading it. So Lainey is perpetually scraping by for cash, drives a run-down car as a not-Uber, part of the gig economy of her small tourist town in Wisconsin, and also suffers from bad health insurance on top of her chronic migraines. She meets Elliot when he’s a passenger in her rideshare, is instantly attracted, and then things take a sour turn when he tries to evict her from her house. But it’s ok, because she technically owns the house due to decades-long squatters’ rights. And then somehow she and Elliot enter into a marriage of convenience so she can have his fancy health insurance and so he can maybe convince her to sell him the house. Their flirting is delightful on top of all the calamities that befall them throughout this book. There’s so much going on, you have got to read it.

Advance ebook provided by Putnam Press via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

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Despite the Duke by Kathleen Ayers (2026)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 1 of the London Vices series. So much scandal here. Tragic prologue when a duchess is running for her life after her husband is attacked. She dies giving birth to the next duke. We start Chapter 1 in Sophia’s perspective, where she is the oddball daughter of an earl and then compromised by a handsome duke in the garden. When called upon the next day by her father, the drunken Alexander has no recollection of going to the ball, let alone compromising a young lady. But they have to marry anyway because of propriety and all of that. There is so much bickering between these two, since they don’t really want to be trapped into marriage with each other. It was so much fun watching them slowly soften towards each other and fall in love. Plus there’s the overarching mystery of why Alexander’s uncle is sketchy and the possibility of fraud somewhere.

Advance ebook provided by Dragonblade Publishing via NetGalley.

The Governess’s Guide to Spells and Managing Misfit Marquesses by Amy Rose Bennett (2026)

Historical fantasy romance. Book 2 of the Parasol Academy series. Governess Mina kidnaps a viscount when she thinks the young boy is in danger. A magical mishap brings her and Christopher to another ship in motion, where she meets Phinn, the Marquess of Kinsale. He’s got his own problems being a former prizefighter with a noticeable accent and stammer. However, he ends up enlisting Mina’s help with his etiquette and speech. It’s an obvious sort of slow burn romance here with Mina and Phinn falling in love, and I enjoyed how Phinn basically rescues a street urchin to have an excuse to hire a governess. It might be one of my fave microtropes. No third act breakup here either.

Advance ebook provided by Kensington Books via NetGalley. Audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

First to Finish by Rebecca J. Caffery (2026)

Contemporary romance. Book 2 of the Pole Position series. Poor Johannes is in a rough place with his secret boyfriend being a total asshole. Heartbreak all around really. And it’s affecting his racing. Luckily, his race engineer Caleb is super competent. And also super hot. The tentative build of their friendship and relationship was so much fun to watch. Plus Caleb is way better for Johannes than the old boyfriend. Loved this one.

Advance ebook provided by One More Chapter via NetGalley.

The Scoundrel and the Siren by Christy Carlyle (2026)

Historical romance. Victorian-era England. Book 2 of the Princes of London series. Awkward first meeting for Dom and Tess who are at odds in a noblewoman’s library. Luckily, they meet again very soon at the site of an archeological dig. Attraction is strong between these two, but Dom is usually the carefree rake and Tess has been burned by a gentleman before. They have to work together at the dig and grow closer along the way. The flirtatious banter is delightful and I loved seeing Tess be the one to tame Dom. Loved it.

Advance ebook provided by Avon Books via NetGalley. Audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Anderson in Bloom by Jennifer Dugan (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Second chance romance with so much angst. Andy has ditched her Hollywood lifestyle after a final betrayal from longtime girlfriend and co-star Nikki, has been hiding in a tiny seaside town for the past five years, and is a floral designer at a struggling flower shop. Unfortunately for her, Nikki is also in the same seaside town and also writing a memoir. It’s a lot of push and pull here as Nikki tries and fails to apologize for all the things that went wrong between them. The whole story is told from Andy’s point of view and we’re really left wondering if it’s even possible for forgive Nikki, especially when Andy is trying so hard to avoid talking about heavy topics. Loving Andy’s support network of friends and supportive parents here too.

Advance ebook provided by Avon Books via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Harper Audio via NetGalley.

Better than a Duke by Suzanne Enoch (2026)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Standalone novel. Opposites attract single parent romance here. Single dad Beckett is in town for the Season, courting a very proper young lady, at the insistence of his mother. His daughter Rebecca is nine years old and will likely need a mother figure soon to ease her way into society. And then Rebecca instantly makes friends with the boy next door, Edmund, who very conveniently has a widowed mother, Iris. As the two kids spend more time together, so do Beckett and Iris, forming their own friendship. The kids try to scheme to get their parents to couple up, but they’re mostly oblivious and trying to do what’s proper, even if they’re attracted to each other. Fun series of hijinks throughout the book and I love their blended family.

Advance ebook provided by Bramble Books via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Dreamscape Media via NetGalley.

Magic and Mischief at the Wayside Hotel by Elizabeth Everett (2026)

Cozy fantasy romance. This book was so cute and funny with the mix of wacky characters. So former knight Pax runs the Wayside Hotel, which is actually a magical traveling form of lodging that goes between worlds. The magic at the hotel has run out and they’re stranded in the human world. Josie and her son Amos are looking for a new place to live and lucky for them, there’s an affordable opening at the Wayside. The romance here between Josie and Pax is very sweet, but the real entertainment is how the other ragtag residents interact with each other and with Josie, all while keeping their magical origins a secret.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

A Bride For Marcus by Anne Gracie (2026)

Historical romance. Book 6 of the Devil Riders series. Prologue with Marcus and Tessa as children on neighboring estates and becoming friends. Then we start with Marcus at a ball, seeing Tessa for the first time in many years, and then realizing that she is widowed twice and the victim of her brother’s greed. The first half of the book is Marcus helping Tessa escape her terrible situation and slowly becoming friends again. We’re working up towards the marriage of convenience suggested in the summary, but it takes more than half of the book to get there. Once we do, it’s obvious that these two dummies have real feelings for each other, just wary of the practical arrangement they agreed upon. Loved it, as I love all of Anne Gracie’s books. And we get to visit our favorite modiste, Daisy Chance.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

The Fortune Flip by Lauren Kung Jessen (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Funny enough, having just read a personal finance book, reading a book where the main character wins the lottery is really interesting. Hazel is having the worst day ever (lost her job, got divorced) on top of having to financially bail out her brother and father constantly. She meets Logan during a fortune-telling mishap and they end up buying a lottery ticket. Lucky for them, it’s a winner. Unlucky for Logan, it seems that he’s run into a string of bad luck while Hazel has had her luck improve. We’ve got a cute luck-swap story here and a fairly straightforward romance. I like how Hazel and Logan communicate with each other and support each other as they slowly bond. Cute, mostly fluffy, except for their tragic backstories and Hazel’s toxic family. Audio is duet narration.

Advance ebook provided by Forever Books via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Hachette Audio.

Never Spar With a Viscount by Lindsay Lovise (2026)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 3 of the Secret Society of Governess Spies series. Ivy is a governess who teaches self-defense classes to women in the village at night. One day, she’s approached by the Dove to spy on her new employer, grumpy viscount Owen. She’s generally wary of him, as she is with all men, due to the cruelty of her father. But aside from being a general grump, he’s a great guy to his eight younger sisters. And then somehow they enter a fake courtship to prevent Ivy from being married off to a brute and the help Owen avoid his stepmother’s matchmaking. Plus, there’s an actual mystery afoot with women falling ill and someone trying to kill Owen. Super entertaining to read and I loved Owen’s support of Ivy’s strength and independence.

Advance ebook provided by Forever Books via NetGalley.

Darling Daffodils Farm by Brittanée Nicole (2026)

Contemporary romance. Book 1 of the Hope Harbor series. Tally is back in her small town to help out at her family farm, but she’s itching to leave and get back to her seasonal kitchen work. Everyone in town thinks that she’s super flighty and doesn’t want to set down roots, but really, she wanted to earn her way in the world so her parents didn’t need to pay for culinary school. It’s always been the dream to come back to the small town and open a bakery, but she seems to think she needs pastry chef training to do it. Sounds a little far-fetched to me; aren’t small town bakeries just run by small town bakers? But that’s not the main conflict here. It’s actually that her family has not told her than a farmer named Walker was hired by her late father to work on the farm, and that he lives in the house, while her widowed mother lives in his old cottage. He’s gruff and surly and grumpy and doesn’t tell her why he’s there or why he cares so much about the farm. Mostly because her parents made him sign an NDA, and also because he’s way too attracted to her and should stay away. She’s mostly immature and annoying through this book and is suspicious of Walker the whole time. Maybe because no one is really talking to each other. But once the attraction breaks through, the flirting and steam is really quite good. And you know, once Walker figures out what Tally really wants, he’s nothing but supportive. Typical funny small town shenanigans, including a nosy group of old ladies and a humorous town group chat.

Advance ebook provided by Putnam Books via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

Star Shipped by Cat Sebastian (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. I love a messy slow burn romance, especially when one of the partners is especially grumpy. Simon is the serious actor who is on a sci-fi drama and wants out, especially if it means never having to talk to his less-serious bubbly co-star Charlie. But then somehow, he’s starting to see Charlie in a new light, and then they kinda sorta fake a friendship to make sure people don’t think Simon is leaving the show on bad terms. And then Charlie needs to track down his missing stepdad and Simon comes along for the ride. These two end up being way more emotionally vulnerable about their families and their upbringing, and in that process, they see each other as more human and approachable. Tons of heavy emotions here, especially when dealing with Simon’s anxiety and migraines. This book was so good.

Advance ebook provided by Avon Books via NetGalley.

Thirty Love by Tom Vellner (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Loved this rivals to lovers story. Single POV from Leo’s side as he struggles to win the US Open. He pretty much always chokes up when he has to play against Gabe, his lifelong rival on the tennis court. Leo’s got a complicated relationship with tennis, with his dad being his head coach and a legend in his own right. And add the part where Leo is closeted and distractedly attracted to Gabe, it’s all a recipe for mess. But the best part is when Leo and Gabe establish a truce with each other and so much more. I loved seeing them actually learn to understand each other and get to know more about why things have been strained all these years. Even with Leo explicitly stating that they need to keep their burgeoning relationship a secret, Gabe is still on board and believes it’s worth it. The friend group that Leo has is also awesome, and I hope to see more of them in the future.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Advance audiobook provided by Spotify Audiobooks via NetGalley.

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Thanks for reading Random Olive Reads! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

A Bride For Marcus by Anne Gracie (2026)

Historical romance. Book 6 of the Devil Riders series. Prologue with Marcus and Tessa as children on neighboring estates and becoming friends. Then we start with Marcus at a ball, seeing Tessa for the first time in many years, and then realizing that she is widowed twice and the victim of her brother’s greed. The first half of the book is Marcus helping Tessa escape her terrible situation and slowly becoming friends again. We’re working up towards the marriage of convenience suggested in the summary, but it takes more than half of the book to get there. Once we do, it’s obvious that these two dummies have real feelings for each other, just wary of the practical arrangement they agreed upon. Loved it, as I love all of Anne Gracie’s books. And we get to visit our favorite modiste, Daisy Chance.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives by Elizabeth Arnott (2026)

Thriller. Standalone novel. Beverley, Margot, and Elsie are all friends because their husbands had been convicted serial killers. There’s currently a new string of murders in their area, so they team up to investigate, since it seems the police are incompetent. It’s a mess of chaos and drama and reading about how their lives intertwine. Takes place in 1960s Southern California, so we’ve got a tinge of historical misogyny mixed in. Definitely twisty and turny and very entertaining to read.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Love You More by Emily Giffin (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Finally, a second chance romance that is told in the before chunk and the after chunk, not a mix of flashbacks. We’ve got Billie, a big deal doctor in NYC, who is recently engaged to Dean. But then she gets a phone call from her hometown ex-boyfriend Mick with devastating news. She’s got to head back home to deal with that and of course revisit all her old feelings. I haven’t read an Emily Giffin book in a long time, but I loved this one. This book was so good at stirring up emotions, in the best way.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

Just for the Season by Rachel Griffiths (2026)

Historical romance. Standalone novel. Charlotte is in a whole mess of trouble after sneaking into a scandalous party and the queen has basically told her she needs to marry. Easy peasy, let’s gather all the suitors at a house party. Except most of her suitors suck and she’s left with her uncertain feelings for Wolfgang, her brother’s best friend tasked with looking after her while the brother is out of the country. And of course, Charlotte and Wolfgang have a history of exchanging letters and growing feelings, until it all went wrong. We’re moving in fairly predictable historical romance plot lines, but made more humorous with a meddling grandmother. And the best scenes involve Charlotte telling off her terrible suitors.

Advance ebook provided by Gallery Books via Edelweiss. Advance print book provided by Gallery Books. Audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

The MASH Up by Laura Marie Meyers (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. This one was really fun. Ruby is super practical and risk-averse and her life has not turned out like any of the pieces of the MASH game she played when she was 13-years-old. And when she blacks out on her 35th birthday, she’s totally shocked to wake up in her MASH dreamland. Oh, and her brother’s best friend Penn is there too. Who she hates. But maybe does not hate. Ruby’s relearning her life in this alternate universe, learning to let herself live a little, and also falling in love with the least expected guy. I loved MASH-Ruby and her technicolor wardrobe.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

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Rebel by Beverly Jenkins (2019)

Schoolteacher meets army captain in this book set in New Orleans. Although our teacher is betrothed to someone else when we meet her, she quickly falls for the dashing hero who saves her from a physical attack and helps her to rebuild her schoolrooms. The happy couples we meet from the hero’s family have previously been introduced in their own stories: Through the Storm (1998), Winds of the Storm (2004), and Captured (2009).

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Wild Rain by Beverly Jenkins (2021)

A snowstorm rescue, instant attraction, and sickbed care in this one. Our heroine is a rancher in Wyoming and her brother is the town doctor. A newspaperman from back East is there to interview the doctor and gets caught in the snow, needing rescue. In this story, we have a non-virgin historical heroine who clearly communicates that she does not want children. All sorts of steam in this one, which is true to character. This story was not connected to the previous book. The heroine’s brother and sister-in-law’s story is told in Tempest (2018).

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

To Catch a Raven by Beverly Jenkins (2022)

This book covers a lot of geographical ground, but at some point we are back in New Orleans with a grifter family that is being coerced into assisting with the recovery of a stolen copy of the Declaration of Independence. Our straightlaced hero is teamed up with the swindler heroine, and they need to fake being married and servants of the house they’re investigating. Though they’re total opposites in many ways, we get to see them start a steamy affair. Meanwhile, his father and her mother are rekindling their own romance that ended decades ago. We cross paths a bit with the matriarch from Rebel who assists in a double-cross scheme.

Advance ebook provided by Avon Books via NetGalley. Advance print book provided by Avon Books.

Want to keep your own reading organized? Try this digital reading journal template!

Thanks so much for reading this post! Looking for more bookish resources and romance book reviews? Read the archives!

Useful Resources:

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Thanks for reading Random Olive Reads! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Reasons to Be Loved by You by Hannah Brown (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Loved this one. Nikki is slightly adrift in her LA influencer lifestyle, still sort of recovering after her humiliating experience on a reality TV dating show when she finds out that her fiance had a secret girlfriend back home the whole time. She’s at home in Georgia with her family for her birthday and the 4th of July, when even more drama unfolds. Her younger brother has brought his new girlfriend, who was in fact the secret girlfriend of her own ex-fiance. Messy. Oh, and she comes with her dad and brother Nate, who is super cute and definitely has sparks with Nikki. Oh, and then the brother gets engaged and they’re planning and throwing an impromptu wedding. Nikki and Nate are the only ones questioning the speed of the thing, so they team up for some honest conversations and maybe some minor sabotage. It’s mostly Nikki dealing with her feelings, her family, and how to approach her future and whether that LA life is where she wants to be.

Advance ebook provided by Forever Books via NetGalley. Audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

My Secret Duke by Sara Bennett (2025)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 2 of the Romancing the Dukes series. Olivia and Ivo get caught playing billiards alone together, it causes a scandal, he proposes, but she turns him down. And then they keep running into each other for the next few months, even when Olivia is trying to move on and find a more reliable suitor. The main point here is that Olivia needs to learn to let go of her rigidity and have some fun with Ivo, while Ivo needs to cut out his reckless wagers and learn to be a serious duke for a bit. But there’s all sorts of meddling family drama in the way, and maybe a smuggling situation running up against the law. Honestly, this book dragged on a bit.

Advance ebook provided by Forever Books via NetGalley.

Samantha Spük: Paranormal Wedding Planner by Aleese Lin (2026)

Paranormal romance. Standalone novel. The premise of this was a lot of fun, but I think the book slowed down for me somewhere around the middle. The romance is a distant secondary plot to the one where Sabby is embracing her not-so-beige life. So Sabby is taking care of business after her grandmother’s death, but is somehow cursed to be stuck in Salem, and now she’s accidentally a wedding planner for paranormal beings. It’s total chaos with a talking head sidekick and a pixie wedding assistant. And most of the weddings have things that go wrong. The side plot is that she’s sort of dating Hanry, but it’s totally not serious because as soon as she can, Sabby is back to her boring accountant life in New York. Fun and kooky read.

Advance ebook provided by Saga Books via NetGalley. Audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

The Summer Girlfriend by Kristina Forest (2026)

Contemporary romance. Book 1 of the Heart Beach series. This one was a lot of fun. Jeremiah has told his family that he wasn’t able to visit the family beach house recently because of a new girlfriend, and then his mom invites the new girlfriend to come along, except he doesn’t have a girlfriend at all. He has a chance meeting with Noelle, who is a bridesmaid-for-hire as a side gig, and he proposes a fake dating contract for hire. She needs to money to go back to school, so she goes along with it. Except it’s totally clear that these two are attracted to each other and get along great. Add in some messy family dynamics and it’s the perfect setup for summer drama. Loved seeing Noelle get along with Jeremiah’s family and for him to work out his own issues with them. Dual POV.

Advance ebook provided by Berkley Romance via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

Want to keep your own reading organized? Try this digital reading journal template!

Thanks so much for reading this post! Looking for more bookish resources and romance book reviews? Read the archives!

Useful Resources:

Read more about getting the most out of your library card

Want an intro to historical romance series? This post will help!

Learn more about Kindle Unlimited

Get my massive guide of all the romances I’ve read on Kindle Unlimited

Read an introduction to fanfiction

Learn more about sources for reading fanfiction

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Thanks for reading Random Olive Reads! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

The Very Definition of Love by Sophia Benoit (2026)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 1 of the Bancroft Sisters series. Plenty of chaos and humor and slow-growing affection. Bookish Harriet and rakish Alexander are caught in a compromising situation, and there’s no guarantee that Alexander will do the honorable thing. So Harriet ends up kidnapping him for an elopement. The banter and not-quite flirting between these two is so fun to read, plus they’re most definitely attracted to each other, despite agreeing on a marriage in name only. I really couldn’t put it down and I loved watching these two dummies fall in love. Audiobook is duet narration. If you love bluestocking-rake pairings or if you love the humor that’s typically found in Tessa Dare books, you’ll love this one too.

Advance ebook provided by Zando Books via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

Chase Me If You Can by Heather Frances (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Love the banter here in this rivals to lovers romance. Sloane is a wedding photographer and storm chaser dealing with a codependent mother and two slightly unreliable younger brothers. She’s on her annual storm chasing trip, hoping to photograph an image that will win the cover contest of a coveted magazine. But she’s dealing with the annoyingly arrogant Wes along the way. He takes way too many risks on the road, flirts with too many other people, and is generally not reliable enough to tempt Sloane. And then they get stuck together and actually maybe start talking and connecting. The tension here is great, and Wes turns out to be the most supportive person in Sloane’s life. Loved this book so much.

Advance ebook provided by Berkley via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

It Had to Be Him by Adib Khorram (2025)

Contemporary romance. Book 2 of the Love on the Vine series. Poor Ramin tried to propose to his long-term boyfriend, only to be rejected and told that he’s boring. Ugh. So Ramin drunkenly books a trip to Italy to go be a new adventurous version of himself. And then he runs into an old high school crush Noah, who’s there with his kid and his ex-wife. It’s all sparks instantly, but Noah’s not sure if Ramin is still heartbroken over his ex, and Ramin is assuming that Noah is straight. But once they clear that up, it’s definitely a fast-burn steamy romance. Loved this book, although Noah’s ex-wife’s personality was giving me anxiety sometimes.

Ebook accessed from Kindle Unlimited.

Game of Rogues by Julie Anne Long (2026)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 9 of the Palace of Rogues series. This book is the epitome of yearning. The kind that punches you in the gut, makes you teary, and also makes you believe in love. Guinevere goes to gaming hell owner Gabriel to plead her case to cancel her naive brother’s debts, but it doesn’t go well. And then they both end up boarding at the Grand Palace on the Thames, so continually interact in our cozy boarding house. It’s feisty bickering between these two, which is super humorous to read. But then it turns to care and compassion as they start to learn each other’s motives. Anything between them is impossible due to their social stations, but you can feel every emotion that they eventually feel for each other. The very best sort of romance.

Advance ebook provided by Avon Books via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Harper Collins Audio. Final print book provided by Avon Books.

Scandal of the Summer by Alexandra Vasti (2026)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 1 of the Flirty Rotten Scoundrels series. Outspoken Ruby is pretty much a walking scandal, so she and her three friends scheme to visit Cornwall, pretending to be a princess’s ladies in waiting. They find a run-down house instead, filled with a merry band of pirates. One of whom had most recently forged some ancient statues and is hiding his own identity. But Captain Malcolm Archer fails at all his attempts to scare Ruby and her friends out of the house, and falls for her instead. Loved their plotting and scheming and how they were both keeping secrets. I especially love when they start teaming up for a common cause. Funny and steamy and delightful.

Advance ebook provided by St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley. Audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

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Leave and Come Back by Lavanya Lakshmi (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. More about family than the romantic relationship, but a whole mess of chaos during a two-week Indian wedding celebration. Simran and Leo have only just barely gotten together, when she’s called by her cousin home to New Jersey for a family wedding. Simran grew up in India, was orphaned as a teenager, and lived with her aunt, uncle, and cousins in America. Until she couldn’t handle the overbearing stifling nature of her aunt anymore and moved out. She’s been estranged from her family for five years, and the stress of returning is a lot. And then her new boyfriend Leo accidentally drops by for the engagement party, and chaotic shenanigans ensue. The cousins all decide that they should let Leo pretend to be the groom’s friend and ingratiate himself among the family. Funny, emotional, and all the things I love in a messy family.

Advance ebook provided by Pamela Dorman Books via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

Scandal of the Summer by Alexandra Vasti (2026)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 1 of the Flirty Rotten Scoundrels series. Outspoken Ruby is pretty much a walking scandal, so she and her three friends scheme to visit Cornwall, pretending to be a princess’s ladies in waiting. They find a run-down house instead, filled with a merry band of pirates. One of whom had most recently forged some ancient statues and is hiding his own identity. But Captain Malcolm Archer fails at all his attempts to scare Ruby and her friends out of the house, and falls for her instead. Loved their plotting and scheming and how they were both keeping secrets. I especially love when they start teaming up for a common cause. Funny and steamy and delightful.

Advance ebook provided by St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley. Audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

The Very Definition of Love by Sophia Benoit (2026)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 1 of the Bancroft Sisters series. Plenty of chaos and humor and slow-growing affection. Bookish Harriet and rakish Alexander are caught in a compromising situation, and there’s no guarantee that Alexander will do the honorable thing. So Harriet ends up kidnapping him for an elopement. The banter and not-quite flirting between these two is so fun to read, plus they’re most definitely attracted to each other, despite agreeing on a marriage in name only. I really couldn’t put it down and I loved watching these two dummies fall in love. Audiobook is duet narration. If you love bluestocking-rake pairings or if you love the humor that’s typically found in Tessa Dare books, you’ll love this one too.

Advance ebook provided by Zando Books via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

In Every Possible Way by Alicia Thompson (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Jess goes on a bad date on her birthday, gets mugged, and wakes up in Ireland. She spends a whirlwind day with Eamonn and pretty much falls in love with him in a weekend. But she may actually be dreaming or hallucinating or something. The premise is a little magical, but the emotions and the way Jess and Eamonn get to know each other is very real. Loved seeing them connect and care for each other. Can it be a slow burn if it happens in a day? It definitely felt like it.

Advance ebook provided by Berkley via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

You Had Me at Heist by Christina Britton (2026)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 2 of the Wimpole Street Widows Society series. Tragic prologue for Iris, whose mother passes away, then there’s a fire at her home, covering up the fact that her mother’s plant research journals are stolen. Fast forward five years and Iris overhears that a certain dastardly lord is claiming the work as his own. The widows band together to uncover the man’s plots and find the lost journals. Of course, there’s a guard in the way. Oliver is a disgraced Bow Street Runner who works for the lord and suspects that something isn’t quite right. Despite his attraction for Iris. She’s keeping secrets, he’s distracted by her general forthright nature, and these two people are most definitely falling in love. Most of the book, I was just waiting for them to get it together and team up against the villain, instead of having Oliver being loyal to his employer. Loved this book and this series.

Advance ebook provided by Forever Books via NetGalley.

As Far as She Knew by Diana Awad (2026)

Thriller. Amira’s husband Ali suddenly passes away and she finds out that he has a secret house in another state that she knew nothing about. We spend the whole book second guessing Ali’s motives, their marriage, and the friends from the past who keep popping up. Amira’s just trying to uncover the truth, but there’s diversions everywhere she looks. I was totally hooked into the book, trying to figure out who’s being dishonest here. There’s some flashback chapters as Amira reflects on her relationship with Ali throughout the years and questioning her own memories. I really enjoyed this one and will definitely read more thrillers from this author.

Ebook accessed from Kindle Unlimited.

Want to keep your own reading organized? Try this digital reading journal template!

Thanks so much for reading this post! Looking for more bookish resources and romance book reviews? Read the archives!

Useful Resources:

Read more about getting the most out of your library card

Want an intro to historical romance series? This post will help!

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Get my massive guide of all the romances I’ve read on Kindle Unlimited

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Thanks for reading Random Olive Reads! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Behind the Net by Stephanie Archer (2023)

Contemporary romance. Book 1 of the Vancouver Storm series. Grumpy Jamie is back in his hometown to care for his mother who suffers from depression and anxiety. He definitely does not have time to date, and ends up hiring a personal assistant to take care of his dog. When his high school crush Pippa shows up at his door, he doesn’t tell her he recognizes her right away. She’s down on her luck after her boyfriend dumped her and basically slashed her dreams of being a musician. Luckily, Jamie is the ultimate supportive boss, friend, and eventual boyfriend. They spend a lot of time trying to resist each other, but it’s super steamy when they stop fighting it. Fun intro to the series and looking forward to reading more.

Ebook accessed from Kindle Unlimited.

The Fake Out by Stephanie Archer (2023)

Contemporary romance. Book 2 of the Vancouver Storm series. Steamy fake dating romance here. Hazel and Rory have known each other since high school; he’s kind of an asshole, but learning to get along with his new team; she’s not interested in any sort of long term commitment and especially not with hockey players. But her toxic ex-boyfriend is traded to the team where she works and she pretends Rory is her boyfriend to get him to leave her alone. Rory, who is clearly smitten with Hazel, agrees to the ruse, but he’s really trying to convince her that this thing is real. Flirty banter the whole way through and learning about Rory’s family and backstory. He’s the ultimate boyfriend though and very obviously falls first and harder.

Ebook accessed from Kindle Unlimited.

The Wingman by Stephanie Archer (2024)

Contemporary romance. Book 3 of the Vancouver Storm series. Friends to lovers is not my favorite trope because it moves so slow. Both Hayden and Darcy are totally skittish around each other, not wanting to ruin the friendship, but also insanely attracted to each other. They each have their own separate insecurities: Hayden for getting a reputation as a player and not being considered boyfriend material, and Darcy for having her shine completely dulled by her overbearing ex-boyfriend. Darcy is looking to expand her dating horizons and asks Hayden for help, not knowing that he’s so completely gone for her that he’ll do anything to make him happy. I loved their friendship and connection and how amazingly supportive Hayden is.

Ebook accessed from Kindle Unlimited. Audiobook borrowed from my local library via Hoopla.

Gloves Off by Stephanie Archer (2025)

Contemporary romance. Book 4 of the Vancouver Storm series. Georgia and Alexei have been angry flirting almost all series, so it’s their turn for a marriage of convenience story. Alexei needs citizenship and Georgia needs her inheritance, so the scheme is born. But man, they totally hate each other because they willfully misunderstand and make assumptions about each other. Kind of irritating at first how immature they behave towards each other. Their relationship is much better when they get to know each other for real though. Alexei is just the right amount of generous and protective. And Georgia, well, she still likes to mess with Alexei.

Ebook accessed from Kindle Unlimited.

The Wild Card by Stephanie Archer (2026)

Contemporary romance. Book 5 of the Vancouver Storm series. Tate and Jordan have had a bit of a contentious relationship for years, when Tate’s boss and hockey team owner tasks him with monthly check ins with Jordan, the nearby bar owner and woman who is estranged from her team owner father. The underlying attraction is definitely simmering throughout. And then they’re forced into even more proximity when dear old dad wants to sell the team and Jordan steps up to try to keep the team together. We get Jordan figuring out her life and how hockey fits into it, Tate trying not to sexually harass his new employee but also being totally protective of her, and both of them learning to trust each other and open up. Super sweet interactions between Jordan and Tate’s nine year old daughter, plus the whole book is super steamy. I do enjoy a protective partner, so him rescuing her from her crappy apartment and getting along with her violent cat is a bonus.

Ebook accessed from Kindle Unlimited.

Want to keep your own reading organized? Try this digital reading journal template!

Thanks so much for reading this post! Looking for more bookish resources and romance book reviews? Read the archives!

Useful Resources:

Read more about getting the most out of your library card

Want an intro to historical romance series? This post will help!

Learn more about Kindle Unlimited

Get my massive guide of all the romances I’ve read on Kindle Unlimited

Read an introduction to fanfiction

Learn more about sources for reading fanfiction

Follow me on Instagram at @randomolive

Shop my handmade bookmarks on Etsy

Support this page with a donation

Affiliate links may be used within this post. If you make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.

Thanks for reading Random Olive Reads! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Tropesick by Lauren Okie (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. This book had so much messy angst. The setup reminded me a lot of How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang, except we’re left in suspense for most of the book to learn how Katie’s brother and Tyler’s best friend had died eight years ago. Katie and Tyler were neighbors and friends and maybe more, until her brother died and Tyler walked away from her with no explanation. And now they’re stuck working together to ghost write a romance novel for an eccentric recluse. The push and pull between these two will definitely punch you in the gut, and I was hanging on to find out what ruined their past and how they could possibly build a future. Loved it.

Advance ebook provided by Avon Books via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by LibroFM.

Sometime This Century by Samantha Silva (2026)

Speculative romance. Time travel from present day America to Regency-era England. Standalone novel. The main plot here was fun, but it didn’t feel much like a romance book since the romance plot was so secondary. Annabel is a writer who is visiting England to deal with her boss’s inherited estate. She’s got a fixation on all things Austen and Regency period, so she’s looking forward to the experience. There’s even a Regency society that throws events. Except, she’s actually traveling back in time. At some point in present-day, her influencer sister Cassandra and vlogging sidekick Billy show up, and then all three of them travel back in time to a ball and then get stuck there. Most of the plot is these three trying to go back to their own time and trying to blend in with society and not get caught. Oh, and Annabel may have a suitor in the Darcy-like Henry, but like, we barely know the guy, so it’s hard to be invested.

Advance ebook provided by Harper Perennial via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Harper Audio.

Never Mind the Mistletoe by Louisa Darling (2026)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 2 of the Drake Family series. Estranged married couple, Theo and Arabella, are on their separate but parallel journeys to their country estate for Christmas. It’s their only son’s holiday wish each year for the three of them to spend the holiday together, despite the couple maintaining totally separate households. It’s a road trip filled with broken carriages, snowstorms, and more. All this trouble leads them to spend more time together than usual and actually maybe sort of communicate and work out their issues. It’s a novella, so the conflict gets resolved pretty quickly, but I enjoyed it all the same.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Audiobook borrowed from my local library via Hoopla.

Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It by Brooke Averick (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. The romance plot here is secondary to the personal growth that Phoebe has to undergo to deal with her anxiety. It’s a great setup: the ever-anxious Phoebe has a list to embolden herself to lose her virginity by age 30. She’s our pre-K teacher, list-loving, panic attack having heroine of the story, but we actually don’t know the hero of the story. There’s three potential guys to root for: Hinge-match and ex-classmate Matthew, best friend and roommate Jonathan, and new teacher co-worker Finn. It’s kind of a mess of Phoebe getting caught in awkward situations and embarrassing herself. And since we really don’t know the guy very well, the book falls a little flat on the relationship-building part of a romance novel. Still great to read, loved the big friend group dynamics, but not enough romance.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

Chase Me If You Can by Heather Frances (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Love the banter here in this rivals to lovers romance. Sloane is a wedding photographer and storm chaser dealing with a codependent mother and two slightly unreliable younger brothers. She’s on her annual storm chasing trip, hoping to photograph an image that will win the cover contest of a coveted magazine. But she’s dealing with the annoyingly arrogant Wes along the way. He takes way too many risks on the road, flirts with too many other people, and is generally not reliable enough to tempt Sloane. And then they get stuck together and actually maybe start talking and connecting. The tension here is great, and Wes turns out to be the most supportive person in Sloane’s life. Loved this book so much.

Advance ebook provided by Berkley via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

The Duke’s Got Mail by Samara Parish (2026)

Historical romance. Victorian-era England. Book 2 of the England’s Sweethearts series. I always enjoy a good You’ve Got Mail retelling, and this one definitely hit the spot. The letter writing was excellent, plus the meet cute, and the eventual rivalry. Eleanor is the fastest compositor in the publishing industry, but quickly put out of business by the introduction of the linotype, a machine built to mechanize typesetting. And Peter, the duke, is the culprit. Tons of fighting and flirting and a slow softening and forgiveness. I loved Peter’s messy and loud sisters and how he could only be himself with Eleanor.

Advance ebook provided by Forever Books via NetGalley.

Want to keep your own reading organized? Try this digital reading journal template!

Thanks so much for reading this post! Looking for more bookish resources and romance book reviews? Read the archives!

Useful Resources:

Read more about getting the most out of your library card

Want an intro to historical romance series? This post will help!

Learn more about Kindle Unlimited

Get my massive guide of all the romances I’ve read on Kindle Unlimited

Read an introduction to fanfiction

Learn more about sources for reading fanfiction

Follow me on Instagram at @randomolive

Shop my handmade bookmarks on Etsy

Support this page with a donation

Affiliate links may be used within this post. If you make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.

Thanks for reading Random Olive Reads! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.