Top Five Reads of November 2025 – Historical Romance and Contemporary Romance Books

Scoundrel Take Me Away by Louisa Darling (2025)

Historical romance. Victorian-era England. Book 3 of the Dukes in Disguise series. Lucy has had a crush on a highwayman named the Gentle Rogue for years and keeps scheming up ways to run into him. But he’s wary of the connection, so eventually tells her to leave him alone and grow up. So she goes. She’s off traveling for five years before she’s back while her sister-in-law is having a difficult pregnancy. Unfortunately, her least favorite duke Thorne has somehow become friends with her brother while she was away, and she’s still holding a grudge against him for the gossip he caused about her sister. She doesn’t know that Thorne is really the highwayman that she’s been pining for this whole time. He’s all sorts of emotionally stunted due to his upbringing and a traumatic history we get hints about, but he sure is jealous of himself since Lucy despises his daytime personality while preferring his nighttime alter ego. It all gets even messier when he has an accident and loses his memory and she unmasks him and learns she’s been duped. Loads of drama here with so many buried emotions.

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

Ellie Hayes and the Himbos by Vanessa King (2025)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. The himbos made the whole book worth it. Ellie is in a rough spot with the impending doom of a possible diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and a boyfriend who breaks up with her over it. She goes to check out a room for rent and finds a bunch of college age guys in residence. They are all super sweet and caring and embrace Ellie into their home so easily and quickly. She also maybe has a thing going on with one of the roomies’ older brother, Ian, who is also the boss and owner at the gym where all the guys (and now Ellie) work. Super entertaining and steamy all in one, and if you’re ever looking for some endometriosis representation, this book is for you.

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

Shop this book via Amazon // Bookshop.org // Libro.fm

The Matrimonial Advertisement by Mimi Matthews (2018)

Historical romance. Victorian-era England. Book 1 of the Parish Orphans of Devon series. I love a marriage of convenience story and especially when there’s danger lurking and someone needs protection. Helena has answered an advertisement in the newspaper for a wife and shows up to meet Justin, a scarred and reclusive army veteran. She’s running from danger and is glad to be in an isolated seaside town. They’re both keeping secrets, but the main priority is that Justin is able to keep her safe. Really nice slow burn romance here, and an interesting plot, once we find out what Helena is running from. Loved it and can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Audiobook purchased from Audible.

Shop this book via Amazon // Bookshop.org

The Marriage Method by Mimi Matthews (2025)

Historical romance. Victorian-era England. Book 2 of the Crinoline Academy series. Nell is the deputy headmistress and former pupil at the girls’ academy that Miles is lightly investigating, so she is doing her best to try to deter him. Unfortunately, they get caught in a compromising situation and the best course of action is to marry. Aside from that, she’s trying to solve the mystery of a missing pupil and he’s trying to find his missing gossip columnist. And of course, the two are connected and they get to partner up to solve the case. We get to see a lovely slow burn romance here, with them being equal partners with really strong communication. Loved seeing the serious Miles soften towards Nell and care for her, even when she’s being prickly.

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

An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister (2025)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Jonah and Sadie have been rivals for the past fifteen years, but we learn pretty early on that Jonah has had a crush on Sadie from the very start. They’re both in the running for the same very scarce teaching position at a university and both have valid reasons to be the top pick. But there’s only room for one, and then somehow they finagle their way to a marriage of convenience to snag a partner hire at the university. The romance itself is excellent and delightfully slow burn, with Jonah and his caretaking abilities. The real drama here is in the form of their respective families and the drama that their marriage-on-paper causes. Entertaining and sweet and steamy.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.