Jessica Pryde is a member of that rare breed that grew up in Washington, DC, but is happily enjoying the warmer weather of the desert Southwest. While she is still working on what she wants to be when she grows up, she’s enjoying dabbling in librarianship and writing all the things. She's the editor of Black Love Matters: Real Talk on Romance, Being Seen, and Happily Ever Afters, and her fiction has been published by Generous Press. She can be found drowning in her ever-growing TBR and exclaiming about romance on When in Romance, as well as on social media. Find her exclamations about books and internet ridiculousness on BlueSky (JessIsReading) and instagram/threads (jess_is_reading).
Happy July, romance readers! The hot summer months apparently make people angry enough to take action, because there are so many revolutions that culminated in July, leading to countless independence days across the world. As I’m writing this in mid-June, I have no idea what the coming weeks will look like in the US, but hopefully we’ll all be around to read the amazing books that are coming out this month. You know how July 1st is a Tuesday? I could have just filled this list with the releases that day. But the rest of the month is pretty great, too, so here’s to a readerly summer!
There are so many books you don’t need me to tell you about—Emily Rath has two releases, the newest addition to the Jacksonville Rays series, Pucking Strong, and the repackaging of Beautiful Things. And speaking of repackaging, The Game Plan by Kristen Callihan is out this month too. We’ve got two shifts in genre with Rose in Chains by Julie Soto and These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean. And Scarlett St. Clair has a new fantasy out, Terror at the Gates. (I know I just told you about them, so maybe you do need me to tell you, but you know what. I don’t care.) But there are also a whole bunch of books that you might not have heard about, or might need reminding that they’re releasing. I’m trying this new thing where I don’t give you the longest list known to man, so this one is a little shorter than the last few months—which means there’s probably more for you to discover. Don’t come after me if I leave out the next release by your favorite author, pretty please!
As usual, we’ve got a little bit of everything this month! Less historical and fantasy, with a heavy lean on contemporary, but that’s just how it’s gonna be, forever. The contemporaries cover lots of ground—singers and treasure hunters, foodies and dog people. We’ve got some familiar names and some authors who are definitely new to me! But they all sound great, and I’m excited to pick them up.
All Access members, read on for 13 new romance books out this month.
Jessica Pryde is a member of that rare breed that grew up in Washington, DC, but is happily enjoying the warmer weather of the desert Southwest. While she is still working on what she wants to be when she grows up, she’s enjoying dabbling in librarianship and writing all the things. She’s the editor of Black Love Matters: Real Talk on Romance, Being Seen, and Happily Ever Afters, and her fiction has been published by Generous Press. She can be found drowning in her ever-growing TBR and exclaiming about romance on When in Romance, as well as on social media. Find her exclamations about books and internet ridiculousness on BlueSky (JessIsReading) and instagram/threads (jess_is_reading).
Thrill of the Chase by Kathryn Nolan
Harper and Eve are on a collision course towards finding a long-sought treasure, but they agree to join forces when rival treasure hunters start to get a little too close. Their personalities clash, and their goals are definitely not aligned, but neither can do this alone, even if they both want to push the other off a cliff at some point.
(Also, if you want more treasure hunting in your romance, check out Heart Marks the Spot by Libby Hubscher.)
Give Me a Reason by Jayci Lee
Persuasion in the world of K-Drama? Yes. Please.
When Anne and Frederick find themselves in the same wedding party, they’re distant and awkward with each other. Anne left years ago to pursue a career in Korea, while Frederick followed his own dreams and has become a firefighter. They have a rough history, but jumping the necessary hurdles towards forgiving themselves and each other could lead to a fresh start.
Love is a War Song by Danica Nava
Avery Fox is a pop singer who is now in a bit of a pickle. After a public misstep that has both angered and disappointed members of the Indigenous community, her career is at a standstill, and she retreats to her grandmother’s ranch in Oklahoma. She’s hoping for peace and the ability to reset, but instead, she has a horse trainer who hates her and a community she doesn’t understand. When the ranch is in danger of closing, she and Lucas make an arrangement: she will rally the funds to save the ranch, and he’ll help her learn more about their shared culture.
A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna
In this follow-up to The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, Sangu Mandanna takes us back to magical Britain, where this time Sera has been stripped of her powers and is seeking a way to get them back while she runs an enchanted inn with her aunt. When grumpy historian Luke arrives on the scene, though, her chances start looking up; he might know how to unravel a secret spell that could bring her witchy power back. Also, there’s a talking fox?
Totally and Completely Fine by Elissa Sussman
Elissa Sussman returns with another messy, heartwrenching romance centering folks in the public eye. This time, we have small-town Lauren, a widowed single mother, and actor Ben, who is working on a new movie with Lauren’s famous brother. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their brief fling evolves into something more. But her small-town drama, her grief, and the complications of being in a relationship with someone famous could lead to trouble on the road to a HEA.
The Fortune Hunter’s Guide to Love by Emma-Claire Sunday
Emma-Claire Sunday’s sophomore sapphic outing with Harlequin takes us to the countryside, where Lady Sylvia has retreated, destitute. She hopes that she can find a wealthy husband and enlists local farmer Hannah to help her in exchange for helping the woman set up her dream cheese shop. How cute is that? Of course, things might go a little sideways when the two realize they are far more interested in each other than any man.
To Sketch a Scandal by Jess Everlee
The queer historical train keeps rolling with Jess Everlee’s newest Victorian, in which we return to The Curious Fox. Warren is a barkeep at the underground queer club, and Matthew is a Detective Inspector working undercover. Warren isn’t supposed to pursue him, but when they cross paths at an art class, their acquaintance gives way to private tutorials and all kinds of steamy things.
Pugs and Kisses by Farrah Rochon
Evie is looking in every direction for change, but the last thing she expects to shake things up is her fiancé in bed with another person. Giving up her veterinarian job because her ex owns the clinic, and lost about what to do next, she finds herself once again in the orbit of her college crush, who is now a big-time veterinary surgeon. When the pet shelter they’ve both supported and volunteered with for years is put in danger of closing, she and Bryson work together to save it. And maybe they have a second chance at something, while they’re at it.
Only Lovers in the Building by Nadine Gonzalez
When you spontaneously quit your job and get a short-term rental in Miami to read and figure out what you want to do with the rest of your life, the best thing that could happen is to discover that your handsome new neighbor shares your love of romance novels. What Lily doesn’t expect is to also fall in love with the entire wacky community she finds at The Icon, and to find that all the answers she’s looking for might be right in front of her.
Taste the Love by Karelia and Fay Stetz-Waters
This new romance from writing partners and spouses Karelia and Fay Stetz-Waters features two rival chefs who enter a tension-filled marriage of convenience to utilize a loophole that will allow them to save a green space from corporate development. They might have been culinary school rivals with benefits back then, but now everything is strictly for show. Until it isn’t, of course.
Behind Frenemy Lines by Zen Cho
When Kriya follows her boss to a new law firm, she finds herself sharing an office with her work nemesis. Charles is quiet and by-the-book, and Kriya is…neither of those things. But their time spent in the office slowly brings down both of those barriers, and Kriya asks Charles to pretend to date her in an effort to get her new boss to stop hitting on her (because we all know men will respect another man’s claim before he respects a woman’s right to say no). But what’s really pretend, and what happens when they toe the line?
We Are the Match by Mary E. Roach
Before your brain starts spiraling with questions: this is not the Stiff author. That “E” carries a lot of weight. In her debut adult romance (because she has written for younger audiences before, so you might still recognize her name), Roach brings us into a modern world inspired by Greek mythology, but with mobsters. This reimagining of Helen of Troy centers Helen and Paris as members of warring crime factions whose connection could lead to countless consequences. But sometimes, you just have to let the world burn.
And of course, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We’ve got so many more, including follow-ups, repackagings, mid-series novellas, and all kinds of other things. Annaleigh Sbrana’s Lore of the Tides. Viscounts and Villainy by Allie Therin. Fanning the Flames by Kelly Farmer. Malcolm D. Lee’s The Best Man: Unfinished Business, which I’m not sure technically falls under romance, but I’m kind of curious. And of course, Ellen Mint’s Bad Seed, which I am just itching to get my hands on.
Join All Access to read this article
Get access to exclusive content and features with an All Access subscription on Book Riot.
- Unlimited access to exclusive bonus content
- Community features like commenting and poll participation
- Our gratitude for supporting the work of an independent media company
Looking for more? Check out June 2025 Romance Reads to Ring in Summer and 17 of the Best New Romance Books Out in May 2025. And if you’re not yet subscribed to Kissing Books, it’s the best way to get regular romance recommendations and deals right in your inbox multiple times a week.
As always, you can find a full list of new releases in the magical New Release Index, carefully curated by your favorite Book Riot editors, organized by genre and release date.
English (US) · 