What the World Needs Now…Is Romance Books, a guest post by Jennifer Rummel

I’m a sucker for a good romance book. Even though they often cover heavy topics, readers know they will always end on a happy note. For teen books, this is a happily for now. I find comfort in knowing that no matter how dark the book gets, everything will be okay for these characters.

Here are some romance books that I’ve enjoyed over the past year.

Brewed with Love by Shelly Page

Sage loves working in her family apothecary. When a break-in threatens their future, she’ll do whatever she can to help solve the mystery – even if it means working with the one who broke her heart.

I love that Sage is forced to spend time with her ex-best friend and crush. To be honest, I was hooked from the very beginning.  Set aside a chunk of time to devour this one! 

Tropes: Second Chance Romance – investigation – magic – Queer – paranormal (Mood Board Created)

Love & Lattes by Beth Reekles

Anna worked really hard to land this summer internship; it’s everything she’s been working towards her entire life. But one night of fun could lead to disaster when she discovers the boy she kissed the night before is the son of the company’s owner. She’s not about to let her feelings for a boy jeopardize everything she’s worked so hard to achieve.

This is * technically * a New Adult book as the main characters are in college. I really enjoyed this book – and the message of letting go and being in the present. I loved the moments between Anna and Lloyd – the snark and the banter, especially the coffeehouse/cake date.

Tropes: work place romance – living in the moment – enemies to lovers

Love on Paper by Danielle Parker

Macy’s excited to be attending a prestigious writing retreat. Then she learns the summer’s theme has been changed to romance and she’s forced to partner with Caleb – also the son of a famous writer. The two families have been enemies for years.

I really loved this – first because it showcases writing romance (and is not condescending about it). Second, because of the scavenger hunt in the book where writers figure out clues left behind by the author.

Tropes: Family Feud– Summer Romance

All Roads Lead to Rome by Sabrina Fedel

Story is in the wrong place at the right time; she’s caught off guard by a famous person. He asks her to be his tour guide to get the paparazzi off his back. When that doesn’t work, he asks to fake date her in exchange for funding a scholarship in her father’s memory. They view hidden parts of Rome as they share bits of themselves. Soon the fake dating doesn’t seem so fake.

I didn’t want this book to end; I couldn’t put it down. Of course, I wanted to travel to Rome and see all the hidden sights in this book and get lost wondering the streets. But it’s not all light and happy; Story’s father was an addict and died of an overdose. She wants to talk about mental health. This book gives off Roman Holiday vibes.

Tropes: Fake Dating – Famous  

Wild About You by Katilyn Hill

After freshman year of college, Natalie loses her merit based scholarship. Hoping to avoid student loans, she applies to be on Wild Adventures – an outdoor reality show. Except, she’s not the most outdoorsy person. When she’s teamed up with Finn, she’s not sure it’s a win. Sure, he knows everything about being outdoors, but he’s also a know-it-all grump.

This is * technically * a New Adult book as the main characters are in college. I’m a sucker for survival books – and this has some elements of that with the challenges for the reality show. Plus I love books about reality shows. While I do hike, I don’t love hard hikes, but I do like reading about them. This book checked off a lot of boxes for me.

Tropes: grumpy/sunshine – reality TV show – one bed (tent)

Make My Wish Come True by Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick.

Arden James carefully created her image as a party girl. But it’s now what’s costing her the biggest movie of her life. In order to save her image, she spins a lie. Coming from a small town, her best friend is actually her longtime girlfriend. The director agrees to hold off on casting until after the holidays, giving Arden a chance. Now all Arden has to do is convince her ex-best friend to fake date her, which might be hard to do considering the fact that they haven’t spoken in years.

While this is a Christmas romance, it’s also a Hanukkah story. I loved the moments between Arden and Caroline – the fake dates, the exploring of their past friendship, and the moments they spend catching up on each other’s lives. There’s so many cute moments in this book. This book has ALL the feelings and so much angst.

Tropes: Small Town – Second Chance – friends to lovers – fake dating – Hollywood

Take a Chance on Me by Elizabeth Eulberg *

After a betrayal of her boyfriend and friends, Evie flees to London. There’s she’s able to spend the summer with her father, even if they don’t talk. Evie’s father focuses on food and control. He’s obsessive about what he eats; he comments on Evie’s food too. Evie spends her days wondering around London where she meets a busker. They strike up a friendship; he helps bring Evie’s trust walls down. Should she open her heart again?  

I loved this book, but it’s not all light and fluffy. It tackles body issues and eating disorders in a way I haven’t read before. This book made me want to travel to England. Instead I had to settle for eating crisps (chips) and listening to British Rock.

* Comes out March 4, 2025

Love Requires Chocolate by Ravynn K. Stringfield

Whitney’s excited to spend a semester in Paris, even though she doesn’t quite speak the language. Her first day is a complete disaster, but she’s determined to make this trip amazing – even if she does have a terrible habit of getting lost. She comes to an agreement with her French tutor – he will take her around Paris to see the sights and for her research project. She in turn will give him a glowing review. Can they make it work?

Love Requires Chocolate is this generation’s Anna and the French Kiss. Who wouldn’t want a Parisian romance with chocolate? This enchanting book is perfect for fans of Emily in Paris.

Tropes: enemies to lovers

Promchanted by Morgan Matson

Stella and her best friend Nisha have had pre-prom plans for years: Disneyland until Stella’s boyfriend breaks up with her. Stella likes to plan everything. She’s not thrilled when a Nisha invites someone else to join them, but at least she’s not the third wheel. Stella and Reece, the boy who witnessed her boyfriend breaking up with her, get transported into the Sleeping Beauty story.

This one is for all the Disney readers!  I love Morgan Matson. Being transported into a fairy tale (without technology) means that Stella has to learn to unplug and be in the present. The romance is cute but the friendship between Stella and Rose is even better!

Love Off the Record by Samantha Markum

Wyn and Three are competing for the same journalist spot. As interns, they’re doing everything they can to get ahead. Wyn keeps searching for the perfect story. She’s been having a hard time adjusting to college and making friends. But there’s someone she’s chatting with on the school dating app.

Another technically New Adult book; this book is super good but also very long. I didn’t want it to end, although there were a few moments that made me cringe. Part Gilmore Girls and part You’ve Got Mail.

Tropes:  enemies to lovers

Every Time You Hear that Song by Jenna Voris

Darren is heartbroken at the death of country superstar Decklee Cassel.  Her music, co-written with Mickenlee, has gotten her through some rough times. At the televised funeral, everyone’s anxiously awaiting the reveal of the time capsule – only it’s empty. Instead, there’s a scavenger hunt to find the missing music – and a large cash prize. Darren knows that she has what it takes to find the prize.

This book alternates timelines between Darren and Decklee. I wanted to hug Decklee for all that she lost and sacrificed to make it to the top. I love how Darren and Kendall became friends during the trip. I liked the idea of escaping a small town – that makes sense to me. But I did also love how it played out.

Tropes: Small Town Romance

With or Without You by Eric Smith

Jordan and Cindy hate each other. They work at rival food trucks and hurl insults at each other. But that’s actually just for the tourists and social media. In reality they are in love. But their fake family feud leads a reality TV show to them.

The money will be helpful to both families, so they agree to filming. But sneaking around, especially when there are cameras everywhere is hard. Will everything blow up in their face?

I really loved this book. Food trucks. Secretly dating. Feuds. Reality TV. This book has ALL the drama and I couldn’t read it fast enough. I loved the food, the families, the friendships, and the behind the scenes look at reality TV. I love that it took place after high school. This was such a fun read; I was sad when I finished it. 

Prince and the Apocalypse by Kara McDowell

Wren was so excited to travel to London, but it’s been a nightmare trip. She’s hoping to eat breakfast at a restaurant her sister previously enjoyed. Except it’s closed for renovations. Figures. There is a boy there, who needs her help. He’s the prince, who ditched his bodyguards and needs to escape tourists. After she helps him, she’s late arriving to the airport for their flight home. That’s when she notices the world is in chaos. All the flights are canceled because there’s a huge comet barreling towards earth. Wren isn’t sure how to get home, but she does have a favor to call in.

This was such a fun read. I love royal stories. The last line of this book blew me away. Now both books in the duology are out, so grab them together and get ready for a wild ride.

Tropes:  Royalty – end of the world

Love Canter Action by Katie Gilbert*

Nora’s life changes when her mother dies unexpectedly, she’s forced to live with her father, whom she’s never known and his wife, and the ranch she works at is sold. Luckily, the ranch manager sets up her future nicely for her. She knows that Nora doesn’t want to go to college, so she secures her a spot at a horse wrangling program. Mrs. Shep also secures her a job, helping with the horses, on the movie that’s being filmed in town. Nora accidentally runs into the star of the movie, she has no idea who he is. Their picture is taken together and now she’s splashed all over social media. It works to his benefit and even though they dislike each other, they end up fake dating.

I loved so many things about this book: the banter, the horses, the fake dating, and all the family drama.

Tropes: enemies to lovers, Hollywood, Fake Dating

* Will be published May 13, 2025

Meet Our Guest Blogger

Jennifer Rummel has been a Young Adult and Children’s Librarian for twenty years. She started her blog YA BOOK NERD in 2008 to record thoughts on all the books she’s read. Her favorite types of books include: romance (contemporary and Regency), thrillers, and cozy mysteries. When she’s not reading, she loves baking, crafting, and snuggling with her two dogs. Check out her blog: YABookNerd

Filed under: Reader's Advisory