Romance novels weren’t always my thing. I didn’t dislike the genre, but the idea of diving into a full-blown romance—with all its swooning, sighs, and steamy passion—made me a little self-conscious. That changed when I discovered 831 Stories, a romantic-fiction publisher.

Launched in 2023 by Erica Cerulo and Claire Mazur, 831 Stories specializes in 200-page novellas that are irresistibly sexy while still delivering rich characters, creative storytelling, and gripping plots. “Romance novels are one of the few mainstream forms of entertainment that prioritize women’s joy, pleasure, and desire,” Mazur explains. “Their surge in popularity feels significant, especially now, when women’s rights are under attack and our sexuality is often reduced to just reproduction.”

But what makes a romance novel truly great? For insight, I spoke with Catie Disabato, a writer working on Rooting Interest—a sapphic sports romance between a WNBA player and a female NFL reporter (yes, please!) for 831 Stories. “For me, the key elements are character and voice,” Disabato says. “The characters don’t have to be likable—I actually love prickly ones—but they need depth, and you have to root for them to fall in love.”

With that in mind, here are 13 of the best romance books to read right now:

### Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola
$18 | Bookshop
There aren’t enough campus rom-coms (college is prime romance territory—in theory, at least!), which makes Babalola’s novel about a relationship advice expert and a self-proclaimed “wasteman” (British slang for a fuckboy) who fake a relationship—only for it to turn real—an absolute delight.

### Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey
$18 | Bookshop
A hockey player and a self-aware manic pixie dream girl fall hard for each other in this swoon-worthy, Hallmark-esque romance—until they discover their parents are engaged, making them stepsiblings. It’s Clueless meets “I need a sequel, ASAP.”

### Comedic Timing by Upasna Barath
$15 | 831 Stories
If big bisexual energy had a book mascot, this would be it. After breaking up with her longtime girlfriend, Naina moves to New York and unexpectedly falls for a man. The chemistry between her and David is electric, but it’s Naina’s reflections on queerness, grief, and identity that give this romance real depth.

### Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake
$17 | Bookshop
No matter how many queer romances exist, I’ll always crave more—and Blake delivers. When photographer Delilah returns home for her stepsister’s wedding, she reconnects with Claire, an ex who still has a hold on her. Amid wedding chaos, their rekindled spark is pure romance gold.

### Flirting Lessons by Jasmine Guillory
$18 | Bookshop
Guillory is the queen of romance for a reason, and her first queer-led story proves why. Uptight Avery signs up for a dating “tutorial” with free-spirited Taylor, only to realize her feelings are anything but casual.