2023's Best Romances

20 Love Stories Ranging from Sweet to Spicy

As we reflect on the past year, we like to put together a roundup of the best books (according to us). Our collection of 120+ titles span the full range of genres and categories. For all you love junkies, here are the twenty romances, ranging from sweet to spicy, that made the cut.

For each title, we have attempted to rate the spiciness as described below. (It's important to note that this is not a perfect system!)

• 1 pepper: Any physical intimacy beyond kissing takes place off the page.
• 3 peppers: These titles will have a few explicit scenes.
• 5 peppers: The love scenes in these books get hot and heavy!

Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune

The timing was wrong, but their connection was undeniable. After a magical twenty-four hours, Fern and Will made a pact to meet a year later. Fern showed up. Will didn't. A decade later, Fern is trying to save her mother's lakeside resort when Will turns up, with offers to help. Can she trust him this time?

Second Act by Danielle Steel

Andy has been a top Hollywood Executive  for nearly two decades. But when he finds himself suddenly out of a job and humiliated, he flees Hollywood for a tiny coastal town in England. There he meets Violet, a former journalist who is also at a crossroads. Will this connection be what they've both been looking for?

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

Dr. Briana Ortiz's life is flatlining. She's getting divorced. Her brother's running out of time to find a kidney donor. And that promotion she wants? That's probably going to Jacob, the obnoxious new man-doctor at the hospital. But just when all systems are set to hate, Jacob flips the script.

Heaven Official's Blessing (Vol. 6) by Mò Xing Tóng Xiù

This epic historical fantasy novel series translated from Chinese follows the adventures of Xie Lian, a once-human prince who ascends and falls from godhood repeatedly as he pursues love and honor. In this chapter, Xie Lian confronts trauma and fear as his beloved Hua Cheng tries to protect him.

Last Rites by Sharon Sala

When Shirley and her four sons return to her childhood home in Jubilee, Kentucky, they hope to find peace and begin their lives anew. Shirley's son Aaron resumes his work as a police officer. His investigation into an attempted murder leads him right to Dani, a person of interest in more ways than one.

The Madonna Secret by Sophie Strand

This is a feminist retelling of the story of Mary Magdalene, also known as Miriam, wife of Yeshua. Leukas is a Christian convert who ventures into the wilderness to receive the hidden teachings from Mary Magdalene before she dies. Her confessions reveal a sensual world of love and betrayal, magic and mystery.

Happy Place by Emily Henry

Harriet and Wyn have been the perfect couple since they began dating in college. Except they broke up six months ago and still haven’t told their friend group. So, not wanting to ruin their annual Maine get-together with all their besties, they agree to just pretend they're still together.

Love Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

Elsie supplements her nonexistent paycheck as an adjunct physics professor by serving as a fake girlfriend. And it's a pretty sweet gig until Jack comes along. He's the annoyingly attractive and broody older brother of her favorite client and he happens to be standing in the way of her dream job.

Things We Hide From the Light by Lucy Score

Chief of police Nash was always known as the good Morgan brother. But now, after being shot on the job, he feels like a brooding shell of the man he once was. His smart and sexy next-door neighbor, Lina, sees through him. She has her own guard rails up, but the physical connection between them is overpowering.

King of Greed by Ana Huang

Dominic clawed his way up from nothing to become the King of Wall Street. But his blind ambition has driven away the only person who saw him as enough. After years of quietly supporting him, his wife Alessandra has finally decided to put herself first. And now he's willing to do anything to win her back.

Things We Left Behind by Lucy Score

Lucian Rollins is a lean, mean vengeance-seeking mogul. On a quest to erase his abusive father's mark on the family name, he spends every waking minute pulling strings and building his empire. The more money and power he gains, the safer he feels. Except when it comes to one feisty small-town librarian.

Shadow Dance by Christine Feehan

There's nothing more important to Geno than protecting his territory and his famiglia. So when his own parents become the latest victims in a string of vicious murders, Geno is ready to go scorched earth. He thinks he has the assassin in his sights, but he's unprepared for the firestorm their connection ignites.

Wildfire by Hannah Grace

After a passionate one-night stand, Aurora slips away before Russ even has the chance to ask for her full name. Then the two Maple Hills students meet again on their first day as counselors of the same summer camp. Will they learn to peacefully coexist, or did their night together start a fire they can't put out?

Reckless by Elsie Silver

Bull rider Theo is a notorious ladies' man. And Winter knows exactly what it means when he eyes her like that. But coming out of a toxic marriage, all she sees when she looks at him is temptation served up with a heaping side of heartbreak. The man is hard to trust—but, it turns out, even harder to resist.

Bad Luck Vampire: An Argeneau Novel by Lynsay Sands

In the latest chapter of the Argeneau series, Alasdair has a bit of misfortune while trying to woo his life mate. When he meets Sophie as someone else's date at a wedding, he knows he'll pull out all the stops to win her. Great plan—until he gets hit by a car. And that's just the beginning of his bad luck.

Icebreaker by Hannah Grace

A competitive figure skater since she was five, Stassie always comes to win. As captain of the Maple Hills hockey team, Nate carries the responsibility of his team on his shoulders. When a misunderstanding results in their two teams sharing a rink, the pair find themselves stuck together in more ways than one.  

Final Offer by Lauren Asher

The final installment in the Dreamland Billionaires series. Cal needs to sell his grandfather’s house to get his inheritance. But he doesn’t expect to find Alana, his ex, to be living there. He has to convince her to let him sell the house by the end of the summer to get his inheritance. 

The Ritual by Shantel Tessler

Blakely has had a privileged, sheltered upbringing when she's drawn into the world of the L.O.R.D.S, a secret society within her university. She attaches herself to Ryat, an attractive, powerful leader in this group. Their sexual chemistry is incendiary, but the relationship has a dark, dangerous side.  

Radiant Sin by Katee Robert

As a member of a fallen house, Cassandra has seen what comes from trusting the venomous Thirteen. But when the gorgeous Apollo asks her to go undercover with him at a weeklong party hosted by a dangerous new power player, Cassandra reluctantly agrees. This is book #4 in the Dark Olympus fantasies.

The Graham Effect by Elle Kennedy

Gigi Graham has exactly three goals: qualify for the women's national hockey team, win Olympic gold, and step out of her famous father's shadow. So far, so good, except for one thing. She needs to improve her game behind the net. And that means asking for help from the enemy, Luke Ryder.

Those are our picks for the best romances of 2023. You can also check out 2023's best thrillers in our last post and next up will be science-fiction & fantasy. Please be sure to let us know if we missed any of your favorite reads from the past year.  

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Read more by Ashly Moore Sheldon