Netflix's Bridgerton is a far, far cry from the first romance novel to be turned into a saucy show or movie. And that means there are plenty more lovey dovey, sexy, funny, and beautiful stories waiting to be read, even if they're not on the screen yet. We rounded up some of the best books of this genre that are steaming right now (or will be when released) that moms will love. Oh, and they're all written by female authors.
We're proud of the choices we've made here. The stories are both inclusive in the authors' backgrounds but also in the kinds of people those stories are about. There are love stories between exes, ones where women fall in love as well as two men (both rich and famous) and there are also stories that are sex positive (from their handling of porn to polyamorous relationships). Whatever kind of romance y'all mamas are into, we have a great book recommendation. Then, check out some of our top picks for thrillers next.
'House Rules' by Ruby Lang
This is the third book in a trilogy and about two exes who decide to try to live together, platonically. We're sure it'll go well! Because everyone loves e-books and audiobooks these days, this book is available as a special audiobook and in Kindle format.
'The Royal We' by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan
$9
from
Barnes & Noble
Royals and romance fans meet as one in this novel by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan. The Royal We, apparently "inspired by Prince William and Kate Middleton" tells the story of a "normal" college woman who meets a cute guy across the hall. And he just so happens to be British royalty and has all the baggage that comes with it.
'Spoiler Alert' by Olivia Dade
$16
from
Barnes & Noble
Calling all Cinderella Story fans: Olivia Wade's book Spoiler Alert has major vibes from that storyline but with its own nerdy, 2021 twist. A celebrity posts fanfic about his own show online, secretly of course, and that's how he meets April Whittier, who has gone viral for her plus-size version of a costume.
'Red, White & Royal Blue' by Casey McQuiston
Red, White & Blue is the LGBT love story we've all been longing for in the form of a mainstream romance novel that brings Americans and Brits together. The US president's son has a rivalry with an actual prince overseas, but they discover they have more chemistry than hate.
'The Soulmate Equation' by Christina Lauren
The Soulmate Equation is only available for pre-sale right now, but the people who got to preview it are giving it glowing reviews. It begs a really interesting question: Can someone find their soul mate through DNA matching? Single mom Jess Davis just may find out.
'The Wedding Date' by Jasmine Guillory
So many weddings were put on hold because of the health crisis, but The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory will transport readers to a world where things are back to normal — or at least in a world where it's normal to invite a stranger as as wedding date.
'Material Girl' by Keisha Ervin
$15
from
Barnes & Noble
Material Girl by Keisha Ervin follows Dylan, a young woman who loves the finer things in life. There's one problem: She's broke. She befriends Angel, her best friend's brother, after an on-again-off again relationship with a rich boyfriend. Soon "Dylan finds herself caught up in a web of lies, lust, love, and betrayal."
'How to Catch a Queen' by Alyssa Cole
$6
from
Harper Collins
Alyssa Cole is a queen herself in the romance novel world, so it makes sense her novel How to Catch a Queen would be a hit. A king marries a woman who becomes his queen, but she's an outsider to the kingdom and doesn't quite have her happily-ever-after at first. "When turmoil erupts in their kingdom and their marriage, Shanti goes on the run, and Sanyu must learn whether he has what it takes both to lead his people and to catch his queen."
'You Had Me at Hola' by Alexis Daria
$16
from
Barnes & Noble
People love You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria. It's the story of two actors, Jasmine and Ashton, who have agreed to rehearse in private after being cast together in a Spanish-language soap opera. But their closeness leads to romance and steamy love scenes.
'Pink Slip' by Katrina Jackson
$2
from
Barnes & Noble
Katrina Jackson is an author who isn't afraid of writing non-heteronormative romances. She explores polyamory in many of her books, including Pink Slip, which follows a woman who falls in lust with a pair of married spies.
'People We Meet on Vacation' by Emily Henry
What kinds of people come into our lives when we travel? Emily Henry, bestselling author of Beach Read, explores that in her new novel, People We Meet on Vacation. Best friends who lost touch after a vacation gone wrong decide to try again, well, because Poppy convinces Alex he should. According to Bookshop, "Now she has a week to fix everything. If only she can get around the one big truth that has always stood quietly in the middle of their seemingly perfect relationship. What could possibly go wrong?"
'Don't You Forget About Me' by Mhairi McFarlane
$13
from
Haper Collins
For the romance novel lovers who also want lots of comedy mixed in, Don't You Forget About Me might be a good choice. It involves first loves and awkward situations years later — something many people are sure to relate to.
'The Kiss Quotient' by Helen Hoang
$16
from
Penguin Random House
Romance meets nerdiness in this atypical love story about a math whiz named Stella Lane and Michael Phan, an escort who literally helps her practice kissing — something she applies mathematics to more than an in-the-moment experience. But "before long, Stella not only learns to appreciate his kisses, but crave all of the other things he’s making her feel."
'Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me' by Mariko Tamaki
Graphic novels deserve love, too, as do the people who love to read them, which is why we included Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me by Mariko Tamaki on this list. According to Macmillan, it's "a graphic novel that asks us to consider what happens when we ditch the toxic relationships we crave to embrace the healthy ones we need."
'An American Marriage' by Tayari Jones
$10.5
from
Powell's Books
An American Marriage is one of the relatively oldie but goodie romance novels that one can't go wrong by choosing to read. A finance man marries a artistic woman, which sounds like the American Dream, until the man is sentenced to a 12-year prison sentence, and turns their marriage upside down.
'Rachel's Holiday' by Marian Keyes
$18
from
Penguin Random House
Rachel's life seemed to be going fine until things got out of control. Her sister pays her a visit and helps her get admitted to rehab. Described as "deliciously dark and fantastically funny" by Amazon, Rachel's Holiday is about finding love in the middle of re-finding oneself, and maybe another along the way.
'The Roommate' by Rosie Danan
$14.5
from
Barnes & Noble
Yay for sex positive stories, especially ones like The Roommate by Rosie Danan. Socialite Clara moves across the country to LA and finds herself in an unfamiliar environment: sharing a sublet with a stranger. But her stranger happens to be cute, and lets her in on his sexy and scandalous job.
'Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors' by Sonali Dev
$14.5
from
Barnes & Noble
"Dr. Trisha Raje is San Francisco’s most acclaimed neurosurgeon. But that’s not enough for the Rajes, her influential immigrant family who’s achieved power by making its own non-negotiable rules." So things get even more complicated when she meets DJ Caine, a chef who needs a job offered to him by her family.
'Before You Say I Do' by Clare Lydon
$16
from
Barnes & Noble
Now this is the romance novel drama we love. A bride-to-be's future husband hires a bridesmaid to assist her in the planning duties. Everything seems to go according to plan, until the two meet: "When Abby meets Jordan, she can hardly breathe."
'The Duke and I' by Julia Quinn
$15
from
Barnes & Noble
Did y'all know the Netflix show Bridgerton is based off the book The Duke and I by romance author Julia Quinn? It's the first book in the series that covers the scandals and romances of the 'ton — and definitely worth checking out.
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, CafeMom.com may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
