romance writers awards 2021

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Romance writers of america was doing better with race — until a recent award choice.

Karen Grigsby Bates

There is a saying a friend with Louisiana roots has about people who keep doing the same thing, even while that keeps yielding less-than-felicitous results. Those people, my friend says, are " stuck on stupid ."

Romance Writers of America, the trade organization for writers specializing in the romance genre, must be feeling that way right about now. After a stretch of racial reckoning over the organization's lack of diversity in both leadership and awardees , RWA reconfigured its board and vowed to do better.

And it has, somewhat. The board is more diverse now than it was. More attention is being paid to writers of color. If the improvements didn't have a rocketlike trajectory, they were moving in the right direction.

And the Vivian Award goes to ...

And then came this year's inaugural Vivian awards. The Vivians (formerly known as the RITAs) are, according to RWA, "the highest award of distinction in romance fiction" in several categories. Past recipients include bestsellers Nora Roberts and Susan Elizabeth Phillips. And while no Black author won a RITA until Kennedy Ryan in 2019 (the last year the prize was awarded before the name was retired), two prominent Black authors — historical romance writer Beverly Jenkins and contemporary romance writer Brenda Jackson — have each received a coveted Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award (in 2017 and 2012, respectively).

Racism Scandal In The Romance Writing Industry

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Romance writers of america leadership resigns.

This year, the Vivian in the "Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements" category was awarded to Karen Witemeyer for At Love's Command , and a number of its critics thought RWA was Stuck on Stupid again. Witemeyer's book, says Religion News Service , "opens with a depiction of the Wounded Knee Massacre that some readers and authors have criticized as romanticizing the killing of Native Americans." The love interest, an officer in the 7th Cavalry, commands the Lakota Sioux to put down their weapons, citing Scripture as his rationale . When a religious leader from the tribe begins chanting, a shot goes off (on purpose? by accident? from whose side?), the order to fire is issued and scores of men, women and children are slaughtered. Then the hero asks God's forgiveness and, eventually, claims his woman.

Critics say the choice glorifies genocide

The irony of the choice did not escape several who took to social media to protest: On Twitter, author Jenny Hartwell shared an email she sent to RWA board members : "Romances have flawed heroes and heroines who find redemption through the transformative power of love. However, aren't there some people who shouldn't be redeemed? Nazis. Slave owners. Soldiers who commit genocide." Hartwell continued: "Can this author write this story? Absolutely. Free speech is important. But should our organization give this story its highest award? Absolutely not."

Others resigned their membership in RWA . One member, Bronwyn Parry, served as a judge for the Vivians. "I had high hopes for the VIVIAN award and the strategies for cultural change that the RWA Board have put in place over the past two years," Parry said in a statement on her website . She expressed pleasure at the diversity of the offerings in the category she was judging — a stated goal of the awards — but was dismayed when all the finalists in that category were (including her) white women writing heterosexual characters. When At Love's Command was named a winner, she asked that her book be withdrawn from final consideration and her name removed from the finalists' list.

The Vivians were in fact named for RWA founder Vivian L. Stephens , an African American with publishing experience who founded romance lines for Dell in the late 1970s and Harlequin in the early 1980s that aimed to reflect all of America. That one of the current awards honoring Stephens' work should be bestowed on a romance that begins with the shedding of Indigenous blood (and in a year in which the revelations of hundreds of Indigenous deaths in Canada and some in the U.S. at so-called Indian boarding schools have shocked North America) — it's almost too much for some .

RWA rescinds the award ... but what's next?

After a few days of controversy, RWA rescinded the Vivian for At Love's Command . "RWA is in full support of First Amendment rights," said the organization in a statement; "however, as an organization that continually strives to improve our support of marginalized authors, we cannot in good conscience uphold the decision of the judges in voting to celebrate a book that depicts the inhumane treatment of indigenous people and romanticizes real world tragedies that still affect people to this day. RWA is rescinding the Vivian awarded to the book finalist 'At Love's Command.' "

As a number of tweets since this latest controversy exploded might indicate, RWA is still pretty stuck. Going forward, RWA's members and others will be watching to see if the organization can pull itself out of that rut.

Correction Aug. 6, 2021

An earlier version of this story misattributed a quote to The Washington Post . The quote is from Religion News Service.

Clarification: Author Bronwyn Parry's statement about all award finalists being white women referred specifically to books in the category she was judging.

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Locus Online

The Magazine of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Field

2021 Vivian Award Winners

For more information, including a complete list of winners, see the RWA website .

©Locus Magazine. Copyrighted material may not be republished without permission of LSFF.

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Romance Writers of America (RWA) Awards

Each year Romance Writers of America (RWA) presents awards in various categories to the best romance fiction published in the previous calendar year. In 2021 the award was renamed to recognize the founder of RWA, Vivian Stephens. The Vivian Award is the highest honor a romance author can receive. Published authors, reviewers, bloggers, and others knowledgeable about the romance industry may apply to participate in the judging. The finalists are announced in late March. Awards are presented to the winners at RWA's Annual Conference held during the summer.

From 1990-2019, the award was called the RITA®, named after Rita Clay Estrada, the first president of RWA. Winners were presented with a gold statue. From its introduction in 1982 until 1989, the award was known as the Golden Medallion.

• 1 Vivian Winners & Finalists
• 2 RITA® Winners & Finalists
• 3 Golden Medallion Winners & Finalists
• 4 Vivian / RITA / Golden Medallion Categories
• 5 RITA Authors

Vivian Winners & Finalists

• 2023 - No awards given
• 2022 - No awards given
• 2021 Vivian Winners & Finalists

RITA® Winners & Finalists

• 2020 - no awards given
• 2019 RITA® Winners & Finalists
• 2018 RITA® Winners & Finalists
• 2017 RITA® Winners & Finalists
• 2016 RITA® Winners & Finalists
• 2015 RITA® Winners & Finalists
• 2014 RITA® Winners & Finalists
• 2013 RITA® Winners & Finalists
• 2012 RITA® Winners & Finalists
• 2011 RITA® Winners & Finalists
• 2010 RITA® Winners & Finalists
• 2009 RITA® Winners & Finalists
• 2008 RITA® Winners & Finalists
• 2007 RITA® Winners & Finalists
• 2006 RITA® Winners & Finalists
• 2005 RITA® Winners & Finalists
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• 2002 RITA® Winners & Finalists
• 2001 RITA® Winners & Finalists
• 2000 RITA® Winners & Finalists
• 1999 RITA® Winners & Finalists
• 1998 RITA® Winners & Finalists
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• 1995 RITA® Winners & Finalists
• 1994 RITA® Winners & Finalists
• 1993 RITA® Winners & Finalists
• 1992 RITA® Winners & Finalists
• 1991 RITA® Winners & Finalists
• 1990 RITA® Winners & Finalists

Golden Medallion Winners & Finalists

• 1989 Golden Medallion Winners & Finalists
• 1988 Golden Medallion Winners & Finalists
• 1987 Golden Medallion Winners & Finalists
• 1986 Golden Medallion Winners & Finalists
• 1985 Golden Medallion Winners & Finalists
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• 1983 Golden Medallion Winners & Finalists
• 1982 Golden Medallion Winners

Vivian / RITA / Golden Medallion Categories

The categories for the highest honor from Romance Writers of America have evolved and changed over the years in order to better reflect the changing romance market. The year indicated is the first year the category was included in the awards. If it appears that a category was changed or renamed, the original category is grouped with the current category.

• Contemporary Romance Categories
• Erotic Romance Category
• First Published Book Category
• Historical Romance Categories
• Mainstream Fiction with a Central Romance Category
• Speculative (Paranormal) Romance Categories
• Romance Novella Category
• Romantic Suspense Categories
• Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements (Inspirational) Category
• Young Adult Romance Category
• RITA: Best Novel With Strong Romantic Elements - 2004
• RITA: Best First Book - 1990, 2004
• RWA's Favorite Book - 1998
• RITA: Best Contemporary Series Romance - 2008
• RITA: Best Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense/Adventure - 2008
• RITA: Best Paranormal Romance - 2004
• RITA: Best Historical Romance
• RITA: Best Short Historical Romance
• RITA: Best Long Historical Romance - 2004
• RITA: Best Inspirational Romance - 2004
• RITA: Best Long Contemporary Series - 2004
• RITA: Best Regency Historical Romance - 2008
• RITA: Best Regency Romance - 2004
• RITA: Best Romantic Novella - 2004
• RITA: Best Romantic Suspense
• RITA: Best Short Contemporary Series - 2004
• RITA: Best Contemporary Single Title - 2004
• RITA: Best Traditional Romance - 2004
• RITA: Best Young Adult Romance - 1983

RITA Authors

For a list of authors who have won RITA awards, see category:RITA Winners .

• Romance Industry Awards
• Romance Writers of America

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2021 Vivian Award (Awarded by Romance Writers of America )

Awards list.

Contemporary Romance: Long

• / Contemporary Romance

• / Women's Fiction

Contemporary Romance: Mid

Contemporary Romance: Short

Erotic Romance

• / Historical Romance

Historical Romance: Long

Historical Romance: Mid

Mainstream Fiction with a Central Romance

Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements

• / Christian

Romantic Suspense: Long

• / Romantic Suspense

Romantic Suspense: Mid

Speculative Romance: Long

• / Paranormal Romance

Speculative Romance: Mid

Award Categories

Award years.

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The RNA presents a number of awards annually to both authors and industry representatives.

• The Romantic Novel of the Year Awards

These awards celebrate the best of romantic fiction over the previous year and are awarded in nine categories.

• The RNA Industry Awards

The RNA Industry Awards are designed to recognise the many professionals whose work supports and promotes the genre of romantic fiction.

Joan Hessayon Award for New Writers

This award recognises the best debut novel to have come through the RNA’s New Writers’ Scheme in the previous year.

• The Joan Hessayon Award for New Writers

Elizabeth Goudge Trophy

The coveted Elizabeth Goudge trophy is presented every year at the RNA Conference to the writer who had submitted the best opening chapter to a new unpublished novel on a set theme.

• The Elizabeth Goudge Trophy

The Winners Archive

Find out more about the authors and industry professionals who have taken home one of our prestigious trophies in previous years.

• View the archive

2021 Goodreads Choice Award Winners include Amanda Gorman, Sally Rooney, Andy Weir

Goodreads members have spoken. After 4.7 million votes tallied, they have announced their winning reads of 2021 . 

The best fiction award winner is Sally Rooney's "Beautiful World, Where Are You." The novel is a coming-of-age story about four young adults and the life that's catching up with them. According to USA TODAY's ★★★★ (out of four) review , "Beautiful World, Where Are You" is "an intimate and piercingly smart story about sex and friendship that finds the profound in the everyday."

Divided into 17 categories, the titles were chosen among books published between November 18, 2020 and November 16, 2021. All nominees had to have a rating of 3.5 out 5 or higher. All but two titles are USA TODAY Bestsellers .

And without further ado, the winners are: 

Best fiction

" Beautiful World, Where Are You ," by Sally Rooney

According to Goodreads : "Irish author Sally Rooney wins this year’s best fiction award for her celebrated novel on the complexities of romance, sex, and friendship on our swiftly tilting planet. A kind of deep-focus love quadrangle story, the book clearly hit a nerve for readers. This is the second GCA nomination for Rooney—she came in second for her 2018 novel, 'Normal People.' "

More: 'Beautiful World, Where Are You': Sally Rooney finds meaning in sex, friendship as the world burns

Best mystery & thriller

" The Last Thing He Told Me ," by Laura Dave

According to Goodreads : "A mother and her stepdaughter try to unwind a lethally knotted secret. When Owen Michaels died, he left his new wife, Hannah, a single cryptic message: Protect her. The note clearly refers to Bailey, Owen’s 16-year-old daughter. But why? The U.S. Marshals want to know, too."

More: 5 books not to miss: Julianna Margulies memoir, Andy Weir's ‘Project Hail Mary’

Best historical fiction

" Malibu Rising ," by Taylor Jenkins Reid

According to Goodread s : "It’s August 1983, and the Riva clan’s legendary end-of-summer party in Malibu is quickly going off the rails. Reid’s jagged ode to the 1980s explores the combustible nature of family secrets, severe heartbreak, and Too Much Alcohol. Reid has a way with recent history. She won the Historical Fiction category in 2019 for her 1970s pop parable, 'Daisy Jones & the Six.'"

Best fantasy

"A Court of Silver Flames (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #4),"  by Sarah J. Maas

According to Goodreads : "Prolific author Maas notches her sixth GCA prize with this fourth installment in the insanely popular series 'A Court of Thorns and Roses.' Maas’ imaginative world-building is something to behold—a kind of fractal blossoming of fantasy, romance, and adventure in the realms of the fae. Bonus trivia: The series has been officially optioned for adaptation on the streaming platform Hulu."

Best romance

"People We Meet on Vacation ," by Emily Henry

According to Goodreads : "Poppy and Alex have been best friends since forever, and each year they take a vacation together—a glorious, uncomplicated summer holiday. Except that last year it got complicated, and this year it’s weirdsies for all. Henry takes home this year’s Best Romance for her insightful investigation into that unknowable gray area between friendship and true love."

Best science fiction

" Project Hail Mary , " by Andy Weir

According to Goodreads : "Engineer-turned-novelist Weir is on a crazy run. Best career switch ever? 'Project Hail Mary'—concerning a resourceful astronaut and an extinction-level event—is Weir’s third nomination…and his third win. As with his previous books 'The Martian' and 'Artemis,' 'Project Hail Mary' is final evidence that old-school hard science fiction is back. Quantum physics! Chemistry! Exobiology! Aerodynamics! It actually is rocket science."

More: Review: Andy Weir's 'Project Hail Mary' is an out-of-this-world tale of science and friendship

Best horror

" The Final Girl Support Group ," by Grady Hendrix

According to Goodreads : "Hendrix has carved out his own unique domain in horror by playing around with the genre’s blurry edges and recurring tropes. His latest novel—and winner of this year’s Best Horror award—considers the scary movie concept of the final girl, the one victim who fights back, defeats the killer, and lives to see another day. Hendrix’s open question: What if some of these women got together?"

More: 'The Final Girl Support Group' a savvy summer slasher from horror hound Grady Hendrix

" Broken (In the Best Possible Way ) ," by Jenny Lawson

According to Goodreads : "Impossibly funny and beautifully empathetic, Lawson’s writing works like medicine. It makes you feel better. With 'Broken,' Lawson brings her delightful style of deliberate lateral thinking to a new batch of topics: marriage, lizards, dentists, experimental transcranial magnetic stimulation—you know, that sort of thing. A case can be made that 'Broken' is, quite literally, the feel-good book of the year."

More: Jenny Lawson's essay collection 'Broken' is wholly perfect 'in the best possible way'

Best nonfiction

" The Anthropocene Reviewed, " by John Green

According to Goodreads : "Adapted from his acclaimed podcast series, Green’s uniquely structured collection of essays combines history, science, and memoir to create a new kind of nonfiction approach—brainy and compelling. His topic? Our very own geological era, the Anthropocene, in which human activity has been the dominant influence on the planetary environment. This is Green’s second GCA win, his first was in 2012 for 'The Fault in Our Stars.'"

More: ‘Looking for the wonder’: John Green rates the internet, CNN and eating contests in first nonfiction book

Best memoir 

"Crying in H Mart," by Michelle Zauner

According to Goodreads : "If it feels like this one was on display at every bookstore in 2021, that’s because it pretty much was. Korean American author-musician Zauner—she of the indie rock initiative Japanese Breakfast—was one of publishing’s biggest success stories this year. Her deeply felt memoir addresses love and loss, art and music, and the abiding weirdness of growing up in the 21st century."

Best history and biography

"Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty," by Patrick Radden Keefe

According to Goodreads : "'Empire of Pain' is an exhaustively researched profile of the Sackler family, the aristocratic American clan that made its fortune making and marketing the painkiller OxyContin. Keefe is a master of the kind of narrative reporting style that brings novelistic intensity to rigorous nonfiction reporting. Keefe was also nominated for a GCA for his 2018 book, 'Say Nothing.'"

Best graphic novels & comics

"Lore Olympus: Volume One (Lore Olympus, #1)," by Rachel Smythe

According to Goodreads : "The Greek gods are a famously rowdy pantheon, vulnerable to the same faults and foibles that plague us mortals. Smythe’s groundbreaking series 'Lore Olympus' chronicles the forbidden romance between Hades and Persephone, but with a compelling contemporary approach and richly detailed artwork. The Volume One compilation collects episodes 1 through 25 of the original online comic series. This is Smythe’s first nomination and her first GCA win."

Best poetry

" The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country ," by Amanda Gorman

According to Goodreads : "Gorman, the first person to be named National Youth Poet Laureate, earned worldwide acclaim when she delivered her poem 'The Hill We Climb' at President Biden’s inauguration. It’s not easy to upstage a president, but she managed it. 'The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country' features the full text of Gorman’s composition, along with a foreword from Oprah Winfrey."

More: Amanda Gorman 'humbled and honored' to debut at No. 1 on USA TODAY's bestseller list, a poetry first

"The Spanish Love Deception," by Elena Armas

According to Goodreads : "Spanish author Armas brings several new twists to a classic rom-com setup with this debut novel, which has already won a devoted following in the Goodreads community. Catalina Martin is taking her new American boyfriend to her sister’s wedding in a small Spanish town. Aaron Blackford is tall, handsome, and supremely aggravating. Alas, he’s not actually Catalina’s boyfriend. This is Armas’ first GCA win, naturally."

Best young adult fiction

"Firekeeper's Daughter," by Angeline Boulley

According to Goodreads : "Winner of this year’s award for Young Adult Fiction, Firekeeper’s Daughter introduces a compelling new heroine to the YA scene. As a biracial and unenrolled tribal member, 18-year-old Daunis Fontaine feels like an outsider both on and off the local Ojibwe reservation. But she soon finds a higher purpose when she witnesses a terrible murder—and decides to go undercover with her own investigation."

More: Barnes & Noble announces inaugural Children's and YA Book Awards winners

Best young adult fantasy & science fiction

"Rule of Wolves (King of Scars, #2)," by Leigh Bardugo

According to Goodreads : "Perennial contender Bardugo earns her second GCA win with 'Rule of Wolves,' the concluding book in her 'King of Scars' duology, set in the innovative and sprawling Grishaverse. Bardugo’s nuanced stories and elaborate world-building continue to break new ground in YA fantasy, and she’s expanding the empire, too: Netflix’s 'Shadow and Bone' series is likely the first of many TV and film adaptations."

Best middle grade & children's

"Daughter of the Deep," by Rick Riordan

According to Goodreads : "Riordan continues his historical GCA winning streak with 'Daughter of the Deep,' the story of budding underwater explorer Ana Dakkar and a school field trip gone seriously awry. Bonus trivia: This is Riordan’s 11th consecutive victory in this category. Bonus trivia: 'Daughter of the Deep' is a tribute to Jules Verne’s 19th-century classic 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.'"

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The 10 best romance novels of 2021

Maureen Lee Lenker is a senior writer at Entertainment Weekly with over seven years of experience in the entertainment industry. An award-winning journalist, she's written for Turner Classic Movies, Ms. Magazine , The Hollywood Reporter , and more. She's worked at EW for six years covering film, TV, theater, music, and books. The author of EW's quarterly romance review column, "Hot Stuff," Maureen holds Master's degrees from both the University of Southern California and the University of Oxford. Her debut novel, It Happened One Fight , is now available. Follow her for all things related to classic Hollywood, musicals, the romance genre, and Bruce Springsteen.

While so many of us had high hopes for 2021 to be a better year than 2020, it was just as much of a rollercoaster, if not more.

This year, perhaps more than any other, it was difficult to feel hopeful in the face of setbacks on a global scale. But still, we looked for things to put smiles on our faces, to touch our hearts, and to restore our sense of optimism. Nowhere is that more feasible than in the pages of romance novels.

The promise of a happily-ever-after is something we don't get in real life — but it's always there on the pages of these novels that sustain us, entertain us, and most of all, remind us there's always hope to be found if you look hard enough. Here are our top 10 romance novels of 2021 (in no particular order).

The Perks of Loving a Wallflower by Erica Ridley

Historical fiction is one of romance's most beloved sub-genres, but sometimes it can run the risk of feeling a bit wrapped in gauze. Not so of Erica Ridley's refreshing and feminist Sapphic romance about a non-binary con artist and the charming bluestocking she yearns for. Tommy Wynchester and Phillipa York are brought together by an adventure predicated on securing recognition for the achievements of women, and that aspect of the storytelling is an engrossing romp. But it's the novel's deeper themes of identity and being able to live (and be loved) wholeheartedly as oneself that set it apart.

Shipped by Angie Hockman

Angie Hockman made her debut early in 2021 with this workplace-travelogue romance that is deceptively emotional with its patina of a tropical setting. Workaholic Henley Evans is obsessed with getting a promotion, but things get complicated when it requires her to go on a cruise of the Galapagos with her work nemesis, Graeme Crawford-Collins. The two have instant chemistry and banter worthy of a first-rate screwball comedy, but it also grapples with themes of grief, work-life balance, and the risks of opening yourself up to love. Hockman gives readers a literary vacation of the highest order with all the oomph of her emotionally affective storytelling.

Reel by Kennedy Ryan

Kennedy Ryan gives a masterclass in romance writing with each book, and Reel is no exception. The behind-the-scenes story of the making of a biopic about (fictional) forgotten jazz singer Dessi Blue. When hotshot director Canon Holt discovers Broadway understudy Neevah Saint, he knows her talent is one-of-a-kind — but he isn't prepared to fall in love with her. Ryan threads the needle of a complicated thread of stories, including on-set life, Neevah and Canon's past trauma and present crackling chemistry, and Dessi Blue's past. But it's her incisive portrayal of chronic illness — Neevah has lupus — that makes Reel so heartrending. There's a bruising understanding of the cost and vulnerability of living life with an open heart — and the rich rewards of choosing it anyway.

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun

We may have had more of The Bachelor franchise than we knew what to do with in 2021, but this book is the only version of the reality TV fairy-tale you actually need. Set behind the scenes of Ever After, a fictionalized hit reality dating show, The Charm Offensive follows hopeless romantic producer Dev Desphande and human disaster (at least on television) Charlie Winshaw, the hapless new face of the franchise. As Dev coaches Charlie through his anxiety and mental health barriers, the two begin to fall for each in the most swooningly romantic of ways. For those who love (or love to hate) The Bachelor, it's a winking tribute. But it's not just its delectably smart take on that trope, it's the novel's dedication to championing therapy, empathy, and the very real challenges of mental health that makes us want to give this book our rose.

Accidentally Engaged by Farah Heron

With this fake dating romp, Farah Heron gave romance readers the most delicious read of the year. And we mean that literally. When Reena Manji enlists her parents' latest matchmaking target, Nadim, to fake an engagement to help her win a couples' cooking contest, she is determined not to fall for him. But romance readers know how silly a goal that is. Instead, as they unpack their complicated relationships with their families, food, and their love for their culture, they find a path to a new level of openness that could make them the perfect pair. As warm and inviting as a perfect loaf of bread, Accidentally Engaged made our mouths water and our hearts sing.

Saint by Sierra Simone

Sierra Simone is consistently one of the bravest, most provocative romance authors working today. She refuses to pull her punches, blazing through taboos, without so much as a glance backward, to use the genre to probe deep questions of faith, healing, and spirituality. Saint enters that canon with its tale of monk Aiden Bell and his quest to determine which is a holier choice — his life as an ascetic monk or his love for Elijah Iverson? The two travel together, investigating matters of the heart and parsing the sacred from the profane. Aiden has to learn the sanctity of love — for Elijah and for himself — to find his own sense of grace. And it's a lesson that will remain etched on our hearts too.

To Love and To Loathe by Martha Waters

There was no romance novel more fun this year than this extremely witty enemies-with-benefits confection. Diana, Lady Templeton, and Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham love to bicker with each other more than anything. But they're in denial about the real reason for this crackling repartee — deep-seated feelings for each other that rise to the surface when they decide on a mutually beneficial liaison. It sparkles with its humor and offers a tongue-in-cheek portrait of two self-deprecating, fiercely brilliant people who must work on developing their emotional intelligence. Reading To Love and To Loathe is the literary equivalent of popping a bottle of pink champagne and digging into a box of pastel bon-bons, and really, what more could you ask for?

For the Love of April French by Penny Aimes

Penny Aimes made a splash of a debut with this fluffy, tender love story about trans woman, April, and the cis man who makes her see she's deserving of being so much more than someone just there for a good time. When Dennis Morgan walks into the kink club April considers a second home, she is spooked by the intensity of their immediate connection. But Dennis, despite his own baggage, wants to give April the care and love she's lacked for so long. It's a fresh and vital look at a community underserved by romance (and traditionally published fiction more broadly) with plenty of accessibility for those with less familiarity. But mostly, it's just an unblinking and heartfelt rendering of the challenges and rewards of letting someone see you, all of you — and love you for it.

Second First Impressions by Sally Thorne

Second First Impressions is the quietest, least flashy entry on this list and that's what makes it so divine. When Ruthie Midona gets mistaken for a little old lady by hunky tattooed Teddy Prescott, she stars to worry that she's let herself get too set in her ways. Thorne offers readers a delightfully quirky tale of a woman who's found a safety in shielding herself from the real world. There's a heartbreaking fear here, a deep understanding of how trauma can seal us off from the lows of life, but the highs too. Thorne revels in the small stuff, the compulsion to soak up every passing moment, and in that, gives readers both a wondrous love story and a handbook for how to live life to its fullest.

One Week to Claim It All by Adriana Herrera

Herrera gave readers (and more pointedly, reviewers) a forceful reminder to stop underestimating category romance with this prescient and steamy story set in the world of telenovelas. When illegitimate love child Esmeralda Sambrano-Peña unexpectedly inherits her father's media empire, she's determined to prove herself. But major complications ensue in the form of her father's protégé, Rodrigo Almanzar, and her one that got away. As Esme wrestles with questions of trust, redemption, and loyalty, the novel also broaches broader subjects of colorism in the Latinx community, proving that Herrera can always give her readers an essential mix of social commentary and sizzling romance.

Related content:

• Read more from EW's Best of 2021 coverage
• 18 holiday romance novels to make your season holly jolly
• Hot Stuff: Fall romance novels offer hot monks, witchcraft, reality TV, and Keanu Reeves

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Best Romance of 2021

SEPT. 14, 2021

by Alexis Daria

A sexy, satisfying romance about people who finally grow into being right for each other. Full review >

MAY 11, 2021

by Emily Henry

A warm and winning "When Harry Met Sally…" update that hits all the perfect notes. Full review >

MARCH 9, 2021

by Talia Hibbert

Absolutely charming. Full review >

MAY 18, 2021

by Christina Lauren

A sexy, science-filled, and surprising romance full of warmth and wit. Full review >

AUG. 24, 2021

by Sarah MacLean

Another stunner from a Romancelandia favorite. Full review >

JUNE 1, 2021

by Casey McQuiston

A sweet, funny, and angst-filled romance with a speculative twist. Full review >

AUG. 17, 2021

by Lucy Parker

An utterly delicious romance that's meant to be devoured. Full review >

by Farrah Rochon

This football romance is a total knockout: funny, sexy, and full of heart. Full review >

JUNE 8, 2021

by Cat Sebastian

An irresistible story of love and adventure that will delight both newcomers and regular readers of queer romance. Full review >

by Tia Williams

A hugely satisfying romance that is electrifying and alive. Full review >

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Maggie Award 2021 Finalists

2021 maggie award published finalists, contemporary romance.

​​Designs on Forever by Susan Carlisle

Her Cowboy Sweetheart by Cathy McDavid

Never Date a Doctor by Melanie A. Smith

Salt & Stilettos by Janet Walden-West

Tempting the Prince by Christi Barth

The Hacker by Nancy Herkness

Winner: The Money Man by Nancy Herkness

Divorcing Mr. Right by Mary Vaughan

Whispers in Washington by Jennifer Wilck

Historical Romance

Korina's Wild Winter by Tabetha Wite

Nothing but a Rakehell by Deb Marlowe

Winner: The Return of the Duke by Grace Callaway

Wylder Hearts by Kim Turner

Mainstream Fiction With a Central Romance

(Im) Perfectly Happy by Sharina Harris

Winner/Tie: Keeping the Pieces by Brenda Lowder

Winner/Tie: The Fat Chicks' Club by Catherine Rull

Paranormal Romance

Ancient Protector by Katie Reus

Winner: Beyond the Next Star by Melody Johnson

Six by Carrie Thorne

Slaughtered Lamb Bookstore and Bar by Seana Kelly

Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements

Abigail's Secret by Marilyn Turk

Winner: Dangerous Deception by Evelyn Hill

Dangerous Exposure by Dianna Shuford*

Forever Home by Amy Grochowski

The Price of Dreams by Toni Shiloh

Romantic Suspense:

Beween Love and Honor by Tracy Solheim

Winner: Hemingway by Zoe Dawson

* Denotes GRW Member. ​

2021 Maggie Award Prepublished Finalists

Beale Street Blues by Valerie Pepper

Winner: The Good Girls' Guide to Kissing Strangers by Charli Kent

Sparks on the Park by Daphne Chase

Roller Days by Priscilla Cook

Love on the Menu by Betsy Gray

Winner: The Reaper' s Gambit by Janet Oppedisano

Veins of Stone by Amy Mackey

The Orphan's Gift by Tracy Koppel

Just A Fika by Rebeccah Newman    

Winner: Stage Mouse by Jacqui Bosma 

The Perils of Pretty and Bella by Douglas Wakil

Talk of Tokyo   by Heather Hallman

Rescue in the Highlands by Kathleen Sheridan

Heart of the Shenandoah by Sherry Shindelar

Into the Shattered Night by Anastasia Huff

Third Second Chance by Jayna Breigh

Second First Impression by Jayna Breigh

Winner: His Double Decker Twins by Megan Besing

Young Adult/New Adult

A Voice in Wood and Water by Annalise Harris

Pulling Heartstrings by Lisa Bradley

Winner: Eclipsed by Caroline Noonan

Spooned by Angela D'Ambrosio

Romantic Suspense

Winner: Hunter's Treasure by Olga Jackson

**Denotes GRW member

12 of the Best Award-Winning Romance Novels

Isabelle Popp

Isabelle Popp has written all sorts of things, ranging from astrophysics research articles and math tests to crossword puzzles and poetry. These days she's writing romance. When she's not reading or writing, she's probably knitting or scouring used book stores for vintage gothic romance paperbacks. Originally from New York, she's as surprised as anyone that she lives in Bloomington, Indiana.

View All posts by Isabelle Popp

Just look at the Goodreads awards nominees from 2023. Whoever curated that ballot was clearly choosing titles based on popularity rather than quality. Not that popular books can’t have high quality, but popularity is its own kind of reward! Awards are meant to find the best , which can and should include titles that were overlooked by readers who only seek out or happen upon popular books.

This issue of awards ballots that are not truly representative of the genre is not exclusive to Goodreads. You can read more about the problems with the Romance Writers of America’s RITA award on Duke University’s Unsuitable blog . The RWA has, frankly, bungled dealing with racism among its authors and judges so badly that they haven’t awarded any books since 2021. That year’s awards only compounded the problem, as this LitHub article explains.

Despite these issues, plenty of fantastic romances have received awards. Moreover, there are some great organizations issuing romance awards! They take nominations from a wide array of readers and end up with much more interesting — and better — titles. The Ripped Bodice Awards (no longer being given), The Swoon Awards , the #readRchat awards , the Audies , and the Lambda Literary Awards provide many of the must-read books below.

Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas (2010 RITA Award)

Sherry Thomas is the all-star of historical romances that rip your heart out and then sew it back in. Here, Bryony is a female doctor in the Victorian Era, a feat unto itself. She’s working in colonial India, and who shows up but her ex, Leo, who is trying to get her back to England where she is needed. The slow reveal of what went wrong between them the first time as they find their way back to each other is exquisite.

The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare (2018 Audie Award)

Tessa Dare is one of the very best historical romance authors out there, and this novel kicks off her Girl Meets Duke series. Emma, a seamstress, shows up at the Duke of Ashbury’s house demanding payment for a wedding dress she sewed for the Duke’s ex-fiancee. The Duke offers her a marriage of convenience, and because he needs an heir, that marriage will be getting consummated, if you know what I mean. Despite the practicality of the whole thing, feelings get in the way! Yes, they do! Ugh, this book is a delight.

Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan (2019 RITA Award)

The last year of the RITA awards gave us one of the very best winners. Kennedy Ryan gained massive popularity with Before I Let Go , but readers who are newer to her simply must dive into her back titles. This emotionally intense book traces the romance between a woman in an abusive relationship and the basketball star who treasures her. Be careful going into this one because the on-page violence is intense, but the love story is unforgettable.

Trashed by Mia Hopkins (Ripped Bodice Awards 2019)

You want a super hot romance? Here. This second entry in the Eastside Brewey series pairs Eddie, recently released from prison and trying to stay out of trouble, with Carmen, a top chef. The two had some anonymous hot sex one time and then reunite when Eddie starts working for Carmen. This romance realistically grapples with financial precarity, familial obligation, the intersection of racism and sexism, all while being sexy as all giddy-up. Get into this series.

A Prince on Paper by Alyssa Cole (Ripped Bodice Awards 2019)

You should definitely read the entire Reluctant Royals series, starting with A Princess in Theory , but this is my personal favorite entry in the series. It’s a royal romance between good girl Nya and bad boy Prince Johan. They are in the fictional country of Thesolo for a wedding and end up fake dating for, you know, romance reasons. This book has poignant emotional moments while also being fun and even a little bananas, plot-wise.

Along for the Ride by Mimi Grace (ReadRchat awards 2019)

Road trip romances forever! This one stars Jolene, who is a bit of a hot mess but is doing her best. Top tier romance reasons land her in a car with with grump Jason for a sixteen-hour drive. They don’t like each other, but things turn around for them on this fateful trip. Does this book make excellent use of the only one bed trope? You probably know the answer, but you still need to read to know for sure.

The Rakess by Scarlett Peckham (Ripped Bodice Awards 2020)

I simply adore this historical romance with low-key gothic vibes. The female main character is based on early feminist writer Mary Wollstonecraft, the mother of Frankenstein author Mary Shelley. She’s prickly and standoffish and falling for Adam, a wholesome Scottish architect, is not part of her plan. Her plan, by the way, is to take down the powerful man who ruined her. What I love about this book is that it underscores the importance of finding community and fostering relationships while being an activist.

Two Rogues Make a Right by Cat Sebastian (2020 Lambda Literary Award)

Like the above Alyssa Cole novel, this is another award-winning third book in a series. And again, I recommend reading the entire Seducing the Sedgwicks series (heck, the whole Cat Sebastian catalog). This book, though, truly took me by surprise. I’m not generally a fan of hurt/comfort or sick-bed type tropes in my romances, but this is a notable exception. Will is tending to his sick best friend, Martin, and they fall in love. This book is a beautiful testament to choosing love, even when long life isn’t guaranteed and even when people have deep flaws.

Silver Silence by Nalini Singh (Australian Romance Readers Award 2022)

If you’ve been curious about where you can dive into Nalini Singh’s long-running Psy-Changeling universe, Silver Silence is an ideal place. This book is the first in a spin-off of sorts, so you can start fresh. This paranormal world features Psy, with telepathic and telekinetic powers, along with changelings, who are shapeshifters. And humans, ho-hum. This novel follows Silver, whose mind is supposed to be free from emotion, as she catches feelings for a bear shifter named Valentin. There’s a high stakes assassination plot, yes, but this entry in the series is also wildly charming and funny.

Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun (Lambda Literary Award 2022)

I know it’s not the time for holiday romances, so maybe save this one for Christmas in July. Or read it now; I’m not your mom. I adore this book for being so messy. Ellie had an unforgettable night last Christmas, but now she’s in some financial dire straits and has agreed to a marriage of convenience with Andrew. They visit Andrew’s family for the holiday, and who’s there? Just Andrew’s sister, the very woman Ellie shared her amazing night with the year prior. This book is full of people doing the wrong thing for good reasons, and it’s a blast.

Queerly Beloved by Susie Dumond (Lambda Literary Award 2022)

Full disclosure: Susie Dumond is a fellow Book Rioter! Still, you should absolutely read her debut romance, set in Tulsa in the early 2010s, before the Supreme Court decision secured marriage equality for queer people. Full of found family, discussion of queer identity, and of course, a lovely romance between baker Amy and Charley, who’s new to town, it’s a charming and thoughtful book. It’s great to read books about queer people thriving and finding community in places that aren’t known for being especially welcoming.

Sing Anyway by Anita Kelly (Swoon Awards 2022)

If you haven’t yet read anything by outstanding romance author Anita Kelly, this gem of a novella is a perfect place to start. It’s a low-angst story between nonbinary history professor Sam and Lily, a crush-worthy karaoke star. It’s a one-night stand turned into more romance and a heartwarming tale of regular people lifting each other up. If you also feel like you’re old enough to have sorted your life out by now, and yet you are still feeling at sea, you will absolutely relate to these characters.

If you want to read more of the very best romance, we can help. We have 24 of the all-time greats as well as 2022’s best . If you want to see if popular is, in fact, best, you can read the bestselling romances of all time. And if one book is never enough, check out the best romance series . Romance, it’s simply the best!

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All recommendations are made independently by our editors. Services you subscribe to through our links may earn us a commission.

The Best Romance Novels of 2021 (So Far)

For many of us, 2021 feels like a year dedicated to recovery mode, the aftermath of something life-changing and unpredictable where we now have the opportunity to start to pick up the pieces from the year before. Of course the publishing industry, like so many others, was negatively impacted in 2020, but one of the few genres that continued to carve out a path forward (like it always has) was romance.

In some ways, it shouldn’t be surprising that the romance genre still found a way to thrive during the coronavirus pandemic and its lingering effects on our world. The essential tenets of the genre — a central love story and an emotionally satisfying resolution (typically referred to in shorthand as a HEA, for Happily Ever After, or HFN, for Happy For Now) — are grounded in hope and happiness. In a world of uncertainty, readers have clung to books that will give them the promise of their basic premise, and this year featured so many that served as a light in the darkness. (This list will be updated on a monthly basis.)

For the Love of April French is a romance that seems like a dichotomy at first glance; how can a book about BDSM and kink manage to also be one of the sweetest stories ever written? But that’s what makes Aimes’s work so perfect here. It’s effortlessly inclusive and insightful, accessible for those who may not be very familiar with the kink lifestyle, illustrates an emotionally mature relationship between two people who have realistic and relatable struggles, and ultimately reminds us of what the romance genre is capable of — which, actually, is just about anything. April French starts off as a character who is relationship-avoidant, and most of the time she’s just the last fling for someone else right before they meet the One. But when she strikes up a conversation with Dennis Martin at her local kink club and they end up spending one incredible night together, keeping it casual might not necessarily be in the cards anymore. Can April let down her guard to let herself have the love and commitment she hasn’t even known she’s been craving all along?

MacLean kicks off a brand-new series with a bang — and a bold, assertive heroine who embraces her scandalous reputation proudly and without shame. Lady Sesily Talbot is used to possessing a certain notoriety, but now, she’s using it to her advantage. As a key member of a clandestine girl gang whose main mission is to take down unrepentantly terrible men, she’s wielding her wiles in ways that the majority of people in society circles would never expect. The only hiccup? The return of Caleb Calhoun, the American who broke her heart years ago and has somehow made his way into her orbit again. Of course, we know these two are destined to collide eventually, but how it happens is in particularly incendiary fashion. MacLean is a master at weaving passion and vulnerability equally in her characters, and Bombshell serves as proof that when it comes to historical romance, she’s one of the best for all these reasons and then some.

Remember that news headline about the three women who discovered they were dating the same guy, ditched him, and then proceeded to go on a road trip together ? It almost sounds like a plotline lifted straight out of a romance novel — and, it turns out, Rochon wrote it before reality unexpectedly imitated art. Her Boyfriend Project series revolves around a group of ladies who, after realizing they’ve all been dating the same loser, dump him publicly (and in front of lots of cell phones) and ultimately become best friends. The Dating Playbook , the second of that series, is truly as much about the relationship between these women as it is the evolution of its main love story, too, which makes it such a joyful reading experience. Taylor Powell is killing it as a personal trainer, but financially, the situation is critical. Former football player Jamar Dixon might be her knight in Under Armour, although he doesn’t want anyone to know about their sessions — so clearly the solution is for them to pretend they’re a couple, right? With smoking hot chemistry, next to no angst, and a friend group that is literally squad goals, Rochon has written another winner.

If Charlie’s Angels were actually a breakup agency, you’ve already got a partial sense of Hartl’s charming, hilarious, and devastatingly hot adult romance debut. Brinkley Saunders is part of a company that offers a specialized service to jilted exes, unhappy professionals, or anyone with an ax to grind against someone who’s wronged them: revenge. It’s not a totally glamorous job, but it pays the bills, and it’s something to do while she works on nailing down her longtime dream of having her own art gallery where she can show off her paintings. Everything seems to be going to plan, until Brinkley’s boss decides that their heartbreak agency could use a little more male energy — and when Brinkley comes face-to-face with her new co-worker, she discovers that Mark is someone she was hired to carry out revenge against once upon a time. What’s more? She came way too close to breaking one of her major rules that night: Never sleep with a target. Turns out that Brinkley’s attraction to Mark has never really gone away, either, but beneath the playful banter and bickering, there’s a lot of trust that needs to be rebuilt between them on both an emotional and physical level. Hartl skillfully manages to merge a romance with a story of learning to love and prioritize one’s self, all while tackling relatable workplace issues head-on, and the end result is a rom-com that really needs the adaptation treatment ASAP.

For those who are still mourning the end of Schitt’s Creek — and also wanted Alexis Rose (Annie Murphy) to get her own happily-ever-after by series’s end — Bailey’s rom-com scratches that itch and then some. It Happened One Summer is packed full with the trademarks she’s best known for as an author, including scorchingly steamy romantic tension and a hero who could get his own Ph.D. in dirty talk. Hollywood “It” girl Piper Bellinger has always been known for making headlines, but when her latest flavor of the month breaks her heart, she decides to throw a slightly illegal rooftop party — which is the last straw where her stepfather’s patience with her antics is concerned. Being banished to a beach town in the Pacific Northwest is punishment enough, but Piper and her sister have also been charged with renovating the dive bar that used to belong to their late father, a local hero in Westport. The first time Piper runs into big and burly sea captain Brendan, it’s loathing at first sight — although keeping her distance is easier said than done in a small town like this, and as they encounter one another more and more, the two start to become real proof of the “opposites attract” concept in action. The only question that lingers is whether this will just be a sexy summer fling or possibly something more.

The latest installment in the Rajes series (each of which takes a Jane Austen title and completely flips it on its head) is quite possibly its most moving and profound, tackling themes of grief and trauma for characters that must embrace self-discovery and understanding before they can heal — and ultimately, reconnect with one another for an utterly sweeping slow burn of a romance. Yash Raje is driven by the dream of becoming California’s first Indian governor, and he’s prioritized that goal over just about everything else in his life. After he survives an attack on his life at a rally, Yash begins to lose hold of the composure he thought he possessed — but if his emotional struggles get out, it could be a PR nightmare. Enter India Dashwood, close family friend and best friend to Yash’s sister, who’s professionally qualified to help this ambitious man manage his stress levels. But Yash and India have their own shared secret, too: a brief night of intimacy and passion between them ten years ago, one that Yash can’t help but remember the second India walks back into his life again. Their journey to a happy ending is one filled with angst and emotion, and Dev’s reimagining transcends the classic novel to become its own iconic text in the process.

Some historical romance novels are truly exemplary not just because of the deserved happy ending they offer their characters, but the established systems in place they masterfully interrogate in the process. Sebastian’s trade debut, The Queer Principles of Kit Webb , manages to be so many different things at once: a charming and mesmerizing romance, a comedic heist novel that perfectly encapsulates the Be Gay Do Crimes slogan, and a story that wrestles on the page with class difference and the inherent privilege that comes with wealth and possessions. Percy, Lord Holland is seeking a way to bring about his own father’s downfall, but in order to do that, he needs to hire someone skilled in procuring items in a most illegal manner. Enter: Kit Webb, a mostly retired highwayman who owns a coffee shop and has no interest in returning to his former line of work, thank you very much — but he does begrudgingly agree to teach Percy how to pull off the job. Too bad all of those sparring and thieving lessons will only bring them closer together, to a point where Kit comes to the very distressing conclusion that he can’t sit idly by while Percy risks his life — not while he himself is beginning to possess very real feelings for this nobleman and aspiring highway robber.

Mythological and fairy-tale retellings are almost a dime a dozen in romance, but the truth is there’s a reason these iconic legends are mined over and over again — with each revamping as memorable as the last. One of the undeniable standouts of 2021, however, goes to Katee Robert’s modern and very sexy reinterpretation of the Hades and Persephone story in Neon Gods , the first in her planned Dark Olympus series. In this world, the gods in question are merely avatars for powerful people, with each holding control over a certain territory. There has been a tentative peace between those who have taken the titles of Zeus and Hades for some time — at least until society princess Persephone Dimitriou, confronted by the possibility of an arranged marriage to the current Zeus, flees to the forbidden undercity. Finding herself the unwitting guest of the mysterious Hades is one thing; pretending to be his in order to thwart Zeus might be more than she’s entirely prepared for. The two strike a bargain with mutual vengeance in mind, but in binding themselves together against a common enemy, they’ll find true partnership (and love) where they least expect it.

Eva Mercy is a single mother and successful author of a best-selling Twilight -esque paranormal romance series, but she’s feeling burned out on her current career trajectory and wants to pursue other stories for a change. When she unexpectedly encounters literary darling and famous recluse Shane Hall at a writers’ event, the two are practically propelled back in time to the wild week of infatuation they had when they were teenagers, a love affair that was forced to end almost as instantaneously as it began. Meanwhile, the rest of the world doesn’t know that they’ve been using one another as inspiration for each other’s books for years. Second-chance romances are a tough needle to thread; the writer has to weave both past and present together, crafting two different love stories that are equally believable in pursuit of that inevitable happily-ever-after that occurs by the final page. Seven Days in June is about the intoxicating, all-consuming power of first love, of young love, but it’s also about the deepening and complicated love between two people who run into each other years later, hearts still tender and bruised, and recognize that their feelings for one another have become something even stronger with time.

The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes isn’t just a romance novel about rock music; it’s a book that literally sings, with lyrical prose that will keep you turning page after page well into the night. Antonia “Toni” Bennett (and yes, she’s heard all the jokes) grew up with mostly just a guitar for company. When a 12-year-old Toni meets 13-year-old Sebastian Quick, they make a pact to escape their small town together — but when he turns 18 he bails out by himself and leaves her behind. Years later, Toni is still living her dream as a performer, even if she’s only playing in local Philadelphia bars and laying in backup tracks on other artists’ albums. Getting the chance to try out for a spot in the Lillys, one of the hottest new girl bands out there, is a dream opportunity — until she runs into her old childhood friend Seb and realizes he’s one of the people who could either make or break her dream. Never mind the fact that she’s never fully forgiven him for abandoning her all those years ago, either. Whether you want an agonizingly good slow-burn romance, an ode to indie rock, or some amalgam of the two, this novel is as impossible to get out of your head as any earworm — but you should definitely read it with the music that was written specifically to accompany the book!

Lam’s debut romance is a genuine gift and a reminder of the fact that romances can be just as much about second chances as they are about falling in love for the very first time. Trixie Nguyen is a refreshing, sex-positive heroine who makes a living selling adult toys. She genuinely adores her job instructing women about how to make sex a more pleasurable experience. Making a fresh start in Washington, D.C., after a bad breakup feels like the best next step — but then she comes face-to-face with Andre Walker, her ex, tending bar at her very first pop-up event! As if that weren’t enough, it turns out Andre originally dumped her via a Post-It note, which is obviously going to demand some serious groveling. At first, Trixie and Andre decide not to pick up where they left off but to try something new: being friends with benefits. The only problem is that they’re reminded all too quickly of just how well they work together, both in and out of the bedroom, and soon the benefits start to outweigh the desire to keep their situation strictly friendly. When Trixie sets her sights on a new co-op initiative in the neighborhood, Andre’s concerned it’ll threaten the legacy of his late mother’s restaurant, and the two are left with a decision to make between business and pleasure — as well as the real possibility of starting over together.

In a landscape that can’t even technically be described as post-pandemic yet, where many of us are longing for the ability to escape the quarantine of our homes and simply go places , there’s something about Henry’s latest romance that offers both immense satisfaction and an intense hunger for travel and making lasting memories with the people we love. Poppy and Alex have arguably nothing in common, but they’ve been best friends for years, and they celebrate their long-distance dynamic in a very specific way: every summer, they take a vacation together. Or they did until two years ago, when one fateful summer night changed everything between them, and they haven’t spoken since. Now, Poppy’s navigating feelings of millennial ennui at her job, but she does remember the last time she was truly happy: on a trip with Alex. Convincing her former BFF to take one more trip with her is almost the easy part; realizing there’s still one huge secret that’s been hanging over their entire friendship is what could drive them apart forever. In her follow-up to the equally compelling Beach Read , Henry has solidified a name for herself as an author with the ability to write romances that burst with both humor and emotional yearning.

Office romances can be a tricky tightrope to navigate, especially between two characters where the playing field isn’t entirely level, but Barrett’s rom-com debut is a refreshing take on navigating romance in the workplace and confronting the obvious power dynamic issues with realism and care. Corinne Blunt is used to people having preconceived notions about her ice-queen status, but she’s only gotten to the executive level by operating in a certain light. Of course she’s always had some level of awareness around it, but when she overhears someone laughing at a co-worker giving her an especially rude nickname, she decides to wield her authority against the assumed offender: new intern Wesley Chambers. To Corinne’s chagrin, however, Wesley is all too happy to work hard and try to prove himself to his new boss, and the warmth he exudes soon proves strong and sincere enough to melt the ice she’s built up around her heart too. This book exemplifies all of the best parts of the genre, with sweetness and steaminess abounding in equal measure.

Danan’s follow-up to her sparkling, sexy debut The Roommate (released in September of last year) is more introspective and emotional than its predecessor, but with that same captivating prose that made her first release so successful even in the height of a difficult publishing landscape. Naomi Grant, the best friend and ex of The Roommate ’s Josh, has been poised to make the jump from sex worker to sex educator since the start-up they co-founded together hit big. The only problem is that due to her background, she’s having trouble finding gigs as a lecturer. Enter Ethan Cohen, a rabbi who has been tasked with attracting a younger generation to his synagogue and only three months to do it. When the two team up for a seminar about intimacy in the millennial world, crafting a syllabus that revolves around love and sex proves to be the spark that lights the match of their burning attraction for one another. This book tackles issues of religion and romance in a way that makes them simpatico, not opposing forces, and Naomi is a lead with nuance who owns her past without shame, while Ethan never expresses judgment or condemnation towards her at any turn.

Hibbert’s dazzling Brown Sisters series comes to a close with the newest release featuring likely the wildest sister, but the good news is Hibbert really wraps things up on a high note. Eve Brown can’t seem to get anything right no matter how hard she tries — and when her latest antics ruin an expensive wedding, her parents finally put their foot down. She needs to get her act together, even if she doesn’t know how to do that yet. Interviewing for an open chef position at a bed and breakfast seems like the right move, but then she accidentally runs over the owner with her car. Oops! Jacob Wayne’s used to being in control of everything, but with a broken arm and a business that needs him, he’ll have to rely on the last person he wanted to help out around the place. These two characters are a true case of opposites attracting, and even though they get off on the wrong foot, the heat between them is smoldering.

Accidentally Engaged does what all good romance novels do best: It’s full of emotion, fun, and family, with that ultimately satisfying HEA that will settle in your stomach like a home-cooked meal. Reena Manji isn’t the biggest fan of her family shoving themselves into every detail of her life, but she can focus on her baking, something reliable and delicate to put her efforts into. When her father conveniently moves his newest employee, Nadim, in across the hall from her, it feels like a very obvious setup situation. But he cuts a nice figure and he enjoys her bread, two things in his favor. When her career takes an unexpected downturn, Nadim even agrees to fake an engagement with her so she can enter a couples contest. They might be playing at pretending to be a match, but when the secret gets out, what will happen when her family catches wind?

Honey Girl isn’t your typical romance novel — at least not in its more strictly defined terms — but it’s one of the most powerful coming-of-age stories debuting this year and it should be required reading for any millennial who finds themselves buckling under the weight of expectation. Wielding her newly earned Ph.D., Grace Porter decides to go on a girls’ trip to Vegas to celebrate. She’s not the type of person who would party hard and get drunkenly married to a woman she doesn’t even know … and yet that’s exactly what she does. Deciding to throw caution to the wind, Grace jets off to New York to spend time with a wife who might as well be a stranger, and over one memorable summer, begins to fall for her. The question is: Is Grace actually running to someone, or running away from something else?

Clayborn writes romances that are engaging, heart wrenching, and so ultimately satisfying that you won’t want to put the book down. When he was a teenager, Will Sterling encountered the girl of his dreams on an apartment building balcony, but she never even knew he was there. Sixteen years later, he’s back, dealing with the unexpected surprise of his uncle’s passing and the inheritance of a new apartment he never wanted. But he doesn’t expect he’ll run right into his dream girl from all those years ago, or that she’ll want nothing to do with him now. Nora Clarke is definitely taken aback by her handsome new neighbor, but when she learns his plans to rent out the apartment, she tasks herself with preserving the building’s community, throwing a wrench in at every turn. That might be easier said than done when every second she spends in Will’s company forces her to acknowledge their connection.

Solomon’s a YA author, but in her adult rom-com debut, she pens a love letter to radio — as well as anyone who can’t ever get enough of NPR in their earbuds. Shay Goldstein has been a producer at a Seattle public radio station for almost ten years, but her latest struggle occurs in one tall, handsome coworker named Dominic Yun, who name-drops his master’s degree in journalism at every opportunity and thinks he knows it all. But the station is in dire straits and needs an infusion of new programming, and when Shay casually suggests a show hosted by exes who used to date each other, their boss jumps at the idea. Unfortunately, he also decides Shay and Dominic should be the hosts. The only problem? They’ve never dated. Not only are they going to have to fake a past relationship, they’ll have to fake a break up too, and over the course of their research, the two begin to wonder if maybe they might be falling for each other for real.

What do you do when your long-standing professional enemy is also someone you’ve never laid eyes on … until now? That’s the premise of Hockman’s charming contemporary romance, about an overworked heroine named Henley Evans who gets the chance to prove herself when she’s up for her dream promotion at the cruise line where she works. However, there’s one other person in contention for the same role: the company’s social media manager, Graeme Crawford-Collins. Their boss informs them they’ll need to draft a proposal to prove why they’re the best candidate for the gig — and what better place to do that than on location in the Galapagos Islands, on one of the company’s very own cruise ships? The first time she lays eyes on Graeme IRL, Henley’s shocked to discover he’s nothing like what she imagined, and when they’re forced to work together, she realizes that her loathing for him may not be completely hate-based after all. Hockman’s debut is smart, witty, and charming, with steamy on-page chemistry that will make you want to take a dip even in winter.

• best of 2021
• romance novels

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Book of the Year Award Winner

Norian Love

Mr. Norian Love, award winning and best-selling novelist won his award for his phenomenal book, Autumn: A Love Story. He can be found online at  @norianlove  or on his website at www.norianlove.com .  Bio: Norian Love was born in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in Houston, Texas, where he's lived the majority of his adult life. While taking a short hiatus from working for fortune 500 companies as a technology specialist, he rediscovered his passion for writing poetry and released his first book in his Memories of Tomorrow Series, Theater of Pain, which was critically acclaimed. The reception and momentum of this book sparked two sequels, Games of The Heart & The Dawn or the Dusk. From here he has turned his attention to novels releasing his first bestseller Money, Power & Sex: A Love Story, Followed by its sequel Seduction A Money, Power & Sex Storie. Currently, he's completing the series as well as working on several standalone projects.

Novella of the Year Award Winner

Danielle Allen

Ms. Danielle Allen, award winning and best-selling novelist won her award for the incredible novella, Continuum. She can be found online at  @authordanielleallen  or on her website at www.authordanielleallen.com . Bio: Danielle Allen is a novelist, professor, and life coach. Living authentically has been the key to her living her best life. With a background in social sciences, helping people better understand themselves so they can become the best version of themselves is one of her passions. Writing contemporary romance novels that change the status quo of the genre is another.

Book of the Year Finalists

Listed in alphabetical order by author's last name.

Novella of the Year Finalists

2021 ABRW Literary Awards

The Association of Black Romance Writers Literary Awards recognize excellence in published black romance novels and novellas. Submissions for the 2021 awards open on December 15, 2021 and will run until December 30, 2021. Winners and nominees will be notified by January 31, 2022 and will be sent a digital file containing the ABRW seal for promotional purposes.

All award seals and images are owned and trademarked by the Association of Black Romance Writers (ABRW). You may not download, copy, reproduce, distribute, replicate, retransmit, edit, modify, link, excerpt, display or otherwise make use of the trademarks at any time unless you have obtained the written permission of the ABRW.

In order to be eligible for the ABRW Literary Award for Book of the Year or Novella of the Year, a book must be written by an American citizen of African descent over the age of 18. It must be 201+ pages to qualify for Book of the Year or 100-200 pages to qualify for Novella of the Year.  All submissions must fit within the black romance genre, and must have been written and published in the designated year.

Judging criteria include, but are not limited to:

Originality

Ability to Engage the Reader

Cover Art, Interior Illustrations

Layout and Design

Production Quality

Editorial Quality (polish, grammar, etc.)

How Well the Book Fits into the Intended Genre

The official list of nominees will be posted on the ABRW’s website and social media pages by 2:00 p.m. CST on December 31, 2021. On January 15, 2022, the ABRW staff will notify finalists via email.

Winners will be announced on all platforms by January 31, 2022.

Virginia Romance Writers

2021 HOLT Medallion Finalists

Congratulations to all of the finalists!

Winners will be announced in June!

Thank you to all of our entrants and our reader judges!

Short Contemporary

• Changing His Plans – Jo McNally
• Undercover Billionaire – Amy Andrews
• A Home for the Holidays – Jeannie Watt
• A Spark of Romance – Jamie K. Schmidt
• Taking on the Billionaire – Robin Covington

Long Contemporary

• My Heart Before You – Laura Langa
• Forbidden Promises – Synithia Williams
• The Road Home  – L.A. Witt
• Rock Star – Leigh Court
• A Christmas Proposal – Linda Warren

Extra Spicy/Erotic

• Playing for Keeps – Ashley Bostock
• Watch Me – Stacey Kennedy
• The Redemption – Nikki Sloane
• Rewrite the Stars – Jean Joachim
• Pure Satisfaction – Rebecca Hunter
• Rags-to-Riches Wife – Catherine Tinley
• Nothing but a Rakehell – Deb Marlowe
• A Lady’s Revenge – Edie Cay
• The Outlaw’s Daughter –  Margaret Brownley
• WolfeSword – Kathryn Le Veque

Short Inspirational

• Alaskan Christmas Redemption  – Belle Calhoune
• The Truth About Fame – Toni Shiloh
• Jocelyn: A Sweet Romantic Comedy – Sarah Monzon
• The Rancher’s Family Secret – Myra Johnson
• Ready to Trust – Tina Radcliffe

Long Inspirational

• Made in Hollywood – Michelle Keener
• Point of Danger – Irene Hannon
• Lost Down Deep – Sara Davison
• The Solid Grounds Coffee Company – Carla Laureano
• At Love’s Command – Karen Witemeyer

Mainstream/Single Title Contemporary

• Head Over Paws – Debbie Burns
• Claiming Carter – Jennifer Bonds
• Her Cowboy Prince – Madeline Ash
• The Marriage Game – Sara Desai
• A Cowboy State of Mind (Creedence Horse Rescue Book 1) – Jennie Marts

Novel with Romantic Elements

• Code of  Honor – April White
• The Night’s Chosen – E.E. Hornburg
• How Lulu Lost Her Mind – Rachel Gibson
• Cardinal Virtue – J.R. Lesperance
• Christmas Charms – Teri Wilson
• Running Wild in Reno – Shirley T. Hailstock
• Fair as a Star – Mimi Matthews
• Inn for a Surprise – Karen Witemeyer
• Love and the Library – Lauren Connolly
• Merry MacNaughton Mishap – Aubrey Wynne

Paranormal/Time Travel/Futuristic/Fantasy

• Hidden in Shadows – Lark Brennan
• The Seventh Sun – Lani Forbes
• Summoned in Time – Barbara Longley
• Ancient Enemy – Katie Reus
• Calypso’s Heart – M.C. Solaris

Romantic Suspense

• Holding His Hostage – Amy Gamet
• Secret Investigation – Elizabeth Heiter
• Critical Doubt – Barbara Freethy
• Hemingway – Zoe Dawson
• Cold Wicked Lies – Toni Anderson

Best First Book

• Stealing Time – B.W. Haggart

Best Book by a Virginia Author

• Tangled Fates  – Denise D. Young
• Sweet Talkin’ Lover – Tracey Livesay
• The Love Factor – Quinn Ivins
• My Heart Before You  – Laura Langa

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Blog – Posted on Tuesday, Mar 19

The 25 best romance authors (and their most swoonworthy reads).

Romance is one of the most popular genres in literature today, both for readers and writers of romance novels . And it’s no wonder why: romance is exciting, sexy, and compulsively readable. Luckily, there are tons more books coming out all the time! So to help you get a handle on the genre, we’ve compiled this guide to the 25 best romance authors, along with the love stories they’ve written that are sure to make you swoon. 😍 (By the way, the list is in alphabetical order, so if you’re searching for your own favorite author, you’ll know exactly where to look.)

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the number of great romance authors out there, you can also take our 30-second quiz below to narrow it down quickly and get a personalized romance book recommendation  😉

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Carolyn Brown

Brown has been writing romance for twenty years now — her debut novel Love Is came out in 1999. Since then, she’s produced a great deal of both contemporary and historical romance. However, Brown’s real niche is cowboy romance: stories that are typically set in the southern United States and feature a tall, dark, troubled rancher. Meanwhile, the strong-minded heroine isn’t looking for love — she’s too focused on her child, and/or trying to shake the memories of a good-for-nothing ex — but damn if she doesn’t find it under the boiling hot Texas (or Tennessee or Oklahoma) sun after all.

Must-read: Long, Hot Texas Summer

When Loretta Bailey caught her husband Jackson kissing another woman, she turned her back on Lonesome Canyon Ranch forever. That was seventeen years ago… and now Loretta and Jackson’s daughter wants to drop out of college to marry a rancher. Naturally, Loretta is dead-set against the idea. But in order to combat it, she’ll have to return to the ranch and work together with Jackson, who’s just as wily (and devilishly handsome) as ever.

Catherine Bybee

Bybee is the queen of Amazon’s contemporary romance charts, with her bestselling Weekday Brides and Not Quite series (and their spinoffs). She also dabbles in historical and paranormal romance , and is especially skilled at synthesizing her own traumatic experiences into her work: not only is she a survivor of child abuse, she also endured a terrible accident when she was working as an ER nurse. Bybee began to write during her recovery, remembering the solace that romance books and love stories brought her when she was young — and eventually turned out some of best titles on the market today.

Must-read: Wife by Wednesday ( Weekday Brides #1)

Wife By Wednesday introduces us to Samantha Elliot, the head of a matchmaking firm consulted by millionaire Blake Harrison… who’s intent on having Sam pose as his wife. And though Sam never meant to matchmake herself , how can she resist his $10 million offer? But while their deal is supposed to be all appearances, Sam finds herself confusingly attracted to Blake, which spells double trouble when his ex gets involved.

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Since 1980, Carr has made quite a name for herself in romance — particularly with her Virgin River series, which follows various love affairs unfolding at a forest outpost in California. From the gruff marine who gets in touch with his softer side to the burned-out sous chef who has to contend with a pretty steamy dish (if you know what we mean), Virgin River supplies a stream of near-endless romantic possibilities. Not to mention it’s slated for a Netflix series starring Alexandra Breckenridge !

Must-read: Virgin River ( Virgin River #1)

After unexpectedly becoming a widower in her thirties, nurse practitioner Melinda Monroe jumps at the chance to move to woodsy, secluded Virgin River, only to realize it’s not what she expected. Between her shabby accommodations and the local doctor’s icy attitude, Mel’s just about ready to pick up and leave — until she meets a retired marine who convinces her to stay.

Alyssa Cole

Alyssa Cole is a uniquely impressive contributor to the historical romance subgenre. She specializes in American Revolution and Civil War-era stories, and has done wonders for diversity in romance: many of her characters are women of color, and much of the drama in her narratives stems from the challenges of interracial love and marriage in the past.

Must-read: An Extraordinary Union

This award-winning novel takes place during the Civil War and follows Elle Burns, a former slave who goes undercover to spy for the Union. She soon meets Malcolm McCall, a Pinkerton detective who shares her motives to bring down the Confederacy… but their political inclinations aren’t the only mutual feeling between them. When things start to become truly dangerous, Elle and Malcolm must decide what’s most important: their country or their love.

Lauren Dane

Lauren Dane is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller, known for her Brown Family and Chase Brothers series. Dane began writing in 2005 and has since turned out over 60 books. (Yes, you read that correctly!) Besides being one of the most prolific authors on this list, she’s also one of the most risqué — so if you like your romance on the steamier side, consider adding her to your list.

Must-read: Laid Bare ( Brown Family #1)

Seriously, hold onto your hats because this one is shamelessly immodest. Laid Bare begins with police officer Todd Keenan and rock musician Erin Brown, whose old flame is rekindled when they meet again in Seattle… but which threatens to burn them up after a ménage à trois with one of Todd’s best friends. There’s no telling where this relationship of sorts will lead, but one thing is for sure: it’s going to be one wild hell of a ride.

Tessa Dare is another NYT bestseller, but in a very different category: classic “bodice rippers” that focus more on smoldering sexual tension itself than the resolution of said tension. Indeed, Dare’s titles clearly indicate her propensity for Regency romance — from Romancing the Duke to Say Yes to the Marquess , her books are the perfect form of escapism into another time and place.

Must-read: Do You Want to Start a Scandal ( Castles Ever After #4)

This one is part history, part mystery, part love story! At the Parkhurst ball, young Charlotte Highwood is implicated in a scandal that makes it look as though she’s involved with Piers Brandon, Lord Granville — and now she’ll have to marry him if she can’t prove her innocence. Which would be inconvenient indeed, since she doesn’t even like the guy. But as the two of them set out to uncover the true scandal-makers, Piers proves himself a surprisingly useful accomplice. Soon Charlotte’s growing attraction to him makes her wonder if she even wants to complete their mission…

Madison Faye

For a quick rebound to the erotic, Madison Faye’s books are even more salacious than Lauren Dane’s. If you were a fan of Anne Rice’s Sleeping Beauty Quartet , you’ll love Faye’s similarly sexy fairytales: a series of five works fittingly titled Possessing Beauty . Or if fairytale retellings aren’t your thing, you can always turn to Dirty Bad Things or Her Daddies (again, you read that correctly), two other mega-popular works by Faye. Hailed as “quick and filthy,” these white-hot erotic romances will just about melt your Kindle clean away.

Must-read: Beasting Beauty ( Possessing Beauty #1)

Logan is the callous, cursed Prince of Torsund. Isla is the sweet youngest princess of Avlion. When they meet at a ball held by her father, sparks fly — and clothing flies off. Logan certainly is a beast in the bedroom, but that doesn’t mean Isla can’t find a way to tame him. Sweet, sexy, and savage all at once, this just-under-100-page novella is the perfect remedy to spice up a regular night in.

Pippa Grant

Pippa Grant is another reigning ruler of the Amazon charts whose specialty is, for lack of a better term, total jerks. The heroes in her stories are anything but heroic: we’re talking possessive exes, egocentric hockey players, and horrible bosses. Or at least they start off that way. With the help of their leading ladies — who are sometimes sweet, sometimes saucy, but always totally irresistible to the main guy — they turn over a new leaf and become much better humans . How’s that for an HEA? (Romance slang for “happily ever after.”)

Must-read: The Pilot and the Puck-Up

NHL player Zeus Berger is as cocky as his Greek god namesake, and he’s never failed to satisfy a woman… until he meets Joey Diamonte, former military special ops pilot and self-made businesswoman, who matches him in confidence and thoroughly surpasses him in smoothness. Unfortunately, their first encounter doesn’t quite go as Zeus planned. Now determined to prove to Joey that he’s more than one-night-stand material, Zeus will try anything to show her what he’s made of (besides muscle, that is).

Lorraine Heath

Lorraine Heath is an absolute staple of the romance genre. Since 2001, she’s turned out over a dozen different series in every subgenre from historical to paranormal. However, despite their quantity, her works never sacrifice quality — Heath has been especially praised for the genuine emotional depth and strong characterization in her writing. So if you’re looking for story-based drama rather than its cousin smut, you can’t go wrong with Heath's love stories.

Must-read: In Bed with the Devil ( Scoundrels of St, James #1)

Lucian Langdon, aka Luke, is scorned in London as the “devil earl” for his atrocious reputation. Lady Catherine Mabry needs help so desperately that she’s willing to strike a deal with him. Thus begins their relationship as co-conspirators… which of course, soon turns into something more. The delicious slow burn between the scoundrel and the lady also includes a pretty meaty social plot, peppered with plenty of tongue-in-cheek Dickens references .

Beverly Jenkins

Jenkins is a true trailblazer of diverse romance — she’s been writing since the nineties, and her books almost always feature African-American main couples, often set in times when that experience was overlooked. However, Jenkins makes a point of not writing exclusively about slavery. In order to represent a genuinely wide range of black history, most of her books take place between the Emancipation Proclamation and the Civil Rights Movement.

Must-read: Bring on the Blessings ( Blessings #1)

Though Jenkins is known for (and very talented at spinning!) her historical romances, this contemporary work is a great intro for first-time readers. In Bring on the Blessings , 52-year-old Bernadine Brown takes her wealthy, adulterous husband to court — and wins. A $275 million settlement, to be exact.

Adamant to “pay forward” her good fortune, Bernadine decides that her next project of choice won’t just be one man, but an entire town: Henry Adams, Kansas, which was founded by freed slaves after the Civil War. After purchasing Henry Adams on the Internet, Bernadine must work together with its stubborn mayor Trent July to bring the town back to its former glory… and perhaps find some glory in each other as well.

Lisa Kleypas

When it comes to historical romance, no one quite compares to Kleypas: she started writing in 1985, when she was only 21 years old, and hasn’t looked back since. Beginning with a few quick duologies, Kleypas eventually escalated to elaborate multi-book series, her most famous being The Wallflowers and The Hathaways . These books follow the members of various families in mid-19th century London as they attempt to find love in one way or another. Each story is also wrapped in a well-woven tapestry of historical context; indeed, one of Kleypas’ greatest strengths is her intimate knowledge of the era.

Must-read: Mine Till Midnight ( The Hathaways #1)

Amelia Hathaway has an awful lot on her plate. She’s figuring out her place in aristocratic society (which she’s just joined after a surprise inheritance), taming her wild younger siblings, and most recently dealing with her feelings for upper-class bad boy Cam Rohan. Cam, like Amelia, comes from not-so-noble stock — unlike her, however, he longs to return to it. This plan is complicated by only one thing: his desire for Amelia. And when she asks him for help in a sticky situation, he can’t say no to her…

Lauren Landish

Landish specializes in “sexy-as-hell book boyfriends,” as she says on her Goodreads page — one look at her rippling-muscle covers and you know you’re in for a good time. Her works can get pretty explicit, but she’s also got plenty of fun romantic devices to keep readers happy: meet-cutes, fake relationships, and reunited high school sweethearts abound, especially in the stunningly sexy Irresistible Bachelors series.

Must-read: Mr. Fixit ( Irresistible Bachelors #5)

Expert handyman Caleb Strong ( get it? because he’s strong? ) and Cassie White have been friends for over a year now, ever since they met in Hawaii. So when Cassie needs help renovating her childhood home, it’s only natural that she turn to Caleb. But actually having to watch him work proves a challenge in the self-control department… especially when she starts fantasizing about him working on something else. In other words, this book is pretty much the written equivalent of that Fifth Harmony song — if you liked that video, you’ll love Mr. Fixit .

Adriana Locke

On the other hand, if you prefer flawed, vulnerable heroes to totally confident ones, Adriana Locke might be more your speed. Locke has been in the romance business for just a few years, but she’s already turned out numerous series full of bad-boys-with-serious-damage (though of course, none of that stops them from eventually finding love).

Must-read: Crank ( Laundry Family #7, Gibson Boys #1)

Sienna Landry gets off to a bit of a rocky start with small-town mechanic Walker Gibson — namely, she busts up the front of his truck. For a guy like Walker, there’s nothing worse… except maybe the attraction he feels to this girl who’s just destroyed his most prized possession. Conflicted over Sienna in more ways than one, Walker still can’t seem to avoid her, and the shimmering tension between them mounts until it’s practically leaping off the page. But there’s something he’s not telling her — not least because he doesn’t want to think about it himself.

Julianne MacLean

Julianne MacLean (not to be confused with the next entry on our list) writes primarily historical romance, though she’s also branched out into contemporary on occasion. She’s best known for her American Heiress and Pembroke Palace series, which are sure to please fans of Downton Abbey and other early 20th century tales. Or if you’re a fan of Outlander , check out her excellent Highlander trilogy: a slow, sexy burn that includes Captured by the Highlander, Claimed by the Highlander, and Seduced by the Highlander .

Must-read: The Color of Heaven ( Color of Heaven #1)

Like Jenkins’ Bring on the Blessings , MacLean’s Color of Heaven series doesn’t exactly represent her larger body of work. However, it’s a good entry point for new readers — if also quite an emotional one. The Color of Heaven follows Sophie Duncan, a woman whose life goes off the rails when her daughter is diagnosed with leukemia and her husband cheats on her. But after a terrible accident, Sophie’s eyes open to everything she does still have, and she embarks on a newly buoyant journey of life, love, and revelation.

Sarah MacLean

Sarah MacLean has also found her niche in historical romance, but of a more traditional sort: she tends to stick to the Regency/Victorian periods, and she’s absolutely mastered the niche. As the author of over a dozen high-profile historical romances, and winner of several awards given by the Romance Writers of America, she’s one of the leading voices in the romance genre. Along with Lisa Kleypas (and Julia Quinn and Nora Roberts, both of whom we’ll get to soon), Sarah MacLean is essentially a founding mother of the historical subgenre as we know it today.

Must-read: Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake ( Love by the Numbers #1)

Lady Calpurnia Hartwell is sick and tired of her title, especially since she’s never been able to live up to it. She’s more than ready to break the rules of ladyhood… but she can’t do it alone. And who better to recruit as her “accomplice” (the Regency equivalent of friends-with-benefits) than Gabriel St. John, a marquess and fellow eschewer of society? Of course, as Callie and Gabe grow closer, she realizes that she might not be such a nontraditional girl after all. The only question now is: can she tell him?

Courtney Milan

Milan is another prominent writer of WOC characters in romance, particularly characters of Asian descent. Though she’s also got quite a few “classic” historical romances in her repertoire, her most interesting and dynamic works to date include the Cyclone series, with an upcoming work entitled Show Me that will be an LGBT romance between two women of color. In the meantime, though, she has plenty of other captivating titles for readers to explore.

Must-read: Hold Me ( Cyclone #2)

This pitch-perfect amalgam of classic romantic setups involves both a) an enemies-to-lovers transformation, and b) a case of secret identities, as our main couple (unbeknownst to them) chats anonymously online!

Jay na Thalang and Maria Lopez have been running in the same Bay Area circles for ages, but that doesn’t mean they actually like each other. On the contrary, Jay’s misogynistic attitude gets Maria all riled up, and Maria’s apparent ditziness causes Jay to dismiss her. But as with just about every romance, things are not as they seem… as secrets are unveiled and revelations occur, Maria and Jay get thrown into a completely unexpected romantic odyssey.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Susan Elizabeth Phillips has been hot on the romance scene since the early eighties, and is credited with creating “sports romance,” in which the characters and plot revolve around some sort of athletics. She’s also been called the “Queen of Romantic Comedy” within the genre — at a time when most romance writers took the historical route, Phillips wasn’t afraid to get a little goofy. As the Nora Ephron of romance novels, Phillips is an essential addition to any self-proclaimed romance lover’s reading list.

Must read: It Had to Be You ( Chicago Stars #1)

New York girl Phoebe Somerville has just inherited the Chicago Stars — an entire football team of sexy-but-also-sex ist men, the worst of whom is head coach Dan Calebow. Dan isn’t exactly happy with Phoebe’s takeover, nor does Phoebe appreciate Dan’s constant snide remarks… yet neither of them can stay away from each other long enough to stop bickering. With warmth, humor, and irresistible chemistry, It Had to Be You is a veritable Super Bowl of a novel.

Julia Quinn

Like so many of the authors on this list, Julia Quinn has a fascinating origin story. In the early nineties, she decided to attend medical school; as she studied for the necessary prerequisites, she started writing romance novels on the side. She was then admitted to Yale Medical School, but realized she had already found her true calling. So she dropped out to become one of the most eminent historical romance writers of her generation — and is still writing today!

Must-read: The Duke and I ( Bridgertons #1)

It’s the ultimate high-society scheme: Lady Daphne Bridgerton and Duke Simon Basset are only pretending to court, so that Simon can avoid the clutches of actual marriage and Daphne can attract jealous men. (Exactly what you want in a partner, right?) Except now, Daphne is starting to have second thoughts about Simon — especially when they’re pressed together on the ballroom floor, and she can hardly keep dancing for desire. This Regency twist on the “fake relationship” trope will definitely make classic romance fans swoon.

“All the heat, all the heart,” is Rai’s signature slogan, and her brilliant, steamy, and wonderfully diverse books certainly live up to it. Though Rai is a relative newcomer, she already has five series under her belt and a reputation in the contemporary romance world for her innovative premises and vivid characters. (It hasn’t been released yet, but look out for her upcoming novel The Right Swipe , about two rival dating app creators who fall in love!)

That was the deal. Every year, Livvy Kane and Nicholas Chandler would share one perfect night of illicit pleasure. The forbidden hours let them forget the tragedy that haunted their pasts—and the last names that made them enemies.

Until the night she didn’t show up.

Now Nicholas has an empire to run. He doesn’t have time for distractions and Livvy’s sudden reappearance in town is a major distraction. She’s the one woman he shouldn’t want . . . so why can’t he forget how right she feels in his bed?

Livvy didn’t come home for Nicholas, but fate seems determined to remind her of his presence—and their past. Although the passion between them might have once run hot and deep, not even love can overcome the scandal that divided their families.

Being together might be against all the rules . . . but being apart is impossible.

Must-read: Hate to Want You ( Forbidden Hearts #1)

Just like so many of our couples, Livvy Kane and Nicholas Chandler have a deal. Except theirs is limited to just one night of guilty pleasure a year — guilty because of the animosity between their families. They’ve been secretly hooking up for ten years, and each looks forward to that night of mind-blowing passion… until Nicholas gets too busy running his own family’s empire. Of course, Livvy’s not going to let him slip away that easily. Laden with passion but also profound emotion, Hate to Want You is Rai’s superb answer to sexy yet realistic romance.

Alexa Riley

Riley is another big Amazon chart-topper — unusual for a romance author with mostly standalone and short-series books. However, Riley’s edge over other authors might come from the fact that “she” is actually two writers, a duo of anonymous friends who have put out over 100 titles (!) since 2015. Also, similar to Madison Faye, Alexa Riley’s books are best described as quickies: many are 100 pages or less, but what they lack in length, they make up for in heat.

Must-read: PS... You're Mine by Alexa Riley

This Valentine’s special features a schoolteacher named Katie Lovely and a marine named Mark Gunner (did we mention that almost all Riley characters have hilariously tongue-in-cheek names?). In any case, Katie’s class is doing a pen pal project with overseas Marines, and she accidentally signs herself up, too… only to find her correspondence with Mark is, well, different than she anticipated. So don’t worry just because they don’t see each other in person (at least not at first) — those letters get hot and heavy pretty quickly.

Nora Roberts

If there’s one author on this list who’s a recognized household name, it’s Nora Roberts. Since 1980, Roberts has written and published an astounding number of romances — her website claims the number stands at over 215!

But this incredibly prolific production has not come at the cost of quality. Over the years, Roberts has been praises for her creative storylines, her wry sense of humor, and for pioneering the “dual shifting perspectives” style (i.e. two different narrators who switch back and forth) that has come to define the genre. She’s also been the recipient of countless Golden Medallion and RITA Awards from the Romance Writers of America, and she’s had several of her books adapted into movies, including Montana Sky and High Noon .

Must-read: Born in Fire ( Born in Fire Trilogy #1)

It’s impossible to say that Born in Fire is the only Nora Roberts must-read, but it’s certainly one of her best. It centers on Maggie Concannon, a fierce-minded, free-spirited woman living in Ireland. And while she may work with glass for a living, Maggie is not easily shattered — until she meets money-minded gallery owner Rogan Sweeney, who wants to manage her career. The two butt heads as their working relationship progresses, but can’t deny their attraction — which grows even hotter than blown glass over the course of this story.

Nalini Singh

Singh is another very exciting new voice in the romance genre. She mostly writes paranormal romance, but of a particularly debauched variety; she’s especially known for her Psy-Changeling and Guild Hunter series, both of which are rife with racy scenes.

Nalini Singh dives into a world torn apart by a powerful race with phenomenal powers of the mind-and none of the heart.

In a world that denies emotions, where the ruling Psy punish any sign of desire, Sascha Duncan must conceal the feelings that brand her as flawed. To reveal them would be to sentence herself to the horror of \'rehabilitation\' - the complete psychic erasure of everything she ever was...

Both human and animal, Lucas Hunter is a changeling hungry for the very sensations the Psy disdain. After centuries of uneasy coexistence, these two races are now on the verge of war over the brutal murders of several changeling women. Lucas is determined to find the Psy killer who butchered his packmate, and Sascha is his ticket into their closely guarded society. But he soon discovers that this ice-cold Psy is very capable of passion - and that the animal in him is fascinated by her. Caught between their conflicting worlds, Lucas and Sascha must remain bound to their identities - or sacrifice everything for a taste of darkest temptation.

Must-read: Slave to Sensation ( Psy-Changeling #1)

This remarkable hybrid of paranormal romance and science fiction establishes the world of the “Psy”: a ruling race that prohibits emotions (sort of like in The Giver , but much worse). Sascha is one of the few Psy who still feels pain and desire — but she can’t reveal this to anyone, lest she be forced into “rehabilitation.” Meanwhile Lucas Hunter is a part-human, part-animal changeling who needs Sascha’s help. Their connection grows and they soon find themselves struggling to resist the sensation between them… though they know it could be deadly.

Susan Stoker

Susan Stoker’s series are famous for adapting the classic damsel-in-distress scenario to the modern day. Her heroines are victims of spousal violence, sex trafficking, terrorism, you name it — but there’s always a valiant hero there to save the day. And while it might seem to contradict the rules of feminism for the men to be constantly rescuing the women, we’re actually grateful for a series that promotes men protecting their partners, when so many romances blur the line between abuse and love.

Must-read: Rescuing Rayne ( Delta Force Heroes #1)

As a flight attendant, Rayne Jackson’s whole life is up in the air — with the exception of the occasional down-to-earth tryst. One particularly memorable night was with Keane “Ghost” Bryson, a rugged, reticent Delta Force member. Of course, Rayne doesn’t know that, since Ghost kept his true identity hidden from her. But when their paths cross again under the most dire of circumstances, Ghost must put everything on the line to protect Rayne: not just his secrets, but his life.

Lauren Willig

The final historical romancer on our list, Lauren Willig has been writing since 2005. Her speciality is the Napoleonic era, and her works take particular inspiration from The Scarlet Pimpernel — another historical novel written by a woman almost exactly a century before Willig herself started writing. However, don’t worry about her work being derivative. Willig is most definitely one of a kind, and the rich history and complex characters in her books make for top-notch romance.

Must-read: The Secret History of the Pink Carnation

With a frame narrative reminiscent of Susanna Kearsley, Willig tells this story through Eloise Kelly: a 21st-century American college student who goes to England to finish her dissertation. There she finds much more than academic motivation in the form of the “Secret History of the Pink Carnation” — a book about England’s most cunning spy during the Napoleonic Wars, and the thrilling romance that involved them.

We’ll round off this list with some good old-fashioned… erotica! Zane has been a prominent author in the erotic romance subgenre since 1997, when she started writing steamy stories for her own entertainment. Over two decades later, she’s now the publisher of Strebor Books with Simon & Schuster, and her works have been turned into a TV series and even a feature film.

Must-read: Addicted

Zoe Reynard is a successful businesswoman, a loving wife, a devoted mother… and a sex addict. No matter how she’s tried, she’s never been able to shake her “fatal attraction.” Now, as Zoe confesses to her therapist, she delves into her sizzling sexual history and dark childhood.  But her romance with her husband is still front and center — hence what makes this a genuinely gorgeous work and not just a salacious romp (though it has that going for it, too).

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Heart Awards Finalists

This page contains all Heart Awards Finalists since it's inception and their badges.

2024 Finalists

Heart Awards Gala & 2024 Writer Retreat Info

The Heart Awards Award Ceremony will be held each year during the OKRWG 2024 Writer Retreat. Banquet only tickets are available for finalists and the Heart Awards Gala will also be broadcast via Facebook Live. If you choose to attend the Gala in person, you must have a ticket for yourself and each guest you choose to bring with you.  

The 2024 OKRWG Writer Retreat is August 2-5, 2023

Our 2024 Heart Awards Ceremony will be Saturday, August 3, 2024

The Heart Awards Gala is a semi-formal banquet and a dinner buffet will be served. 

Dress Code: Formal, Professional, or Sunday Best

To become a OKRWG Member, go HERE .

For more info about the 2024 Retreat, go HERE .

2022 Finalists

Heart Awards Gala & RomanceLahoma Romance Writers Conference Info

The Heart Awards Award Ceremony will be held each year during the RomanceLahoma Conference. Finalists are notified mid-March so they may take advantage of the RomanceLahoma Early Bird Member Discount. Membership to OKRWG is FREE, so once you fill out the membership form, simply click over to the RomanceLahoma Registration page and register. You do not need to wait for confirmation of your membership. You can register for the entire conference for a weekend of writerly fun OR you can simply purchase a ticket for the Heart Awards Gala only. You must have a ticket for yourself and each guest you choose to bring with you.  

The RomanceLahoma Conference is August 4-5, 2023

Our 2022 Heart Awards Ceremony will be Saturday, August 5, 2023

The Heart Awards Gala is a formal banquet and dinner will be served. 

For more info about the RomanceLahoma conference, go HERE .

2021 Finalists

Attending ONLY the Heart Awards Gala is FREE, however, it is held during the Annual OWFI Conference and all Finalists are invited to come for the entire weekend and enjoy all the writerly goodness the OWFI conference has to offer! To find out more about registering for the OWFI Conference, see below.

Heart Awards Gala & Annual OWFI Conference Info

The Heart Awards Award Ceremony will be held each year during the Oklahoma Writers' Federation, Inc. (OWFI) Annual Conference.

The next OWFI Conference is May 6-7, 2022.

Our 2021 Heart Awards Ceremony will be Friday, May 6, 2022

Room #: Affiliate Room

Time: 4pm-5:30pm

Champaign & Dessert(we'll have water, tea, & coffee as well) will be served.

You do NOT have to attend the OWFI Conference to attend the OKRWG Heart Awards ceremony, but we'd love for you to consider this fun, writer-focused gathering.

For more info about attending the OWFI conference, go HERE .

2020 Finalists

Heart Awards Winners will be announced Virtually & In-person at the:

Heart Awards Gala

in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

May 1st, 2021 @ 4pm CST

Details on the event venue will be sent to finalists ASAP.

Be sure to LIKE the Heart Awards Facebook page where the gala will be broadcast virtually during the event.

Heart Awards Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3121504084644014