Carley Fortune, Jasmine Guillory, Elle Kennedy and More Reveal Their Top Romance Reads (Exclusive)

In honor of Read a Romance month, we asked some of our favorite romance authors what they're reading so we can all join in on the fun

Whether you're a devoted enemies-to-lovers fan, swoon for forced proximity or go gaga for a good love triangle, there's nothing like a good romance read. As we all try to make the most of the last gasp of summer, we asked a few of your favorite romance authors to weigh in on the book that made them fall in love with the genre, the one they can't put down right now or the one they're shoving into all of their friends' hands.

In celebration of Read a Romance month, here are some great romance, romantasy and rom-com recommendations from the likes of Carley Fortune, Jasmine Guillory, Elle Kennedy and more.

'Marriage & Masti' by Nisha Sharma

The book I'm gearing up to shove into everyone's hands is Marriage & Masti by Nisha Sharma. It's a friends-to-lovers romance with one of the cleverest takes on accidental marriage I've ever read. The If Shakespeare Were An Auntie series is one of my favorite comfort reads. Each book is funny, heartwarming and with just enough spice to have you fanning yourself while reading. — Katee Robert, author of Dark Restraint and the Dark Olympus series

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'Archer's Voice' by Mia Sheridan

When I think about what my favorite romance novel is, Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan always pops into my head. That novel had me crying tears of happiness and heartbreak throughout every single page. A beautifully touching story of true love and triumph over heartbreaking situations. — Brittainy Cherry, author of The Elements Series

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'The Air He Breathes' by Brittainy Cherry

If I could put a book into every single person's hands, it would be The Air He Breathes by Brittainy Cherry. It will tear your heart to shreds and put it all back together in the most beautiful way possible. I wish I could read it again for the first time. — Sara Cate, author of Madame and the Salacious Players Club series

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'Get a Life, Chloe Brown' by Talia Hibbert

Sometimes, the perfect book finds you at the exact moment you need it most. So it was with me and Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert. I desperately needed a mental break from the endless Toronto winter and from the first page, I knew I’d chosen my companions well.

Smart, funny, crabby Chloe, dealing with her chronic illness yet insistent that she follow her list outlining what life has to offer (and I love a good list). Sweet, kind, sexy Red, roped in to facilitate her adventures as he deals with his own issues.

I paged frantically through Hibbert’s enchanting and hilarious prose, wanting so much to see what happened that I skimmed the last four chapters and had to go back to read at leisure. This book instantly became the gold standard of everything I require in a good story: captivating characters, whip-sharp writing, social commentary and feelings out the wazoo. Also, there’s a cat. Every book should have a cat. — Lily Chu, author of The Takedown, The Comeback and The Stand-In

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'Still Beating' by Jennifer Hartmann

A book that I recently read and could not put down is Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann. I was gripped from page one and found myself spending the entire day devouring it — which did include shedding a few tears over Cora and Dean’s love story.

This dark romance is a tale of survival and finding love even at when you are at your lowest. I do want to note that readers check the content warning before delving in (because it is dark), but it is a romance that I think will pull on every reader’s heartstrings. — Elle Kennedy, author of the Off-Campus, Briar U, Campus Diaries, Prep and Avalon Bay series

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'Asking for Trouble' by Tessa Bailey

Tessa Bailey has been a hands-down favorite of mine for many years and specifically, I attribute her Line of Duty series (i.e., Asking for Trouble) for re-invigorating my love of romance. I like to say that reading a Tessa book is like eating ice cream for dinner. It's a little naughty, but such a delicious treat. — Mia Sheridan, author of Archer's Voice

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Related: 14 Romance Novels You'll Love for Valentine's Day (and Beyond!)

'You Deserve Each Other' by Sarah Hogle

You have not lived your best life until you've read You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle. An epic enemies-to-lovers romance about a couple about to get married who have fallen out of touch with one another. The pettiness, the banter, the anguish of if they're going to rediscover themselves — absolute chef's kiss. One of my all-time favorite romantic comedies that I think every romance reader can fall in love with. — Meghan Quinn, bestselling author of Bridesmaid Undercover

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'Fragile Sanctuary' by Catherine Cowles

I’m loving all of Catherine Cowles’ books right now! I read an early copy of Fragile Sanctuary and haven’t been able to stop thinking about the couple and their story. The romance is totally consuming and the suspense storyline gives her books that “unputdownable” addictive feeling that I crave. — Elsie Silver, author of Wild Love

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'How to End a Love Story' by Yulin Kuang

I chose How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang. It's a thoughtful and gorgeously crafted story with observations about love that made me gasp and the steamiest slow-burn romance I've read in quite a while! — Kirsty Greenwood, author of The Love of My Afterlife

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'Intercepted' by Alexa Martin

Intercepted is hilarious, thoughtful and joyful. I loved Marlee, her relationships with her friends, her journey and her struggles and especially her romance with Gavin. This book will make anyone fall in love with romance. — Jasmine Guillory, author of The Proposal

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'The Hating Game' by Sally Thorne

It’s been almost a decade since Sally Thorne’s The Hating Game was published in 2016, but it continues to hold its place as one of the greatest workplace romcoms. Lucy and Joshua are colleagues and nemeses who despise each other with an unbridled, glorious intensity that makes their flip-flop from enemies to lovers all the more delicious. It’s one of my go-to comfort reads and was adapted into a film starring Lucy Hale and Austin Stowell in 2021. — Carley Fortune, author of Every Summer After

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'Happy Medium' by Sarah Adler

What do you get when you combine a run-down goat farm with a loquacious, sitcom-loving ghost, a well-intentioned con woman and a very handsome farmer with a chip on his shoulder? The makings of one of the most original, hilarious and surprising romances I've read in years. Come for the puns; stay for the steamy and moving love story. — Nora Nguyen, author of Adam & Evie’s Matchmaking Tour

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'The Ever Queen' by L.J. Andrews

Sometimes you have to spice it up and get out of your usual genre. I’m devouring LJ Andrews' romantasy, The Ever Queen, part of the Ever Sea Series. It's pirates and vampires meets fated mates with a strong world-building element. It's unlike anything I've ever read! I especially love how strong the heroine is. She's no damsel in distress, she’s ready to protect her king at all costs and I absolutely love that in a book. If you enjoyed ACOTAR and Fourth Wing, this one’s for you! — Sidney Halston, author of Love Lessons

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'Persuasion' by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice and Emma get most of the fuss, but Persuasion will always be my favorite Jane Austen. My debut You Had Me At Hello was directly inspired by it. Heroine Anne Elliot’s longing and regret is so sad and it gives the romance such intensity. — Mhairi McFarlane, author of the forthcoming You Belong With Me

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