Find Your Next Romantic Read
Romances are books that feature a relationship between two main characters that have a “happily ever after” ending. They can be a great optimistic escape! There are many sub-genres too, if there is a particular setting or mood you like, such as historical, contemporary, paranormal, or inspirational. Here are some tips to help you find your next read as well as a convenient clickable list of contemporary romance authors linked directly to our catalog for placing requests or checking out e-books or audiobooks. For more romantic reads browse our If You Like Historical Romance reading recommendations.
1. Read an award winner.
- The Romance Writers of America (RWA) Vivian Award and the Romantic Novelists Association (RNA) Rona Award both recognize excellence in romance writing.
- The Swoon Awards, or “Swoonies” is a reader-based award celebrating the romance community’s favorite romance novels.
- The Emma Awards are the premier award for diversity in romantic literature.
- The Lambda Literary Awards, or “Lammys,” celebrate LGBTQ storytelling with category awards for Romance, Gay Romance and Lesbian Romance.
- For audiobook listeners try out the Audie Award winners in the Romance category.
2. Borrow e-books or downloadable audiobooks.
Use romance lists from OverDrive to find e-books and downloadable audiobooks. If you have never borrowed from OverDrive before, both OverDrive app directions and OverDrive browser directions are available as well as an OverDrive video tutorial and Overdrive Support.
Need more help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.
3. Get reading recommendations from IndyPL staff.
Click on a featured booklist to get romance reading recommendations, or see all our staff romance lists. For even more ideas tailored to your particular romance taste, one of our staff romance readers suggests trying this book finder. Results are also linked to graded reviews, making it easier to find a book that suits your needs.
IndyPL Staff Picks 2023- Best of Romance
Looking to add a touch more romance to your 2023? Check out these swoony recommendations from IndyPL Staff Members, featuring a queer farm commune, drunken emails, and sweet kindergarten teachers.
4. Make a selection from these contemporary romance authors.
Stacey Abrams/Selena Montgomery
Lyssa Kay Adams
Annabeth Albert
Rochelle Alers
Kianna Alexander
Catherine Anderson
Elena Armas
A.C. Arthur
Bolu Babalola
Tessa Bailey
Ruby Barrett
Alexandria Bellefleur
Ashley Herring Blake
Carolyn Brown
Jaci Burton
Robyn Carr
Andie J. Christopher
Chanel Cleeton
Alyssa Cole
Sharon C. Cooper
Jay Crownover
Janet Dailey
B.J. Daniels
Alexis Daria
Zuri Day
Sonali Dev
Shelly Ellis
Lori Foster
Jasmine Guillory
Alexis J. Hall
Marie Harte
Ali Hazelwood
Emily Henry
Farah Heron
Adriana Herrera
Talia Hibbert
Kristan Higgins
Helen Hoang
Cheris F. Hodges
Colleen Hoover
Helena Hunting
Jane Igharo
Brenda Jackson
K.M. (Kwana) Jackson
Kosoko Jackson
Timothy Janovsky
Abby Jimenez
Christina Lauren
Tiana Laveen
Jayci Lee
Tracey Livesay
Debbie Macomber
Susan Mallery
Emily March
Alexa Martin
Mhairi McFarlane
Casey McQuiston
Deborah Fletcher Mello
Jean Meltzer
Fern Michaels
Linda Lael Miller
Sarah Morgan
Mary B. Morrison
Julie Murphy
Victoria Christopher Murray
Priscilla Oliveras
Diana Palmer
Tiffany Patterson
Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Alisha Rai
Katee Robert
Nora Roberts
Sheila Roberts
Farrah Rochon
Morgan Rogers
Jennifer Ryan
Kennedy Ryan
Jill Shalvis
Nisha Sharma
Toni Shiloh
Rachel Lynn Solomon
Mia Sosa
Danielle Steel
RaeAnne Thayne
Jodi Thomas
Sally Thorne
Julie Tieu
Rebekah Weatherspoon
Jamie Wesley
Susan Wiggs
Lori Wilde
Preslaysa Williams
Synithia Williams
Meryl Wilsner
Sherryl Woods
Kenya Wright
Samantha Young
5. Use your IndyPL Library card to login to Novelist Plus.
Get read-alikes and other “what to read next” suggestions from ovelist Plus. If you like contemporary romance, you’ll find romance reading recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning romance books. Once you login with your IndyPL library card, choose the “Romance” category from the list on the left. When you click on a book you can read a brief description, see a star rating, and click “Check Availability” to see if your selection is available to borrow from IndyPL.
6. Subscribe to the romance newsletter from NextReads.
Subscribe to NextReads to receive romance reading recommendation in your inbox monthly. Book suggestions are linked to our catalog for easy requesting. It’s FREE! See a See a sample issue and Subscribe to NextReads!
Find a book discussion near you!
You are invited to join in one of our many in-person or online book discussions that take place several times each month. In our book discussion groups we read and talk about both fiction and non-fiction books. We express our opinions (both likes and dislikes!) with other avid readers in the city.
- Event: Adult Book Discussion at Warren
- Date & Time: Thursday, May 02, 10:30am
- Location: Warren Branch
- Description: Join the Warren Book Discussion group as we share our thoughts on this month’s read, “The Buddha in the Attic” by Julie Otsuka. Adults of all ages are invited to attend and new members are always welcome!
- Register Here
- Event: WitLITS Book Discussion Group
- Date & Time: Friday, May 03, 10:00am
- Location: Spades Park Branch
- Description: A read aloud group exploring classic literature in a group reading.
- No Registration Required.
- Event: Adult Book Discussion at Martindale-Brightwood
- Date & Time: Monday, May 06, 4:30pm
- Location: Martindale-Brightwood Branch
- Description: The book to be discussed is “The Sum of Us” by Heather McGee. Pick up a copy of the book at the library.
- Register Here
