We have a fun announcement today! The New York Public Library has announced their Best New Romance List for 2025!
Not only do we have the complete list (see below) but I got to do a Q&A with Kate Fais, Young Adult Librarian at The New York Public Library’s Bloomingdale branch, and co-chair of the Best Romance List committee!
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How many folks at NYPL are involved in the creation of the list?
Kate: The Best New Romance List is created by 10 librarians who read upwards of 250 romance novels each year. Our committee spent countless hours reading, selecting, discussing, and putting together the Best New Romance List.
This is the third year we have created this more extensive Best New Romance list, which, by including 50 titles, represents a much more sweeping survey of the romance books published in a given year.
What are the goals for the Best New Romance List?
One of our main goals is to get people excited about reading.
The Best New Romance List is a resource for those—like me—who are already fans of the genre and are looking for their next pick, as well as for those who have never read a romance novel before and don’t know where to start. Especially at a time when the freedom to read is under threat, our Best Books Lists are an important resource that helps readers to discover new books.
It’s also a celebration of the diverse reading habits and interests of our patrons.
The titles can be found at nypl.org/romance and are available to check out at branches across the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, and in many cases through the Library’s free e-reader app.
What titles are you most intrigued by?
The Best New Romance List reflects the diversity of the romance genre itself—readers can find titles across historical romance, sport romance, “romantasy,” and various sub-genres, such as monster, comedy, and Paranormal.
This year, I’m most intrigued by Rubber Duckie Shifter Next Door by Mia Harlan. It’s utterly bonkers, and incredibly sweet. Other titles I cannot stop thinking about are You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian, which is a queer, historical, mid-century baseball romance set in New York City.
Also, as this was my year to be besotted with baseball romances, the other one I’d love to recommend is The Prospects by KT Hoffman, which is such a celebration of queer, trans joy.
Why do a list of romances each year? Are they popular at NYPL?
Romance as a genre is booming in popularity; book sales for romance books reached an all-time high in 2023. Romance has continued to grow in popularity at The New York Public Library, just as it has nationally. This is due to more readers discovering the genre.
At the Library, romance is the second most popular genre among in terms of circulation (with mystery being first).
Academics have found that “leisure reading”—what we might call “quick” or “light” reads—is positively correlated with stress reduction, recovery from trauma, and other mental health improvements. The Library’s romance collection and Best New Romance list supports our mission in multiple ways: it engages and encourages adult readers, and it is also one of the ways we help support well-being in our community.
Do you have a favorite romance?
For right now? Bride by Ali Hazelwood.
Of all time? A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall.
What can patrons and people in the community do to better support The New York Public Library, and libraries in general?
I’d encourage your community to get a library card if they haven’t already, and visit their local library! Visit nypl.org/librarycard to get started.
If you live, work, attend school, or pay property taxes in New York State, you can access any of our 92 locations with our NYPL library card.
What are you reading right now (in any genre)?
As I’ve been battling Covid-19, I’ve had Temple of Swoon by Jo Segura on my nightstand. Once I’m fully recovered, I look forward to diving into this Indiana Jones-inspired romance that takes place deep in the Brazilian rainforest.
And, without further ado, here are the NYPL’s Best New Romance books!
What do you think of this list? What books are on your list of must-read romances in 2025?
