Francesca's Top 8 Best Romance Books of 2024
I got properly back into reading in 2024 after a huge slump and these are the books I read and loved
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Francesca’s Top 8 Best Romance Books of 2024
2024 brought some incredible reads, and I’m thrilled to share my personal favorites with you! These are books that left a mark on my heart and bookshelf. Below, you’ll find a mix of new releases, standout characters, unforgettable couples, and even the biggest letdowns (because not everything can be a hit).
If you want to hear me ramble on about these books—feel free to check out the video below! And if you’re looking for genre-specific recommendations, we’ve got curated Best of 2024 lists on the blog for every mood and preference.
11 Best paranormal romance books of 2024 that will give you all the feels
8 Best historical romance books of 2024 you don’t want to miss
In case you missed it:
Our last Dear Santa letter hit the blog this week for Christmas! Author Celestine Martin shared a letter to Santa from Sirena, the heroine from Deja Brew. Check it out here.
Speaking of best books of 2024, I had a chat with Angela (one of the OG Under the Covers girlies) and we talked about her favorite books of 2024. Spoiler alert, lots of fantasy and paranormal recs there. Check out the video here.
🎥 Watch my Video: Best Books of 2024
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Best New Release: Lights Out by Navessa Allen
A stalker romance with a twist: the hero is a masked influencer known for his dark, bloody thirst traps. The heroine, a fan of his work, gets more than she bargained for when he sets his sights on her. Perfect for fans of morally gray characters and lighter dark romance vibes.
Best New to Me: Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
Serial killers as vigilantes? Yes, please. This dark romance is as hilarious as it is twisted, with two killers forming an unlikely connection over their deadly competition. Full of sharp humor and morally gray goodness, this is one you’ll want to binge.
Best New Series: Fae Flings and Corset Strings by Tessonja Odette
This fantasy romance series is brimming with quirky charm. A human writer of fae smut and a fae poet go head-to-head on a magical book tour, competing for a career-changing prize. Enemies-to-lovers and fae bargains galore make this one unforgettable.
Available on Kindle Unlimited
Favorite Heroine: A Fire in the Sky by Sophie Jordan
A servant-turned-heroine is married off to a barbarian warrior in this epic fantasy romance. Resilient, compassionate, and fiercely strong, she’s the kind of character who stays with you long after the last page. Plus, there’s a hint of dragons.
Favorite Hero: Nocticadia by Keri Lake
Broody professor meets determined heroine in this gothic, age-gap romance. Set on a remote island with secret societies and mysterious experiments, this one’s perfect if you love grumpy heroes, gothic vibes, and forbidden love.
Available on Kindle Unlimited
Best Cover: Ne'er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti
This Regency rom-com delivers exactly what its playful cover promises: fun, shenanigans, and a swoon-worthy romance. With a matchmaking heroine and a hero who’s adorably clueless, it’s a laugh-out-loud historical delight.
Available on Kindle Unlimited
Biggest Letdown: J.R. Ward
While I’ll always adore the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, this year’s entries missed the mark. They lacked the spark and intensity of earlier books, leaving me nostalgic for the series’ golden days. I also DNF’d her young adult thriller (not 2024 release). So all around not a good Ward year for me. If you want to hear me ramble on about The Beloved, check out this podcast episode.
Best Couple: Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
A necromancer and a ghost team up to survive deadly trials in a haunted house. Their connection is beautifully written, full of banter, intensity, and heart. Think Night Huntress action with Nalini Singh-level romance.
Available on Kindle Unlimited
Author of the Year: Larissa Ione
The Demonica Birthright series proved that Larissa Ione can deliver next-gen stories that honor the original series while standing on their own. Packed with action, steamy romance, and stellar world-building, these books are a must-read.
That’s a wrap on my favorite reads of 2024! This year brought me so many memorable characters, couples, and series that leaned heavily into dark romance and fantasy themes.
Join the Discussion
For 2025, I’m planning to lean even more into these genres (more on reading goals and resolutions coming to the blog and YouTube soon) —and I can’t wait to share what’s next. What were your favorite reads this year? Did any of my picks make your list? Let’s chat in the comments!
If you want to see a peak at some of my anticipated books of 2025, check out our Novel Nights episode from this week. Full list coming soon.
And don’t forget to explore the Best of 2024 by Genre posts on the blog for even more recommendations.
Sharing our love for books as Under the Covers Book Blog since 2011, running the Romanceopoly yearly reading challenge since 2019 and hosting the Reading Under the Covers podcast since 2020. Join our Substack community and have access to all paid member features.
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