Eight winter 2025 romances I can't wait to read

It's prime staying indoors weather

What a strange, surreal week it’s been, in what’s shaping up to be a strange, surreal month. Although I live in New York now, I’m from Northern California and watching the wildfires in LA over the past week has been deeply unsettling and devastating. There’s been a lot of good lists circulating about places to donate if you’d like, like this one from Natalie at Subverse (part of a really great piece overall), and if like me, you’re restless and itching with the impulse to do something. I donated to World Central Kitchen and also appreciated this reminder from Drinks with Broads that the need will still be there months from now if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed.

It also feels deeply strange to pivot from the fires to a roundup of my anticipated winter romances but maybe you want to take a brief break from the news? Or would like a soothing bedtime read to keep yourself from scrolling into the wee hours of the morning? Again and again, romance has been a source of solace for me and I’m planning to reach for some of these titles when I really need them.

1. Into the Woods by Jenny Holiday (January 7th)

   This contemporary romance set at a summer camp features a brooding rockstar, jaded dance instructor, and hopefully more of the warmth and sincerity that characterized Holiday’s Canadian Boyfriend. Summer camp romances have also been having a moment over the last year and I’m ready to temporarily abandon the cold of NYC winters for log cabins and campfires.

2. Flirting with Disaster by Naina Kumar (January 14th)

   Kumar’s debut, Say You’ll Be Mine, was a really lovely fake-dating romance with a classic rom-com feel and I’m very excited for her sophomore novel, a reimagining of Sweet Home Alabama. I love a good second chance romance and I’m especially intrigued by the idea of the two main characters being stuck together during a hurricane…in the home they built together. A juicy setup if I ever saw one.

3. Unromance by Erin Connor (January 14th)

   I have a major weakness for celebrity romance and so I had to add this friends-to-lovers novel about a romance novelist, TV heartthrob, elevator meet-cute, and foolproof plan to not fall in love to my TBR. It just sounds fun and funny and I’d also really like to pick up more debut authors this year.

4. Once Smitten, Twice Shy by Chloe Liese (January 14th)

   The third in Liese’s series of Shakespeare retellings takes on Twelfth Night, with a dash of practice dating. I love how compassionate and tender Liese’s novels are, as well as her skill at conveying the depth and complexity of her characters’ feelings. I’ve found myself drawn more and more to romance that’s soft without shying away from the devastation of heartbreak and I have a feeling this one might deliver on that.

5. Zoe Brennan, First Crush by Laura Piper Lee (January 21st)

   A wine festival! Found family! First crush to one-night stand to being forced to work together to win said wine festival! This sapphic rom-com just sounds messy and emotional and engrossing, with a fabulous setting and angst, longing, and swoon galore.

6. Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti (January 21st)

   I refuse to let historical romance go gently into the good night, despite the swirling discourse about its decline. (Please let me know your most anticipated historical romances of the year! We will make this happen.) Vasti’s debut was an absurdly charming romp and I already have this one, about a reclusive earl and wallflower-turned-radical, pre-ordered.

7. First Time Caller by B.K. Borison (Feburary 11th)

   This Sleepless in Seattle inspired romance comes from an author whose books feel like a warm hug and who created one of my favorite fictional small towns. There’s a romance hotline, what else do you need? I feel like I’ve seen Borison hone her craft with each book in the Lovelight Farms series and am very excited to see where her writing goes next.

8. Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis (February 18th)

   I tend to be picky about romantic fantasy but I quite enjoyed Burgis’ fantasy novellas set in an alternate England ruled by pragmatic lady politicians, including their wit and inventive world-building. (Start with Snowspelled.) I was sold on this as soon as I heard that there was a chaotic library of magic and an evil sorceress. Give me all the magical libraries.

Let me know your most anticipated romances of January and February in the comments!

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Currently reading: Always Be My Duchess by Amalie Howard, because I’m craving a good historical romance.

Recommendations, miscellany, and little bits of joy:

• The Traitors is back! I have a great affection for this ridiculous show, which is the perfect combination of high drama, low stakes, and fabulous outfits.

• A visit to MoMA to see some of the paintings I’ve been reading about as I make my way through Mary Gabriel’s Ninth Street Women.

• A new undated planner from Floating Thistle Paper Co, in a beautiful botanical pattern, and the pure satisfaction of having one place for all my to-do lists.