Not all romance stories need to be filled with drama and heartbreak—sometimes, you just want a feel-good love story that makes you smile.
Whether you’re in the mood for witty banter, sweet slow-burn romance, or charming small-town love stories, this list has something for you. From bestselling rom-coms to heartwarming contemporary love stories, these books will leave you with a warm, fuzzy feeling.
Get ready to fall in love with these 20 delightful, non-dark romance books!
1. The Rosie Project – Graeme Simsion
Don Tillman, a socially awkward genetics professor, embarks on The Wife Project—a scientific search for the perfect partner. But when he meets Rosie, an unpredictable bartender who doesn’t fit his criteria, his carefully planned life is turned upside down. This heartwarming and hilarious romance is perfect for fans of opposites-attract stories.
2. The Flatshare – Beth O’Leary
Tiffy and Leon share an apartment—but they’ve never met. Due to their opposite schedules, they communicate only through Post-it notes, slowly forming an unexpected bond. This quirky and uplifting romance is filled with humor, warmth, and a unique twist on the forced-proximity trope.
3. Book Lovers – Emily Henry
Nora, a sharp-tongued literary agent, finds herself in a small town with her sister for a much-needed vacation—only to keep running into her professional rival, Charlie. As the two clash and connect, their love for books (and each other) creates a witty, heartfelt romance full of banter and self-discovery.
4. The Unhoneymooners – Christina Lauren
Olive and Ethan hate each other, but when a wedding disaster forces them to take a free honeymoon trip together, they have no choice but to play along. This enemies-to-lovers romance is packed with hilarious mishaps, sizzling chemistry, and a stunning tropical setting.
5. The Kiss Quotient – Helen Hoang
Stella, a brilliant but socially inexperienced woman with Asperger’s, hires a charming escort, Michael, to teach her about relationships. What starts as a business arrangement quickly turns into a deeply emotional love story. Sweet, steamy, and full of heart, this romance is both unique and unforgettable.
6. It Happened One Summer – Tessa Bailey
Piper, a glamorous socialite, is sent to a small fishing town to prove she can be responsible—but she doesn’t expect to clash with a rugged, no-nonsense fisherman. With sizzling chemistry and lots of humor, this book is a fun, spicy small-town romance with big Hallmark movie vibes.
7. Well Met – Jen DeLuca
Emily reluctantly joins a Renaissance fair as a favor to her sister, only to find herself constantly at odds with Simon, the grumpy but passionate organizer. As they step into their roles as a pirate and a tavern wench, their staged flirtation starts to feel very real. A charming mix of romance, comedy, and small-town charm.
8. Love & Other Words – Christina Lauren
A beautifully written friends-to-lovers story that follows Macy and Elliot, who bonded over books as kids but drifted apart. When fate brings them back together, old feelings resurface, and secrets from the past threaten their second chance. Emotional, nostalgic, and deeply romantic.
9. The Charm Offensive – Alison Cochrun
A reality dating show producer and an awkward, reluctant bachelor find themselves falling for each other behind the scenes. This LGBTQ+ romance is full of heart, humor, and self-discovery, making it a must-read for fans of feel-good love stories.
10. Evvie Drake Starts Over – Linda Holmes
A widowed woman and a struggling ex-baseball player become unlikely roommates in a small Maine town. As they help each other heal from past wounds, an unexpected romance blossoms. A tender, slow-burn love story that’s as heartwarming as it is hopeful.
11. Part of Your World – Abby Jimenez
A big-city doctor and a small-town carpenter from completely different worlds fall in love despite all odds. With witty dialogue, emotional depth, and the perfect balance of romance and self-growth, this book is pure joy.
12. People We Meet on Vacation – Emily Henry
Alex and Poppy, best friends with opposite personalities, vacation together every year—until one trip ruins everything. Two years later, they take one last trip to fix their friendship, but lingering feelings complicate things. A delightful mix of humor, longing, and swoon-worthy romance.
13. Would Like to Meet – Rachel Winters
Evie, an aspiring screenwriter, must prove to her difficult boss that true love exists by recreating classic rom-com meet-cutes. As her staged encounters lead to real feelings, she finds herself in a story more romantic than she ever imagined. A fun, charming love story full of movie magic.
14. The Wedding Date – Jasmine Guillory
A fake date to a wedding turns into something more in this charming, flirty romance. Alexa and Drew have undeniable chemistry, but can a long-distance relationship work? A fun, feel-good love story with diverse representation.
15. A Brush with Love – Mazey Eddings
Harper, a dental student with anxiety, is laser-focused on her career—until she meets Dan, a clumsy but endearing fellow student. Their friendship turns into something more in this sweet and emotional romance that also tackles mental health with care.
16. You Deserve Each Other – Sarah Hogle
Naomi and Nicholas are engaged—but secretly can’t stand each other. Whoever backs out of the wedding first has to pay the bill, leading to hilarious sabotage attempts that slowly turn into rekindled love. A sharp, funny, and ultimately heartwarming romance.
17. The Love Hypothesis – Ali Hazelwood
Olive, a PhD student, kisses a random professor to convince her friend she’s dating—only to discover he’s Dr. Adam Carlsen, the most feared professor in her department. This fake-dating romance is packed with humor, swoon-worthy moments, and lovable nerdy characters.
18. Beach Read – Emily Henry
A romance author and a literary fiction writer swap genres for the summer while dealing with creative slumps and past heartbreaks. Their rivalry turns into love, making this a thoughtful, emotional, and utterly delightful book.
19. Meet Me in the Margins – Melissa Ferguson
Savannah, a secret romance writer working at a serious publishing house, finds her manuscript mysteriously edited by an unknown colleague. As their anonymous exchanges continue, she falls for the mystery editor in this light, bookish romance.
20. The Road Trip – Beth O’Leary
Exes Dylan and Addie are forced to share a car on a long road trip to a mutual friend’s wedding. As tension and old feelings rise, the journey forces them to confront their past and maybe find their way back to each other.