There have been tons of romance book releases lately, but if you had trouble concentrating on your reading over last year, you aren’t alone.

I think more than one of us had a bit of a dry spell. Let’s not forget that 2020 was a hard ass year, and, honestly, 2021 hasn’t gotten much better. Especially when it comes to my ability to pick up a book and read. I have had one of my longest reading dry spells ever the last year and a half, only being able to do a re-read or two here and there.

But that doesn’t mean there haven’t been a metric-ton of romance titles that came out that I’ve wished I had the focus and attention span to enjoy. From just about every corner of the genre, and containing a wide variety of tropes, here are a small number of the books I missed that are at the top of my TBR list as soon as I figure out how to concentrate again.

Romance book releases I wish I’d read…

‘Reel’ by Kennedy Ryan

 

I always love a good Kennedy Ryan book, but I feel like Reel was written specifically for me. This one is definitely near the top of my TBR pile for romance book releases, just for the film factor alone. Thank goodness this book will be waiting for me on my kindle.

‘The Belle and the Beard’ by Kate Canterbary

An absolute favorite author of mine, Kate Canterbary has written some of my most favorite heroes and heroines of the last decade. Her books are always smart, witty, and full of sarcasm, which never fails to have me guffawing with unrestrained glee.

‘The Things We Leave Unfinished’ by Rebecca Yarros

If you’re looking for a good cry, you can never go wrong with a Rebecca Yarros book. I think this may have been one of the first casualties of my reading blackout. I wanted so bad to dig into this, but my attention span just wouldn’t allow it.

‘You Had Me at Hola’ by Alexis Daria

I have seen this book recommended far and wide, and every time I see it, I get more anxious to read it. There’s a lot to draw you in, including that incredible cover. I am beyond eager to give this one a try very soon.

The From Blood and Ash series by Jennifer L. Armentrout

There are currently three books released in From Blood and Ash series (with at least a couple more to go), and I am heartbroken that I haven’t read them all by now. I love the way Jen Armentrout tells such epic stories in her fantasy series, and this one sounds even better than the rest (if that’s possible).

‘It Happened One Summer’ by Tessa Bailey

If you’re looking for dirty-talking heroes, Tessa Bailey is the author for you. This book sounded like the perfect summer slump-buster, but there just wasn’t anything breaking the fail-streak I was on.

‘First Comes Like’ by Alisha Rai

I loved Girl Gone Viral, so this book in the Modern Love series was another I had been looking forward to. I know it will be every bit as fantastic the moment I do open it, but I really wish I had been able to dive in the moment it hit ereaders everywhere. It’s one of my top picks for new romance book releases.

‘The Soulmate Equation’ by Christina Lauren

Christina Lauren are quickly becoming the gold standard when it comes to rom-coms and great writing. I always love their writing, so, while this isn’t the only book of theirs I missed in the last two years, it is the one I am most excited to read eventually.

‘Hands Down’ by Mariana Zapata

Oh how I love a slow burn. And Mariana Zapata is the best at it, especially since the hero in Hands Down is a man we all started to fall in love with a long time ago.

‘To Sir, With Love’ by Lauren Layne

I love Lauren Layne’s brand of romance. It’s usually equal parts sweet and sexy, with a hefty dose of banter and wit thrown in for extra enjoyment. It should be a great icebreaker read for all the romance book releases I missed.

‘The Royals Next Door’ by Karina Halle

From the moment I heard the synopsis for this book, I knew it was one I was gonna have to read. With Harry and Meghan’s big news serving as inspiration, there was no way this one was gonna get passed up.

‘Here With Me’ by Samantha Young

When it comes to epic romance, with all the angst and turmoil and heat, I can always count on Samantha Young. Adding the release of Here With Me to the books I missed just about broke my heart, but the good thing about books is they will sit right there and wait for you to flip open the cover and start.

‘Neon Gods’ by Katee Robert

This one I’m sad I missed out on for the sheer eroticism of Katee’s writing. If you’ve read even one of her books, you know she doesn’t shy away from, well, anything. And knowing that this was a bit of a spinoff from her crazy Wicked Villains series made me all the more eager to read it.

‘Knot My Type’ by Evie Mitchell

What could possibly grab your interest more than a guy, a girl, a little rope, and way different love goals? There’s just something about the cover of this one, and the seriously fun premise that had me keeping track of it.

‘Beach Read’ by Emily Henry

This one feels like it came out an eternity ago, but it was on the top of a million summer reading lists for a reason. Maybe reading it in December will be the way to go. It will undoubtedly take me right back to those warm summer nights in a matter of seconds.

‘Dear Enemy’ by Kristen Callihan

Kristen Callihan has written some incredible books in her time, but there was just something special about Dear Enemy that had me adding it to my must-read list.

‘Rent A Boyfriend’ by Gloria Chao

Last, but most certainly never least, is Rent A Boyfriend by Gloria Chao. How anyone can resist reading a fake boyfriend story, I will never know. It’s one of my most favorite tropes, and I am really excited to get into this story someday very soon.

What are some of the romance book releases that escaped you?

These are honestly just the tip of the iceberg of the books I missed. There are probably dozens more that I have forgotten to add here, and dozens more than that I haven’t even heard of yet. I hope this list of new romance book releases in 2020/2021 kick-starts your reading mojo, but even if it doesn’t, maybe keeping it handy will be a good reference for when things do get back to normal.