Hidden Gem Romances to Add to Your TBR
Some of the best romances aren’t all over BookTok or topping every bestseller list. In fact, there are tons of incredible stories just quietly waiting to be discovered. If you’re willing to look beyond the usual recommendations, you’ve come to the right place!
This list features books that have fewer than 10,000 ratings on Goodreads and might deserve a little love. From cozy fantasy romances to swoon-worthy contemporary pieces, your next favorite book could be hiding in plain sight!
How To Save a Life
Emma Scott
Haunted by a painful past and trapped in an abusive life, Josephine Clark can’t stop thinking about Evan Salinger, the mysterious and secretive boy she found comfort with in high school. Jo made Evan feel special and seen, something no one else in his life had done before. Evan made Jo lower her guard, a first for her too. But just like that, they were torn apart. Four years later, Evan reappears just when Jo needs him most, and together they flee Louisiana on a journey across America’s heartland. As buried secrets come to light and the line between dreams and reality begins to blur, Jo and Evan must fight for their second chance at love and discover there’s more than one way to save a life.
A heartfelt story about the new girl who finds an unexpected connection with the town’s mysterious loner!
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Wish We Were Here
Risa Cruise
When Ash arrives in town with a backpack full of cash and a bullet wound, all he wants is a quick ride back to Miami. Sam, fresh off a breakup and questioning his identity, agrees to help the mysterious stranger in exchange for his expenses being covered. What begins as a simple road trip turns into late-night confessions, shared moments, and feelings neither of them expected. But Ash is hiding the truth about who he is and what he’s running from, and when his secrets catch up with them, their fragile connection is put to the test.
A strangers-to-lovers romance set against the grungy backdrop of the mid-90s!
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The Reality Of It All
Allison Speka
Rising author Calla is struggling to move on after a tragic event completely destroyed her world. Her sister, desperate to help, convinces her to sign up for a reality TV show, The Next Great American Classic. But upon arrival, Calla’s expectations are upended. The show isn’t about writing at all—it’s about finding love. How is she supposed to get through this when she still can’t sleep at night after what happened? And then there’s Eli, a washed-up actor with a notoriously bad reputation. His charm is undeniable, and although Calla senses trouble, she can’t help but let her guard down each time he opens up or flashes one of his dimpled smiles. Unfortunately for Calla, Eli might just be the perfect candidate to break her already fragile heart.
The perfect mix of romance and reality TV!
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Aerie
S.E. Wendel
Exiled for doing what was right, Lady Maddalena is sent to serve as warden of a remote, snowy castle prison, hoping to rebuild her life quietly. There, she meets Bel, a captured avian prince who has spent ten years imprisoned after losing his crown, freedom, and family. Though their peoples are enemies, Lena’s kindness and sense of honor challenge everything Bel believes about humans. As the harsh winter isolates them and the boundaries between enemies begin to fade, an unexpected and forbidden attraction grows. Together, they must decide if their fragile bond is worth fighting for in a world determined to keep them apart.
If you love slow-burn fantasy romances with high stakes, forbidden love, and a touch of spice, don’t let this hidden gem fly under your radar!
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North Country
K.A. Tucker
Emery McAllister once dreamed of leaving Cold River with her childhood sweetheart, Logan Landry. Until one devastating night, Logan found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, and the pair were torn apart. Twenty years later, she’s built a life running the town’s police detachment, raising her daughter, and protecting the walls around her heart. But when Logan returns after two decades behind bars, old feelings resurface. Hoping only for friendship at first, Logan finds himself drawn back to the woman he never forgot. When a teenage girl disappears and Logan becomes the prime suspect, Emery must choose between the life she’s built and the love she never truly left behind.
A second-chance forbidden romance set against the rugged beauty of northern Canada!
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The Whole Truth
Haley Cass
Juliet Jacobs has carefully cultivated her status as a country music darling for nearly ten years. Since her career began at seventeen, she has masterfully managed every tour, album release, and public appearance to maintain her flawless reputation. Conversely, Darcy Kincaid has rapidly ascended as the music world’s most captivating new talent. Her fearless energy and magnetic presence have turned her into a universal fixation, and a source of deep-seated jealousy for Juliet. Their rivalry becomes huge news, but when the pair are forced to collaborate in person, the tension between them explodes. They know that if their romance goes public, it could ruin their careers, so they agree to keep it casual and discreet. However, this proves to be a more difficult task than either Juliet or Darcy ever thought.
A swoon-worthy sapphic romance filled with music, longing, and unforgettable chemistry!
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Violent Delights
Jessica Hawkins
Born a princess among criminals, Natalia is the heiress to a dangerous legacy that many would kill for, but she’d do anything to escape. She vowed to leave with Diego, her first love and best friend, but his ruthless brother Cristiano has other plans. Cristiano is as big and bold as his legend. Once the cartel’s greatest soldier, Cristiano is now Natalia’s family’s greatest enemy, and he’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants. In the de la Rosa family, old grudges run deep, betrayal means war, and Natalia is caught in the middle of a feud between brothers.
A Mexican cartel heiress, a bitter feud between brothers, and a love story where danger lurks around every corner!
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Scorched Skies
E.J. Mellow
In the divided world of Cādra, where the winged Volari rule over the earthbound Süra, Tanwen must hide in order to survive. As the child of a forbidden union, her very existence is punishable by death. Being the crown prince, Zolya is forced to fulfill his father’s every whim. He captures Tanwen’s father and brother, whisking them away to his kingdom in the sky. Determined to save her family, Tanwen infiltrates the royal court disguised as a servant. Amid the palace’s intrigue, she realizes there’s more to save than just her family and more to Prince Zolya than meets the eye. As their worlds collide, their star-crossed relationship intensifies under the king’s oppression. With their loyalties pulling them in opposite directions, Tanwen and Zolya must decide if their love can bridge the divide or if they have flown too close to the sun.
Perfect for those who love fantasy, slow burns, and vast world building!
Spice level: 
Forbidden
Beverly Jenkins
Rhine Fontaine is building the successful life he’s always dreamed of, one that depends upon him passing for White. But for the first time in years, he wishes he could step out from behind the façade. The reason: Eddy Carmichael, the young woman he rescued in the desert. Outspoken, defiant, and beautiful, Eddy tempts Rhine in ways that could cost him everything. Eddy owes her life to Rhine, but she won’t risk her heart for him. As soon as she’s saved enough money from her cooking, she’ll leave this Nevada town and move to California. No matter how handsome he is, no matter how fiery the heat between them, Rhine will never be hers. Giving in for just one night might quench this longing. Or it might ignite an affair as reckless and irresistible as it is forbidden . . .
A perfect historical romance set in the Old West!
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Echoes of Us
Alex Cross
Atticus King had his life planned out. Train hard, play volleyball, and keep his distance. Then Noah Rossi crashes into his world, bringing chaos, passion, and a connection Atticus never expected. Noah was everything Atticus wasn’t, but somehow the pair found a perfect rhythm that kept pulling them together. But just as quickly as Noah arrived, he disappeared without explanation, leaving Atticus heartbroken. Two years later, Noah returns, forcing Atticus to confront the feelings he tried to bury and the pain that remains. As old wounds resurface, they must decide if their love is strong enough to survive the truth of what happened.
A raw, messy romance about healing and second chances!
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Capture the Crown
Jennifer Estep
Princess Gemma Ripley may seem like a spoiled royal, but she’s secretly a powerful mind magier and undercover spy. While investigating large amounts of stolen magical tearstone, she comes across her mortal enemy, Prince Leo Morricone. Gemma tries to steer clear of the handsome prince, but when she finds herself behind enemy lines, she reluctantly joins forces with Leo. Also coming to Gemma’s aid is Grimley, her beloved gargoyle. Adding to the peril is the Prince’s bloodthirsty lineage, led by the ruthless Queen Maeven Morricone, who orchestrated the horrific Seven Spire massacre. As she gets closer to the tearstone, dangerous secrets, deadly conspiracies, and an unexpected attraction unfold. Gemma must decide who she can trust in a battle where only one queen will claim the throne.
Come for the enemies-to-lovers romance, stay for the lovable gargoyle sidekick!
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Outdrawn
Deanna Grey
After clawing to the top with her hit webcomic, Noah Blue lands the opportunity of a lifetime: helping relaunch the bestselling comic Queen Leisah. Things are falling into place for her. The only problem? She has to share the spotlight with Sage Montgomery, her longtime artistic rival and the one person who could challenge her success. Sage is used to being the best artist in every room. Her raw talent has consistently put her at the top of the charts. However, her career has recently plateaued, but now she has the chance to fix that. Sage was promised full control over Queen Leisah, so she was very annoyed to learn that she has to share the spotlight Noah, the one person who has been breathing down her neck since college. Sage and Noah have to work as a team. They thought the hardest part of the relaunch would be drawing together. But that’s easy in comparison to resisting their feelings for each other.
Who knew creating comics with your rival could be this romantic?
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Trade Me
Courtney Milan
Tina Chen just wants a degree and a job, so her parents never have to worry about making rent again. She has no time for Blake Reynolds, the sexy billionaire who stands to inherit Cyclone Technology. But when he makes an off-hand comment about what it means to be poor, she loses her cool and tells him he couldn’t last a month living her life. To her shock, Blake offers her a trade: She’ll get his income, his house, and his car. In exchange, he’ll work her hours and send money home to her family. The plan is to just keep this up for a month, no expectations. But before long, they’re trading not just lives, but secrets, kisses, and heated nights together. No expectations might break Tina’s heart…but Blake’s secrets could ruin her life.
A sweet and refreshing romance that breaks expectations!
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Forty Love
Jane Costello
Single mom Jules lives next to a tennis club, but has no plans to play. Especially when her old school crush, handsome doctor Sam Delaney, returns home thirty years after leaving and now displays a killer forehand directly in view of her bedroom window. Despite what she tells her personal trainer fiancé, Jules finds exercise as tedious in her 40s as she did as a teenager. But when she’s hit by an unprecedented wave of anxiety – brought on by perimenopause and her 19-year-old daughter’s solo trip around the world – she’s in urgent need of a distraction and rashly agrees to join an amateur women’s tennis team. They are desperate for players. The fact that she can’t really play doesn’t seem to matter. As rallies are hit and friendships are formed, Jules is astonished to find herself in the grip of a passionate, all-consuming relationship . . . and not only with the tennis. Problem is, will these sexy encounters she keeps stumbling into with Sam put her on course to a devastating double fault?
It may be a hidden gem today, but this new release is already building buzz! Grab it before everyone else catches on!
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Kamila Knows Best
Farah Heron
Kamila Hussain lives a life of comfort, filled with her elaborate Bollywood movie parties, a dog with more Instagram followers than most reality stars, and an endless array of friends who clearly need her help finding love. In fact, Kamila is so busy with her friends’ love lives, she’s hardly given any thought to her own. Fortunately, Kamila has Rohan Nasser. A longtime friend of the family, he’s hugely successful, and extremely attractive. Only lately, Kamila’s “harmless flirting” with Rohan is making her insides do a little bhangra dance. But between planning the local shelter’s puppy prom, throwing a huge work event, and proving to everyone that she’s got it all figured out, Kamila isn’t letting herself get distracted, until her secret nemesis returns to town with an eye for Rohan. Suddenly, it seems like the more Kamila tries to plan, the more things are starting to unravel, and her perfectly ordered life is about to be turned upside down.
A charming rom-com that reimagines Jane Austen’s Emma with lovable characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and plenty of heart!
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Your TBR just got a little sweeter! From underrated romances to books that are about to become the next big thing, these hidden gems deserve a spot on your reading list.
August 13, 2026
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