We have so many reasons to read romantic comedies right now.

Some of us need to escape reality for a little while or distract ourselves from our fears, anxieties, and very much non-fiction problems. Some of us are overwhelmed with all the hard stuff surrounding us today and are simply looking for the good wherever we can find it. And some of us need a reprieve from fighting the good fight, whatever that fight may be. (And hey, if you’re coming across this article in February, hopefully long after COVID-19 has ceased its terror on our nations, maybe you’re just in the mood for something romantic!)

You know me. I personally don’t believe we need an excuse to read or watch a romantic comedy any day of any season. I don’t think reading or watching something light and entertaining means we don’t also hold space for the heavy and meaningful. And sometimes, we can even find something meaningful in the things that entertain us — whether that’s something in the actual text, something it makes us realize or reflect on, or some way it helps us connect with one another.

What I’m saying is that I’m all for the romantic comedy, and much as I love rom com movies (see here, here, here, and here for proof of that), reading is my favorite way to enjoy a funny, heartwarming story. And lucky for me — lucky for us — we seem to be in a bit of a romantic comedy novel revival these days. Just check out these 15 books!

In no particular order (other than how I thought the covers looked next to each other)…

Our Stop by Laura Jane Williams: A missed connections version of a meet cute for two London professionals who ride the same train most mornings. I’m still reading this one, but it’s cute so far!

Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey: A rom-com-obsessed romantic waiting for her perfect leading man learns that life doesn’t always go according to a script. As a fan of the rom coms myself, I loved this one (although the main character took a little too long to wise up for me).

Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes: My favorite TV critic wrote one of my favorite romance novels about a woman who’s lost her husband and a professional athlete who’s lost his game. Smart dialogue and realistic relationships make this book equal parts moving and funny.

The Accidental Beauty Queen by Teri Wilson: Imagine Miss Congeniality meets twins meets a Hallmark movie, and you’ll have this adorable book. One twin takes her sister’s place in a beauty pageant and accidentally falls for one of the judges. Hijinks! I loved this and can’t wait to read more by this author!

Anything by Christina Lauren: Well, maybe not ANYTHING. I’ve read Josh & Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating, The Unhoneymooners, and Twice in a Blue Moon by this author (actually a duo of women writing together). All three were laugh out loud funny! They’re a bit spicy, so be forewarned, but I enjoyed all these books and am looking forward to reading her next one.

Meet Cute by Helena Hunting: This one covers a lot of genres — famous guy and fan girl, friends to more than friends, enemies to lovers — plus a good dose of moving family drama. It’s a lot. But I thought it was good!

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne: Two executive assistants compete for the same promotion, and it turns out they don’t hate each other as much as they thought.

Well Met by Jen DeLuca: A woman working at a Renaissance fair on a whim clashes with the teacher who runs the faire during his summer break. Unless they’re in costume, and then sparks of a different kind fly. But is it real? (It is real cute, I’ll tell you that.)

The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory: Two high-powered professionals get stuck in an elevator together and end up attending a wedding together in a pretend relationship. But that pretend relationship turns into a long-lasting, long-distance one that just might the real thing. I found this book to be overly heavy on the sex scenes, but many readers have loved it (and the four other books in the series).

Don’t You Forget About Me by Mhairi McFarlane: After losing her job and her boyfriend in one day, Georgina ends up working at a pub owned by her first love. The problem? He doesn’t remember her! This was very funny, very cute.

The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa: A wedding planner left at the altar is forced to work with her ex’s brother-in-law (aka, the one who convinced the guy not to get married) to land a big account. I’m still reading this one so I can’t say for sure, but so far I’m liking it!

Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey: A woman trying to get her family and town to take her seriously and an injured professional baseball player pretend to date. Did I mention he’s a family friend and she’s loved him since they were children? Very cute but very steamy. (Apparently it’s book one of a series called, “Hot and Hammered.” That should’ve been my first clue!)

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang: A mathematician with Asperger’s hires an escort to teach her about love (or, at least sex?). I haven’t read this one yet. I love the diversity in this book, but I suspect it will spicier than I prefer. Still, lots of readers I know have raved about it, so I’ll give it a try soon — and you might like it, too!

The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai: I also haven’t read this one, which Amazon describes as “sizzling.” It’s about two rival dating app creators who “find themselves at odds in the boardroom but in sync in the bedroom.” I can say this one is probably not for me, but it might be for you!

Would Like to Meet by Rachel Winters: One of my favorites on this list! In an effort to help her agency’s client, a temperamental writer, finish his screenplay, Evie reenacts meet cute scenes from romantic comedies in her own life. Along the way she meets a single dad and falls in love with both him and his precocious daughter. I loved this book!

Need help getting your reading fix?

If you’re looking for books to read and don’t have access to your public library or a budget for buying every recommended novel, you might try Kindle Unlimited.

Kindle Unlimited is a monthly subscription that gives you access (for free) to more than 1 million books, thousands of audiobooks, and current popular magazines. It’s normally $9.99 a month but right now, you can get your first month free. (And FYI, you can use the Kindle app to read books and magazines, as well as listen to audiobooks, on any device. I have it on my phone and read tons of books that way!)

Just click here to get started with a free, 30-day trial.

Heads up, it looks like the entire Harry Potter and Hunger Games series are free to read with Kindle Unlimited right now! You can also read (for free) all sorts of political and legal thrillers, cozy mysteries, young adult novels, inspirational romance, and more.

Books I’ve read with Kindle Unlimited in the last year include a whole lot of romance by Penny Reid, Maggie Dallen, A.R. Perry, Shari L. Tapscott, and Robin Daniels. I’ve also read some Taylor Jenkins Reid, a whole urban fantasy series by Denise Grover Swenk, and a memoir from Busy Phillips.

And right now? I have I’ll Be Your Blue Sky by Maria de los Santos, Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah, and The Wrong Prom Date by Alexandra Moody sitting in my Kindle app and waiting to be read, all thanks to Kindle Unlimited. I didn’t have to wait for my turn at the library, and I didn’t have to spend anything other than what I already pay for my monthly membership.

Click here for your a free, 30-day trial membership of Kindle Unlimited.

What’s the last romantic comedy you read?

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