Romance
January 2026

Upcoming Releases
In Your Dreams by Sarah Adams
In Your Dreams
by Sarah Adams

A homecoming to Rome, Kentucky, sparks a new romance--and lots of drama--between two old family friends, from the New York Times bestselling author of When in Rome, Practice Makes Perfect, and Beg, Borrow, or Steal. Madison Walker left Rome, Kentucky, determined to make it in the culinary world. But after years of chasing success in New York, all she has to show for it is her shattered confidence and a desperate need for a fresh start. Coming home isn't part of the plan--until an unexpected job offer lands in her lap: the head chef position at a new farm-to-table restaurant in her hometown. The only catch? It comes from James Huxley, owner of Huxley Farm, her brother's best friend. James has always played it safe, keeping his head down and running the family business. But when Madison's happiness is on the line, he's willing to take up his estranged brother's offer to launch a restaurant. James has loved her quietly for years, knowing she's never seen him as more than an annoyance, but now that she's back, he's determined to change that. Madison and James are tasked with launching the dreamy restaurant in record time, but keeping things strictly professional soon becomes impossible, and the town can't help but meddle in their relationship. As opening night looms closer, Madison's fears threaten to hold her back. When an unexpected disaster collides with a long-simmering sibling feud, both Madison and James will have to face their biggest insecurities--and decide if love is worth the risk or if some dreams are safer left untouched.
Like in Love with You by Emma R. Alban
Like in Love with You
by Emma R. Alban

Mean Girls meets Northanger Abbey in this sharp and sexy Regency Romance that begs the question: what if Cady and Regina just... kissed?When Catherine Pine relocates to Bath in 1817, she comes face-to-face with her mother's arch nemesis and her daughter--the wildly popular Lady Rosalie. Twenty-five years after a horrible betrayal, Catherine's mother sees the perfect opportunity for revenge: Catherine must win the favor of Lady Rosalie's suitor and unofficial betrothed, the most eligible Mr. Dean. Only Catherine soon discovers that Lady Rosalie is by far the wittiest, cleverest, most intriguing young woman Catherine's ever met, and she's instantly smitten. Which is a problem.Meanwhile, Lady Rosalie feels trapped in her relationship with Mr. Dean and in her role as Bath's resident mean girl. But when she notices newcomer Catherine gunning for her spot as queen bee, Rosalie finally feels a spark again-something she absolutely doesn't want to extinguish.As Rosalie and Catherine circle Mr. Dean, and their mothers force them into increasingly absurd contests of wit and feminine charms, the two women somehow find themselves falling for each other, scheme, by barb, by catty jab...Is it possible that their sizzling rivalry can become a match to last?
Catch Her If You Can by Tessa Bailey
Catch Her If You Can
by Tessa Bailey

#1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey is back with an all-new marriage of convenience, friends-to-lovers sports romance about a baseball catcher and the burlesque club owner he can't get out of his head.Madden Donahue, the newest catcher for the Yankees, has been in love with Eve Mitchell since high school, but for some mysterious reason, the burlesque club owner always turns him down. That never stopped him from being her self-appointed protector. Case in point, now that Eve's sister has left Eve with her two children indefinitely, Madden steps in with a proposition--marry him for the much needed health benefits.Eve has secretly harbored feelings for Madden all along, but there's one problem--her best friend Skylar called dibs on him when they were fourteen. Eve has always put their friendship above all else, and she's not willing to risk losing Skylar over a man. Raised by the local strip club owner, Eve is woefully short on friends and treasures the ones she has. But with Skylar happily paired off, Eve finds herself accepting Madden's proposal--on the condition that their marriage remains strictly private. She's not about to let her unique profession and maligned reputation destroy Madden's shiny new career.Madden won't let Eve get away that easily, though. What starts as a marriage of convenience soon ignites into something much hotter, and now it's up to Madden to convince Eve that their connection is far more than a business arrangement. As the passion builds, can their fake marriage become the real deal?
Remember That Day by Mary Balogh
Remember That Day
by Mary Balogh

A soldier and a pacifist make the unlikeliest of pairs, but when attraction sparks, there's nothing that can prevent their love from igniting. Winifred Cunningham, the adopted daughter of a portrait painter, hopes that her new close friend, Owen Ware, will soon ask for her hand in marriage. But when Owen introduces Winifred to his elder brother Nicholas, the late Earl of Stratton's second son, the slow burn of attraction between them begins ...--Provided by publisher.
Playing for Keeps by Alexandria Bellefleur
Playing for Keeps
by Alexandria Bellefleur

Poppy Peterson's life is finally back on track and she's thriving as the publicist of the NFL's most promising quarterback (and her childhood best friend), Cash Curran. So, she doesn't appreciate when he makes an impulsive and public pass at America's popstar darling, Lyric Adair. When Lyric's notorious publicist Rosaline Sinclair reaches out, Poppy is ready to face her wrath, but instead learns that Lyric is equally interested. As Cash and Lyric embark on their ill-advised whirlwind romance, Poppy and Rosaline are forced together, each determined to protect their own client from the other. Poppy is frustrated by Rosaline's cool demeanor, while at the same time, as a legend in the industry, she's determined to impress her. But, no matter what she does, she can't shake the feeling that Rosaline doesn't like her. That is until one steamy night, when the two women contend with their unexpected feelings and begin a messy romance of their own. But with paparazzi, tabloids, and stalker fans nipping at their heels, Poppy and Rosaline's loyalties will be tested in ways they could never expect-- Provided by publisher.
Rings of Fate (Deluxe Limited Edition) by Melissa de la Cruz
Rings of Fate (Deluxe Limited Edition)
by Melissa de la Cruz

Forced into an uneasy alliance, Aren and Dietan must unravel a mystery buried in legend, outwit a power-hungry usurper, and survive magic that's turning against them both. And somewhere between dodging assassins and sharing too many fireside glances, Aren starts to wonder if her more might include the one thing she swore she didn't want--
Drive Me Crazy by Lizzy Dent
Drive Me Crazy
by Lizzy Dent

I love, love, love Lizzy Dent. --Emily Henry, #1 New York Times bestselling author Sparks fly when an up-and-coming team principle and her new hot-shot driver--and former childhood crush--are forced to work together to save their careers and team in this deliciously winning Formula 1 romance. Can they navigate the twists and turns of love without crashing and burning? As one of the first female team principles in Formula 1, Chloe Coleman is determined to prove herself and transform her failing team from underdogs to champions. Nothing can ruin her strategy--except maybe the surprising new addition of a cocky, top-tier driver who's lost his edge. And he just so happens to be her estranged childhood crush who still sends her heart racing. Matt Warner needs a comeback. A former champion, he hasn't won a race since the disastrous crash that landed his best friend and teammate in the hospital. If there's a silver lining to this scandalous demotion, it's his fierce and familiar new boss, Chloe. But as the competition heats up, so does an unexpected spark that turns dangerously and passionately hot. With the world watching and pressures of the season mounting, will their chemistry lead them to victory, or spin them out of control?
Passage to Tokyo by Poppy Kuroki
Passage to Tokyo
by Poppy Kuroki

In the second book in the Ancestor Memories historical fantasy series, a young woman finds herself back in 1920s Tokyo as Japan enters a new and dangerous era - and a deadly tragedy awaits her city. Yui Sanada struggles to raise her twelve-year-old brother, Hiro, while contending with the antics of their neglectful, alcoholic mother. During a trip to Ueno Park, Hiro runs away from his sister into a strange passage beneath a samurai statue. Yui chases after him and soon finds herself in a Tokyo far removed from the familiar world of 1995. When Yui emerges from the tunnel, she cannot find Hiro but meets a young woman named Chiyo and her family and learns she has traveled back through time to 1923. As feelings between the two women develop, Yui and realizes it's just weeks before the devastating Great Kanto Earthquake will happen, killing tens of thousands and leveling the city. Will Yui be able to find her brother and save her new family from the coming disaster?-- Provided by publisher.
The Wolf and the Crown of Blood: Deluxe Limited Edition by Elizabeth May
The Wolf and the Crown of Blood: Deluxe Limited Edition
by Elizabeth May

A thrilling and incredibly sexy new romantasy series from Sunday Times bestselling author Elizabeth May.
The Slow Burn by Ali Rosen
The Slow Burn
by Ali Rosen

From the bestselling author of Unlikely Story comes a warm, witty novel about a chef whose unexpected summer in Italy turns messier and richer than any recipe she ever would've planned.Between a breakup and a burned-down restaurant, there's nothing left in New York for Kit Roth except the ashes of her success.Needing distance and distraction, she agrees to work for her best friend's pasta-making nonna in the Italian countryside. But instead of providing a quiet sabbatical to eat up time while her kitchen is rebuilt, the small town of Manciano keeps pulling Kit into its rituals and rhythms. And before long, it shows her everything she's been missing. Simpler cooking, community...and Nico Ruspoli, an olive oil producer with his own scorched past. But with Kit determined to leave after three months, and Nico rooted to his grove, their growing chemistry is at odds with what they both want for their future.Yet with each passing week, Kit finds herself measuring less and tasting more. And when it's time to go back to her life in New York, she doesn't know what--or who--she's willing to leave behind.
The Poet Empress by Shen Tao
The Poet Empress
by Shen Tao

Wei Yin is desperate. After the fifth death of a sibling, with her family and village on the brink of starvation, she will do anything to save those she loves. Even offer herself as concubine to the cruel, dissolute heir of the blood-gutted Azalea House--where poetry magic is power, but women are forbidden to read. But in a twist of fate, the palace now stands on the knife-edge of civil war, with Wei trapped in its center--with a violent prince. To save herself and the nation, she must survive the dangers of court, learn to read in secret, and compose the most powerful spell of all. A ballad of love--and death--
With Love from Harlem: A Novel of Hazel Scott by Reshonda Tate
With Love from Harlem: A Novel of Hazel Scott
by Reshonda Tate

From The Queen of Sugar Hill author ReShonda Tate - a new novel inspired by beloved Harlem jazz performer Hazel Scott and the equal parts exhilarating and tumultuous relationship that changed the course of her life-- Provided by publisher.
When the Museum Is Closed by Emi Yagi
When the Museum Is Closed
by Emi Yagi

Rika Horauchi's new part-time job is to converse with a statue of Venus - in Latin - every Monday, when the museum is closed. Initially reluctant, Rika starts to enjoy her strange new job. Recommended by her old university professor for her exemplary language skills, Rika leads an otherwise unassuming life, working the rest of the week in a frozen-food warehouse. As Venus comes to life in the quiet of the museum, they talk about everything. Venus opens up new worlds for Rika, both intellectually and emotionally. They soon fall in love. But when the museum's curator, Hashibami, makes it clear he wants to keep Venus for himself, what will Rika do?-- Provided by publisher.
For Fans Of: Emily Henry
With Netflix's long-awaited adaptation of Emily Henry's People We Meet on Vacation dropping on January 9th (and additional adaptations currently in the works), fans of the author will be eager to dive into some similarly heartfelt and witty romances. Try one of these!
 
In a Not So Perfect World
by Neely Tubati Alexander

In exchange for a free trip to Turks and Caicos, overworked video game designer Sloane Cooper is more than willing to pose as her neighbor Charlie's new girlfriend as part of his ill-advised plan to win back his ex. For fans of: Emily Henry's People We Meet on Vacation.
Secretly Yours
by Tessa Bailey

Reuniting with her teenage crush Julian Vos while redoing the gardens at his family's Napa Valley vineyard, Hallie Welch is shocked when he doesn't remember her, channeling her confusion into drunk-writing a secret admirer letter. While Julian puzzles out the mysterious missive, he finds himself increasingly drawn to Hallie, whose freewheeling ways threaten to upend his buttoned-up lifestyle. For fans of: Emily Henry's Beach Read.
The Next Best Fling
by Gabriella Gamez

Librarian Marcela Ortiz, heartbroken over her best friend’s engagement, and ex-NFL player Theo Young, secretly in love with his brother's fiancée, agree to a no-strings-attached relationship. Pretending to be together, they discover unexpected chemistry, navigating complicated feelings and family dynamics, while realizing their rebound might be something more. For fans of: Emily Henry's Funny Story.
One-Star Romance
by Laura Hankin

The maid of honor at her best friend's wedding, struggling writer Natalie Shapiro is stunned to discover that best man Robert Kapinsky, a college professor with whom she's shared some flirty chemistry, panned her book on Goodreads. Over the course of a decade, the two repeatedly cross paths to celebrate their friends' milestones and possibly inch closer to their own happy ending. For fans of: Emily Henry's Happy Place.
How to End a Love Story
by Yulin Kuang

In this heart-wrenching but hopeful debut by director and People We Meet on Vacation screenwriter Yulin Kuang, author Helen Zhang moves to Los Angeles to write for the TV adaptation of her bestselling YA series and encounters producer Grant Shepard, who played a role in the death of her younger sister. For fans of: Emily Henry's Book Lovers.
Contact your librarian for more great books!
Washington-Centerville Public Library Centerville Library
111 W. Spring Valley Rd
Centerville, OH 45458
(937) 433-8091
Woodbourne Library
6060 Far Hills Ave
Centerville, OH 45459
(937) 435-3700
Creativity Commons
895 Miamisburg Centerville Rd
Centerville, OH 45459
(937) 610-4425