Romance
February 2026

Recent Releases
Playing for Keeps
by Alexandria Bellefleur

Poppy Peterson, publicist for NFL quarterback Cash Curran, and Rosaline Sinclair, publicist for pop star Lyric Adair, navigate their clients' whirlwind romance and their own blossoming feelings for each other in this steamy and banter-filled contemporary. For fans of: Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner. 
Love in Plane Sight
by Lauren Connolly

Grumpy pilot George Bunsen offers cash-strapped waitress and aspiring pilot Beth Lundberg free flying lessons, which she reluctantly accepts. When their first flight nearly ends in disaster, prompting George to make an emergency landing on a highway, the near-death experience brings them closer together. Will their burgeoning romance take flight -- or will they stay grounded? For fans of: Fly with Me by Andie Burke.
The Blast from the Past: A Riley Thorn Novel by Lucy Score
The Blast from the Past: A Riley Thorn Novel
by Lucy Score

#1 New York Times bestselling author Lucy Score's suspenseful reluctant psychic Riley Thorn series features hapless Riley and her hot tattooed PI boyfriend Nick Santiago who's determined to keep her safe at all costs. They're are all moved in to their new fixer-upper, finally have their own place, and no new dead bodies for some time. But then a woman from Nick's past shows up and throws a wrench into everything.  For fans of:
Drive Me Crazy
by Lizzy Dent

In the throes of navigating workplace sexism, Formula 1 team principal Chloe Coleman reunites with her childhood crush, driver Matt Warner, when he's hired to join her team. Still recovering from a crash that injured his best friend, Matt's reluctant to get back behind the wheel. Can they navigate their personal and professional woes and get back on track? For fans of: Cross the Line by Simone Soltani.
Focus on: Romantasy
Slaying the Vampire Conqueror
by Carissa Broadbent

In this compelling standalone set within the world of the Crowns of Nyaxia series, seer-assassin Sylina is tasked with infiltrating the army of the villainous vampire Atrius and killing him, but a vision makes her reconsider everything. For another enemies-to-lovers romantasy set in a vampiric realm, try We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark.
The God and the Gumiho
by Sophie Kim

In New Sinsi, Korea, Kim Hani, a nine-tailed fox, and Seokga, a fallen trickster god turned detective, form a reluctant alliance to hunt a demon intent on destroying the world. For fans of: banter-filled enemies-to-lovers romances; KPop Demon Hunters.
The Cathedral of Lost Souls by Paula Brackston
The Cathedral of Lost Souls
by Paula Brackston

Hereford, England 1881. The adventure continues! After the fire and the tumultuous events in the cathedral library, Hecate is determined never again to come so close to losing the beloved mappa mundi. She has shown herself to be the greatest threat to the Essedenes and their plans and they will stop at nothing to be rid of her. With the help of her archeologist father, and the support of the redoubtable and loyal Inspector Winter, she must take the fight to her enemies. But the numbers of Embodied Spirits are growing with terrifying speed, and an atmosphere of violence and danger has taken hold of the ancient city of Hereford. Hecate dare not trust anyone beyond her inner circle, no matter how benevolent they might seem. Nor will she risk the lives of those she loves ever again. The goddess Hekate has called her to action. She must draw upon all her gifts, and the assistance of her family of ghostly allies, if the city is not to be lost to darkness forever--
Swordcrossed
by Freya Marske

With his family's wool business flagging, Mattinesh "Matti" Jay agrees to an arranged marriage to the daughter of a prominent family, though he'll need to hire a duelist in case he's challenged for her hand. Enter charismatic con artist Luca Piere, who teaches Matti to sword fight -- and perhaps follow his true desires. This steamy romantasy from the author of the Last Binding series "sizzles with the heat between Matti and Luca" (Booklist). Try this next: One Night in Hartswood by Emma Denny.
The Courting of Bristol Keats
by Mary E. Pearson

Bristol Keats struggles to keep herself and her sisters alive after the tragic disappearance of their parents. When she receives a letter from a mysterious aunt she didn't know existed, everything she thought she knew about her family crumbles and she must carefully navigate a world of monstrous intrigue to rescue her father. For fans of: slow-burn faerie-centric fantasy with well-developed characters and steamy romance, such as Sarah J. Maas' Crescent City series or Lyra Selene's A Feather So Black.
Lore of the Wilds
by Analeigh Sbrana

In exchange for aid and supplies for her earthquake-ravaged village, human Lore Alemeyu of Duskmere agrees to work for the Fae, cataloging the contents of an enchanted library. This "spellbinding romantic fantasy debut" (Publishers Weekly), the 1st in a duology, boasts a courageous heroine, a love triangle, and an atmospheric setting. Try this next: Lexi Ryan's These Hollow Vows series.
Contact your librarian for more great books!
NORTH KANSAS CITY LIBRARY
2251 Howell St
North Kansas City, Missouri 64116
816-221-3360

www.nkcpl.org/