We are just a short week away from one of our favorite days of the year: Bookstore Romance Day!! We've got tons of things planned, including giveaways, sales, fun games, and other surprises! To help get us in the mood for all things Romance, we asked our booksellers their favorite 2026 Romance Read, favorite trope, and a book they think does that trope the best.
Here are their answers, starting with our resident Romance-girlie, Halli.
Halli – Bookseller
Favorite 2026 Romance Read: Extracurricular by Rachel Lynn Solomon
A flawless execution of forbidden romance; We've never been more desperate to see two characters find their way to each other. Solomon is an expert at building
tension that is flirty, tender, and unbearably hot. Pay attention romance lovers, this is officially required reading!
Favorite Trope: Second Chance Romance
Best Example of this Trope: It’s Different This Time by Joss Richards
Ashly – Bookseller
Favorite 2026 Romance Read: The Duke by Anna Cowan
We actually fought over who got to list The Duke as their favorite read, so needless to say this is a staff favorite. Between the high stakes plot, slow burn romance, and the sapphic yearning, this is an impeccable historical romance. PS, even those of you who don't love historical romance should give this one a shot.
Favorite Trope: Forced Proximity
Best Example of this Trope: Every Step She Takes by Alison Cochrun
Liz – Social Media Manager
Favorite 2026 Romance Read: Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune
We all love Carley Fortune for her lush, poetic writing and this latest release somehow was even more beautiful than her previous books. If you love friends-to-lovers books packed to the brim with yearning, you need to read this book immediately. The heartache is so, so worth it.
Favorite Trope: Friends-to-Lovers
Best Example of this Trope: People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
Shelby – Store Manager
Favorite 2026 Romance Read: Dire Bound/Fury Bound by Sable Sorenson
We love when a book can bring our nonfiction lover to the genre side of the book world. Shelby won't admit it, but she loves a good romantasy series and needless to say she was talking about this book for days. If you want an obsession-worthy series and you haven't read this one yet, well... what are you waiting for?
Favorite Trope: Enemies-to-Lovers
Best Example of this Trope: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Courtney - Owner
Favorite 2026 Romance Read: Bromantasy by Máire Roche
This book was joy in a bottle. It's utterly ridiculous in a laugh-out-loud, text-quotes-to-your-friend-group kind of way, but it's also so insanely heartfelt. If you love friends-to-lovers and found-family stories and want a solid break from reality, we cannot recommend this romp of a book more.
