Best Romantic Comedy Books for 2021

by Jen Morris

When bookshop employee and aspiring writer Alex is dumped on her 30th birthday, she makes some huge life decisions...while drunk.

The next morning, she has a choice. Should she undue those actions and continue life in New Zealand? Or hop on the plane she booked to New York City to pursue her dream of writing a sexy romance novel?

The Books Girls Say... Love in the City was a fabulous romantic read perfect for fans of The Overdue Life of Amy Byler. The characters are entertaining and fundamentally good people with relatable flaws.

There were connections that came easier than they would in real life. But sometimes we need a true break from the harshness of the world. The overall message is about letting ourselves believe in love. The author develops that slow burn theme throughout the book, just like the relationship developing until it finally ignites into steamy flames. Romance novel perfection! 

by Sariah Wilson

This funny rom com follows Madison, who grew up wealthy but gave up her inheritance to follow her own dreams of being a teacher. Sadly, her teacher salary isn't enough for anything close to her dream apartment. After looking at some very scary options, her realtor/aunt suggests a unique living arrangement.

Another client, Tyler, needs a roommate who will care for his dog while he travels for work and who will do a bit of cleaning as well instead of paying rent. The only caveat is that he was burned by his last relationship and only wants someone with no chance of pursuing him. Madison pretends to still be in a solid relationship because she really needs somewhere to live. You'll laugh out loud at her costly attempts to clean the apartment.

But she has a big heart, great intentions, and wins over the dog. Will Tyler be able to follow his own rules?

The Books Girls Say...Melissa thought this was everything a romantic comedy should be, complete with laughter and likable characters.

by Alexis Hall

Looking for a hilarious rom-com reminiscent of The Flatshare? Bitter Luc O’Donnell has excess emotional baggage after growing up in the shadow of a distant B-list celeb father and eccentric mom.

When his job at a charity is endangered after incriminating photos of him are posted online, he has to re-make his image from party boy to “the right kind of gay” by coming up with a stable boyfriend. He knows he’s not ready for a real relationship, but could he sustain a fake relationship long enough to get through a fundraiser?

The Books Girls Say...Melissa listed to the audio of Boyfriend Material and it quickly became one of her surprise favorites for 2020. If you like snarky British characters, she thinks you'll love Luc as much as she did.

by Rachel Lynn Solomon

With 10 years of experience, radio host Shay is beyond frustrated with her new co-worker, Dominic, who thinks he learned it all in the master's program he just finished.

The station is struggling, so Shay pitches a new show - The Ex Talk - featuring exes giving relationship advice. The pitch goes a little TOO well, and Shay gets a big yes, with the caveat that she co-host the show with Dominic since they clearly dislike each other and already act like exes.

As the show grows thanks to their funny on-air banter, their relationship off the air gets more complicated and STEAMY. This one contains some R-rated bedroom scenes.

by Talia Hibbert

The third book in the Brown Sisters trilogy is sure to make us laugh as much as the first two. Eve is the flightiest sister and attacks chaos despite good intentions. Her parents are fed up after her latest incident - ruining a pricy wedding.

She applies for a chef job to start standing on her own, but the B&B's owner is her polar opposite. When it's clear they'd be a disaster working together, he sends her away. Except then she runs into him with her car - whoops. She feels terrible and insists on sticking around to help him run the B&B while he recovers, much to his dismay.

You'll laugh through their days together as they decide if they'll end up enemies or lovers.

by Helena Hunting

What if you literally ran into your middle school celeb crush? What starts off with this adorable rom com premise turns a little deeper when his family suffers a tragedy years later and he unexpectedly has to rely on his old law school classmate / superfan.

Melissa started this book when she couldn't sleep in the middle of the night and ended up reading the whole thing straight through.

by Beth O'Leary

When night-shift worker Leon needs some extra cash to help a family member, he decides to get a roommate.

The problem is that he has a one-bedroom apartment, with one bed. So he places an ad for someone to sleep in his bed while he's at work. They'll never be home at the same time, but it's still a crazy plan.

Thankfully, it's just the solution newly-single Sophie needs.

Several of their post-it note conversations back and forth made us laugh out loud. There's also a mix of humor and more serious topics if you're looking for a rom com with substance.

by Farrah Rochon

When three women realize they all think they’re exclusively dating the same man, they become friends instead of enemies and decide that they should spend time reaching their own goals instead of trying to find a husband.

This is going great until a hot new guy appears at Samaih’s job. But is he who he says he is?

by Graeme Simsion

This best-seller is the first in the Don Tillman trilogy. Don is a charming, but awkward genetics professor trying to find love.

True to his scientific roots, he creates a 16-page survey designed to find his perfect match that he calls "The Wife Project". Will anyone be his perfect match?

This Chicago Tribune quote is enough to make me order The Rosie Project today: “Filled with humor and plenty of heart, The Rosie Project is a delightful reminder that all of us, no matter how we’re wired, just want to fit in”.

The other two books in the triology are The Rosie Effect and The Rosie Result. We can't wait to read both!

by Sophie Kinsella

After spilling secrets to a stranger on a plane, Emma was sure she'd never see him again. Imagine her shock when we got to work and realized he was her new CEO!

Sophie Kinsella is an author that always makes us laugh out loud, going back to her original Confessions of a Shopaholic in 2000.

The books are light and the characters are often over-the-top, but that makes them a fun escape from reality.

by Lyssa Kay Adams

Even the concept of this book is humorous. When a couple's marriage is in major trouble, one of them joins an elite book club and uses the plot of their latest romance read to help the relationship.

In a twist from the normal rom com plot, it's the husband who is fighting for the marriage. He has joined a group of A-List, alpha Nashville guys who coach him through his rocky relationship. At points, this one is a bit steamy as he tries out moves learned through reading. There's are two more books in the series if you love this one!

by Kelly Harms

If you've ever felt overworked and underappreciated, this is the choice for you!

Amy is totally relatable as a main character, and you'll want to root her on during her escape from everyday responsibilities.

She gets a glimpse of what her life could have been if she had chosen different priorities and laugh your way through her adventures in New York City.

by Katherine McGee

Can you imagine if George Washington had become the King of America instead of President?

This clever Young Adult fiction takes that premise and fast forwards it to the present day. You'll follow the three children of the King through their struggles to find love and themselves while trying to live up to the expectations of Crown and country.

The sequel, Majesty, is also available now!

by Teri Wilson

Twin-swaps aren't a new concept, but this one still sounds like a funny contemporary romance.

Charlotte is a reserved school librarian who goes to a beauty pageant only to support her outgoing twin sister. After a freak allergic reaction, Charlotte is convinced to step into the pageant and way out of her comfort zone.

by Christina Lauren

What should a bride and groom do if they get food poisoning and are too sick to go on a non-refundable honeymoon?

Give it to the Best Man and Maid-of-Honor of course.

That would have been perfect if the duo didn't hate each other. Follow along as they try to avoid each other while still taking advantage of all the pre-paid activities on their couples vacation.

by Robinne Lee

Angela recommends this one, but also warns that it's steamier than others on the list and may make you blush.

A 39-year-old mom and art-gallery owner gets into an unexpected relationship with a much younger mega-superstar singer. The press complicates things as they try to navigate love and life together.

While it has it’s very funny parts, it’s also a much more compelling drama than you might expect from the concept.

by Christina Lauren

Josh is mellow and Hazel is...not. She's energetic, a bit crass, and always seems to say the wrong thing.

They're friends, but too opposite to date, so begin setting each other up on double-blind dates. Let's just say it doesn't always go well.

by Kerry Winfrey

Are you obsessed with classic romantic comedies like Sleepless in Seattle? So is Annie, the screenwriting lead in this cute book.

She's looking for her perfect Tom Hanks and hopes she'll find him on a movie set where she's found a job. Annie gets her meet-cute moment, but the guy is NOTHING like her fantasy match.

Melissa read this one last year and thought it was a very cute concept with lots of fun mentions and incorporation of real movies. It wasn't an all-time favorite, but if you need a light enjoyable read, you'll be entertained.

The sequel about Annie's friend Chloe is now available!

by Abbi Waxman

Nina Hill is content in her quiet life filled with books, trivia nights, and her cat. One day everything changes when a lawyer tracks her down to let her know her biological dad passed away...and included her in the will.

She never even knew his name, and definitely not that he had been married three times over 40 years giving her a huge family of siblings, nieces, and nephews.

Follow along as this introvert navigates her complicated new family AND some unexpected attention from the cute guy on another trivia team.

by Kevin Kwan

We know you're reading this for book recommendations, but we've got to mention that they did a GREAT job with the Crazy Rich Asians movie.

This is actually one of the few times it wouldn't be bad to watch the movie first. There are A LOT of characters in this book, and it takes a while to get them all down. The movie would be like a little primer before digging in to read.

Both the movie and the book are the hilarious. The story follows different braches of a, you guess it, crazy-rich family in Singapore. They're essentially royalty and the younger generations are expected to fall in line with their life (and spouse)choices.

Crazy Rich Asians is the first in a trilogy, and you can pick up the box set here. All three books are excellent.

by Jen DeLuca

Do you remember the Gilmore Girls episode where Luke had to work the Renaissance Faire for Liz?

Flip that around to a girl named Emily having to help HER sister out by taking her place volunteering at the Renaissance Faire.

And instead of being grouchy, she's the lighthearted one and the Faire volunteer coordinator is the grouchy one.

Will they fight all summer or will Simon show his endearing side, just like Luke?

In Maine, Evvie Drake lost her husband to a car crash and now she rarely leaves her home. In NYC, Dean Tenney, a former MLB, pitcher is struggling with a major case of the "yips" and can't throw straight anymore.

When the media pressure on Dean heats up, his childhoold best friend invites him to escape to Maine for a while, and he winds up living in the apartment at the back of Evvie's house.

The two make a deal - Dean won’t ask about Evvie’s late husband, and Evvie won’t ask about Dean’s baseball career. But broken rules lead to an unexpected friendship, and then something more.

Described as "joyful, hilarious, and hope-filled" ... we can't wait to read this one!

by Georgia Clark
PUBLISH DATE: May 4, 2021

For twenty years, Liv has run a successful NYC wedding-planning business with her husband, Eliot. When he dies unexpectedly, Liv is shocked to learn that he's left his half of the business to his young girlfriend that Liv knew nothing about. Much to Liv's chagrin, Perky Savannah shows up on her doorstep eager to be her partner and and protege.

In addition to Liv and Savannah, we are introduced to many of the wedding vendors that they work with - the florists, caterer, servers, and musicians. In a Love Actually-style narrative, this book follows each of them as they navigate love and friendship, and we see their lives overlap at weddings throughout the city.

The Book Girls Say... I received an advanced copy of this book, but it's available now for pre-order! As promised, this book is Love Actually-esque in with its intertwining stories of five different couples. With five different storylines, we were worried that we'd be left feeling like we didn't get enough of any of them, but the characters were very well developed and the way that each couple was woven throughout the book left us feeling very satisfied!

Laugh-out loud funny and pure enjoyment! This book was especially lovely in its representation of so many different types of love stories!