Happy New Years from Literary Lane!
Does anyone else feel like they blinked and 2025 had passed? It’s still taking us a moment to process the fact that we opened seven months ago, it only feels like it’s been a week or two since Literary Lane Bookshop opened its virtual doors!
But a brand-new year means brand-new books to swoon over, and honestly? The line-up is already looking like a Romance reader’s dream. From heated tension and emotional chaos to sweet slow burns and sparkling rom-com charm, these upcoming releases are guaranteed to keep your TBR stacked, and your heart full. Let’s take a look at what’s heading our way soon!
Jealous Rage by Sav R. Miller — January 6
If you’re craving a romance that feels dark, dangerous, and irresistibly intense, Jealous Rage is your next obsession. Set against the moody backdrop of a small-town university with dark academia vibes, this story throws us into a forbidden professor x student romance filled with secrets, longing, and the kind of emotional chaos that makes your heart race. Think one-night-stand that becomes so much more, shadowy societies lurking beneath campus life, and two characters struggling to resist a connection that feels both wrong and inevitable.
This book promises yearning by the truckload, complicated pasts, hidden relationships, and the quiet ache of two people who shouldn’t want each other but absolutely do. If you love romances that blur morality, explore obsession, and keep you glued to the pages with tension you can feel, this release is going to hit every single one of your dark romance cravings.
The Suite Secret by Tierney Page — January 13
Get ready for pure forbidden-romance delight with The Suite Secret, a swoony blend of best friend’s brother, billionaire charm, and deliciously risky secret relationship vibes. This story leans into slow-burn tension beautifully — full of lingering glances, stolen moments, and that thrilling sense that everything could come crashing down at any second. Add in an age gap and workplace proximity, and you’ve got a romance built on temptation, restraint, and emotional pull.
What makes this book so fun is the mix of sweetness and danger — it’s flirty and warm one moment, then heart-clenchingly intense the next. If sneaking around, late-night confessions, and trying (and failing) to resist the one person you really shouldn’t want is your favourite flavour of romance, this is one January release you’ll definitely need in your hands.
Rook and Rebel by Kate Crew — January 13
Ready for something bold, chaotic, and gloriously unhinged in the best rom-com way? Rook and Rebel brings a delicious twist with its stalker rom-com energy, biker romance aesthetic, and a wonderfully morally grey MMC you absolutely shouldn’t love… but absolutely will. This story leans into chaos and charm at the same time, giving us danger, humour, and tension that sparks off the page.
Beneath the intensity, there’s heart here, too — with found family, revenge threads, and that irresistible opposites attract pull that makes every interaction feel electric. If you love romance that’s loud, dramatic, a little wild, and endlessly entertaining, Rook and Rebel is going to be such a ride.
Skate It Till You Make It by Rufaro Faith Mazarura — February 3
If you want your February reading to feel joyful, flirty, and full of winter sparkle, Skate It Till You Make It is everything. Packed with fake dating goodness, a sprinkle of friends-to-lovers warmth, and the magic of a Winter Olympics rom-com setting, this book is bursting with charm. And honestly? We love a romance that celebrates badass women athletes, ambition, teamwork, and the thrill of chasing both dreams and love.
Add in an irresistible dynamic like ice hockey player x photographer, and you get humour, tension, chemistry, and vulnerability all wrapped into one incredibly fun love story. Expect giggles, butterflies, heartfelt moments, and the sweetest payoff — the kind of romance that leaves you smiling long after you finish.
The Lies That Summon the Night by Tessonja Odette — February 3
For Romantasy lovers, this one is about to own your soul. The Lies That Summon the Night serves enemies-to-allies-to-lovers perfection, wrapped in adult dark fantasy atmosphere, emotional intensity, and dangerously addictive chemistry. Expect vampires (Tessonja’s version — which means dramatic, powerful, and absolutely irresistible), a monster-hunter MMC, and the kind of shadowy, morally complex love interest energy readers live for. Yes — this absolutely has “shadow daddy” energy written all over it.
This book promises rich world-building, high stakes, twisted alliances, and a romance that burns hot, forbidden, and beautifully complicated. If you love your love stories laced with danger, destiny, tension, and aching vulnerability, this release needs to be at the very top of your Romantasy list.
The Wild Card by Stephanie Archer — February 5
Sports romance lovers, rejoice — The Wild Card is shaping up to be an absolute standout. Expect addictive hockey romance energy, irresistible owner x coach’s daughter tension, and the iconic dynamic of black cat x golden retriever personalities crashing into each other in the most delightful way. Add in an age-gap twist, single dad tenderness, and that glorious “he likes everyone but her” spite-flavour chemistry and you’ve got sparks for days.
What really makes this one special is the emotional heart behind it — family threads, vulnerability, banter that snaps, and neighbours-to-lovers proximity that keeps emotions boiling just beneath the surface. Funny, swoony, heartfelt, and full of feels, this one is sure to be a fan favourite.
And Now, Back to You by B.K. Borison — February 26
Finally, closing out February with warmth, charm, and pure rom-com magic, And Now, Back to You brings rival meteorologists, forced proximity, and irresistible opposites attract tension together in a way that feels playful, comforting, and deeply romantic. With clear inspiration from When Harry Met Sally, expect emotional history, tension built over time, and that delicious blend of humor and heartache that makes second-chance-style stories so special.
This is a romance that feels like weathering storms together — messy, emotional, tender, and full of beautifully human connection. If you love cosy small-town energy, sparkling chemistry, and romances that truly feel, consider this your must-read February release.
Save the Dates & Prepare Your Hearts
From dark academia obsession to Olympic-level rom-com joy, from shadowy Romantasy passion to laugh-til-you-snort contemporary love — these upcoming releases are ready to make your early-year reading unforgettable. Add them to your TBR, set reminders, and get excited: romance season is officially here.
Happy reading, book lovers!