What’s Hot in Romance Right Now? Spring 2025 Trend Recap

The romance genre is always in motion. Shaped by reader tastes, cultural shifts, and the timeless need for a good love story. At Moore Literary Agency, we stay close to the heart of these changes, not just to guide our clients, but to help new voices break through. Whether you’re revising your manuscript or preparing to pitch, here’s what’s trending in romance this spring.

1. Big Feelings, Low Stakes

This season, we’re seeing a growing appetite for romance novels where the drama lives in the emotions, not external threats. Low-stakes, high-heart romances—set in cafes, small towns, or cozy workplaces—are offering readers a place to land, breathe, and believe in love again.

Agent Insight: We’re particularly drawn to manuscripts that give characters emotional depth while keeping the plot grounded in everyday intimacy.

2. Millennial Nostalgia Meets Modern Love

Call it “millennialcore” or call it delightful. Either way, readers are loving a throwback. Stories that tap into 1990s or early 2000s pop culture (burned CDs, mall meet-cutes, AIM chats) are giving contemporary romance a fresh twist.

Tip for Authors: A nostalgic vibe can add rich texture, but make sure it supports your characters’ arcs, not just the aesthetic.

3. The Messy, Magnetic Heroine

Today’s romance readers want leads they can see themselves in. The messy heroine—flawed, vulnerable, self-sabotaging, but trying—is more relatable (and more lovable) than ever. She’s a little chaotic, but she’s also soft, complex, and worthy of a love that holds space for all of her.

Agent Insight: We’re actively seeking romance with emotionally layered female protagonists who challenge traditional ideals of “likability.”

4. Paranormal & Fantasy on the Rise

Paranormal and fantasy romance are back. With sharper stakes and more emotionally resonant world-building. Vampires, witches, magical realms, and fated mates are trending, especially when they serve both the fantasy and the love story.

What We Love: Romance set in lush, character-driven fantasy settings with powerful internal conflict and clear romantic payoff.

5. Voice-Driven Banter and Chemistry

Smart, flirty dialogue is captivating agents, editors, and readers alike. Whether it’s rivals exchanging verbal jabs or a shy couple sharing in-jokes, voice is everything. The ability to build chemistry through conversation—humorous, vulnerable, or awkward—can make a manuscript unforgettable.

In Short:

Romance readers in 2025 want stories that feel emotionally rich, grounded, and a little daring. They want chemistry that crackles, characters that reflect the real (messy) work of love, and plots that make them feel held—whether in a witchy cottage or a bookstore in Brooklyn.

At Moore Literary Agency, we’re excited to represent romance authors who are pushing the genre forward with bold voice, fresh emotion, and deep heart.

If that sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.

Visit our submissions page and query one of our agents with your completed romance manuscript. We are open to a wide range of subgenres—from contemporary and rom-com to romantasy, paranormal, and historical—and especially welcome underrepresented voices.

Let love (and your manuscript) lead the way.

Here are 10 standout romance reads for spring 2025, featuring a mix of contemporary love stories, fantasy-infused passion, and emotionally rich narratives:

1. Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

A Reese’s Book Club pick for May 2025, this novel explores themes of grief, healing, and rediscovery. Henry's storytelling is both heart-rending and life-affirming.

2. Can't Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan

The final installment in the Skyland trilogy, this book delves into modern relationships and personal autonomy, offering a blend of romance and social commentary.

3. Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

A New York Times bestseller, this novel combines humor with sensitive topics, delivering a heartfelt romantic comedy.

4. Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

The third book in the Empyrean series, this fantasy romance continues the saga of dragon riders, blending high-stakes adventure with passionate romance.

5. The Singular Life of Aria Patel by Samira Ahmed

A young adult multiverse romance that follows a teenager navigating parallel universes, grief, and self-discovery.

6. A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

Praised for its electric and steamy narrative with a magical twist, this novel offers a unique and captivating love story.

7. Life’s Too Short by Abby Jimenez

The final book in the Friend Zone trilogy, known for its humor and sensitive handling of serious issues, delivering a satisfying conclusion to the series.

8. The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

A charming tale that combines humor, heart, and a touch of suspense, exploring the dynamics between a bodyguard and her client.

9. How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang

Described as heart-rending, funny, and life-affirming, this novel delves into the complexities of ending relationships and finding new beginnings.

10. Between Friends and Lovers by Shirlene Obuobi

A compelling story that navigates the fine line between friendship and love, offering a fresh perspective on romantic relationships.

What's next on your TBR?