Celebrity Romance Books

If you are looking for the most popular romance tropes, celebrity romance books are becoming more prevalent in romance novels. This romance trope focuses on the love story between a celebrity (e.g., actor, musician, athlete) and an ordinary person.

Celebrity Romance Books

The narrative of these novels often explores the impact of fame, media scrutiny, and the challenges of maintaining a personal relationship in the public eye. There are a lot of obstacles for the couple to face before they can find their HEA and we are happy to root for them throughout their journey!

The Best Celebrity Romance Books

New Celebrity Romance Books

Romantic Comedy

Author: Curtis Sittenfeld

Year: 2023

Genre:

More info: April 2023 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Spice Rating:💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Sally Milz is a sketch writer for a late-night comedy show. She begins to write a sketch called the Danny Horst Rule, which makes fun of average-looking men dating gorgeous women, but the reverse rarely happens. Being set on a comedy show makes this the perfect setting for a funny romance!

When a pop music icon signs on as the musical guest and host for the show for the week, sparks begin to fly, but Sally doesn’t know if it is just in her head. After all, he is a gorgeous star!

Pandemic

We love Curtis Sittenfeld and could not wait to read this book. This is a slow-burn romance that I loved. Part of the book takes place over email correspondence during the COVID lockdown and I could not get enough. This is one of my favorite summer reads for 2023 and true to its name is one of the best romantic comedy books of all time.

Find this book in: Celebrity Romance / Rom-Com Books / Novels about Music / Epistolary Novels

love me

Author: Jessica Saunders

Year: 2024

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 18+

While billed as a romance, and there is one within the pages, it’s really a look at the end of a modern marriage. Rachel’s life had been going well – she’s a mother and successful lawyer, but when her former romance with a major Hollywood star comes to light, she’s not prepared to be the subject of gossip and speculation.

While she’s dealing with the public scrutiny, she’s also hit with a bombshell at home leaving her life to descend into chaos.

This is a second-chance celebrity romance wrapped up in a book about modern womanhood. It was wonderful to see Rachel come into her own and put her needs first.

The Breakup Tour by Emily Wibberley

Author: Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

Year: 2024

Genre: Romance

Spice Rating:💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Pop superstar, Riley Wynn is going on tour for her latest album and bringing along her first love as her pianist for the hit song inspired by their romance. As they tour across the states, they reflect on why their relationship ended so long ago and feel the tugs of an invisible string pulling them back together 😉.

It was such a fun read during my winter vacation. I was rooting for Riley and Max the entire time (while imagining that Travis Kelce was a pianist and not a football star.) It’s Taylor Swift fanfic and just plain fun! *Gifted by Berkley Publishing

Find this book in: Celebrity Romance Books / Novels about Musicians

Celebrity Romance Books About Athletes

bromance

Author: Lyssa Kay Adams

Year: 2019

Genre: Romance

More info: Bromance Book Club #1

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Gavin, a professional baseball player in Nashville, recently discovered his wife has been faking her orgasms. Determined to do better in the bedroom, and avoid a divorce in the process, Gavin joins a secret club – a book club!

But this book club is unlike any other. It’s comprised of the biggest alpha males in Nashville and they only read romance books. Together, the members of the bromance book club help Gavin win back his wife.

This book was the perfect break I needed into a world of romance. The idea of a bunch of men getting together to read romance novels to try and improve their relationships is amazing.

Although now that I think of it, maybe this book is a fantasy. This book is a perfect light read that I finished in a day and as far as rom-com novels go, it is a definite must-read!

Find this book in: Sports Romance Novels / Faux Celebrity Fiction / Books about Books / Rom-Com Books / Second Chance Romance

Fake it till you bake it

Author: Jamie Wesley

Year: 22

Genre: Romance

More info: Sugar Blitz #1

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Donovan is an NFL player who also owns a struggling cupcake bakery with a few of his friends. Jada is internet famous, and not in a good way. She rejected a proposal on a bachelor-like TV show and now she’s got haters all over!

After taking a job at Donovan’s store, she lies to a reporter and says she was still thinking of Donovan when she rejected the proposal. 

So now she is fake-dating Donovan and helping the cupcake store in the process. But can they turn this fake relationship into something more? 

Um yes, and with SIZZLING chemistry to boot! This is a fake dating book at its steamiest.

Find this book in: Ultimate Beach Reads 2023 / Fake Dating / Romance Sports Books

Evvie Drake

Author: Linda Holmes

Year: 2019

Genre: Romance

More info: July 2019 Read with Jenna Book List Pick

Spice Rating: 💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

When Evvie’s husband dies unexpectedly in a car crash, she is still staying in her house a year later.  Everyone in her small town thinks that she is overcome with grief but in actuality, it is guilt. 

Dean is a retired major league baseball pitcher who woke up one day and was unable to throw the ball over the plate. When he moves into the apartment in the back of Evvie’s house the two become friends and agree to never talk about baseball or her husband. 

Emotional Abuse

I just adored this celebrity romance book.  It was such a sweet and light romance, easily read on the beach.

Find this book in: Sports Romances / Celebrity Romance Books / Friends-to-Lovers

LGBTQ Celebrity Romance Books

the seven husbands of evelyn hugo 1

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Year: 2017

Genre: Historical Fiction

Spice Rating:💋💋

Age Range: 16+

A tell-all about a fictional Elizabeth Taylor-esque celebrity’s rise to Hollywood stardom, her seven husbands, and the true love of her life.

Evelyn Hugo has asked an unknown reporter, Monique Grant, to write her life story in a no-holds-barred book. There is a bit of mystery around why Monique was chosen and Evelyn certainly has her fair share of hardships as she claws her way to the top.

The drama and suffering add dimension to the story that makes it so much more than fluff, though the inner workings of Hollywood were fun to read too. The story seems so candid that I forgot that Evelyn Hugo was not a real celebrity. 

Domestic Abuse, Homophobia

Taylor Jenkins Reid slays with this story finding the perfect balance of glamour and grit. Evelyn seeks to change her life and in doing so, changes for the better. Every person who has read this book at my recommendation has loved it

Not much is yet known about the movie adaptation except that Leslye Headland is set to direct while Liz Tigelaar is working on the script.

Find this book in: Best Romance Novels of All Time / Books Like A Man Called Ove / Best Books to Read on Beach / Old Hollywood Books / Taylor Jenkins Reid Books / Epistolary Novels / Books Becoming Movies / Hollywood Novels

Find books similar to this in: Books like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

the charm offensive

Author: Alison Cochrun

Year: 2021

Genre: Romance

More info: Charm Offensive #1

Spice Rating:💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Dev is a producer on the long-running television show Ever After where he crafts love stories to get people to fall in love. When the show casts Charlie as the Prince Charming, Dev will have to put in more work than he bargained for. 

Charlie is only on the show to restore his image so he can go back to work and he certainly does not believe in true love.  As Dev tries to coach Charlie in ways to connect with the contestants, Dev and Charlie realize they might have more chemistry than any of the contestants. 

Mental Illness, Panic Attacks, Homophobia

I loved this celebrity romance book that seems loosely based on the TV series The Bachelor. If you are a fan of reality TV shows, you need to read this book!

Find this book in: Celebrity Romance Books / Books With Neurodivergent Characters

Red White and Royal Blue

Author: Casey McQuiston

Year: 2019

Genre: Romance

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

We don’t think about royals and the LGBTQ community because we don’t usually see openly gay royals, which is so sad in today’s society. And to think it all starts with a NYE kiss!

This charming book is a fabulous pick from LGBTQ romance novels. I crushed hard for their romance and found myself smiling the entire time. (Also love the nod to a female president…where do I sign up for one of those?) 

Homophobia

The LGBTQ romance is charming but add in a female president and I am all in.

Not only is the relationship between these two charming but a female president and a royal angle as well makes this a must-read!

Find this book in: Royal Romance Books / Enemies-to-Lovers Books / New Year’s Books / British Romance Novels/ Books With a Color in the Title / British Books

Celebrity Romances Featuring Writers

The Roughest Draft

Author: Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegmind Broka

Year: 2022

Genre: Romance

Spice Rating:💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Katrina and Nathan are cowriting literary darlings that have not spoken since the release of their last book, three years ago. It also happens to be their greatest success.

Now, they have one more book in their contract and they are forced to come together and write it. Stuck together in a small house and writing a romance with someone you never wanted to see again…that can be stressful enough without feelings getting involved.

This is an adorable romance about writers. What could be better for a book lover?

Find this book in: Celebrity Romance / Forced Proximity Trope / Poolside Reads

By Any Other name by Lauren Kate

Author: Lauren Kate

Year: 2022

Genre: Romance

Spice Rating:💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Lanie is an editor and is given the chance to work with her idol- THE Noa Callaway. Noa is late on her next manuscript and Lanie has to help her with her writer’s block. That shouldn’t be a problem- even if nobody has met Noa in person.

What is there not to love about this book? This romance was so much fun to read. Any book about books gets extra points and this one check even more boxes with the light and fun story that was easy to read.

Find this book in: Celebrity Romance Books / Books about Books / Ultimate List of Romances / Beach Reads 2022

True Love

Author: Christina Lauren

Year: 2023

Genre: Romance

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Felicity “Fizzy” Chen is a romance novelist who has never been in love and she is beginning to think she has lost her mojo. Connor Prince is a documentary filmmaker who is thrown off balance when he needs to create a reality TV show.

When he convinces Fizzy to be the star of this show, sparks fly. The two have undeniable chemistry but will this ruin the TV show that is supposed to be about finding Fizzy’s true love? The show is supposed to see if chemistry is the same as compatibility. It is in essence, the science of love.

This was a delightful celebrity romance and the science element makes it perfect for anyone looking for something like The Love Hypothesis.

Find this book in: Celebrity Romance Novels / Books like The Love Hypothesis / Ultimate Beach Reads 2023

Musical Celebrity Romance Books

Daisy Jones and the 6

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Year: 2019

Genre: Historical Fiction

More info: March 2019 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 16+

The book is laid out like a VH1 Behind the Music style interview. It’s laid out in chronological order about the making of the band Daisy Jones & the Six, but the story is told in interview style from a dozen sources.

It’s a story about the music scene of the 1970s in Hollywood when the band The Six meets Daisy Jones and together they rocket to superstardom! Among the drama of touring, there is also a forbidden love story or two, and plenty of crazy parties!

It’s truly the perfect mix of historical fiction, romance, and rock ‘n’ roll.

This book needs to be listened to, not read. The audio version has a different narrator for each character and the performances are stupendous. I was overcome with emotion numerous times while I was listening.

This celebrity fiction story about the rise and fall of one of the hottest bands of the 70s was so utterly fabulous – it’s pure sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll in all the best ways.

Find this book in: Books Like Daisy Jones & The Six / Taylor Jenkins Reid Books in Order / Books Set in the 70s / Full Cast Audiobooks / Ultimate Beach Reads 2020

Happy ever after

Author: Abby Jimenez

Year: 2020

Genre: Romance

More info: The Friend Zone #2

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Romance books about music? SIGN ME UP FOR THEM ALL!

After Sloane, a down on her lucky artist, adopts a puppy she didn’t need, she begins to feel better. Until her puppy’s real owner shows up after finishing his tour in Australia and wants the dog back.

This celebrity romance was a definite feel-good book with the most fun little twist. Every chapter has a song to go with it. It’s the perfect song to go with the mood of the chapter. ⁣

I had a really hard time reading during this “stay-at-home and homeschool three children while working” pandemic. But this book got me out of a rut! ⁣I loved this book so much that I immediately read the first book in this series.

Find this book in: Celebrity Romances / Novels about Music / Ultimate List of Romances

Dirty Billionaire

Author: Meghan March

Year: 2015

Genre: Erotica

More info: Dirty Billionaire #1

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Crey and Holly’s love story starts as a one-night stand but turns into a marriage so she can get out of a contract with her record company and he can take control of her. He’s a billionaire businessman from NYC, she’s an up-and-coming country singer from Nashville.

They are worlds apart and that push-and-pull goes a long way in creating the tension of the series….but be warned. This celebrity romance book about music has very little story and a whole lot of sex.

Find this book in: Steamy Billionaire Romances / Celebrity Romances / Books about Musicians

Just another love song

Author: Kerry Winfrey

Year: 2022

Genre: Romance

Spice Rating:💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Sandy Macintosh thought that she would be with her high school sweetheart, Hank Tillman, forever. But, Hank was always meant for great things, and Sandy stayed in her small hometown. Sandy was heartbroken went Hank left.

Now, 15 years later, Hank is a very successful musician and he has come home. His presence is disrupting Sandy’s stable, existence as a store owner and she begins to question if she is actually as happy as she has been pretending to be.

This one is on our list of novels about music and I could not put it down. It was just such a sweet story.

Find this book in: Celebrity Romances / Books about Musicians

Celebrity Romance Novels with Actors/Actresses

How to Face it in Hollywood

Author: Ava Wilder

Year: 2022

Genre: Romance

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Grey Brooks wants to stay relevant in Hollywood after her sitcom was canceled. Ethan Atkins is an A-level celebrity who needs to rehab his image. So when their publicist suggests they start fake dating, the duo decides it might be just the ticket.

But we all know where the fake-dating trope is gonna lead to real dating and then a break-up and make-up. BUT IT WAS SO CUTE! This is a predictable but adorable celebrity romance novel.

Find this book in: Celebrity Romances / Fake Dating

The Bodyguard A Novel

Author: Katherine Center

Year: 2022

Genre: Romance

Spice Rating:💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Hannah Brooks is an Executive Protection Agent (a bodyguard) who looks more like a Kindergarten teacher. When she is given her next assignment to protect Jack Stapleton, a movie star with a stalker, she is less than pleased. After all, this is not how to best use her talents.

When Jack’s mom gets sick, he needs to go home to visit and he must bring Hannah with him. But he doesn’t want to worry his mother. The solution? Hannah has to pretend to be his girlfriend for the duration of the visit- enter the fake dating trope.

Car accident, death of a parent, stalking

Katherine Center never fails to deliver a great book. This adorable celebrity romance put a smile on my face.

Find this book in: Celebrity Romances / Fake Dating Novels

Three Holidays and a Wedding

Author: Uzma Jalaluddin & Marissa Stapley

Year: 2023

Genre: Holiday Romance

Spice Rating:💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Maryam and Anna find themselves on a plane from Denver to Toronto in the middle of the storm of the century, they have no idea that they will spark an unexpected friendship.

When the plane is diverted to a small town outside of Ottawa with no end to the snow, they all must change their plans. Anna is not able to make it to Toronto to spend Christmas with her boyfriend, and Maryam’s sister’s wedding is in jeopardy.

This is an enchanting Hanukkah, Ramadan, romance Christmas book for 2023 with a charming small town, a snowbound inn, and a touch of fate that brings everyone together. This is a holiday book at its very best. #gifted

Find this book in: Celebrity Romance Books / Best Books of 2023 / New Christmas Books of 2023 / Best Christmas Romances / Holiday Books / Best Christmas Books of All Time / Christmas Book Club Books

while we were dating

Author: Jasmine Guillory

Year: 2021

Genre: Romance

More info: The Wedding Date #6

Spice Rating:💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Ben is trying to focus on building his career in advertising when he gets the chance to work on a huge campaign that happens to feature Anna Gardiner, a movie star. The two have undeniable chemistry but need to keep it professional. Anna is trying to become a megastar.

This Jasmine Guilllory book has a little bit of everything: fake dating and office romance, all while dealing with some more serious issues like mental health.

Find this book in: Jasmine Guillory Books in Order / Celebrity Romance Books

BTB Elements and icons 17
  • Be mindful of cartoon covers. These romances often look appropriate for teens but there are often EXPLICIT scenes.
  • Have you heard of dream casting? It’s when you read a book and picture real celebrities as the main characters. Celeb romance novels are the best for this fun activity! Who do you picture for each character?

Frequently Asked Questions

What are celebrity romance books?

If you are looking for the most popular romance tropes, celebrity romance books are becoming more prevalent in romance novels. This romance trope focuses on the love story between a celebrity (e.g., actor, musician, athlete) and an ordinary person.

The narrative often explores the impact of fame, media scrutiny, and the challenges of maintaining a personal relationship in the public eye. Often in these books, there are a lot of obstacles for the couple to face before they can find their HEA and we are happy to root for them throughout their journey!

Why Do We Love Celebrity Romance Books

Celebrity romance books can be viewed as the ultimate Cinderella story. While these are not rags-to-riches per se, it is the quintessential fairy tale that the rich, popular celebrity finds their happy ending with a “regular” person. After all, who doesn’t want that kind of HEA?

Epilogue

Look, most of us will NEVER actually date a celebrity. That’s why celebrity romances are just the quintessential escapist fiction. They transport all of us to a world we wouldn’t normally have access to, and I love it! Which celeb romance novels are you planning to read and which have you already read?

romance tropes

The Complete List of Romance Tropes: Our 12 Favorites

Looking for more romances categorized by trope? Here are all my favorites.

ultimate list of romance

Ultimate List of Romances

If you love all things romance, then this is the list for you! We have this list carefully divided by sub-genres like celebrity romance books, romcoms, and more.

Category Headers 53

Romance Book Lists

Do you love romance books like we do? Check out all of our romance book lists!