17 Best Rom-Com Books: Funny & Witty Romances to Love!
Here at Beyond the Bookends, we love great rom-com books. We love reading a great book where the ending is happy and we have a great laugh along the way.
What are romantic comedy books? Think about some of your favorite movies: Notting Hill, When Harry Met Sally, and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Each of these has some great romance along with great laughs along the way. Now, picture these as a book!
Kirsten and I have read each of these romantic comedy books and loved them and wanted to share them with you at Beyond the Bookends.
*Best Romantic Comedy Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Best Romantic Comedy Books
What are Romantic Comedy Novels?
Romantic comedy Novels (rom-com novels) are a book genre that blends elements of romance and humor to create fun and lighthearted love stories.
These novels typically have storylines in which the characters find themselves mixed up in silly and often awkward situations while navigating romantic relationships. The genre often includes smaller tropes like meet-cutes and mistaken identities, along with humorous obstacles that the characters must overcome to reach their happily-ever-after.
Why Do We Love Books About Romantic Comedy Books?
What don’t we love about rom-com novels? These romances are lighthearted and often laugh-out-loud funny with great storylines and happy endings. There is not much that can top that.
Best Rom-Com Books of 2023
Romantic Comedy
Author: Curtis Sittenfeld
Year: 2023
Genre:
More info: April 2023 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
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!
Trigger Warnings
Pandemic
Why Jackie loves it
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
Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan
Julia Whelan is my favorite audiobook narrator and I loved her debut book, so I eagerly plunged into this one. It is definitely one of the best romantic comedy books I have read in a while.
Sewanee Chester is a former actress and audiobook narrator who has been chosen to read alongside the romance world’s biggest male audiobook reader for a new series.
As she falls for the mysterious Brock, who lives across the country and only communicates via text, she can’t stop thinking about her one-night stand in Vegas.
Additionally, she’s navigating a grandmother with Alzheimer’s and a possible chance to relaunch her acting career. But now that the dreams she had for so are in her grasp, are they really what she wants? And why does she feel so drawn to Brock?
Find this book in Ultimate Beach Reads 2023 / Rom Com Books / Complete List of Romance Tropes
Happy Place
Author: Emily Henry
Year: 2023
Genre: Romance
More info: Instant New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range:18+
Plot
Emily Henry is an author who is always consistent with her romances. She may be the queen of romantic comedy books. Nothing says “summer reads” like Emily Henry.
Harriet and Wyn have been together for years until they broke up 5 months ago. The only problem is that they still haven’t told their best friends and now they will be sharing a room during their yearly vacation with their friends.
How hard can it be to keep up the facade of a happy couple? If you love fake dating books, this is one of the best. And if you are hoping these two will have a second chance at love, you will not be disappointed.
There is something special in every one of Emily Henry’s romances and this newest book is no exception. It is one of the best books of 2023!
Why Jackie loves it
Emily Henry finds a way to write books that are so readable with characters that are so loveable. I was rooting for these two the find their way back to each other.
Find this book in: Emily Henry Books / Second Chance Romance / Romantic Comedy Books / Fake Dating Books
Best Romantic Comedy Books of All Time
The Proposal (The Wedding Date #2) by Jasmine Guillory
Author: Jasmine Guillory
Year: 2018
Genre: Romance
More info: February 2019 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick, Wedding Date #2
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
When Nikole’s “boyfriend” proposes to her at a baseball game and cannot even spell her name correctly, it is a recipe for disaster.
Luckily, Carlos and his sister are at the game to help Nik escape the onslaught of paparazzi waiting. You can guess the rest.
Why Jackie loves it
I read this book on a plane flight. It was light, funny, and completely predictable.
Find this book in: Sports Romance Novels / Rom-Com Books / Jasmine Guillory Books / Best Romance Novels
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
Olive and Ami are twins. While Ami seems to be lucky in everything, Olive knows that if it can happen, it will happen to her. So when everyone gets food poisoning at Ami’s wedding except Olive and her nemesis Ethan, she can’t decide if her luck has changed. This is the fake dating trope to the extreme- fake marriage.
As the two head out on the free, all-inclusive honeymoon that was supposed to be Ami and her new husband, Olive hopes they can call a truce long enough to enjoy the trip.
Why I Love it: I loved this hilarious romance as soon as I read it. It is the perfect romantic comedy book.
Find this book in Romance Tropes / Rom-Com Books / Fake Dating Books / Grumpy Sunshine Books / Books Like People We Meet on Vacation / Seaside Books
The Bromance Book Club
Author: Lyssa Kay Adams
Year: 2019
Genre: Romance
More info: Bromance Book Club #1
Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
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.
Why Jackie loves it
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
Historical Fiction Romantic Comedy Books
When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare
This historical romance is equal parts sexy and funny. A London heiress invents a Scottish betrothed to get her out of social obligations.
She writes to her intended, Captain MacKenzie, but when a real-life man comes to her home, letters in hand, things get interesting. This is one of a few romance novels set in Scotland from our list and we love it.
An English Bride in Scotland by Lynsay Sands
The arranged marriage of the English lass to the Clan chieftain in this romance novel was very reminiscent of Claire and Jamie’s wedding….and wedding night.
This is a steamy rom-com book set in Scotland that focuses on the newlyweds finding how their relationship will mesh while navigating the terrifying person hellbent on hurting them.
To Have and To Hoax
Author: Martha Waters
Year: 2020
Genre: Historical Romance
More info: Named a Best Romance of April (2020) by Goodreads, Popsugar, Bustle, and more!
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
If you loved the Bridgerton book series then you will love this book. Lady Violet Grey and her husband Lord James Audrey fell in love and got married in a whirlwind romance.
Five years later, they barely speak because of “the Argument”. When Lady Grey receives a letter that says her husband is unconscious after being thrown from a horse, she rushes to his side only to find him awake and drinking in a tavern. She decides to teach him a lesson. This is one of the best romantic comedy books I have read.
Why Jackie loves it
The story is a quick-moving battle of wills that will have you simultaneously rooting for the couple and wanting to smack some sense into them. Will they get their second chance at love? This book will not disappoint.
Find this book in: Second Chance Romance Books / Rom-Com Books / Enemies to Lovers Books
More Hilarious Romantic Comedy Novels
On Location by Sarah Smith
Alia has finally received the break that she has been waiting for: a chance to produce her own show about Utah’s national parks. Everything should be perfect until the new crew member turns out to be Drew.
Drew is the man that Alia met and had an amazing date with who then ghosted her. Now, they are together in the wilderness with nowhere to escape. To make matters worse, the host of the show is MIA most of the time which is leading to disaster.
I love that Alia is a strong woman who is a problem-solving powerhouse. This light novel was a fun read for our rom-com books list.
Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan
I adored this romantic comedy romance novel. Nora is a mother of two kids who writes romance novels for television. When her husband leaves her, she writes it into a script that is being made into a movie.
Enter a handsome movie star who asks if he can pay her to stay at her house. He needs to get away from the scene. The romance that takes place is sweet and doesn’t follow the usual formula and as rom-com books go, you will not be shocked that this one is a real treat.
I loved reading this book. It was hard to put down.
Hello Stranger by Catherine Center
Sadie is a finalist in a national portrait competition when she suddenly finds herself suffering from facial blindness. She cannot recognize anybody and it is an issue for someone who makes a living off of painting people’s faces.
And as if she doesn’t have enough on her plate, add in some family drama and Sadie having not one, but two love interests! This book is a literary comedy of errors and mistaken identity. As rom-com novels go, it is delightful. We love Catherine Center and this book from the summer 2023 book releases did not disappoint.
Plot
A Chanukah romance? Yes, please!!! I mean, I would have been happy to read this book based only on that but the fact Rachel is a Rabbi’s daughter who is secretly a best-selling author of Christmas romances hooked me.
This is a hilarious spin if you are looking for holiday romantic comedy books. Add in a splash of romance with Jacob, Rachel’s first kiss from summer camp/ arch nemesis and this book is the perfect light romance.
Why Jackie loves it
I loved the humor and sweetness of this book. And I would not turn down food from Jacob’s Bubbie. I wish more Jewish writers would write Hanukkah romances!
Find this book in: Best Holiday Books / Christmas Novels for 2021
The Seven-Year Slip
Author: Ashley Poston
Year: 2023
Genre: Fantasy
More info: A Most Anticipated Book by Entertainment Weekly ∙ Harper’s Bazaar ∙ PopSugar ∙ Real Simple ∙ BookRiot
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range:
Plot
Clementine has had her heart broken one too many times. She has inherited her beloved aunt’s apartment and is constantly mourning her loss. When she comes home one day and finds a man sitting there, she realizes that he exists seven years in the past. When she steps out of the apartment, their paths are uncertain.
And, the more time they spend together, the more she realizes she is falling for him. But she can never figure out when their paths will collide! This is a fantastic pick if you are looking for romantic comedy books.
Why Jackie loves it
Dead Romantics (GMA Book Club Pick July 2022) was one of my favorite books last year and this book did not disappoint! This is such an adorable time travel romance book. And if you are not a fantasy lover this is the perfect one to blur the lines between genres. The story is so unique and refreshing,
Find this book in: Best Rom-Com Books / Ultimate Beach Reads 2023 / Time Travel Romance Books / Best Adult Fantasy Novels
Rom-Com Books for Teens
The Study Hours
Author: Sara Ney
Year: 2019
Genre: Romance
More info: How to Date a Douchebag #1
Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
When champion college wrestler, Oz, is dared to kiss a girl in the library, he has no idea that Jameson is not as much of a good girl as her diligent studying makes her look.
He loves how she treats him like guy on campus instead of the star athlete he is. He can’t get enough and will try anything to capture her heart for good.
Why Kirsten loves it
This series is laugh-out-loud funny. Each book is a stand-alone featuring a dedicated bachelor from a University’s Wrestling team. They are each tamed by a woman in a totally predictable way, but these books set in college are hysterical.
For starters, the author has funny pick-up lines between chapters that I found utterly hilarious, but the dialogue between the characters is witty too.
Find this book in: Sports Books / Rom-Com Books / Books Set in College / College Romances / Fluff Reads
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
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 and is one of the enemies-to-lovers books we recommend most often. 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?)
If you love royal novels and rom-com novels as much as we do, check out 16 Sexy Royal Romance Books. This is a must-read from our New Year’s Books.
The Upside of Falling by Alex Light
This is a very sweet YA rom-com romance about a fake relationship. I read this for our 2022 summer reading challenge. Becca Hart has not believed in true love since her father left them.
When her former BFF teases her for never having a relationship, she pretends that she has a boyfriend and is even more shocked when the captain of the football team pretends that it is him. He has his reasons for wanting an uncomplicated, fake relationship. But, as all rom-com novels go, these two get more than they hoped for along with mishaps along the way.
Which are your favorite romantic comedy novels?
Romance Book Lists
Do you love romance books like we do? Check out all of our romance book lists!
The Complete List of Romance Tropes: Our 12 Favorites
Looking for more romances categorized by trope? Here are all my favorites.
Ultimate List of Romances
If you love all things romance, then this is the list for you! This is carefully divided by sub-genres like second-chance romance books, romcoms, and more.
