The long winter has ended and spring is finally here. The flowers are blooming, their sweet perfume filling the air — right alongside the promise of love and new beginnings!
This bright season is the perfect time to add some heartwarming romances to your bookshelves, so I’ve curated a list of 10 romances — from contemporary rom-coms to YA romantasy — with the best flowery covers to match the spring vibes.
In these stories, love is blooming in a variety of ways. So find your favorite and get to reading!
Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score
When I think of flowery spring vibes, this TikTok sensation is the first cover that comes to mind — as well as its two sequels! The story follows Naomi Witt, who runs away from her wedding to help her estranged twin, Tina. But when Tina vanishes, stranding Naomi in Knockemout, Virginia, she leaves behind a niece Naomi never knew existed — and a whole mess of trouble. Determined to rebuild, Naomi finds herself constantly clashing with Knox Morgan, the town’s grumpy, tattooed loner who avoids attachments. Yet, despite his rough exterior, Knox can’t resist helping her. As Naomi juggles single parenthood, unexpected dangers and an undeniable attraction, she realizes that some people — no matter how guarded — are worth taking a chance on. Check out BookTrib’s interview with author Lucy Score here.
Something Like Fate by Amy Lea
Fate, meet-cutes and friends-to-lovers? Count me in! This romantic coming-of-age follows Lo Zhao-Jensen, who comes from a family of women who foresee their soulmates — except her. With no psychic ability and a history of bad romantic choices, Lo believes fate has nothing planned for her. But when she experiences an unexpected vision, her family insists she’ll meet “The One” during her backpacking trip through Italy. Setting out with her best friend, Teller Owens, Lo runs into a handsome stranger in Venice in a perfect meet-cute, making her wonder if destiny is real. But as she travels, her growing feelings for Teller complicate everything. Now, Lo must decide if love is written in the stars or something she gets to choose.
What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon
This second-chance romance is blooming with exciting new opportunities! The story follows 30-year-old Dani Dorfman, who, after a messy breakup and job loss, relocates from Los Angeles to Amsterdam seeking a fresh start. There, she unexpectedly reunites with Wouter van Leeuwen, her high school ex-boyfriend and a Dutch exchange student her family once hosted. Wouter proposes a marriage of convenience: he needs a wife to inherit his family’s canal-side home, and Dani requires a visa to stay in the Netherlands. As they navigate this arrangement, old feelings resurface, challenging their initial intentions and prompting Dani to reevaluate her new life and the risks of embracing a second chance at love.
Flowerheart by Catherine Bakewell
Clara’s magic has always been wild and difficult to control, but when she accidentally curses her father with dark magic, she realizes just how dangerous her powers can be. Desperate for help, she turns to her former best friend, Xavier, a talented magician training with the mysterious authorities known as the Council. As Clara struggles to master her abilities before it’s too late, she uncovers secrets about Xavier, the Council, and the true nature of her magic. With time running out, she must decide whether to follow the rules or trust her heart to save the people she loves. If the gorgeous cover didn’t already convince you, I’m sure now you understand how this cozy cottagecore fantasy has captured so many readers’ hearts.
This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan
Soledad Barnes’s life unravels when her husband is arrested for embezzlement, leaving her to care for their three daughters. Determined to rebuild, Soledad turns to social media influencing, sharing her passion for home hacks, cooking and DIY projects. Her journey of self-discovery leads her to reconnect with Judah Cross, the forensic accountant who exposed her husband’s crimes. Though their growing attraction is undeniable, their complicated history and Judah’s role in her family’s downfall make a relationship feel impossible. As she navigates the challenges of single motherhood and personal growth, Soledad must decide if she’s ready to embrace love again and open her heart to new possibilities. Read the full BookTrib review here — you’ll definitely be adding this one to your shelf!
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
Featuring a breathtaking cover that is sure to fire you up, this Stonewall Honor Book chronicles the life of Felix Love, a transgender teenager who’s, ironically, never had any luck with love. When an anonymous person begins sending him transphobic messages, Felix embarks on a journey of vengeance, determined to discover who’s behind them. As he navigates friendships, family dynamics, and the challenges of being a transgender person in a world that doesn’t always understand him, Felix must confront his insecurities about his identity and worth — and his fear that he’s unlovable. His journey becomes one of not only finding out who sent the messages but also discovering unexpected connections and learning that love is about accepting yourself first.
Secretly Yours by Tessa Bailey
Meet Hallie Welch, a vivacious gardener, and Julian Vos, a reserved professor. Years after a near-kiss during their teenage years, Julian returns to their small town, prompting Hallie to renovate the gardens of his family’s winery. Like the flowers she plants all over town, Hallie is a burst of color in Julian’s grayscale life. Their contrasting personalities lead to frequent clashes, but a spontaneous, wine-fueled night results in Hallie penning a secret admirer letter to Julian. This impulsive act sets the stage for a humorous and heartfelt journey as they navigate misunderstandings, personal growth and the blossoming of unexpected romance. Read the BookTrib review here — and check out more books in the series, like Unfortunately Yours.
What We Give Away by Paulette Stout
Leslie, an award-winning journalist in New York City, has always viewed food as an adversary, a perspective shaped by her upbringing and the pervasive influence of diet culture. When a relative challenges her views, Leslie embarks on an investigative journey into the world of diet culture and eating disorders, confronting her own struggles along the way. This path leads her back to Chef Risto, a charismatic restaurateur with whom she shares a complicated history. As they reconnect, Leslie must navigate the complexities of supporting Risto’s culinary ambitions while addressing her own personal challenges. Set against the vibrant backdrop of New York’s culinary scene, What We Give Away explores the transformative power of embracing one’s true self — and blooming — amidst societal pressures. Check out the BookTrib review here.
Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Basherdoust
If the gorgeous cover didn’t already convince you, maybe the fact it’s inspired by Persian mythology and “Sleeping Beauty” will. This dark fantasy follows Soraya, the princess of a kingdom who is cursed with a deadly touch due to her demonic lineage. For years, she’s lived in isolation, hiding from the world, knowing that anyone she touches will die. Her life changes when she encounters a captured demon who offers her a way to break the curse — but to do so, Soraya must confront her family’s secrets and unravel the tangled truth about her own identity. As she embarks on this perilous journey, she grapples with the complexities of power, love and betrayal. Along the way, Soraya must decide whether to accept her dark nature or fight against it, ultimately determining who she wants to be.
Variation by Rebecca Yarros
From the bestselling author of Fourth Wing comes a contemporary second-chance romance that’s sure to enchant readers just as much as her dragonriders. The story follows Allie Rousseau, a celebrated ballerina bound by perfectionism who, after an injury threatens her career, returns to her family’s summer home to heal and recover. There, she reconnects with Hudson Ellis, the Coast Guard rescue swimmer who always prided himself on being in the right place at the right time — until the night he left Allie. When Hudson’s niece shows up on Allie’s doorstep, desperate to find her birth mother, Allie finds herself in an unimaginable position. Allie and Hudson’s renewed relationship forces them to confront past regrets and uncover long-buried family secrets — secrets that could pull them back together or drive them apart forever.
