Naina Kumar shares her most anticipated 2024 debut rom-com books

This post was written by Naina Kumar, author of Say You’ll Be My Jaan.

There’s something so exciting about discovering a new author for the first time, and 2024 has an incredible line-up of talented, new romance authors releasing their debuts into the world. Below you’ll find some of the rom-coms I’m most excited about for 2024 by debut authors who I’m sure will become new favorites for many!

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More Than a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban – January 11, 2024

When two debutantes distract themselves from having to seek husbands by setting up their widowed parents, they end up finding their perfect match in each other! This book is so cozy and funny and fans of Bridgerton will especially enjoy this delightful romp!

 

 

Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair by Laura Piper Lee – February 13, 2024

Hannah Tate, a new mother who’s also newly single, finds a fresh start in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain, with her very hot new neighbor. With loveable side characters, laugh-out-loud banter, and heartwarming family dynamics, readers will root for Hannah as she takes charge of her life and finds happiness.

 

 

Maya’s Laws of Love by Alina Khawaja – March 28, 2024

Maya’s on her way to Pakistan for an arranged marriage, but she experiences a number of delays and travel disasters along the way, and even worse, she’s starting to fall for the unlikely travel companion she met on the plane. The description of this book gives me such strong Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge vibes and I’m so excited to read it!

 

Flirty Little Secret by Jessica Lepe – April 4, 2024

In this novel, a school counselor and a history teacher fall in love with a You’ve Got Mail twist. Hidden identities and secret online pen pals falling for each other is one of my favorite tropes, and the cover is to die for. Readers should keep an eye out for this new romance, which also contains some important mental health representation.

 

 

The Kiss Countdown by Etta Easton – April 4, 2024

We’re all fake-dating fans here, right? But have you ever read a fake-dating story featuring an astronaut? In The Kiss Countdown, Amerie and Vincent decide to fake date for a few months before he takes off for space, but neither of them are able to resist the gravitational pull they feel for each other. With tons of humor and heart, this romance is simply out of this world!

 

How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang – April 9, 2024

Helen and Grant haven’t seen each other in 13 years, but when they’re reunited in the writer’s room for the TV adaptation of Helen’s popular YA series, old memories and feelings come flooding back. This premise promises plenty of angst and emotion, and I can’t wait for it to tear my heart in two (in a good way!).

 

 

When I Think of You by Myah Ariel – April 16, 2024

A second chance romance featuring two former flames working together on a movie. This book is filled with chemistry and pining and angst, and Myah also deftly addresses and examines privilege and discrimination in Hollywood, while maintain incredible humor throughout. A stunning debut with one of the most beautiful covers I’ve ever seen.

 

One Last Shot by Betty Cayouette – May 9, 2024

A supermodel and a photographer with a past marriage pact (!!!) meet ten years later on a photoshoot in Cinque Terre, Italy. That’s right, you heard it correctly, a marriage pact! And the book is set in Italy! With that cover! I’m obsessed and I’m sure readers will be too.

 

 

Rules for Second Chances by Maggie North – June 25, 2024

Liz and Tobin’s marriage is in trouble, but when Liz decides to get a crash course in confidence via an improv comedy class, with Tobin as her improv partner, she might discover that true love can happen twice…with the same person. Filled with humor and prose that will take your breath away, this book is an absolute gem and one of my all-time favorites.

 

Take Me Home by Melanie Sweeney – July 9, 2024

Two frenemies take a road trip across Texas to their small hometown, learning more about themselves and each other, and maybe just finding love along the way. Beautiful writing, characters you can’t help but root for, and so much delicious pining. This romance is a cozy delight!

 

 

Ne’er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti – July 23, 2024

In this steamy Regency romp, Lady Selina is determined to find the Duke of Stanhope the perfect wife—the only problem is she’s starting to think that might be her. Funny and heartwarming, with hijinks galore, Alexandra Vasti’s debut novel is absolute perfection. And Vasti fans will be excited to know that she also has a series of wonderful novellas (Halifax Hellions) that will be available as ebooks on February 6, 2024!

 

Four Weekends and a Funeral by Ellie Palmer – August 6, 2024

When thirty-year-old post-double mastectomy BRCA 1 carrier and reluctant thrill-seeker Alison arrives at her ex-boyfriend Sam’s funeral to find that no one knows he dumped her, she agrees to play the grieving girlfriend for the sake of the family, but never expected she’d fall for his grumpy best friend. The romance is beautiful, the chemistry electric, and Alison’s journey of growth and self-discovery is so rewarding. A must-read!

 

The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava – August 6, 2024

A Chickasaw woman who can’t catch a break serves up a little white lie that snowballs into much more in this witty and irresistible rom-com! Steamy and hilarious, with incredible dialogue, this romcom (one of the first to feature Native American characters!) should be at the top of readers’ buy lists for 2024.

 

 

The Slowest Burn by Sarah Chamberlain – September 24, 2024

A chef and a ghostwriter fall in love in this will-they-won’t-they romance, featuring a too-small kitchen, a fake relationship, several meddling relatives, a feline escape artist, and lots of delicious meals. This book sounds so charming, and I’m really excited to read it!

One on One by Jamie Harrow – October 1, 2024

Fans of workplace romances, enemies-to-lovers, and/or sport romances, this one’s for you! A young woman returns to her alma mater to work for its once-legendary basketball program, only to find herself competing with her inconveniently hot coworker to keep her position, but things begin to heat up on and off the court. I’ve never been a big sports person, but from this description alone…put me in, Coach!

Get your copy of Say You’ll Be My Jaan by Naina Kumar here.