Romance Release Radar: January 2026

Happy New Year, book lovers! It’s Eve from Evemriley.com, and I hope you rang in the new year with a fresh stack of books. We’re kicking off 2026 with an absolutely scorching line-up of romance releases. January is delivering some serious heat, from spicy single-dad professors to second-chance queer romances and a marriage of convenience that will make you swoon. 

Get your pre-order fingers ready! Here are the five must-read romances hitting shelves this month. 

The Odds of You  

by Laura Jane Williams 

6^th January 

Laura Jane Williams is a master of blending wit, heart, and relatable characters, and her new book, The Odds of You, promises to be another winner. The irresistible opposites trope takes center stage here as two people with seemingly nothing in common are forced together by a chaotic turn of events. If you love a story about big feelings, finding connection in the most improbable places, and the kind of sharp dialogue that makes you laugh out loud, add this one to your cart immediately. It’s the perfect book to start your year with a burst of hope and happiness!  

Playing for Keeps 

by Alexandria Bellefleur 

6^th January 

Alexandria Bellefleur is back with a high-energy, celebrity-adjacent rom-com! This story throws two rival publicists, Poppy and Rosaline, into forced proximity when their mega-famous clients—a pop star and a quarterback—start an ill-advised whirlwind romance. Poppy, who manages the quarterback, and Rosaline, the legendary publicist for the pop star, are constantly battling to protect their clients. But their professional rivalry hides a massive, unexpected attraction. Get ready for a steamy, workplace-adjacent romance where the sparks fly and loyalties are tested. This is a must-add for fans of the "Set It Up" dynamic with a delicious sapphic twist. 

Fundamentals of Being a Good Girl 

by Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone 

13^th January 

This new collab from the queens of sweet and spicy is exactly what the doctor ordered for the mid-January blues. Maddie is a rookie lecturer at Astra University looking for a fresh start, but she’s desperate and broke. Bram is a reserved, single-dad ecology professor trying to juggle rambunctious twins and a busy teaching schedule. Their chemistry ignites unexpectedly, but things get complicated quickly when Maddie becomes Bram's new nanny and his new adjunct colleague. This makes for a deeply sexy, laugh-out-loud romance where the line between boss and lover is constantly blurred. 

Catch Her If You Can  

by Tessa Bailey 

20^th January 

Tessa Bailey is swinging for the fences with this one! Madden, the Yankees' newest catcher, has been in love with Eve, the burlesque club owner, since high school. When Eve finds herself suddenly raising her sister’s children and needing health insurance, Madden steps up with a proposition: a strictly private, temporary marriage of convenience. Eve agrees, determined to protect Madden's shiny new career from her "reputation." But Madden isn't letting his girl get away that easily. With explosive chemistry and the highest stakes, this friends-to-lovers story is a guaranteed high-heat romp where a fake marriage is destined to become the real deal. 

The Last First Kiss  

by Julian Winters 

27^th January 

Julian delivers a stunning, heartfelt second-chance love story set against the backdrop of a wedding in Atlanta. Jordan wishes he could forget his first kiss with Jamie from their teenage years, especially since Jamie made it clear last year he wasn’t the "right" man for Jordan while he was still figuring himself out. Now, with both men older and wiser, they are thrown back into each other's orbit, forcing them to confront their history and what their future could look like. This book reminds us that sometimes, the first person you fall for deserves a second chance to be the last. 

Which of these January releases are you hitting the pre-order button for first? Let me know in the comments below! 

Happy reading! 

Eve x 

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