Romance Release Radar: October 2026

October is about to arrive, which means darker nights, cosy reading weather and, thankfully, plenty of excuses to ignore real life in favour of fictional men.

And October 2026 is looking particularly good for romance readers.

Whether you’re in the mood for a time-travelling love triangle, a festive small-town romance, angsty hockey players, fae fantasy or a grumpy footballer with a soft spot for his daughter, there’s something here to add to your TBR.

Here are five of the October releases I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on.

Broken Rival

by Tessa Bailey

6th October

Tessa Bailey is doing something a little different with Broken Rival, bringing us time travel, a love triangle and two very different brothers.

Magnolia is stranded in 2026 after escaping a future where time travel has been outlawed. Then she meets Fallon, the golden-boy sweetheart, and his brooding brother Ramsey, who happens to be hunting people like her.

Add in forbidden attraction, secrets and plenty of danger, and this sounds like a very different kind of Tessa Bailey romance.

Mistletoe All the Way

by Lauren Blakely

6th October

If you’re already thinking about Christmas, Mistletoe All the Way is going straight on your TBR.

We’ve got a grumpy cowboy veterinarian, a Christmas-loving optimist, a fake relationship and a small-town holiday competition.

He’s determined to stay a certified Grinch. She has other plans.

Add some festive chaos and plenty of chemistry, and this sounds like the perfect early Christmas treat.

Undone

by Peyton Corinne

20th October

Hockey romance fans, this one is going to hurt.

Undone is the fourth and final book in Peyton Corinne’s series, following Toren Kane, the team’s troubled antihero, and Lillian, his childhood friend and the assistant coach’s daughter.

After losing his shot at the NHL, Toren is desperate for redemption. Then Lillian comes back into his life and makes things considerably more complicated.

Because apparently one last dose of hockey angst wasn’t enough.

A Court of Splintered Harmony

by Sarah J. Maas

27th October

And then there’s the one that probably needs no introduction.

A Court of Splintered Harmony is the sixth book in Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses series, bringing us back to Prythian for more fae, danger, romance and, presumably, a whole lot of drama.

With old threats stirring and alliances fractured, our favourite characters have plenty to deal with.

And if you’ve been following ACOTAR for years, I suspect October 27th is already firmly circled on your calendar.

The Keeper

by Ana Huang

27th October

Last but certainly not least, The Keeper is the third and final book in Ana Huang’s Gods of the Game series, bringing us a grumpy single dad, a football goalkeeper and a nanny who is far too good at getting under his skin.

Noah Wilson has his football career, his daughter and absolutely no interest in relationships. Carina needs a job, Noah needs a nanny, and somehow the two end up living under the same roof.

Add in forced proximity, the World Cup and a man determined not to fall in love, and we all know exactly where this is heading.

So, what's going on your October TBR?

October is clearly not the month to pretend we’re going to be sensible about our reading lists.

There’s Tessa Bailey for something completely different, Lauren Blakely for the Christmas lovers, Peyton Corinne for the hockey angst, Sarah J. Maas for the fantasy readers and Ana Huang for anyone who can never resist a grumpy man who needs to be thawed out.

Personally, I think the real problem is that October has only 31 days.

Happy reading!

Eve x

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