The Top First Kisses in Romance Books (And What Makes Them So Good)

There is nothing quite like a perfectly crafted first kiss. The slow build. The tension. The “Oh no, they’re really doing this” moment that makes readers clutch the book to their chest and squeal into the nearest pillow. Whether the moment is soft, fierce, chaotic, or forbidden, a great kiss scene sticks in your memory long after you close the book.

So what makes a first kiss unforgettable?

What Makes a Good First Kiss Scene?

A truly swoon-worthy kiss usually has three essential ingredients:

1. Emotional Stakes

The best kiss scenes happen when something meaningful shifts between the characters. Maybe they cross an invisible line. Maybe they finally admit what they have been denying. Maybe the moment could change everything. Readers need to feel that the kiss matters.

2. Tension, Tension, Tension

The kiss should feel earned. The longing, the banter, the proximity, the close calls, the will-they-won’t-they… all of that slow simmer makes the payoff delicious.

3. Character-Specific Flavor

A first kiss should feel true to the characters. A chaotic heroine? Expect fumbling. A cocky hero? Expect confidence that cracks at the edges. Personalities shape the moment, and that is what makes each kiss unique instead of generic.

Now let’s talk about some standout first kisses that absolutely delivered.

Here are five top-tier first kiss scenes from romance books, with a focus on indie romcoms and spicy favorites.

1. The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

Trope: Enemies to lovers, workplace tension

Why it works: This is the gold standard of slow-burn romantic tension. When Lucy and Joshua finally kiss, it feels like a dam breaking after chapters of electric eye contact, petty competition, and aggressively denied attraction. What makes this kiss so powerful is how much it changes the dynamic between them. It is heated, emotional, and surprisingly tender under all the snark. The moment is both unexpected and completely inevitable, which is why it still tops so many readers’ lists.

2. Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

Trope: Opposites attract, small-town romance

Why it works: Alex and Alexis have incredible chemistry from the moment they meet, but their first kiss hits especially hard because of the vulnerability beneath it. The moment is wrapped in soft lighting, emotional honesty, and that “I should not want you this much, but I absolutely do” energy. The kiss feels like a surrender to both comfort and desire. It is gentle, but not shy, and it immediately deepens their connection.

3. The Fine Print by Lauren Asher (Indie Romcom With Spice)

Trope: Grumpy sunshine, boss romance

Why it works: The chemistry between Rowan and Zahra is pure tension-you-can-feel-in-your-teeth. Their first kiss carries a delicious mix of forbidden attraction and pent-up longing. It is intense without losing its emotional center, and because both characters are trying so hard to maintain control, the moment feels like breaking the rules in the most satisfying way. Their personalities clash beautifully, and that energy makes the kiss feel explosive in the best romcom way.

4. Icebreaker by Hannah Grace

Trope: College athletes, forced proximity

Why it works: Anastasia and Nate have that playful, teasing dynamic that makes every interaction spark. When they finally kiss, it feels youthful and bold and full of messy, irresistible chemistry. The moment is fast, breathless, and fueled by a mix of competitiveness and pure attraction. It also captures that new-relationship excitement, the kind that feels like diving into the deep end without checking the water temperature first.

5. Lovelight Farms by B. K. Borison

Trope: Friends to lovers, fake dating

Why it works: Stella and Luka are already so full of unspoken feelings that their first kiss feels like stepping across a line they built years of history around. What makes this kiss unforgettable is the warmth, the nostalgia, and the quiet intensity behind it. It is romantic and spicy at the same time, with that special “finally” energy friends-to-lovers fans adore. The kiss is a turning point, and readers can feel everything shift.

So, in your opinion, what makes a good first kiss scene? Are you more soft and tender, or intense 'I've got to have you now' kind of person? Let me know!

Sending you lots of love,

Eve x