3 Romance Novels for Winter Reading

by MK French

As much of the U.S. plunges into the deep freeze next week, we are reminded that winter isn't over. If a romance novel is your go-to genre when curling up with a blanket in front of a warm fire, here are three romance novels coming out in the next few weeks.

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She Doesn't Have a Clue by Jenny Elder Moke

January 2025; Minotaur Books; 978-1250354983
audio, ebook, print (336 pages); romantic comedy

Bestselling mystery author Kate Valentine agreed to attend her ex-fiancé’s wedding on a tiny private island. The groom is also her editor, so she planned to complete a draft of her latest Loretta Starling mystery as a wedding gift. Unfortunately, the bride is poisoned and Kate finds a dead body that echoes her latest novel. The only person willing to help Kate is her former lover Jake Hawkins. The two uncover bitter resentments and grudges in the guests, making it seem like any of them could be the murderer. What would Loretta do? Unfortunately, Kate doesn’t have a clue.

I really enjoyed Kate's voice from the start. We get her thought process as she tries to craft another mystery novel and even snippets of what she writes before she realizes it doesn't jive with what she wrote in prior novels. There is clearly some kind of chemistry when she and Jake meet as the boat leaves for the island; the image of her heaving her luggage aboard and making a run for it is hilarious and gives us a sense of Kate as a person. She's all in and doesn't think ahead far enough, and Jake is there to catch her.

The entire novel takes place over a wedding weekend, but the pace fits. Kate bounces from one clue to the next, even as she's accused of harming the bride and wanting her ex back. On top of that is the attraction to Jake that never went away, a book she needs to write, the other authors at the publisher protesting, and the threat of inheritances getting dissolved. She has a messy murder board of sorts and tries to figure out what happened, and it all comes together at the end of the novel. It was great fun, and I liked seeing Kate and Jake together. This might be Jenny Elder Moke's first novel for adults, but I hope it's not her last.

Buy She Doesn't Have a Clue at Amazon

Order of Swans by Jude Deveraux

January 2025; MIRA; 978-0778368427
audio, ebook, print (336 pages); fantasy romance

Kaley Arens is a Ph.D. student researching mythology and folklore. When visiting her friend Jobi's home on the small island Bellis, she soon realizes that some stories are real. Charged with finding a lost prince, Kaley is accompanied by Tanek, a member of the Order of the Swans, and her bodyguard Sojee. She follows her knowledge of stories, but she can change them.

This is the first half of the Blue Swan duology. The prologue lets us know that Bellis isn't just an island in the middle of nowhere, but a whole other planet. Kaley had researched her dissertation during the pandemic, but her supervisor is dismissive and downright antagonistic of the work she submitted. (Seriously, complain about supervisor behavior like that and GET OUT.) The men with her on the trip hide the truth about being on another planet, and avoid talking about the political unrest; her plan of discovering new fairy tales coincides with the king ordering her to find his youngest son to inform him that he's getting married. I'm not a fan of all the secrecy in the early chapters, so I definitely mirror Kaley's annoyance.

As Kaley goes through Bellis with Tanek and Sojee, we learn more about the state of the planet and some of its history. Tanek wants to improve the lives of the ordinary people, and even the royals are subordinate to a higher class of ruler. Kaley uses her knowledge of fairy tales to get through different towns and guess at where to find the next step in their journey. The lost prince wants to stay lost rather than marry the princess, and he's a rude entitled brat to boot. Of course, Kaley and Tanek grow closer, and Sojee is a good friend who understands her frustration as well as wants to see her happy and safe. There are more secrets revealed at the end, setting up what will have to take place in the second book. Some of the reveals are predictable, following fairy tale logic, and I'm sure the second half will be the same.

Buy Order of Swans at Amazon

I Think They Love You by Julian Winters

January 2025;  St. Martin's Griffin; 978-1250326249
audio, ebook, print (336 pages); romantic comedy

Denzel Carter’s father abruptly retires, setting off a competition to become his successor. To convince his family members that he’s capable of commitment, Denz impulsively lies about being in a serious relationship. In need of a fake boyfriend, Denz contacts his ex Braylon, who needs Denz's connections to the mayor to win his own promotion. Their fake relationship starts off all business, but faking a relationship means Denz's feelings might return.

Denz is seen as a player, so he's invested in this competition against his sister to win their father's approval. It's explicitly stated that excellence is the bare minimum, setting everyone up to be stressed and anxious to be seen as good enough. While Denz sets up a fake boyfriend plan with his best friend, he bumps into his ex and sets up the arrangement for their mutual benefit. Of course, this brings up the old feelings they had for each other. Toss in other fun tropes like forced proximity, only one bed, and working together for a deadline, and we have elements worthy of the romcoms that Denz and his best friend love so much.

This novel is very much a romcom, with some moments of deeper emotional beats. Denz doesn't ever feel good enough about himself and tries so hard to be what others expect. It's a very difficult line for anyone to keep up with. Braylon has similar fears, so both must overcome them for their happily ever after. 

Buy I Think They Love You at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

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