Top 10 New Romance Book Releases of December 2025 Not to Miss

Gear up romance readers because I’m sharing my top 10 list of new romance book releases for December 2025 and trust me you’re going to want to fill up your TBR list with each and every one of them. From fake dating romance to romantasy, morally grey romance, second chance romance and so much more, you are going to love this list!

Don’t forget to keep track of these new releases in your Romance Book Reading Journal – the only reading journal created exclusively for romance book lovers!

For even more must-read romance books, check out my list of most anticipated new romance books of 2025, my upcoming releases page, and my previous monthly release book posts to fill up your TBR list.

Happy reading, because life is better with a love story…

Podcast Episode 131: Top 10 New Romance Books Releasing December 2025

*Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Most Anticipated New Romance Book Releases of December 2025

Duke
by Jessica Peterson

Snowed In Romance
Releasing December 2, 2025

Wheeler Rankin isn’t here for romance—she’s come to Lucky River Ranch to visit her best friend, wrangle a business deal, and prove herself to everyone who ever doubted her. But when she collides with Duke Rivers—resident heartbreaker, restless cowboy, and brother to her best friend’s new flame—sparks fly hotter than a Texas summer.

Duke has always dreamed of more than dusty trails and small-town life. He’s itching to see the world, but one unforgettable night with Wheeler changes his course. When a blizzard and a business road trip leave them stranded together, their no-strings flirtation ignites into something deeper.

But passion brings complications—and unexpected news threatens to upend everything Wheeler’s built. As family pressures, old wounds, and new dreams collide, Duke is determined to stand by her side, ready to forge a future neither of them ever imagined.

Can two fiercely independent souls trust in love, face their fears, and find home in each other’s arms? Or will the ghosts of the past keep them apart for good?

Nobody writes cowboy romance books like Jessica Peterson! The entire Lucky River Ranch series has been epic and I’m so excited to get Duke’s story because I’m obsessed with snowed in romance books. It’s such a fun microtrope. Plus, if you read Sawyer, you know what other trope is involved in this book and I’m all for it!

The Bodyguard Affair
by Amy Lea

Fake Dating Romance
Releasing December 2, 2025

Andi Zeigler lives a double life. By day, she’s the no-nonsense, steadfast personal assistant to the Prime Minister of Canada’s wife. By night, she slips out of her heels and writes romance novels under a top-secret pen name. But when her steamiest book, The Prime Minister & Me, unexpectedly becomes a bestseller, rumors of a real-life affair between her and the PM start swirling out of control.

Enter Nolan Crosby, the PM’s new close protection officer (aka bodyguard) – and Andi’s failed one-night stand from three years ago. Nolan’s in town very temporarily to care for his mother, who’s battling early-onset Alzheimer’s. But when the scandal erupts, Andi ropes him into a fake-dating plan.

As loyal employees, they’ll pretend to date for the summer, just long enough to put the scandal to bed and save their boss’s reputation. In an unexpected plot twist, Andi and Nolan discover that keeping their romance strictly fictional might be easier said than done.

This book summary totally hooked me because I love the setup where the romance author gets herself into some hot water with her latest book causing her to need a fake dating situation. And fake dating a bodyguard? I love it even more. Cannot wait to dive into this one.

My book review of The Bodyguard Affair.

Tender Cruelty
by Katee Robert

Enemies to Lovers Fantasy Romance
Releasing December 2, 2025

The barrier that’s protected Olympus for generations has fallen. The enemy’s breached the gates and the Thirteen are scrambling to protect themselves, their loved ones, and the city they’ve sworn to protect. At least they would be if they weren’t at each others’ throats instead.

Hera has no intention of letting her husband, Zeus, survive the oncoming storm. But despite the white-hot hatred burning between them, when Hera and Zeus are forced to work together, enmity crystalizes into something brighter. Hotter. Too powerful to deny or destroy.

Hera never bartered on falling in love with the man she married—the man she once swore to kill. But now, standing back-to-back in the ruins of Olympus, she may be forced to admit that she’s been wrong about Zeus all these years…and there may be something about their marriage worth saving if they can survive long enough to turn sworn enemies into something more.

I’ve been waiting for this book ever since the series began so I’ve been waiting a LONG time! Katee is finally giving us Hera and Zeus’ enemies to lovers story. The twist is that they are already married. If you haven’t yet dived into her Neon Gods series, there is time to catch up before diving into this one.

My book review of Tender Cruelty.

The Mating Game
by Lana Ferguson

Werewolf Romance
Releasing December 2, 2025

Contractor Tess Covington has spent her entire life as a regular non-shifter human, so after she lands in the Denver ER with flu-like symptoms, it comes as a complete shock to be told that, no, she’s not sick—she’s actually a late-presenting omega wolf shifter. With her family in dire financial straits and a contract for her own television show on the line, she can’t afford not to complete the renovation job she came for. And given that her newly emerged wolf is in danger of going into heat, she’ll just have to do her best to follow the doctor’s advice to keep away from alpha shifters.

Alpha wolf Hunter Barrett has spent most of his adult life living by a routine, and a big part of that involves staying clear of omegas after having one stomp on his heart. So when the tiny contractor shows up at his place smelling like the one thing he’s determined to avoid, he thinks it must be some sort of cosmic joke. But with his lodge on the verge of failing and this sweet-smelling omega his only hope to turn things around . . . he’s left with few other options than to grin and bear it.

Set on avoiding each other as much as possible, they find things unexpectedly starting to heat up between them enough to thaw even the frostiest of hearts. Though even with the pair going head over paws for each other, there’s no changing that their fling has an expiration date. The more time they spend together, the more they realize they’re playing a dangerous game—one where the only thing on the line is their hearts.

I adored Lana’s first werewolf romance, The Fake Mate, so it is without question that I will be reading her second werewolf romance. Bring on the forced proximity, the werewolf heat and the attempt for these two to keep their hands (paws?) off each other. I have a feeling its going to be really good!

My book review of The Mating Game.

At Whit’s End
by Bailey Hannah

Single Parent Romance
Releasing December 2, 2025

Single mom Whitney Hart is, quite simply, overwhelmed. She’s struggling to raise her ten-year-old son, Jonas. Her ex-boyfriend only seems to come around and help take care of his son when he’s single and hoping to get back together. With Jonas acting out more than ever, Whit realizes she needs help keeping an eye on him over summer vacation.

Enter Colt, a fun-loving cowboy who is tasked with giving Jonas work to do around Wells Ranch to keep him busy. In Colt, Jonas finds a mentor and male role model for the first time in his life. And in Jonas, Colt discovers a friendship that brings a new kind of joy into his life.

Colt and Whit slowly develop a friendship of their own through a shared concern for Jonas, and over the course of the summer, it begins to spark into something more. The attraction and chemistry between them are hard to ignore, but Whit’s insecurities and hesitancy to trust men cause her to pull away.

As miscommunications give way to understanding, the two will discover that sometimes you have to first be broken before you can become whole, and that there’s no one way to create a family.

I’m already obsessed with Colt and how he takes Jonas under his wing on the ranch. It’s hard not to be a sucker for a romance where a single mom gets her happily ever after because Whit definitely deserves that and more.

Love Me Stalk Me
by Laura Bishop

Morally Grey Romance
Releasing December 2, 2025

When overworked department store manager Izzy Russo downloads an AI boyfriend app to fill the emotional void left by her inattentive real one, she thinks she’s just venting to a harmless chatbot named “Caleb.” In reality, she’s been pouring her deepest, dirtiest fantasies into the ears of Callahan Knight—her store’s brooding new head of security.

Because Cal? He’s been listening. The moment he saw Izzy, he knew she was his. Did he hack her phone? Absolutely. But who could blame him? A woman like Izzy deserves to be cherished by someone who truly knows her worth—and he’ll do anything to be that man.

So when Izzy finally sees her boyfriend for who he really is, and the danger she’s unknowingly been caught up in, Cal is ready to protect her, no matter the cost. Even if it means revealing the truth.

She might not have meant to build the perfect man. But he’s here now. And he’s never letting her go.

I’m all for this trend toward dark, morally grey romance books and this one sounds like the book to read this month. I really want to know how Cal gets caught and how Izzy overcomes his devious ways. Should be an interesting read for sure!

In a Second
by Kate Canterbary

Fake Relationship Romance
Releasing December 9, 2025

The last time Audrey Saunders saw Jude Bellessi, he begged her to ditch her wedding and run off with him. She said no. In her defense, she was already in the dress.

Years later—divorced and done with relationships—Audrey runs right into the one man she never managed to forget. Except Jude isn’t the rebellious bad boy she remembers.

Now Jude’s an aerospace engineer, a fiercely protective single dad…and, apparently, her fiancé. At least that’s the story he spun for his sick mother.

When Jude asks her to play along for the summer, Audrey knows better. She really does. But unfinished business is a powerful thing—and so is the pull of the boy who once held her whole heart.

Besides, how much damage can one summer vacation with the biggest mistake of her life really do? Answer: epic. Catastrophe looks a lot like a mother‑in‑law in turbo wedding‑planner mode, a preschooler who doesn’t miss a beat, and a suspiciously high number of hotel rooms with just one bed.

So why does lying about forever feel like the first honest thing she’s done in years?

This book – OMG it sounds really, really cute. I love a good second chance romance, but one where she finally gets the guy who tried to break up her wedding? Wow! It’s another great fake dating romance I’m going to fall for this month as well.

A Curse of Ashes
by Sariah Wilson

Fantasy Romance
Releasing December 16, 2025

Princess Lia of Locris is the unlikeliest person to be Ilion’s defender. Once, she’d have gladly seen the entire adversarial nation burn. But much has changed. Ilion is home to too many innocents, including her sister. Besides, there is no escaping the goddess’s command. Lia is Ilion’s prophesied savior.

With that mortal obligation come rules: She must never consummate her marriage to Xander, prince of Ilion, lest she lose her powers of divine magic when she needs them most. Physically bonded to share each other’s pain, these former enemies have grown from merely attracted to something more profound. But what future can they have when Lia’s destiny requires sacrificing her life?

As enemies close in and war threatens everything they love, Lia and Xander must find a way to follow the goddess’s laws while also accepting the truth in their hearts—before the prophecy demands its final, fatal price.

I need to catch up on book two of this series, A Vow of Embers before diving into book three but I’m ready. Lia is an interesting character who has had to shoulder quite a lot and I want to know where things lie with Xander as well!

In Your Dreams
by Sarah Adams

Friends to Lovers Romance
Releasing December 30, 2025

Madison Walker left Rome, Kentucky, determined to make it in the culinary world. But after years of chasing success in New York, all she has to show for it is her shattered confidence and a desperate need for a fresh start. Coming home isn’t part of the plan—until an unexpected job offer lands in her lap: the head chef position at a new farm-to-table restaurant in her hometown. The only catch? It comes from James Huxley, owner of Huxley Farm, her brother’s best friend.

James has always played it safe, keeping his head down and running the family business. But when Madison’s happiness is on the line, he’s willing to take up his estranged brother’s offer to launch a restaurant. James has loved her quietly for years, knowing she’s never seen him as more than an annoyance, but now that she’s back, he’s determined to change that.

Madison and James are tasked with launching the dreamy restaurant in record time, but keeping things strictly professional soon becomes impossible, and the town can’t help but meddle in their relationship. As opening night looms closer, Madison’s fears threaten to hold her back.

When an unexpected disaster collides with a long-simmering sibling feud, both Madison and James will have to face their biggest insecurities—and decide if love is worth the risk or if some dreams are safer left untouched.

Sarah’s Rome Kentucky series keeps getting better and better and I’m so excited to dive into the final sibling’s story! I love that Madison is finally moving back home and will be forced to be around James who has pined for her for sooo long. I have super high hopes for this friends to lovers romance!

Bluebird Gold
by Devney Perry

Romantic Suspense
Releasing December 30, 2025

Living in Dalton, Montana, was not what I had planned for this winter. But after my father’s sudden death, I uprooted my life to move into his tiny lakeside cabin and settle his estate. My friends tell me to sell his place and move on. But this winter is my chance to say goodbye. To remember a man who’d loved tales of Montana lore.

Taking a temporary teaching job seemed like the perfect way to keep myself busy on lonely days. Cleaning out the cabin should have been simple. Except the more I learn about my father’s life, the more questions I have about his death.

The last thing I need is a crush on Sheriff Cosi Raynes. Not only is his son my student, but his life is rooted in Montana, while mine is headed…anywhere else.

Yet as I uncover a trail of strange clues Dad left behind about a lost legend of Montana gold, staying away from Cosi is not an option. Neither is denying the attraction between us. And my winter of healing becomes a race for answers.

I came to Montana to bury the past. Now I’m falling for the man who might just be my future. And either I’ll solve this mystery, or the person in Dalton determined to hide the truth will make sure I die trying.

Devney Perry can write the best contemporary romances with suspense and I’m really looking forward to this one that I believe kicks off a brand new series. Perry is the go-to gal for Montana-based romances too as I always fall for the scenery of her books that take place out West!

Related Book Lists:

• Top 10 New Romance Book Releases for November 2025
• Most Anticipated New Romance Books of 2025
• Must-Read New Romantasy Books of 2025

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