20 contemporary romance books released in 2022 (booktok recommended)

This phenomenom is what I’m coining the Henry-Hazelwood Effect. Basically, Emily Henry and Ali Hazelwood is leading the charge for romance publishers everywhere. BookTok is still loving their books, and it’s simply clever marketing to push similar titles in similar ways. Tell me I’m wrong.

And I’m no soothsayer, but these 2022 book releases are so aesthetically pleasing, and come with much hype and anticipation, that I will be shooketh if they don’t start popping up all over your TikTok FYP and Instagram feed.

Are the covers beautiful? Yes. That’s the standard, isn’t it? Social media ia a visual beast, and if it isn’t making us readers salivated then it’s gonna have a harder time convincing us to read it. It’s shallow, yes, but it’s also facts.

So here’s some books already picked out from many booktok accounts, as well as titles I’ve been sniffing out like a bookish bloodhound, that I will be damned if I don’t see plastered all over my IG feed in the coming months.

Buckle up, bb. Your bank account (or library card) isn’t ready for this…

‘I Kissed Shara Wheeler’ by Casey McQuiston - May 12th - Because HELLO if you have not yet read a book by this author then I urge you to. ‘One Last Stop’ was one of our favourite reads from 2021 (see our review here!). Queer wonderfulness.

‘Book Lovers’ by Emily Henry - May 3rd - One of the current big hitters. Emily Henry’s ‘Beach Read’ still has traction, and ‘People We Meet On Vacation’ is hot on its heels. So if you want a solid read you can’t go wrong with their books.

‘Love on the Brain’ by Ali Hazelwood - August 23rd - And speaking of big hitters… ‘The Love Hypothesis’ was one of those books that was practically stalking me around booktok, until I finally gave in to its bullying and bought it. Have I read it yet? No. But that many people can’t be wrong. Be prepared to see the cover of the follow-up everywhere you go online.

‘Ramón and Julieta’ by Alana Quintana Albertson - February 1st - Day of the Dead, starcrossed lovers, food wars… What more do you need? A gorgeous cover? Ok, fine. Have it. I saw someone on TikTok obsessing over this book and it got me really excited for it too. The power of the internet.

Ramon and Julieta Alana Quintana Albertson

‘The Roughest Draft’ by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka - January 25th - Oh I SEE YOU Berkley Books… If you like this kind of romantic fiction (with these kinds of covers and with this kind of emotional pull) then they literally OWN this corner of the market. So just check out their publisher page if you want more books to gobble up.

‘Lease On Love’ by Fallon Ballard - February 1st - I am in love with the cover. Utterly besotted. The colour palette makes me want to weep with joy. It’s also described as ‘Beach Read’ meets ‘Flatshare’ so… That’ll do it.

‘Weather Girl’ by Rachel Lynn Solomon - January 11th - I’m not affiliated with Berkley Books in any way, shape, or form. I swear! But like I said, they own this chunk of the market… Anyway, if the CUTENESS of this cover isn’t enough to tempt you then maybe we can’t be friends. This books taps into my childhood fantasies of being a meteorologist…

‘Adult Assembly Required’ by Abbi Waxman - May 17th - I love the title. I often feel like I need an actual adult to come and help me put my life together. I struggle with the screws, you know? Can’t get the cover off to put new batteries in…

The Roughest Drafy Emily Wibberly Austen Siegemund-Broka

‘How to Fake It in Hollywood’ by Ava Wilder - June 14th - The ol’ 'fake relationship trope. It never fails, does it? I really liked the stylistic choices for this cover. It’s on trend, but still stands out from the others. I think? Agree?

‘The Fixer Upper’ by Lauren Forsythe - August 2nd - Are y’all still with me? Because this list doesn’t show any sign of slowing down. What’s that term when you’re knowingly training a guy for future relationships? I’m sure I’ve seen it on TikTok. ANYWAY that’s essentially what the ‘Fixer Upper’ is.

‘Lucy Checks In’ by Dee Ernst - August 16th - This ticks SO MANY boxes for me on paper. The protagonist moves to France, renovates a hotel and finds love? Checking in? I’m checking this book OUT. Heh. Puns.

‘Circling Back to You’ by Julie Tieu - July 12th - Fake relationship trope wonderfulness. From the blurb, I really like the gravitas this book seems to boast too. Light, but with a lot of heart? That’s how I like ‘em.

How to Fake It in Hollywood by Ava Wilder

‘For Butter or Worse’ by Erin La Roase - July 26th - I mean… Title game is STRONG. Although, come back to me with the afterhours version, ‘For Butter or Wurst’. You know you’d read that too. I really like the silliness of this title and cover combo, and the summary promises a fun read too.

‘The Sizzle Paradox’ by Lily Menon - June 14th - The premise of this book has so much potential for romantic hijinks. Science collides with sweeping romance. Nothing beats that kind of trope.

‘Nora Goes Off Script’ by Annabel Monaghan - June 7th - Nora is a romance scriptwriter. That sets the scene up PERFECTLY for this kind of read, right? The concept gets a 10/10 from me.

‘By Any Other Name’ by Lauren Kate - March 1st - Uhh HELLO. This is THE Lauren Kate of your (my) tortured teen reading days… See: ‘Fallen’. I’m not the only person a little intrigued by this. The juxtaposition is really something. I’m here for it, I’m listening, I’m waiting… But I’m also surprised!

‘A Brush with Love’ by Mazey Eddings - March 1st - Dentist themed. Which, normally, might make my mouth feel a little weird (because dentists, man) but I’m currently watching ‘Hometown Cha Cha Cha’ and it’s giving me similar vibes and I’m sold.

‘Set on You’ by Amy Lea - May 10th - Cute, gym based story. May contain gym bros (not comfirmed, but it IS set in a gym so you know, the chances are high).

‘Good Girl Complex’ by Elle Kennedy - February 1st - This author has me, heart and soul, and if you haven’t read ‘The Deal’ then you need to add it to your TBR because that was one of the first romance series that I binged.

‘Four Aunties and a Wedding’ by Jessie Q. Sutanto - We featured ‘Dial A For Aunties’ in our book club last year! And although we had come mixed feelings about it, it was a lot of fun to read so I’m interested to see how the series continues.