11 Best New Romance Books of September 2026: ‘Grim Tidings’ & More
Every September comes a renewed sense of energy. It’s back-to-school season, the end of summer, and everyone feels ready to lock back in to close out the year with a bang. And the new romance novels hitting shelves this month are very clearly sharing that reinvigorated energy. Our TBRs are beyond excited.
Throughout the month of September, readers can look out for adult debut releases from authors beloved in the YA space (including the one and only John Green), a return to an explosive fantasy universe via a short story collection, a YA rom-com perfect for getting you in the mood for the forthcoming cozy season, a new paranormal love story from B.K. Borison, and many more.
It’s the dog days of summer (technically, at least), so enjoy these reads while soaking up those last days in the sun. See below for Swooon’s picks for the 11 best new romance books of September.
Hawk and Sparrow
Ayana Gray
Release Date: September 1
Reporter Vesper Evans has the story of the century. During the Basalton’s luxurious gala, an inventor has turned up dead, and everyone wants answers. First on the suspect list is industrialist Max, who has qualms with the inventor’s latest venture. In order to prove his innocence, Max hires Vesper to investigate the murder with him, helping her wriggle her way into the social ranks of the elites. But Vesper’s investigation turns up plenty of wrongdoing among the upper echelon of Basalton, and just because she was hired to find one criminal doesn’t mean she can’t add a few more to her list.
Love Felt Like This
Julie Olivia
Release Date: September 8
There is very little Beverly, the producer of a children’s television program, won’t do to help keep her show on the air. And when her nonprofit loses funding, she knows she can’t turn down the invitation to a variety show to get viewers talking. But her fellow guest on her variety show takes her by surprise: singer-songwriter Griffin Harvey. The rockstar should not be as charming as he is, but their chemistry is electric and has been aired to everyone in town. Hoping to seize the opportunity, the two agree to take a trip together to help them both creatively jumpstart their careers with the newfound attention. Griffin finds his lyrics sounding eerily similar to the woman in front of him, and Beverly’s focus keeps veering to the beloved celebrity. It’s a match that seems unlikely on its face, but when they’re shielded from the world and their creativity is flowing, it becomes clear that this might be just the right match.
Tempest
Victoria Aveyard
Release Date: September 8
Fantasy readers, rejoice! Victoria Aveyard, of Red Queen series success, is making her adult debut with a tale of pirates that is entirely seductive. There was once a time when Cat Rose belonged to royalty, but Cat has never been one to let someone else decide her own fate. She abandoned her forthcoming marriage to run her own pirate tavern, but the life she left behind is catching up with her. The Empire is growing closer to banning pirates, dragging in ship after ship. Pirate Valerian Kane might as well be king of the sea, and he won’t let the pirates go down without a good fight. The Empire offers Cat a damning choice: Bring them Valerian, or they’ll kill her instead. But Cat has no intention of betraying her people or this newfound connection.
The Emperor’s Enemy
Jasmine Mas
Release Date: September 15
Zora Ravenal is the Crimson Army’s strongest soldier. She’s also its greatest threat. Zora has Trojan-horsed her way into the high ranks of the army in order to earn the highest position there is: a Knight Mage. From there, Zora will be able to inflict her wrath on the army and the kingdom for destroying her home and her people. But before she can enact her revenge, she’s partnered with overseeing a Royal Mage who she realizes is far more observant than he should be. The longer Zora spends with the Royal Mage, the more she realizes a fault in her plan: She might not be the only one on the hunt.
Grim Tidings
B.K. Borison
Release Date: September 15
Who said Reapers always have to be the bad guy? Darcy, a Grim Reaper who has grown tired of only bringing pain to other people’s lives, sure doesn’t agree. She’s decided that on her next assignment, rather than killing him, she is going to save his life. The only thing is, rules in the afterlife can be quite strict, and Guardian Angel Gabriel won’t stand by while Darcy attempts to shirk her duties. As Darcy attempts to disappear into human life, Gabriel follows her to Earth, only to find that Darcy’s reasons for running away strike a little too close to home.
Free Falling
Lyla Sage
Release Date: September 22
Lyla Sage continues her hot streak of small-town ranch romances with the second installment of the Sweetwater Peaks series. Clarke Cartwright likely knows that having a ghost as a close friend says a lot about her social life, but quite frankly, she can’t help it. And it doesn’t hurt that the ghost is the father of Leith Wilkes, her childhood crush, who she, of course, no longer has feelings for. Leith has become a strapping (and dangerously charming) man preparing to take over his family’s farm following his father’s death, and he figures it might be time to settle down…or at least he should if he wants access to his full inheritance. When Clarke and Leith drunkenly reconnect one evening, the two are finally able to see each other in a new light as adults. And if a ghost did a little meddling to get them there? They can’t say they mind.
Hollywood, Ending
John Green
Release Date: September 22
When we learned that John Green was coming out with an adult(!) novel, we were already sat. And it’s a love story about two young actors being catapulted into fame? We’ve never been more sat! Kai and Juniper have both been working their entire lives toward this one goal: to finally make it as an actor. And when they are both cast in an Andy Warhol biopic, it seems like that dream is finally coming to fruition. As they both grapple with the newfound glory and pressures of becoming overnight celebrities, the two seek solace in the only other person who seems to understand. Green, the man behind The Fault in Our Stars, Looking for Alaska, and Will Grayson, Will Grayson (my personal fave), brings the same earnest tenderness to this story of two young people growing up in more ways than one.
Isn’t He Romantic?
Adib Khorram
Release Date: September 22
Is there anything wrong with being relationship-avoidant? Arya, the star of Adib Khorram’s third novel in a series, doesn’t really seem to think so. As an event planner, Arya is constantly meeting new people; he’s charming, and he has no interest in the mess that always seems to follow that first flurry of feelings. So when Ben, a cellist he had an excellent hookup with (and okay fine, maybe a bit of emotional connection with), turns up to a charity ball he’s organizing, Arya is already primed to run. But when Ben tells him he’s trying to get an ex off his back, Arya sees an opportunity: He’ll fake date Ben to convince his ex that Ben is over him, if Ben can help make an introduction to an elusive client. Their fake dating relationship is one sure to squeeze at readers’ hearts as Arya comes to terms with why he’s been running from love his whole life, and realizes he might have found the right person to slow down for.
The Wretched Divine
Adalyn Grace
Release Date: September 22
Adalyn Grace is leaving the kid stuff behind (at least for now) to make her adult debut with The Wretched Divine. Aurelie is a knight who champions duty above all else. Ever since her family was murdered by demons, she has been training to finally earn her first kill, forging her soulbond with Yuriel, an angel. Instead, the people around her are turning into demons, and the only person who might be able to help is Severin, a demon. And as the investigation into the sudden transformations begins, so does a love triangle that is equally attention-grabbing.
Threshing Day
Rebecca Yarros
Release Date: September 29
Rebecca Yarros makes an exciting return to the Empyrean universe, the dragon-riding series that catapulted her career. The collection features 16 short stories, bringing favorite characters like Xaden, Violet, and many more back to the forefront. And we can’t forget their dragons, too. This is the perfect fantasy to get your fall reading in full gear.
From Beijing, With Love
Bei Lin
Release Date: September 29
If you’ve ever booked a last-minute trip because your life is falling apart, you might relate to Daniel Wu, the star of Bei Lin’s delectable vacation romance. Only, this isn’t like Daniel at all. Typically, the extremely Type A Daniel likes to have everything under control, but after a sudden breakup and a flub at work, Daniel finds himself booking a trip to Beijing to visit his best friend. But said best friend Poppy isn’t in town, and Daniel is left to his own devices. Poppy books Daniel on a set of tours to explore cultural artifacts across Beijing, and Daniel keeps running into Yang, a tour guide with no patience for Daniel’s stuffiness. Soon, their first impressions of one another give way to a more vulnerable experience as the two explore Beijing together. Away from the stressors of his life, Daniel is finally able to open up in the way he’s always wanted to with Yang, but with the clock ticking down before Daniel heads home, this intoxicating romance can only last so long.
Trust Fall
Lynn Painter
Release Date: September 29
Anyone itching for anything Lynn Painter (don’t worry, we’re all begging for the Better Than the Movies adaptation, too) will be glad to see yet another absolute charmer of a YA rom-com hitting shelves this month. The second-to-last thing that teen Julia is expecting when she learns her elderly neighbor has died is that she would be the recipient of his inheritance. The absolute last thing she would expect is that the inheritance is millions of dollars. With this newfound opportunity, Julia moves to New York City, where she attends a private school with Gossip Girl levels of drama and infighting. But then Julia meets Damion, and she thinks things might be looking up. But Damion has secrets of his own and questions about Julia’s sudden inheritance. And a friendship (and possible relationship) founded in lies is sure to crumble at some point. The question is, will they be able to find their way back to each other amid the wreckage?
