The best new romance books from Next Chapter [March 2023]
Romance is a genre of fiction that focuses on the development of a romantic relationship between two main characters. Typically, these stories involve the characters overcoming obstacles, such as misunderstandings, conflicts, or external forces, to find true love and live happily ever after. Romance books are popular among readers of all ages and backgrounds, and the genre encompasses a wide range of sub-genres, including historical romance, contemporary romance, paranormal romance, and many others.
One of the defining features of the romance genre is its emphasis on emotions and relationships. The characters' feelings and motivations are often at the center of the story, and readers are drawn into the characters' lives and experiences. Romance novels can be funny, heartbreaking, uplifting, or steamy, and they often explore themes of trust, forgiveness, and self-discovery.
Despite its popularity, the romance genre has also faced criticism over the years. Some argue that romance novels perpetuate unrealistic expectations about love and relationships, while others contend that the genre is too formulaic and predictable. However, many fans of romance argue that these criticisms overlook the diversity and complexity of the genre, and that romance books offer valuable insights into human nature and the human experience.
Below, you’ll find twelve of our best romance book releases as of March 2023, all available from Amazon, Apple Books, B&N, Rakuten Kobo & Google Books. Whether it’s contemporary, historical or paranormal romance you’re into, we believe any of the books on this page will deliver! Some of the books on this page come with some steam, so please keep that in mind before delving in :)
If you enjoy one of the stories below, please don’t forget to leave the author a review! Don’t agree with our choices? Please leave a comment and let us know which romance eBook is your favorite.
Books featured on this page
Flowers In Bloom (Appleton Vale Book 2) by Anneli Lort
The Southern Belles (The Brighton Belles Book 1) by Katie Simpkins
The Handfasters (Lowland Romance Book 1) by Helen Susan Swift
Call It Chemistry (Golden Grove Series Book 1) by D.J. Van Oss
Penniless Hearts (Lost Compass Love Book 1) by Eve Gaal
Like Raspberry Wine (The Ridgmont, Ohio Romances Book 1) by Katie Simpkins
You Within Me by Simone Beaudelaire
Book excerpt
Pittsburgh, 1919
“Violet, are you ready? It’s almost time to go,” Father called from the corridor.
Violet froze, set her book to the side and shoved her foot into her boot. “Almost, Father,” she called back.
Hiram knocked on her door and let himself in. “Quit fiddling with that damned book and get ready. You were the one who wanted to go to this party,” he groused to his daughter. “The grippe is far from settled, despite the relaxing of quarantine rules. Why would you drag us to a party neither of us wants to go to in the middle of an epidemic?”
“You should put in an appearance for the sake of your reputation,” Violet pointed out as she tied the laces into a bow and groped across the bed to retrieve her gauze face mask. “You haven’t made your way so high in your company only to molder at home as a recluse. Your reputation is based on your network of supporters. You need to get out and meet with them sometimes. Besides, no one in our circles has gotten sick, and you don’t even interact with the factory workers anymore. You just drink tea in the sunroom. Put on a mask, bring a hankie and go mingle.”
“I thought you were going to meet with that suitor of yours,” Hiram rebutted. “I don’t need some slip of a girl telling me how to do my job.”
Violet rolled her eyes. “I’m not telling you what to do. I’m reminding you of what you used to do. And I don’t have a suitor, Father. I hope you don’t mean that idiot you invited to dinner last week. He didn’t even bring a hankie. He sneezed all over the good napkins.” She shuddered.
“James Wilson is a good, solid young man. A rising star in the steel business. I hope we can keep him, and he doesn’t decide to go into competition against us.”
“Hence why you’re trying to arrange a reason for him to stick with the Carnegie corporation?” Violet guessed, rolling her eyes.
Hiram shrugged, creasing his suit coat and his forehead in a single movement.
A violent sigh tore itself from Violet’s chest. “Father, you’ll have to find some other incentive to keep Mr. Wilson on board. He’s eight years younger than me—too young to be a serious suitor, too old for me to train how to behave properly. That’s assuming I wanted to—which I don’t. And he still thinks he can boss me around. He’s definitely not someone I’m interested in.”
“You know,” Hiram pointed out, “the odds of you finding a man who will let you be the head of the household are extremely low. You should consider whether you ought to compromise that desire rather than be alone. You’re no spring chicken.”
“Exactly, Father,” Violet said. “I didn’t reach the great old age of twenty-nine alone by being desperate to find a partner. I’m comfortable being single. If my fate is to become an eccentric spinster, I don’t mind. I have quite a special job that I find very fulfilling. I have friends, and I’m not interested in being the head of the household, only an equal partner.”
Flowers In Bloom (Appleton Vale Book 2) by Anneli Lort
Book excerpt
Dan stepped out of the lift into the swanky, ultra-modern offices of his management company, Walter Moreaux Enterprises – WME. There was a flurry of activity at reception as the female staff jostled for position to be the first to greet him.
“Good afternoon Mr Flowers,” one of them purred. “I’ll let Mr Manolo know you’re here. He asked that you head directly to his office.”
“Thank you,” Dan smiled and walked down the corridor, chuckling to himself at the commotion he had caused. He reached Vinnie Manolo’s office just as he was coming out to meet him.
“Hey man.” Vinnie slapped him on the back. “Come on in.” He motioned for Dan to take the seat across from his desk.
Vinnie’s office was a shrine to his first love – the movies. There were original film posters on the walls, signed photographs from some of the biggest stars in the world, and several dozen pictures of him with his clients.
“You said you had some papers for me to sign?” Dan hated the business side of his profession. He had no interest in investments, stocks and shares, or moving money off-shore, but Vinnie insisted he ran through every minute detail to keep him fully informed.
“Yeah.” He slid several documents across the table. “Just a signature on this one, and I need you to read through the small print on the contract from Universal. The lawyers have approved it but you need to know the finer details.”
“Can I take it home to read later?” he asked Vinnie. “I’m completely wiped out. I only popped in as I was passing on the way back from the lot.”
“Sure thing. But I want your feedback or approval tomorrow morning as they’re pushing hard to get it signed.” Vinnie shifted in his seat. “Did you read that script I dropped over last week?”
The Southern Belles (The Brighton Belles Book 1) by Katie Simpkins
Book excerpt
When Evelyn entered Bayley’s Coffee House on Sydney Street, she heard Georgia gasp at all the books on display. She groaned silently to herself. She could do without her sister getting distracted today. But looking around, it was a beautiful little coffee shop, although it was quiet – there were around fifteen tables, with only two taken. She looked at her watch: 09:38. It should’ve been a hive of activity at this time of day.
So, while Georgia was busy marvelling at all the books, she and Olivia went up to the counter and ordered. Evelyn had taken twenty pounds out of the ATM nearby, determined that they wouldn’t spend more than five pounds today; she knew that was wishful thinking.
“Hi!” said a rather pleasant-looking man behind the counter. “What can I get you today?”
Looking at his name badge, she replied, “Good morning, Tom, we’d like three Americanos, please. Milk in two, and one without.”
“Just water for me, please,” said Georgia, from behind her.
“Coming up,” replied Tom, the barista.
While she was waiting to pay, Evelyn looked around at the décor. It was a rustic shop, all dark wood, with cream walls. The flooring was dark wood, as was the counter. Where there weren’t books adorning shelving on the walls, the owner of the establishment had placed old pictures of Brighton in dark wood frames on the walls. It was an interesting shop, not least of all to Georgia, who had picked out five books.
“Right, that’s two Americanos, both with milk on the side, and one bottle of water,” recapped Tom, placing the tray on the counter. “Would you like any of our cakes this morning?”
Evelyn was hungry, but she was determined not to overspend. “Um, no, I don’t think we will, thank you,” she replied. “How much just for the drinks?”
With a look that said, Last of the big spenders, Tom replied, “That’s five eighty, please.”
Wanting to say, How much? Evelyn opened her purse and reluctantly handed over her twenty-pound note. It made her think of how her life used to be, just handing notes over without thinking about it. She wanted her old life back. “Thank you, Tom.”
The Handfasters (Lowland Romance Book 1) by Helen Susan Swift
Book excerpt
Willie Kemp stared at me over the intricate metal structure he was adding to his steam boat. “You want what?”
I repeated my words, stuttering when I realised the enormity of my request. “I want you to help me.”
Ushering me to the seat, he stood by the fire, sighing as if in deep thought. “Let me get this straight, Miss Lamont.” His voice was grave and deep, a schoolmaster lecturing his pupils rather than a man speaking to a woman who loved him. “Your aunt has ordered that you marry John Forres.”
“That is correct.” I heard the tremble in my voice.
“In doing so, your aunt is merely complying with your mother's request.”
I nodded. My mother had indeed sent me down to Edinburgh with a plea for Aunt Elspeth to find a husband.
“And as you are a minor you are obliged to obey both your mother and your aunt.”
Again, I nodded. I could not argue with Mr. Kemp's logic, and I began to hate him too. I felt completely alone in this city and wished desperately I was home amongst my own hills. I knew I did not belong in this grey place of regular streets and cold, mechanical people.
“So far then, Miss Lamont, you have no reason to complain,” said this man I had run to for comfort. “Now tell me, would this be a favourable marriage? Is Mr. Forres a wealthy man?”
“He is,” I said stiffly. I had not expected such an interrogation and felt my lip thrust out sulkily. Lord, but I could be a sulky puss when I wanted to, me that thought of myself as so refined.
“So, no complaints there either,” Mr. Kemp said. “So I fail to see why you are unhappy with this proposed match, Miss Lamont.” He gave a faint but infuriating smile. “Does he have two heads, perhaps? Or is he misshapen in some other way?”
I shook my head once more. “Indeed, he is a handsome enough fellow, and quite well favoured about his person as far as I can see.”
“So as Dr. Pangloss would say, 'all is for the best in this best of all possible lives'.”
I felt like stamping my foot in frustration if it would not have seemed so childlike. “But I don't like the man!”
Available for free download from Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Rakuten Kobo and Google Books.
The Ka by Mary Deal
Book excerpt
While awaiting the arrival of the fingerprinting kit from Cairo, the rest of the media were given tours, though photographing was strictly prohibited and cameras not allowed to be brought inside. Aaron and Bebe would release copies of the few photographs the various newspapers would be allowed to print. That was the deal that had been struck. The media could write anything they wanted about what they saw, inside or out, and photograph anything outside the tomb. The Exploration Magazine would publish only those photos approved and given to them by the team. The pictorial expose' of the tomb's contents was reserved for the Institute's future books and publications. That was unless a reporter managed to worm his way into the receiving area at the Madu Museum by bribing an unscrupulous laborer.
After the tours, the three annexes were closed again. The tomb now vacated, soundings were resumed above ground for any variations adjacent to the Pillared Hall that might disclose the location of the Burial Chamber.
Progress being at a standstill, over refreshments Dr. Withers said, “I would've suspected the burial site to be at the far end of the Pillared Hall, where we found the foodstuffs.”
The tomb had been carved in a steep downward slope toward the interior of the mountain. The higher up the hillock crews took the sensors, the greater the distance between them and the underground rock formations. Nothing registered.
“We should have listened to Chione about not needing sensors,” Clifford said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “We wouldn't be wasting time on soundings.”
“In the interim,” Dr. Withers said. “I've decided to have both the First and Second Chambers cleared.”
“Agreed,” Kendra said. “Since they've been exposed to fresher air, the mummies might begin to deteriorate.”
At original inspection, many mummies were found wrapped haphazardly; the cloths in which they were bundled showed varying stages of decay. Even the utmost care in mummification was unpredictable. Rameses II's Queen Nefertari had immediately crumpled into dust as her sarcophagus was opened. So time was of the essence since the tiny mummies had lain somewhat exposed since ancient grave robbers first made entry. When the hole in the ceiling backfilled and closed off it offered some protection. Now that the mummies would be brought out into the sunlight and strong climate, deterioration would proceed.
Nineteen Days by Kath Engebretson
Book excerpt
Genevieve didn’t see Thomas the next day, and recalling the abrupt end of their conversation, she wondered if he was avoiding her, regretting telling her about his obsession with Maria. The virus that still afflicted Peter had spread to many on the ship, so that evening Genevieve went to a quiet cocktail bar alone. She brooded over her drink, feeling deserted and unsociable.
‘Hello, Genevieve,’ she heard through the music of a jazz quartet playing on a stage to the left of the room. It was Martin, Thomas’s ‘life coach’. Although she had met him twice already, his appearance struck her again. He was startlingly handsome, tall, and muscular, with broad shoulders, thick brown-black wavy hair, dark eyes, a light stubble, and features that seemed in perfect harmony with each other. He wore a casual white linen shirt, lightweight pants, and relaxed loafer style shoes. Everything about him communicated sophistication and urbanity. His smile was wide and engaging, as he held out his hand.
‘Hello, Martin. How are you? Sit down, there are a few seats left,’ she said, gesturing to an empty chair.
‘Thank you. What can I get you?’ He caught the eye of the waiter and ordered a gin and tonic. ‘One for you too, Genevieve?’
‘Yes, thank you, I will.’ She was aware she was blushing and had to force herself to make eye contact with him. She wondered why she, who was so much older than him, would be the chosen companion of this gorgeous young man. Hadn’t Thomas said he’d met a woman? He relaxed into the chair and crossed his legs, revealing tanned, hairless ankles. She noticed he attracted furtive glances from both women and men in the room. He smelled fresh, as if he had just emerged from the ocean.
‘What have you been doing all day?’ she asked.
‘Swimming, climbing the rock wall, listening to music, eating too much. You?’
They made small talk for ten minutes, sharing their experiences of the ship, the food, the entertainment, as passengers on a cruise ship do. She told him of the virus Peter had contracted, and they discussed how to avoid it. Then Martin leaned towards her.
‘You’re spending time with Thomas.’ It was a statement, not a question, and she thought there was an accusation in his voice.
‘Yes, I enjoy his company,’ she replied. ‘He’s a great conversationalist.’
‘Is he telling you lots of interesting stories?’ He watched her face intently as he asked the question.
‘Yes, and I’m sharing some of mine.’ Why, she wondered, did he need to know what Thomas and she talked about?
Martin leaned back in his chair, uncrossed his legs, and crossed them again. He looked around the room searching for the right words.
‘He’s sick, you know, Genevieve,’ he said at last.
‘Yes,’ she replied. ‘I can see he’s unhealthy. He tells me you’re helping him with that.’
‘Did he now?’
‘Yes, he told me you’re his life-coach’ she blathered, confused and embarrassed at his question. Had she said something wrong? Martin’s face froze, and he stared at her in amazement. Then he laughed.
‘Life-coach? He told you that? That’s a new one. Very creative.’
Genevieve felt foolish. ‘So, you’re not a life-coach?’
‘Genevieve,’ Martin said. ‘Thomas lives in a homeless shelter among homeless men. Do you think he could afford a life coach?’
With a stab in her chest, she realised the logic of this.
‘That makes sense of course. So, you’re a friend? Are you travelling with Martin?’
‘No,’ he scoffed at the thought. ‘I’m not a life coach or a friend, Genevieve. I’m his brother.’
‘His brother?’ she stammered. ‘Thomas told me about his sisters, but he didn’t mention a brother. Why would he leave that out?’
Martin shrugged and leaned back in his chair. ‘Why does Thomas do anything?’
Genevieve stared into her drink and wondered where to take the conversation next. Martin seemed to examine her face, as if deciding what more he would tell her. However, she was delivered from more awkwardness when Abbey, all high cheekbones and subtle make-up, wearing a colourful floaty summer dress, brushed past Martin, then pivoted gasping.
‘Martin!’
She put her multi-ringed, red nail polished hand on his arm. Sure, Genevieve thought, you really did just notice him.
‘There you are, ‘she said. ‘We’ve been looking for you. We’re going to dinner soon then on to the nightclub. You said you’d join us.’ She smiled vaguely in Genevieve’s direction, but it was Martin she was interested in.
‘Did I? I forgot.’ He gave her his charming smile then turned to Genevieve. The young woman took his hand possessively and pulled him from the chair.
‘Come on. Everyone’s waiting.’
The Second Chance by Morgan Utley
Book excerpt
Peyton walked inside the house and found her mom sitting there with Chris in the living room. It wasn’t a big house, but it had enough room for everyone. Her mother had spent a lot of time working on this room after the accident in an attempt to keep her mind occupied, and she had turned it into a beautiful room. The room was color coordinated with navy couches accompanied by white and orange pillows, white end tables, and a white TV stand. The walls were a light grey color decorated with many family pictures and artwork that her mom had collected throughout the years. Each picture was placed perfectly on the wall, in a way that didn't look cluttered, but it kept your eyes flowing easily from picture to picture.
“Hi, sweetheart,” her mom said, looking up from her conversation with Chris. “Would you like to go shopping with me? I want to look for a new top, and I thought we could look for some new running shoes for you. I noticed yours were pretty worn, and I can imagine your feet are starting to hurt.”
“Yeah, that sounds like fun. And you're right, my feet are starting to hurt when I run. Are we leaving right now?” Peyton asked.
Call It Chemistry (Golden Grove Series Book 1) by D.J. Van Oss
Book excerpt
The yellow VW Bug crunched to a stop on the gravel beside the sign perched at the entrance to the town. Kate shut the engine shut off.
A quaint wood and brick sign proclaimed “Welcome to Golden Grove, Home of the Griffins.”
She gazed through the windshield, down at the town, still familiar after all the years. The silver water tower peeking above the trees, the red roof of the fire station, the tops of the trees just beginning to turn various yellows and oranges in the fall Sunday sun. Not much seemed to have changed from this vantage point. Actually beautiful, if you were only visiting one of the picturesque shops and bakeries downtown, or looking down from the limestone bluffs at the slow-rolling Mississippi.
Maybe for some people, the Nitrovex workers, the shop owners, the Golden Grove “lifers,” it was fine. But not for her. The bigger city had always been her dream, her escape, even before high school had chewed her up and spit her out.
Cocktails, Wedding Bells and Summer Madness by Julia Sutton
Book excerpt
The following morning, Rose was thoroughly ‘under the weather’. She had tossed and turned for most of the night, sneezing and coughing. Finally, at five o’clock she had given up on sleep and was shuffling about the kitchen with a mug of hot Lemsip and a wet cold flannel pressed to her perspiring forehead.
“I’ll ring in for you,” her mother decided, “and on my way home from work I’ll bring you some cough medicine.”
“I should go to work,” Rose bit her lip, “it’s really busy; new clients continually signing up, trying to stop the old, disgruntled clients from leaving. And I’m supposed to be taking the security guard’s wife to the knitting club.”
“Never mind the knitting club,” Fran fussed around her, “your health comes first. Now go on back to bed. The house will be quiet today, your dad and Marty are working late and Gran is off to the daycentre.”
The Bakery Booking by Morgan Utley
Book excerpt
Lily left the house shortly after we got home to run off with her friends, which allowed me to study in peace and quiet. After talking with Mom, we decided she seemed to be doing a lot better and realized she had been wasting time moping. She was a little hesitant leaving the house and had a hard time deciding what to wear, but once Susie and Kylee arrived, she put on a happy face and went on her way.
I managed to finish all my studying and got caught up on my homework, so that I wasn’t totally swamped during the rest of the week.
The next day, I took my test and thanks to my partner, I was able to pass the lab portion. I couldn’t wait to finish this semester, so I never had to do another science class again. The rest of the day flew by and I was able to stay caught up on my studying for my other classes. I figured my sister was at the house, because that’s where she preferred to study, so I hung out in the library. Once I decided my brain had had enough, I headed over to the bakery to meet Troy.
“What’s up, Rosie?” he greeted merrily when I walked into the bakery.
“Hi, Troy!” I said excitedly and waved like a little school girl.
The bakery was a small little shop, with tons of character. My mom loved the color pink, so the walls were striped with thick light pink and white stripes. There were a couple sets of hot pink tables and chairs, big enough to seat three people and a huge window that offered different flavored cupcakes, cookies and sweet rolls.
Penniless Hearts (Lost Compass Love Book 1) by Eve Gaal
Book excerpt
Penny hated flying. Looking out over the wing of the jet, she wondered about the gloomy fog blanketing the entire airport. How did the pilot navigate his way through the murky chowder to get up above the clouds? As the engines rattled the plane, undesirable thoughts filled her head, creating doubt, where minutes ago she had oozed with confidence.
She calmed herself by thinking about the last few days. Thinking became rationalization and soon, she realized the past needed to stay in the past. After all, going to Hawaii was a dream and the thought of fun lured her into a semi-relaxed zone aboard the plane. Time to forget the stress related to worrying about her father or that lionized bitch Tina at work and even her darling John who kept trying to please her while annoying the crap out of her. Inhaling deeply, she decided to meditate and soon felt better about leaving everything behind. Why would she owe anyone an explanation? It’s wasn’t like she was married. This week, she’d be busy snorkeling with a cute guy, watching tropical sunsets, drinking fabulously wonderful fruity cocktails, hiking volcanoes and possibly kissing until sunrise. This week, home would be down below--35,000 feet below in the past.
Like Raspberry Wine (The Ridgmont, Ohio Romances Book 1) by Katie Simpkins
Book excerpt
Abigail took her cell phone out of her bag, waited for the camera mode to come on, and pointed it at her daughter. Elise’s mouth hung open for so long, it was embarrassing. “Smile!” When Elise turned to her, Abigail took the picture of a moment of shock. “Surprise!”
“Rachel? Is that you?” Elise still had not closed her mouth.
Using her hand, Abigail closed it for her. “You’ll catch flies if you do that for too long round here, honey.” She wanted to say hello to her sister. It had been far too long. The last time she saw Sara was just after Dan’s funeral. “Hey, Sis.”
Sara stepped forward, taking Abigail in her arms, wrapping them around her. “Hey, big sis.” She held onto Abigail for a long time. “It’s so good to have you here.”
Her sister looked and smelled the same as Abigail remembered, only she appeared tired, beaten down even. Sara had dark rings around her eyes, like she had not slept in years. And wrinkles, way more than she had – or hoped so, anyway. The last time Abigail had had a good stare at herself in the mirror, she’d been relatively wrinkle-free. “It’s great to be here.”
There we have it: Next Chapter’s best romance books in 03/2023. We hope you enjoy the stories - and if you do, please leave a comment below, or a review in Goodreads or your favorite store. We’d love to hear from you!
Praesent id libero id metus varius consectetur ac eget diam. Nulla felis nunc, consequat laoreet lacus id.