When you’re querying a literary romance, choosing the choosing the right comp titles can make or break your chances of being published because agents and publishing house editors use comp titles as a quick way to gauge the genre of your book along with its market potential.
I regularly update this list of literary romance comp titles to make sure you’re always working with relevant books.
No matter if you’re writing a sweet, slow-burn literary romance or something fast and spicy, you’ll find titles below to help you write a killer query letter!
If you’re looking something a bit more specific, check out my romance comp database.
- A Good NeighborhoodYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Race, adult, book club, contemporary, family, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- A Hundred Other GirlsYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, literary fiction, new adult, new york, romance, series counter
- A Language of LimbsYear published: 2024Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, book club, contemporary, historical, lesbian, literary fiction, queer, romance, series counter
- A Little HopeYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Grief, adult, book club, contemporary, family, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- A Novel ObsessionYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Books about books, adult, contemporary, literary fiction, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
- Acts of DesperationYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Irish literature, adult, contemporary, ireland, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- Advika and the Hollywood WivesYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, literary fiction, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
- Alone With You in the EtherYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Mental health, adult, book club, contemporary, fantasy, literary fiction, romance, romantasy, series counter
- An Unfinished StoryYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Books about books, Grief, adult, book club, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- Beautiful World, Where Are YouYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Irish literature, adult, book club, contemporary, ireland, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- Because of YouYear published: 2020Genre and themes: British literature, adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, family, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- BelliesYear published: 2023Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, book club, contemporary, literary fiction, queer, romance, series counter, transgender
- Big SwissYear published: 2023Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, book club, contemporary, lesbian, literary fiction, queer, romance, series counter
- Bitter SweetYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- Black Woods Blue SkyYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Retellings, adult, book club, fantasy, historical, literary fiction, magical realism, romance, romantasy, series counter
- Broken CountryYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, historical, literary fiction, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
- City of Night BirdsYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, historical, literary fiction, romance, russia, series counter
- Cleopatra and FrankensteinYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, Mental health, adult, book club, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- Community BoardYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Humor, adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- Consider Yourself KissedYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, family, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- Deep CutsYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Music, adult, book club, contemporary, historical, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- Dream StateYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, family, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- DyketteYear published: 2023Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, contemporary, gay, lesbian, literary fiction, queer, romance, series counter
- Early Morning RiserYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Humor, adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- Earth's the Right Place for LoveYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Coming of age, adult, family, historical, literary fiction, romance, series counter, womens fiction
- Everything Is BeautifulYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, literary fiction, mystery, romance, series counter
- Everything's FineYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Race, adult, book club, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- Exciting TimesYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Irish literature, LGBT, adult, contemporary, ireland, literary fiction, queer, romance, series counter
- Finding GraceYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Grief, adult, book club, contemporary, literary fiction, mystery, romance, series counter
- Fiona and JaneYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, book club, contemporary, literary fiction, queer, romance, series counter, short stories
- Free LoveYear published: 2022Genre and themes: British literature, adult, book club, contemporary, historical, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- GhostsYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- Go as a RiverYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Coming of age, adult, book club, historical, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- Good MaterialYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Humor, adult, book club, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- Greta & ValdinYear published: 2021Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, book club, contemporary, lesbian, literary fiction, queer, romance, series counter
- GroundskeepingYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Politics, adult, book club, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- Heart the LoverYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Coming of age, adult, book club, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- Hello BeautifulYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, family, historical, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- HesterYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Retellings, adult, book club, feminism, historical, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- HomebodiesYear published: 2023Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, book club, contemporary, lesbian, literary fiction, queer, romance, series counter
- HomeseekingYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, asia, book club, china, contemporary, historical, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- HonorYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, asia, book club, contemporary, historical, india, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- How to Hide in Plain SightYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Friends to lovers, Mental health, adult, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- Hurricane GirlYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Humor, adult, book club, contemporary, horror, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- I Think We've Been Here BeforeYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Christmas, Holiday, adult, contemporary, family, fantasy, literary fiction, romance, romantasy, science fiction, series counter
- I'm a FanYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, feminism, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- In MemoriamYear published: 2023Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, book club, historical, literary fiction, queer, romance, series counter, war
- Interesting Facts about SpaceYear published: 2024Genre and themes: LGBT, Mental health, adult, contemporary, lesbian, literary fiction, queer, romance, series counter
- IntermezzoYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Irish literature, adult, book club, contemporary, ireland, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- IsolaYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, canada, france, historical, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- Just Like YouYear published: 2020Genre and themes: British literature, adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- Less Is LostYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Humor, LGBT, adult, book club, contemporary, gay, literary fiction, queer, romance
- Long IslandYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Irish literature, adult, book club, family, historical, ireland, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- Love After LoveYear published: 2020Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, book club, contemporary, family, literary fiction, queer, romance, series counter
- Loved OneYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Coming of age, Grief, adult, book club, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- LusterYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Race, adult, book club, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- Margo's Got Money TroublesYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Humor, adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- MemorialYear published: 2020Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, book club, contemporary, gay, literary fiction, queer, romance, series counter
- Milk FedYear published: 2021Genre and themes: LGBT, Mental health, adult, contemporary, lesbian, literary fiction, queer, romance, series counter
- My HusbandYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, france, horror, literary fiction, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
- My Name Is Emilia del ValleYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, fantasy, historical, literary fiction, magical realism, romance, romantasy, series counter
- Nearly All the Men in Lagos Are MadYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Humor, adult, africa, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter, short stories
- Notes on Your Sudden DisappearanceYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Coming of age, adult, book club, contemporary, literary fiction, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
- Okay DaysYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Coming of age, Mental health, Summer, adult, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- Olga Dies DreamingYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, book club, contemporary, latinx, literary fiction, new york, romance, series counter
- Open WaterYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Race, adult, book club, contemporary, literary fiction, novella, romance, series counter
- Open, HeavenYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Coming of age, LGBT, adult, contemporary, gay, ireland, literary fiction, queer, romance, series counter
- Shark HeartYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, fantasy, literary fiction, magical realism, romance, romantasy, series counter
- Sirens & MusesYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Art, Dark academia, LGBT, adult, contemporary, lesbian, literary fiction, queer, romance, series counter
- Sky DaddyYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Humor, adult, book club, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, science fiction, series counter
- Some Bright NowhereYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Friendship, adult, book club, contemporary, family, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- SunburnYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Coming of age, LGBT, Summer, adult, contemporary, historical, lesbian, literary fiction, queer, romance, series counter
- SunsetYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Grief, Summer, adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- Swimming in the DarkYear published: 2020Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, contemporary, gay, historical, literary fiction, queer, romance, series counter
- Table for OneYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Travel, adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- Talking at NightYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- The AcademyYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, literary fiction, mystery, romance, series counter, young adult
- The AnthropologistsYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, literary fiction, novella, romance, series counter, short stories
- The Bad Muslim DiscountYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, historical, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- The Collected Regrets of CloverYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Grief, adult, book club, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- The DaydreamsYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Friendship, adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- The FavoritesYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter, sports
- The Fifth Avenue ApartmentYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, literary fiction, new york, rom com, romance, series counter
- The Half MoonYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, historical, literary fiction, mystery, romance, series counter
- The Happy CoupleYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Irish literature, LGBT, adult, contemporary, ireland, literary fiction, queer, romance, series counter
- The Heart in WinterYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Irish literature, Westerns, adult, book club, historical, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- The Heart of WinterYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Relationships, adult, book club, contemporary, family, historical, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- The Island of Missing TreesYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, fantasy, historical, literary fiction, magical realism, romance, romantasy, series counter
- The Knockout QueenYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Coming of age, LGBT, contemporary, literary fiction, queer, romance, series counter, young adult
- The Loneliness of Sonia and SunnyYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, asia, book club, contemporary, historical, india, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- The Museum of Ordinary PeopleYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Books about books, adult, book club, contemporary, family, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- The Nine Lives of Rose NapolitanoYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, feminism, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- The Paper PalaceYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Summer, adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- The Paris HoursYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, book club, france, historical, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- The Phone Booth at the Edge of the WorldYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Grief, adult, asia, book club, contemporary, japan, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- The ProphetsYear published: 2021Genre and themes: LGBT, Race, adult, book club, historical, literary fiction, queer, romance, series counter
- The Rachel IncidentYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Coming of age, Irish literature, LGBT, adult, book club, contemporary, ireland, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- The Reading ListYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Books about books, adult, book club, contemporary, family, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- The Road to Tender HeartsYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Humor, Road trip, adult, book club, contemporary, family, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- The RomanticYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Adventure, British literature, adult, book club, historical, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- The SafekeepYear published: 2024Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, book club, historical, lesbian, literary fiction, queer, romance, series counter
- The Second HomeYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Summer, adult, contemporary, family, literary fiction, romance, series counter, summer reads
- The Seven O'Clock ClubYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Grief, adult, book club, contemporary, fantasy, literary fiction, magical realism, romance, romantasy, series counter
- The Silent TreatmentYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, family, literary fiction, mystery, romance, series counter
- The Startup WifeYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, feminism, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- The Ten Year AffairYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- The Wedding PeopleYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Humor, adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- Thirst for SaltYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Coming of age, Summer, adult, book club, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter, summer reads
- This Is a Love StoryYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, literary fiction, new york, romance, series counter
- Three Days in JuneYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, family, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- Tom LakeYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, family, historical, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and TomorrowYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Coming of age, Friendship, adult, book club, contemporary, historical, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- TwiceYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Time travel, adult, book club, contemporary, fantasy, literary fiction, magical realism, romance, romantasy, series counter
- We All Live HereYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, family, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- We Do What We Do in the DarkYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, contemporary, gay, lesbian, literary fiction, queer, romance, series counter
- WellnessYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, family, historical, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- When We Were BirdsYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, fantasy, literary fiction, magical realism, paranormal, romance, romantasy, series counter
- Wish You Were HereYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, historical, literary fiction, realistic fiction, romance, series counter
- Writers & LoversYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Books about books, adult, book club, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- You Are HereYear published: 2024Genre and themes: British literature, Travel, adult, book club, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter
- Young MungoYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, contemporary, gay, historical, literary fiction, queer, romance, scotland, series counter
- Your Driver Is WaitingYear published: 2023Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, contemporary, lesbian, literary fiction, queer, romance, series counter
Other resources to assist with your querying journey
Comp titles are only a small piece of the querying puzzle! Here are other resources I offer to help writers achieve their dreams of publishing their novels:
- Developmental editing services
- Pre-querying package
- Publishers accepting manuscript submissions this month
- Romance tropes list
- Random romance trope generator
Frequently asked questions
How recent do comp titles need to be?
Comp titles should be published within the past five to seven years so it is representative of the current market potential of your manuscript.
Can I use bestselling books as a comp title?
Yes, you can! However, the bestselling books aren’t always the most suitable options. While it’s integral that a comp title has sold well, it’s better to choose a comp title that’s sold less well but closer represents the tone and overall vibe of your own book.
How many comp titles should I include in my query letter?
You should aim for two comp titles in your query letter. You can include three, but agents would expect more than one.
Can I use a series as a comp titles?
You can, but it’s best to pick a specific book within that series that best represents your manuscript.
What if I can’t find a literary romance comp title that fits my book?
You can broaden your horizons to also include other subgenres of romance!