Choosing the right royalty comp titles for your query letter can make or break your chances of being published.
The purpose of comp titles is for agents and publishing house editors to gauge the genre of your book as well as the tone and market potential of your work.
I regularly update this list of royalty romance comp titles to make sure you’re always working with relevant books.
No matter if you’re writing a sweet, slow-burn royalty romance or something fast and spicy, you’ll find titles below to help you write a killer query letter!
If you’re looking for something a bit more specific, check out my romance comp database.
- A Thousand HeartbeatsYear published: 2022Genre and themes: enemies to lovers, fantasy, historical, romantasy, royalty, young adult
- Cast in FirelightYear published: 2021Genre and themes: enemies to lovers, fantasy, high fantasy, magic, romantasy, royalty, young adult
- Castles in Their BonesYear published: 2022Genre and themes: fantasy, high fantasy, magic, romantasy, royalty, young adult
- Coronation YearYear published: 2023Genre and themes: British literature, adult, book club, historical, mystery, royalty
- Katharine Parr: The Sixth WifeYear published: 2021Genre and themes: British literature, adult, historical, royalty
- Katheryn Howard: the Scandalous QueenYear published: 2020Genre and themes: British literature, adult, historical, royalty
- Playing the PalaceYear published: 2021Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, contemporary, gay, m m romance, queer, royalty
- ReignYear published: 2023Genre and themes: chick lit, contemporary, fantasy, new adult, royalty, young adult
- RivalsYear published: 2022Genre and themes: chick lit, contemporary, fantasy, royalty, young adult
- Royally Not ReadyYear published: 2022Genre and themes: BDSM, adult, contemporary, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, rom com, royalty
- ShieldedYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adventure, fantasy, high fantasy, magic, romantasy, royalty, young adult
- The BetrayedYear published: 2021Genre and themes: dystopia, enemies to lovers, fantasy, historical, royalty, young adult
- The Heir ApparentYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, royalty
- The Queen's FortuneYear published: 2020Genre and themes: France, adult, book club, historical, royalty
- The Royals Next DoorYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, rom com, royalty, summer
- The Unlikely HeirYear published: 2023Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, contemporary, friends to lovers, gay, m m romance, queer, royalty
- The Woman Before WallisYear published: 2020Genre and themes: British literature, Canada, adult, book club, historical, royalty
- Tokyo DreamingYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Asian literature, Japan, contemporary, realistic fiction, royalty, young adult
- Tokyo Ever AfterYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Japan, contemporary, royalty, young adult
- Wed to the Ice GiantYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, aliens, fantasy, monster, novella, paranormal, romantasy, royalty
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 title?
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 royalty romance comp title that fits my book?
You can broaden your horizons to also include other subgenres of romance!