Choosing the right Roman 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 Roman romance comp titles to make sure you’re always working with relevant books.
No matter if you’re writing a sweet, slow-burn Roman 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 Heart for Christmas: Advent RomanceYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Roman, book club, christmas, contemporary, holiday, young adult
- A Heart for Christmas: My Advent NovelYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Roman, book club, christmas, contemporary, holiday, young adult
- An Italian Girl in BrooklynYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Italy, Roman, adult, drama, historical, war
- Atlas: The Story of Pa SaltYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Roman, adult, contemporary, drama, historical, mystery
- In the Country of OthersYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Africa, France, Roman, adult, historical
- Should I Tell You?Year published: 2022Genre and themes: British literature, Roman, adult, chick lit, contemporary, womens fiction
- The Hidden GirlYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Roman, adult, book club, drama, historical, mystery
- The Italian DaughterYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Italy, Roman, adult, contemporary, historical, mystery
- The Last SummerYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Roman, Scotland, adult, historical, summer, summer reads
- The Secret HoursYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Ireland, Roman, adult, book club, historical
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 Roman romance comp title that fits my book?
You can broaden your horizons to also include other subgenres of romance!