Choosing the right emotional comp titles for your query letter can make or break your chances of being published.
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 emotional romance comp titles to make sure you’re always working with relevant books.
No matter if you’re writing a sweet, slow-burn emotional 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 Broken PiecesYear published: 2024Genre and themes: contemporary, emotional, friends to lovers, mental health, new adult, young adult
- June FirstYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, dark, emotional, forbidden romance, friends to lovers, new adult, slow burn
- My MaddieYear published: 2020Genre and themes: abuse, adult, contemporary, crime, dark, emotional, new adult
- NateYear published: 2021Genre and themes: abuse, adult, contemporary, emotional, enemies to lovers, new adult
- Now Open Your EyesYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, college, contemporary, dark, emotional, mental health, new adult, smut
- Pack Up the MoonYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, emotional, grief
- Something UnexpectedYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, emotional, enemies to lovers, humor, rom com, slow burn
- The Forgotten OneYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, emotional, family, family drama, womens fiction
- The Girl in the Love SongYear published: 2020Genre and themes: contemporary, emotional, friends to lovers, high school, music, new adult, young adult
- The Summer You Found MeYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, emotional, forbidden romance, forced proximity, friends to lovers, he falls first, second chance
- The Way I Am NowYear published: 2023Genre and themes: contemporary, emotional, mental health, realistic fiction, second chance, young adult
- The Wrong HeartYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, dark, emotional, enemies to lovers, mental health, slow burn
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 emotional romance comp title that fits my book?
You can broaden your horizons to also include other subgenres of romance!