Forbidden romance romance comp titles for your query letter (updated 2026)

When you’re querying a forbidden romance romance, choosing the choosing the right comp titles 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 forbidden romance romance comp titles to make sure you’re always working with relevant books.

No matter if you’re writing a sweet, slow-burn forbidden romance 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.

1. Burning DaylightAuthor: Emily McIntireYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Dark, Forbidden romance, Retellings, adult, contemporary, fantasy, romance, romantasy, series counter
2. By Sin I Rise: Part TwoAuthor: Cora ReillyYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Dark, Enemies to lovers, Forbidden romance, Mafia, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance
3. Chasing the WildAuthor: Elliott RoseYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Cowboy, Dark, Forbidden romance, Forced proximity, Small town, Westerns, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
4. Eleven ElevenAuthor: Micalea SmeltzerYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Forbidden romance, Forced proximity, Found family, He falls first, Small town, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
5. Empire of DesireAuthor: Rina KentYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Dark, Forbidden romance, Marriage of convenience, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, smut
6. June FirstAuthor: Jennifer HartmannYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Dark, Emotional, Forbidden romance, Friends to lovers, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter
7. King of PrideAuthor: Ana HuangYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Billionaire, Dark, Forbidden romance, adult, contemporary, romance, smut
8. Kiss Now, Lie LaterAuthor: C.W. FarnsworthYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Enemies to lovers, Football, Forbidden romance, High school, contemporary, romance, series counter, sports, young adult
9. Love UnexpectedAuthor: Q.B. TylerYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Age gap, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Forbidden romance, adult, contemporary, erotica, romance, series counter, smut
10. Masked SinsAuthor: Amanda RichardsonYear published: 2024Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Forbidden romance, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, smut
11. MercyAuthor: Sara CateYear published: 2022Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, Forbidden romance, adult, contemporary, erotica, romance, smut
12. OlderAuthor: Jennifer HartmannYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Abuse, Dark, Forbidden romance, Found family, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
13. PraiseAuthor: Sara CateYear published: 2022Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, Forbidden romance, Workplace, adult, contemporary, erotica, romance, series counter, smut
14. Quarterback SneakAuthor: Kandi SteinerYear published: 2022Genre and themes: College, Football, Forbidden romance, Forced proximity, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, sports
15. Revenge EraAuthor: Brittanee NicoleYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Celebrity, Forbidden romance, Workplace, adult, contemporary, novella, romance, series counter, sports
16. Rewriting the StarsAuthor: Claire KingsleyYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Enemies to lovers, Firefighters, Forbidden romance, Friends to lovers, Small town, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
17. Sin BinAuthor: Chelsea CurtoYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Forbidden romance, Forced proximity, Friends to lovers, Hockey, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, sports
18. Sunday MorningAuthor: Jewel E. AnnYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Forbidden romance, Small town, Westerns, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter
19. TemptAuthor: Melanie HarlowYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Age gap, Forbidden romance, Military, Small town, adult, contemporary, plus size, romance, series counter, smut
20. The EmperorAuthor: RuNyxYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Dark, Forbidden romance, Friends to lovers, Mafia, Second chance, adult, contemporary, mystery, romance, series counter
21. The Good Girl EffectAuthor: Sara CateYear published: 2025Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, Forbidden romance, Forced proximity, adult, contemporary, erotica, romance, smut
22. The Pool BoyAuthor: Nikki SloaneYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Age gap, Forbidden romance, adult, contemporary, erotica, romance, series counter, smut
23. The Summer We FellAuthor: Elizabeth O'RoarkYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Enemies to lovers, Forbidden romance, Forced proximity, Second chance, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, sports
24. The Summer You Found MeAuthor: Elizabeth O'RoarkYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Emotional, Forbidden romance, Forced proximity, Friends to lovers, He falls first, Second chance, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
25. The Trouble With LoveAuthor: Kat T. MasenYear published: 2021Genre and themes: College, Dark, Forbidden romance, Friends to lovers, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, smut
26. Thorne PrincessAuthor: L.J. ShenYear published: 2023Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Forbidden romance, Forced proximity, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
27. Venomous KissAuthor: T.L. SmithYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Dark, Forbidden romance, adult, contemporary, crime, romance, series counter, smut
28. Wild CardAuthor: Elsie SilverYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Forbidden romance, Forced proximity, Second chance, Slow burn, Small town, adult, contemporary, romance

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 forbidden romance romance comp title that fits my book?

You can broaden your horizons to also include other subgenres of romance!