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

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Choosing the right friendship 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 friendship romance comp titles to make sure you’re always working with relevant books.

No matter if you’re writing a sweet, slow-burn friendship 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. Eliza Starts a RumorAuthor: Jane L. RosenYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Friendship, adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, romance, series counter, womens fiction
  2. Kate in WaitingAuthor: Becky AlbertalliYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Friendship, LGBT, contemporary, queer, realistic fiction, romance, series counter, young adult
  3. Mrs. Endicott's Splendid AdventureAuthor: Rhys BowenYear published: 2025Genre and themes: British literature, Friendship, adult, france, historical, romance, series counter, war, world war ii
  4. Some Bright NowhereAuthor: Ann PackerYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Friendship, adult, book club, contemporary, family, literary fiction, romance, series counter
  5. Someone Else's ShoesAuthor: Jojo MoyesYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Friendship, Humor, adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, romance, series counter
  6. The Authenticity ProjectAuthor: Clare PooleyYear published: 2020Genre and themes: British literature, Friendship, adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, romance, series counter
  7. The Book of CandlelightAuthor: Ellery AdamsYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Books about books, Cozy, Friendship, adult, contemporary, cozy mystery, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
  8. The Break-Up Book ClubAuthor: Wendy WaxYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Books about books, Friendship, adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, romance, series counter, womens fiction
  9. The Bright SpotAuthor: Jill ShalvisYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Friendship, adult, chick lit, contemporary, family, romance, series counter
  10. The DaydreamsAuthor: Laura HankinYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Friendship, adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, literary fiction, romance, series counter
  11. The Distant DaughterAuthor: Lorna CookYear published: 2025Genre and themes: British literature, Friendship, adult, family, historical, mystery, romance, series counter
  12. The Last List of Mabel BeaumontAuthor: Laura PearsonYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Friendship, LGBT, adult, book club, contemporary, historical, romance, series counter
  13. The Lonely Hearts Book ClubAuthor: Lucy GilmoreYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Books about books, Friendship, adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, romance, series counter
  14. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and TomorrowAuthor: Gabrielle ZevinYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Coming of age, Friendship, adult, book club, contemporary, historical, literary fiction, romance, series counter
  15. Us ThreeAuthor: Ruth JonesYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Friendship, adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, family, romance, series counter
  16. We Are InevitableAuthor: Gayle FormanYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Books about books, Friendship, contemporary, family, realistic fiction, romance, series counter, young adult
  17. What I CarryAuthor: Jennifer LongoYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Coming of age, Friendship, contemporary, family, realistic fiction, romance, series counter, young adult

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:

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 friendship romance comp title that fits my book?

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

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