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

Choosing the right comp titles for your novella romance’s query letter can make or break your changes of being published.

If you’re wondering what the purpose of a comp title is, it’s to allow agents and publishing house editors to quickly gauge the genre and market potential of your book.

I regularly update this list of novella romance comp titles to make sure you’re always working with relevant books.

No matter if you’re writing a sweet, slow-burn novella 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. A Mirror MendedAuthor: Alix E. HarrowYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, fairy tales, fantasy, novella, queer, retellings
2. All Wrapped Up in YouAuthor: Rosie DananYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, holiday, novella, short stories
3. Beautiful NightmareAuthor: Katee RobertYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, fantasy, halloween, monster, novella, paranormal, short stories
4. Believe MeAuthor: Tahereh MafiYear published: 2021Genre and themes: dystopia, enemies to lovers, fantasy, novella, romantasy, science fiction, young adult
5. Big FanAuthor: Alexandra RomanoffYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, novella, short stories
6. Capri 1.5Author: Jahquel J.Year published: 2024Genre and themes: African American, adult, contemporary, dark, friends to lovers, novella
7. Carving for CaraAuthor: Melissa McSherryYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, dark, halloween, holiday, horror, novella, smut
8. Come With MeAuthor: Brooke MontgomeryYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Westerns, adult, contemporary, cowboy, friends to lovers, novella, second chance, small town
9. Death's ObsessionAuthor: Avina St. GravesYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, dark, fantasy, novella, paranormal, romantasy, smut
10. Don't StopAuthor: Lauren BielYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, dark, halloween, horror, novella, serial killer, smut
11. Done RightAuthor: Rhianna BurwellYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, billionaire, contemporary, dark, erotica, m f romance, novella, smut
12. EpicAuthor: Sarina BowenYear published: 2020Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, contemporary, friends to lovers, m m romance, novella, sports
13. FallingAuthor: Christina LaurenYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, fantasy, halloween, novella, paranormal, short stories
14. FearfulAuthor: Lauren RobertsYear published: 2025Genre and themes: dystopia, fantasy, magic, novella, romantasy, young adult
15. FirstAuthor: Ali HazelwoodYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, dark, dystopia, fantasy, novella, omegaverse, paranormal, romantasy, science fiction
16. Heart TrickAuthor: Kristen GranataYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, enemies to lovers, fake dating, forced proximity, hockey, novella, sports
17. Her Vicious Beasts: The BeginningAuthor: E.P. BaliYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, dragons, fantasy, novella, paranormal, romantasy, shapeshifters, why choose
18. HollyAuthor: Adalyn GraceYear published: 2025Genre and themes: christmas, fantasy, gothic, holiday, novella, paranormal, romantasy, young adult
19. Hot for SlayerAuthor: Ali HazelwoodYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, enemies to lovers, fantasy, novella, paranormal, romantasy, short stories, vampires
20. Love & Other KillersAuthor: Brynne WeaverYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, dark, novella, serial killer, short stories, thriller
21. Love & Other KillersAuthor: Brynne WeaverYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, dark, novella, serial killer, short stories, thriller
22. Magic TidesAuthor: Ilona AndrewsYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, fantasy, magic, novella, paranormal, shapeshifters, urban fantasy, vampires
23. MementoAuthor: Amie KaufmanYear published: 2020Genre and themes: fantasy, novella, science fiction, short stories, space, young adult
24. Merry and BrightAuthor: Ali RosenYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, fake dating, holiday, novella, short stories
25. Mistletoe Meet CuteAuthor: Bella MatthewsYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, christmas, football, forced proximity, holiday, novella, small town, sports
26. Muscles & MonstersAuthor: Ashley BennettYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, fantasy, monster, novella, paranormal, smut
27. Muscles & MonstersAuthor: Ashley BennettYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, fantasy, monster, novella, paranormal, smut
28. My Boyfriends Are All MonstersAuthor: Kimberly LemmingYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, fantasy, halloween, monster, novella, paranormal, short stories
29. Mysteries of Thorn ManorAuthor: Margaret RogersonYear published: 2023Genre and themes: fantasy, magic, novella, romantasy, young adult
30. Open WaterAuthor: Caleb Azumah NelsonYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, literary fiction, novella, race
31. PowerfulAuthor: Lauren RobertsYear published: 2024Genre and themes: fantasy, magic, novella, romantasy, young adult
32. Revenge EraAuthor: Brittanee NicoleYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, celebrity, contemporary, forbidden romance, novella, sports, workplace
33. Roots of DarknessAuthor: Demi WintersYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, fantasy, high fantasy, magic, novella, romantasy
34. SeatmateAuthor: Cara BastoneYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, humor, novella, rom com
35. Second BiteAuthor: S.J. TillyYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, celebrity, christmas, contemporary, holiday, novella, rom com
36. Snow Place Like HomeAuthor: Laura PavlovYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, friends to lovers, holiday, novella, short stories
37. Space VampireAuthor: Ruby DixonYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, aliens, fantasy, novella, paranormal, science fiction, short stories, vampires
38. Spicy Little CursesAuthor: J.T. GeissingerYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, fantasy, halloween, novella, paranormal, romantasy, short stories
39. StrandedAuthor: Selena WintersYear published: 2023Genre and themes: BDSM, adult, christmas, crime, dark, erotica, forced proximity, holiday, novella
40. Stuck with YouAuthor: Ali HazelwoodYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, enemies to lovers, novella, rom com, short stories
41. The AnthropologistsAuthor: Aysegül SavasYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, literary fiction, novella, short stories
42. The BeastAuthor: Jenika SnowYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, dark, erotica, fantasy, monster, novella, paranormal, retellings, smut
43. The Bookstore SistersAuthor: Alice HoffmanYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, books about books, contemporary, family, fantasy, magical realism, novella, short stories
44. The Four LeafAuthor: Lee JacquotYear published: 2022Genre and themes: BDSM, adult, contemporary, dark, erotica, friends to lovers, holiday, novella, smut
45. The HunterAuthor: Jenika SnowYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, dark, erotica, fantasy, monster, novella, paranormal, retellings
46. The Mimicking of Known SuccessesAuthor: Malka Ann OlderYear published: 2023Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, lesbian, mystery, novella, queer, science fiction, thriller
47. The Mistletoe MysteryAuthor: Nita ProseYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, christmas, cozy mystery, holiday, mystery, novella, short stories, thriller
48. The River Has RootsAuthor: Amal El-MohtarYear published: 2025Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, fae, fantasy, magic, novella, queer
49. The Six Deaths of the SaintAuthor: Alix E. HarrowYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, fantasy, historical, horror, novella, short stories
50. TimelessAuthor: Devney PerryYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, billionaire, contemporary, he falls first, novella, slow burn, small town
51. Tutoring the DelinquentAuthor: Jessa KaneYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, college, contemporary, erotica, new adult, novella, smut, sports
52. UnhingedAuthor: Vera ValentineYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, book club, erotica, fantasy, novella, paranormal, smut
53. VaultAuthor: Tate JamesYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, dark, new adult, novella, smut, why choose
54. Wed to the Ice GiantAuthor: Layla FaeYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, aliens, fantasy, monster, novella, paranormal, romantasy, royalty
55. What Does It Feel Like?Author: Sophie KinsellaYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, family, novella, short stories
56. You Better Not PoutAuthor: Mia SosaYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, holiday, novella, second chance, short stories
57. Yule Be MineAuthor: Piper RayneYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, holiday, novella, second chance

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 novella romance comp title that fits my book?

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