When you’re querying a second chance 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 second chance romance comp titles to make sure you’re always working with relevant books.
No matter if you’re writing a sweet, slow-burn second chance 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 Lot Like AdiósYear published: 2021Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, contemporary, friends to lovers, latinx, second chance
- A Love Letter to WhiskeyYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, friends to lovers, new adult, second chance, slow burn
- All I Want Is YouYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, forced proximity, holiday, second chance
- ASAPYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Asian literature, contemporary, second chance, young adult
- Bad for BusinessYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, billionaire, contemporary, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, second chance, slow burn, workplace
- BeautyYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, forced proximity, found family, hockey, second chance, sports, workplace
- Beneath the StarsYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, friends to lovers, new adult, second chance, small town
- Black ThornsYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, college, contemporary, dark, enemies to lovers, new adult, second chance
- Bloodied HandsYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, crime, dark, mafia, second chance
- Boss’s Secret BabyYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, friends to lovers, second chance, surprise pregnancy, workplace
- By Frenzy I RuinYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, crime, dark, enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, mafia, new adult, second chance
- Catch the SunYear published: 2024Genre and themes: book club, contemporary, friends to lovers, second chance, young adult
- Chasing LoveYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, billionaire, contemporary, dark, enemies to lovers, second chance, smut
- Come With MeYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Westerns, adult, contemporary, cowboy, friends to lovers, novella, second chance, small town
- Cowboy CasualYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Westerns, adult, contemporary, cowboy, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, second chance, small town
- CrashYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, dark, doctors, forced proximity, friends to lovers, second chance, suspense
- CrossroadsYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Westerns, adult, contemporary, cowboy, friends to lovers, second chance, small town
- Dear EnemyYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, new adult, second chance, slow burn
- Do I Know You?Year published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, second chance, summer, summer reads
- Dream OnYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, celebrity, contemporary, fake dating, forced proximity, friends to lovers, second chance, slow burn
- Every Summer AfterYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, friends to lovers, second chance, summer, summer reads
- Fall Too WellYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, holiday, rom com, second chance, small town
- Falling Like LeavesYear published: 2025Genre and themes: contemporary, cozy, rom com, second chance, young adult
- Final OfferYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, billionaire, contemporary, forced proximity, friends to lovers, second chance
- Finn Rhodes ForeverYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, friends to lovers, rom com, second chance, small town
- Flirting with DisasterYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, forced proximity, second chance
- Friday Night LiesYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, basketball, contemporary, enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, high school, second chance, sports
- Friends to LoversYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, friends to lovers, second chance, summer, summer reads
- Hard to ScoreYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, football, friends to lovers, second chance, sports
- Hate MeYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, dark, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, mafia, marriage of convenience, second chance, smut
- Hate Me Like You Mean ItYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, billionaire, contemporary, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, friends to lovers, rom com, second chance
- Hating the PlayerYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, basketball, college, enemies to lovers, new adult, second chance, sports
- Head Above WaterYear published: 2021Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, contemporary, enemies to lovers, gay, m m romance, queer, second chance
- Hold Me Until MorningYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, forced proximity, he falls first, second chance, small town, suspense
- I Wish I Knew ThenYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, second chance, small town
- If There's a WayYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, contemporary, dark, found family, friends to lovers, m m romance, mental health, second chance
- If This Was a MovieYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, forced proximity, found family, holiday, rom com, second chance, small town
- In a JamYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, fake dating, forced proximity, friends to lovers, marriage of convenience, second chance, slow burn, small town
- In the Likely EventYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, military, second chance
- InsatiableYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, dark, enemies to lovers, fantasy, romantasy, second chance, smut
- IrishYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, dark, forced proximity, friends to lovers, mafia, second chance
- It Had to Be YouYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, family, second chance, womens fiction
- It's Different This TimeYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, forced proximity, friends to lovers, second chance
- King of GreedYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, billionaire, contemporary, dark, second chance, smut
- Lawless GodYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, dark, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, mafia, second chance, smut
- LotusYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, dark, friends to lovers, mystery, second chance, slow burn
- Love ArrangedYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, billionaire, contemporary, enemies to lovers, fake dating, second chance, small town
- Luck and Last ResortsYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, friends to lovers, second chance
- MadameYear published: 2023Genre and themes: BDSM, LGBT, adult, contemporary, dark, erotica, second chance, smut, why choose
- Merry MeYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, forced proximity, holiday, rom com, second chance
- My Favorite Fake RomanceYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, enemies to lovers, fake dating, forced proximity, road trip, second chance
- My First MistakeYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, holiday, second chance
- NightfallYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, dark, enemies to lovers, new adult, second chance, smut
- Nine LivesYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, second chance, womens fiction
- Nothing Like the MoviesYear published: 2024Genre and themes: college, contemporary, rom com, second chance, young adult
- Once More with FeelingYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, rom com, second chance
- One Last ShotYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, friends to lovers, second chance, summer, summer reads
- Only OnceYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, celebrity, contemporary, new adult, second chance, sports
- Perfect FitYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, rom com, second chance, workplace
- PlayedYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, billionaire, contemporary, dark, enemies to lovers, gay, m m romance, queer, second chance
- ProtectYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, firefighters, forced proximity, friends to lovers, second chance, small town
- PS: I Hate YouYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, rom com, second chance
- Recipe for Second ChancesYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Italy, adult, chick lit, contemporary, food, second chance
- RedamancyYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, dark, enemies to lovers, new adult, second chance
- Resisting the GrumpYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, new adult, second chance, small town
- SashaYear published: 2022Genre and themes: BDSM, adult, contemporary, dark, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, mafia, second chance
- Secret HavenYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, forced proximity, found family, friends to lovers, marriage of convenience, second chance, small town, suspense
- Seven Days in JuneYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, second chance, summer, summer reads
- SomedayYear published: 2023Genre and themes: abuse, adult, contemporary, enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, second chance, small town
- Someone I Used to KnowYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, friends to lovers, rom com, second chance, womens fiction
- Something WilderYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, adventure, chick lit, contemporary, mystery, second chance
- Talk Bookish to MeYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, books about books, chick lit, contemporary, rom com, second chance
- The BonusYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, billionaire, contemporary, enemies to lovers, second chance, workplace
- The Breakup TourYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, music, second chance
- The Cinnamon Spice InnYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, cozy, enemies to lovers, second chance, small town
- The Co-opYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, marriage of convenience, second chance
- The EmperorYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, dark, forbidden romance, friends to lovers, mafia, mystery, second chance
- The EmpressYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, crime, dark, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, mafia, marriage of convenience, second chance
- The EnforcerYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, college, forced proximity, hockey, second chance, sports
- The Ex VowsYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, forced proximity, friends to lovers, second chance
- The Ex-Mas HolidaysYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, holiday, second chance
- The Fixer UpperYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, friends to lovers, rom com, second chance
- The Forever GirlYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, second chance, womens fiction
- The Friendship PactYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, family, friends to lovers, second chance
- The Make-Up TestYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, enemies to lovers, second chance
- The PairingYear published: 2024Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, book club, contemporary, queer, second chance
- The Plight Before ChristmasYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, book club, christmas, contemporary, holiday, second chance
- The RewindYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday, second chance
- The Road TripYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, road trip, rom com, second chance
- The Shaadi Set-UpYear published: 2021Genre and themes: India, adult, contemporary, rom com, second chance
- The Summer I Saved YouYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, forced proximity, friends to lovers, second chance, small town, workplace
- The Summer We FellYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, enemies to lovers, forbidden romance, forced proximity, second chance, sports
- 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 Wedding MenuYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, friends to lovers, he falls first, rom com, second chance, slow burn
- Theirs for the HolidaysYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, fake dating, forced proximity, holiday, second chance, smut, why choose
- This Used to Be UsYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, drama, family drama, second chance
- Untamed VixenYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, crime, dark, mafia, second chance, smut, why choose
- UnwantedYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, billionaire, contemporary, enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, second chance, slow burn
- Well, ActuallyYear published: 2025Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, contemporary, enemies to lovers, second chance
- What If I Never Get Over YouYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, second chance, travel
- When He TakesYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, crime, dark, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, mafia, marriage of convenience, second chance, slow burn
- Wild and WrangledYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Westerns, adult, contemporary, cowboy, friends to lovers, second chance, small town
- Wild CardYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, forbidden romance, forced proximity, second chance, slow burn, small town
- You Better Not PoutYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, holiday, novella, second chance, short stories
- You Deserve Each OtherYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, enemies to lovers, rom com, second chance
- Yule Be MineYear 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 second chance romance comp title that fits my book?
You can broaden your horizons to also include other subgenres of romance!