Slow burn romance comp titles for your query letter (updated 2026)

When you’re querying a slow burn romance, choosing the right comp titles can make or break your chances of being published because 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 slow burn romance comp titles to make sure you’re always working with relevant books.

No matter if you’re writing a sweet, slow-burn slow burn 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 Deal with the DevilAuthor: Elizabeth O'RoarkYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Enemies to lovers, Forced proximity, Slow burn, Workplace, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
2. A Long Time ComingAuthor: Meghan QuinnYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Billionaire, Friends to lovers, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, rom com, romance, series counter
3. A Love Letter to WhiskeyAuthor: Kandi SteinerYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Friends to lovers, Second chance, Slow burn, adult, book club, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter
4. A Promise so Bold and BrokenAuthor: Sophia St. GermainYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Dark, Enemies to lovers, Fae, Magic, Slow burn, adult, fantasy, romance, romantasy
5. Accomplice to the VillainAuthor: Hannah Nicole MaehrerYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Humor, Magic, Slow burn, adult, fantasy, romance, romantasy
6. Against a WallAuthor: Cate C. WellsYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Enemies to lovers, Fake dating, Humor, Slow burn, Small town, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter
7. All Rhodes Lead HereAuthor: Mariana ZapataYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Forced proximity, Friends to lovers, Slow burn, Small town, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
8. Apprentice to the VillainAuthor: Hannah Nicole MaehrerYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Humor, Magic, Slow burn, adult, fantasy, romance, romantasy
9. Bad for BusinessAuthor: Kat SingletonYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Billionaire, Enemies to lovers, Forced proximity, Second chance, Slow burn, Workplace, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
10. Before I Saw YouAuthor: Emily HoughtonYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Mental health, Slow burn, adult, chick lit, contemporary, romance, series counter, womens fiction
11. Blood & SteelAuthor: Helen ScheuererYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Enemies to lovers, Magic, Slow burn, adult, fantasy, romance, romantasy, series counter
12. Bride of the Shadow KingAuthor: Sylvia MercedesYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Fae, Magic, Slow burn, adult, fantasy, paranormal, romance, romantasy, series counter
13. Bring Me BackAuthor: Kristen GranataYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Forced proximity, Friends to lovers, Mental health, Slow burn, Small town, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
14. Broken Souls and BonesAuthor: L.J. AndrewsYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Enemies to lovers, Forced proximity, Magic, Slow burn, adult, fantasy, romance, romantasy, series counter
15. Burn BrightAuthor: Krista RitchieYear published: 2025Genre and themes: College, Found family, Friends to lovers, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter, sports
16. Call Me AnytimeAuthor: Max MonroeYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Forced proximity, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, mystery, rom com, romance, series counter, suspense
17. Chasing ForeverAuthor: Piper RayneYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Forced proximity, Found family, Friends to lovers, He falls first, Slow burn, Small town, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
18. Cluelessly YoursAuthor: Max MonroeYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Doctors, Friends to lovers, He falls first, Humor, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, rom com, romance, series counter
19. Cold Hearted CasanovaAuthor: L.J. ShenYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Dark, Enemies to lovers, Fake dating, Forced proximity, Marriage of convenience, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
20. Corpse RoadsAuthor: J. RoseYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Dark, Slow burn, Why choose, adult, contemporary, crime, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
21. Crazy in LoveAuthor: Laura PavlovYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Billionaire, Enemies to lovers, Forced proximity, Found family, Slow burn, Small town, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
22. Darling VenomAuthor: Parker S. HuntingtonYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Dark, Enemies to lovers, Mental health, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter
23. Dear EnemyAuthor: Kristen CallihanYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Enemies to lovers, Forced proximity, Second chance, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter
24. Dream OnAuthor: Jennifer HartmannYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Celebrity, Fake dating, Forced proximity, Friends to lovers, Second chance, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
25. From Now OnAuthor: C.W. FarnsworthYear published: 2025Genre and themes: College, Forced proximity, Friends to lovers, Hockey, Slow burn, adult, romance, series counter, sports
26. Heir of IllusionAuthor: Madeline TaylorYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Dark, Enemies to lovers, Fae, Magic, Slow burn, adult, fantasy, romance, romantasy, series counter
27. HuntedAuthor: K.M. SheaYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Fae, Magic, Shapeshifters, Slow burn, Werewolves, adult, fantasy, paranormal, romance, romantasy, series counter, urban fantasy
28. Ice Cold BossAuthor: Olivia HayleYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Billionaire, Enemies to lovers, Fake dating, Slow burn, Workplace, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
29. If It Makes You HappyAuthor: Julie OliviaYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Cozy, Friends to lovers, Slow burn, Small town, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
30. In a JamAuthor: Kate CanterbaryYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Fake dating, Forced proximity, Friends to lovers, Marriage of convenience, Second chance, Slow burn, Small town, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
31. JiltedAuthor: Vi KeelandYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Forced proximity, He falls first, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, rom com, romance, series counter
32. June FirstAuthor: Jennifer HartmannYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Dark, Emotional, Forbidden romance, Friends to lovers, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter
33. Just FriendsAuthor: Charity FerrellYear published: 2020Genre and themes: College, Fake dating, Friends to lovers, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter, smut
34. Keeping ScoreAuthor: Rebecca JenshakYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Forced proximity, Found family, He falls first, Hockey, Marriage of convenience, Slow burn, adult, romance, sports
35. Kingdom of FaewoodAuthor: Krista StreetYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Enemies to lovers, Fae, Magic, Slow burn, adult, fantasy, high fantasy, paranormal, romance, romantasy, series counter
36. Kissed by the GodsAuthor: Caty RoganYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Enemies to lovers, Gods, Magic, Slow burn, adult, fantasy, romance, romantasy, series counter
37. Lonely for You OnlyAuthor: Monica MurphyYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Dark, Enemies to lovers, Fake dating, Forced proximity, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter
38. LotusAuthor: Jennifer HartmannYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Dark, Friends to lovers, Second chance, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, mystery, romance, series counter
39. Love You, Mean ItAuthor: Laura PavlovYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Enemies to lovers, Forced proximity, Found family, He falls first, Slow burn, Small town, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
40. Morbidly YoursAuthor: Ivy FairbanksYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Friends to lovers, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, ireland, rom com, romance, series counter
41. NocticadiaAuthor: Keri LakeYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Dark, Dark academia, Slow burn, adult, fantasy, gothic, mystery, romance, romantasy, series counter
42. OlderAuthor: Jennifer HartmannYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Abuse, Dark, Forbidden romance, Found family, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
43. Out on a LimbAuthor: Hannah Bonam-YoungYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Forced proximity, Friends to lovers, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, disability, romance, series counter
44. Please Don't GoAuthor: E. SalvadorYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Baseball, College, Friends to lovers, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, sports
45. PlierAuthor: Jane WashingtonYear published: 2023Genre and themes: College, Slow burn, Why choose, adult, fantasy, new adult, omegaverse, paranormal, romance, romantasy, series counter
46. Promised in FireAuthor: Jasmine WaltYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Dragons, Enemies to lovers, Fae, Magic, Slow burn, adult, fantasy, paranormal, romance, romantasy, series counter
47. Ready or NotAuthor: Cara BastoneYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Friends to lovers, Slow burn, adult, chick lit, contemporary, rom com, romance, series counter
48. Reign & RuinAuthor: J.D. EvansYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Magic, Slow burn, adult, fantasy, high fantasy, romance, romantasy, series counter
49. Riven KnightAuthor: Devney PerryYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Forced proximity, Marriage of convenience, Slow burn, Small town, adult, contemporary, mystery, romance, suspense
50. RootboundAuthor: Tarah DeWittYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Cowboy, Forced proximity, Slow burn, Small town, Westerns, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
51. Secrets and MasksAuthor: Emerald_SlytherinYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Dark, Enemies to lovers, Slow burn, adult, fantasy, romance, romantasy, series counter
52. Shield of SparrowsAuthor: Devney PerryYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Enemies to lovers, Magic, Slow burn, adult, fantasy, romance, romantasy, series counter
53. Something UnexpectedAuthor: Vi KeelandYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Emotional, Enemies to lovers, Humor, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, rom com, romance, series counter
54. Spark of the EverflameAuthor: Penn ColeYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Dragons, Enemies to lovers, Magic, Slow burn, adult, fantasy, romance, romantasy, series counter
55. SpotlightAuthor: Rebecca JenshakYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Baseball, Found family, Friends to lovers, He falls first, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, romance, sports
56. The Crown of Oaths and CursesAuthor: J. BreeYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Enemies to lovers, Fae, Magic, Slow burn, Witches, adult, fantasy, romance, romantasy, series counter
57. The DevilAuthor: Michelle HeardYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Abuse, Dark, Forced proximity, Found family, He falls first, Mafia, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
58. The Disappearances of Draco MalfoyAuthor: SpeechwriterYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Enemies to lovers, Magic, Slow burn, fantasy, romance, romantasy, series counter, young adult
59. The Fall of Bradley ReedAuthor: Morgan ElizabethYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Fake dating, Forced proximity, Friends to lovers, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, rom com, romance, series counter
60. The InvitationAuthor: Vi KeelandYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Enemies to lovers, Slow burn, Workplace, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter
61. The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your EnemyAuthor: Brigitte KnightleyYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Enemies to lovers, Magic, Slow burn, adult, fantasy, romance, romantasy, series counter
62. The Shattered KingAuthor: Charlie N. HolmbergYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Magic, Slow burn, adult, fantasy, romance, romantasy, series counter, war
63. The Spanish Love DeceptionAuthor: Elena ArmasYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Enemies to lovers, Fake dating, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, rom com, romance, series counter
64. The Sweet SpotAuthor: Adriana LockeYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Baseball, Friends to lovers, Slow burn, Small town, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, sports
65. The Things We WaterAuthor: Mariana ZapataYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Friends to lovers, Magic, Shapeshifters, Slow burn, adult, fantasy, paranormal, romance, romantasy, series counter
66. The Wedding MenuAuthor: Letizia LoriniYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Enemies to lovers, Forced proximity, Friends to lovers, He falls first, Second chance, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, rom com, romance, series counter
67. The Wrong HeartAuthor: Jennifer HartmannYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Dark, Emotional, Enemies to lovers, Mental health, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
68. Things We Hide from the LightAuthor: Lucy ScoreYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Forced proximity, Slow burn, Small town, adult, chick lit, contemporary, romance
69. This Could Be UsAuthor: Kennedy RyanYear published: 2024Genre and themes: African American, Friends to lovers, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
70. 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
71. TimelessAuthor: Devney PerryYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Billionaire, He falls first, Slow burn, Small town, adult, contemporary, novella, romance, series counter
72. UnwantedAuthor: Susie TateYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Billionaire, Enemies to lovers, Friends to lovers, Second chance, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
73. VessellessAuthor: Cortney L. WinnYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Enemies to lovers, Magic, Slow burn, Witches, adult, fantasy, paranormal, romance, romantasy, series counter
74. Water Under the BridgeAuthor: Kels StoneYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Enemies to lovers, Forced proximity, Slow burn, Workplace, adult, contemporary, rom com, romance, series counter
75. What's Left of MeAuthor: Kristen GranataYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Abuse, Enemies to lovers, Forced proximity, Friends to lovers, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
76. When He TakesAuthor: Gabrielle SandsYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Dark, Enemies to lovers, Forced proximity, Mafia, Marriage of convenience, Second chance, Slow burn, adult, crime, romance, series counter
77. Wild CardAuthor: Elsie SilverYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Forbidden romance, Forced proximity, Second chance, Slow burn, Small town, adult, contemporary, romance
78. Wolf ShunnedAuthor: Laurel NightYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Shapeshifters, Slow burn, Werewolves, Why choose, adult, dystopia, fantasy, new adult, paranormal, romance, romantasy, series counter
79. You & MeAuthor: Tal BauerYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Friends to lovers, LGBT, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, gay, m m romance, queer, romance, series counter, sports

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 slow burn romance comp title that fits my book?

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