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

When you’re querying a family 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 family romance comp titles to make sure you’re always working with relevant books.

No matter if you’re writing a sweet, slow-burn family 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 December to RememberAuthor: Jenny BaylissYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, family, holiday
2. A Good NeighborhoodAuthor: Therese Anne FowlerYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, family, literary fiction, race
3. A Little HopeAuthor: Ethan JoellaYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, family, grief, literary fiction
4. A Merry Little LieAuthor: Sarah MorganYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, christmas, contemporary, family, holiday
5. A Springtime AffairAuthor: Katie FfordeYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, family, womens fiction
6. A Walk Along the BeachAuthor: Debbie MacomberYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, family, womens fiction
7. A Week at the ShoreAuthor: Barbara DelinskyYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, family, mystery, summer reads, womens fiction
8. All My RageAuthor: Sabaa TahirYear published: 2022Genre and themes: book club, coming of age, contemporary, family, historical, realistic fiction, young adult
9. All the Glimmering StarsAuthor: Mark T. SullivanYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Africa, adult, book club, family, historical, war
10. Beach House RulesAuthor: Kristy Woodson HarveyYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, beach reads, chick lit, contemporary, family, summer, summer reads, womens fiction
11. Because of YouAuthor: Dawn FrenchYear published: 2020Genre and themes: British literature, adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, family, literary fiction
12. BlushAuthor: Jamie BrennerYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, beach reads, book club, books about books, chick lit, contemporary, family, womens fiction
13. Bright Lights, Big ChristmasAuthor: Mary Kay AndrewsYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, family, holiday
14. Christmas in Peachtree BluffAuthor: Kristy Woodson HarveyYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, family, holiday, womens fiction
15. Consider Yourself KissedAuthor: Jessica StanleyYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, family, literary fiction
16. Counting MiraclesAuthor: Nicholas SparksYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, family
17. Daddy's GirlsAuthor: Danielle SteelYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, family, relationships
18. DeceptionAuthor: Lesley PearseYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, family, historical, mystery
19. Dream StateAuthor: Eric PuchnerYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, family, literary fiction
20. Earth's the Right Place for LoveAuthor: Elizabeth BergYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, coming of age, family, historical, literary fiction, womens fiction
21. Famous in a Small TownAuthor: Viola ShipmanYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, family, womens fiction
22. Good GriefAuthor: Sara Goodman ConfinoYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Jewish, adult, chick lit, family, grief, historical, womens fiction
23. Grown UpsAuthor: Marian KeyesYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Ireland, Irish literature, adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, family
24. Hello BeautifulAuthor: Ann NapolitanoYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, family, historical, literary fiction
25. Husbands & LoversAuthor: Beatriz WilliamsYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, family, historical, summer
26. Husbands & LoversAuthor: Beatriz WilliamsYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, family, historical, summer
27. I Think We've Been Here BeforeAuthor: Suzy KrauseYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, christmas, contemporary, family, fantasy, holiday, literary fiction, science fiction
28. In an InstantAuthor: Suzanne RedfearnYear published: 2020Genre and themes: book club, contemporary, drama, family, thriller, young adult
29. It Had to Be YouAuthor: Beth MoranYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, family, second chance, womens fiction
30. Jackpot SummerAuthor: Elyssa FriedlandYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, family, humor, summer, summer reads
31. Long IslandAuthor: Colm TóibínYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Ireland, Irish literature, adult, book club, family, historical, literary fiction
32. Look on the Bright SideAuthor: Kristan HigginsYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, family, summer reads, womens fiction
33. Love After LoveAuthor: Ingrid PersaudYear published: 2020Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, book club, contemporary, family, literary fiction, queer
34. Love UntoldAuthor: Ruth JonesYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, family
35. Mika in Real LifeAuthor: Emiko JeanYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, family
36. My Husband's DaughterAuthor: Emma RobinsonYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, drama, family, family drama, womens fiction
37. Nantucket NewsAuthor: Pamela M. KelleyYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, beach reads, chick lit, contemporary, family, womens fiction
38. NeighborsAuthor: Danielle SteelYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, family, mystery, suspense
39. Never Say NeverAuthor: Danielle SteelYear published: 2025Genre and themes: France, adult, contemporary, family
40. No More YesterdaysAuthor: Catherine BybeeYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, family, forced proximity, mystery, suspense
41. One Christmas EveAuthor: Shari LowYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, family, holiday
42. One Perfect SummerAuthor: Brenda NovakYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, family, mystery, summer, summer reads, womens fiction
43. One Year After YouAuthor: Shari LowYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, family, grief, womens fiction
44. Penelope in RetrogradeAuthor: Brooke AbramsYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, family, holiday, humor
45. Secrets at the Last House Before the SeaAuthor: Liz EelesYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, family, mystery, womens fiction
46. Sisters by ChoiceAuthor: Susan MalleryYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, family, family drama, womens fiction
47. Some Bright NowhereAuthor: Ann PackerYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, family, friendship, literary fiction
48. Sunrise on Half Moon BayAuthor: Robyn CarrYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, family, womens fiction
49. Sunshine NailsAuthor: Mai NguyenYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Canada, adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, family
50. Ten Thousand Light Years from OkayAuthor: Tracy DobmeierYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, books about books, chick lit, contemporary, family, grief
51. The BaxtersAuthor: Karen KingsburyYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Christian, adult, contemporary, family
52. The Bookstore SistersAuthor: Alice HoffmanYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, books about books, contemporary, family, fantasy, magical realism, novella, short stories
53. The Bright SpotAuthor: Jill ShalvisYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, family, friendship
54. The ChallengeAuthor: Danielle SteelYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, drama, family, mystery, suspense, thriller
55. The Christmas InnAuthor: Pamela M. KelleyYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, family, holiday
56. The Day Shelley Woodhouse Woke UpAuthor: Laura PearsonYear published: 2024Genre and themes: abuse, adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, family, mystery, womens fiction
57. The Devine Doughnut ShopAuthor: Carolyn BrownYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, family, family drama, food, womens fiction
58. The Distant DaughterAuthor: Lorna CookYear published: 2025Genre and themes: British literature, adult, family, friendship, historical, mystery
59. The Forgotten OneAuthor: Catherine BybeeYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, emotional, family, family drama, womens fiction
60. The Fourth DaughterAuthor: Lyn Liao ButlerYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Asia, Asian literature, adult, family, historical, mystery
61. The Friendship PactAuthor: Jill ShalvisYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, family, friends to lovers, second chance
62. The Good Left UndoneAuthor: Adriana TrigianiYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Italy, World War II, adult, book club, family, historical
63. The Griffin Sisters' Greatest HitsAuthor: Jennifer WeinerYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, family, historical, music
64. The Heart of WinterAuthor: Jonathan EvisonYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, family, historical, literary fiction, relationships
65. The Irish Boarding HouseAuthor: Sandy TaylorYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Ireland, Irish literature, adult, book club, chick lit, family, historical
66. The Island VillaAuthor: Sarah MorganYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, family, summer, summer reads, travel
67. The JetsettersAuthor: Amanda Eyre WardYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, family, travel
68. The Last Dance of the DebutanteAuthor: Julia KellyYear published: 2022Genre and themes: British literature, adult, chick lit, family, historical
69. The Last Russian DollAuthor: Kristen LoeschYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Russia, adult, book club, family, historical, mystery
70. The Museum of Ordinary PeopleAuthor: Mike GayleYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, book club, books about books, contemporary, family, literary fiction
71. The Numbers GameAuthor: Danielle SteelYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, family, new adult
72. The Page TurnerAuthor: Viola ShipmanYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, books about books, chick lit, contemporary, family
73. The Party CrasherAuthor: Sophie KinsellaYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, family, humor, rom com
74. The Reading ListAuthor: Sara Nisha AdamsYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, book club, books about books, contemporary, family, literary fiction
75. The Road to Tender HeartsAuthor: Annie HartnettYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, family, humor, literary fiction, road trip
76. The Second HomeAuthor: Christina ClancyYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, family, literary fiction, summer, summer reads
77. The Silent TreatmentAuthor: Abbie GreavesYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, family, literary fiction, mystery
78. The StepsistersAuthor: Susan MalleryYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, beach reads, chick lit, contemporary, family, womens fiction
79. The Story She Left BehindAuthor: Patti Callahan HenryYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, books about books, family, historical, mystery
80. The Summer SwapAuthor: Sarah MorganYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, family, summer, summer reads
81. The Sweeney SistersAuthor: Lian DolanYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, book club, books about books, chick lit, contemporary, family, family drama
82. The Sweet Taste of MuscadinesAuthor: Pamela TerryYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, family, mystery, southern
83. The Sweetest RemedyAuthor: Jane IgharoYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Africa, adult, chick lit, contemporary, family
84. The Sweetheart ListAuthor: Jill ShalvisYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, family, small town, womens fiction
85. The Vibrant YearsAuthor: Sonali DevYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, family, humor, womens fiction
86. The View From Lake ComoAuthor: Adriana TrigianiYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Italy, adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, family, summer
87. The WhittiersAuthor: Danielle SteelYear published: 2022Genre and themes: New York, adult, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, family
88. These Summer StormsAuthor: Sarah MacLeanYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, family, summer, summer reads
89. This One LifeAuthor: Amanda ProwseYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, family, womens fiction
90. Three Days in JuneAuthor: Anne TylerYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, family, literary fiction
91. Tom LakeAuthor: Ann PatchettYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, family, historical, literary fiction
92. Under a Greek SkyAuthor: Francesca CatlowYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, family, summer, summer reads
93. Us ThreeAuthor: Ruth JonesYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, family, friendship
94. We All Live HereAuthor: Jojo MoyesYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, family, literary fiction
95. We Are InevitableAuthor: Gayle FormanYear published: 2021Genre and themes: books about books, contemporary, family, friendship, realistic fiction, young adult
96. WellnessAuthor: Nathan HillYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, family, historical, literary fiction
97. What Does It Feel Like?Author: Sophie KinsellaYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, family, novella, short stories
98. What I CarryAuthor: Jennifer LongoYear published: 2020Genre and themes: coming of age, contemporary, family, friendship, realistic fiction, young adult
99. When You Get the ChanceAuthor: Emma LordYear published: 2022Genre and themes: contemporary, enemies to lovers, family, realistic fiction, young adult
100. Yours for the SeasonAuthor: Uzma JalaluddinYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, family, holiday

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 family romance comp title that fits my book?

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