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

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!”