Books about books romance comp titles for your query letter (updated 2026)

Choosing the right comp titles for your books about books 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 books about books romance comp titles to make sure you’re always working with relevant books.

No matter if you’re writing a sweet, slow-burn books about books 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 Novel Love StoryAuthor: Ashley PostonYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, books about books, chick lit, contemporary, fantasy, magical realism
2. A Novel ObsessionAuthor: Caitlin BaraschYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, books about books, contemporary, literary fiction, mystery, thriller
3. Amelia UnabridgedAuthor: Ashley SchumacherYear published: 2021Genre and themes: books about books, contemporary, grief, mystery, realistic fiction, young adult
4. An Unfinished StoryAuthor: Boo WalkerYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, book club, books about books, contemporary, grief, literary fiction
5. Battle of the BookstoresAuthor: Ali BradyYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, books about books, chick lit, contemporary, enemies to lovers, rom com
6. BlushAuthor: Jamie BrennerYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, beach reads, book club, books about books, chick lit, contemporary, family, womens fiction
7. Bookshop by the SeaAuthor: Denise HunterYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Christian, adult, books about books, chick lit, contemporary
8. By Any Other NameAuthor: Jodi PicoultYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, book club, books about books, contemporary, feminism, historical
9. By the BookAuthor: Jasmine GuilloryYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, books about books, chick lit, contemporary, retellings
10. Christmas by the BookAuthor: Anne Marie RyanYear published: 2021Genre and themes: British literature, adult, book club, books about books, christmas, contemporary, holiday
11. CrossingsAuthor: Alex LandraginYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, book club, books about books, fantasy, historical, magical realism, mystery, time travel
12. Last Chance BooksAuthor: Kelsey RodkeyYear published: 2021Genre and themes: books about books, contemporary, enemies to lovers, rom com, young adult
13. Much Ado About YouAuthor: Samantha YoungYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, books about books, chick lit, contemporary, friends to lovers, rom com
14. Not in My BookAuthor: Katie HoltYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, books about books, contemporary, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, rom com
15. OverdueAuthor: Stephanie PerkinsYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, books about books, chick lit, contemporary, friends to lovers
16. Slow Burn SummerAuthor: Josie SilverYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, books about books, chick lit, contemporary, summer, summer reads
17. Talk Bookish to MeAuthor: Kate BromleyYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, books about books, chick lit, contemporary, rom com, second chance
18. Ten Thousand Light Years from OkayAuthor: Tracy DobmeierYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, books about books, chick lit, contemporary, family, grief
19. Thank You for ListeningAuthor: Julia WhelanYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, books about books, chick lit, contemporary, rom com
20. The Book Club HotelAuthor: Sarah MorganYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, book club, books about books, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday
21. The Book of CandlelightAuthor: Ellery AdamsYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, books about books, contemporary, cozy, cozy mystery, friendship, mystery, thriller
22. The Book of DoorsAuthor: Gareth BrownYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, book club, books about books, fantasy, magic, magical realism, mystery, time travel
23. The Book of Lost HoursAuthor: Hayley GelfusoYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, books about books, fantasy, historical, magical realism, science fiction, time travel
24. The Book of Lost NamesAuthor: Kristin HarmelYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Holocaust, World War II, adult, book club, books about books, historical, war
25. The Book SwapAuthor: Tessa BickersYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, books about books, chick lit, contemporary, grief
26. The BookbinderAuthor: Pip WilliamsYear published: 2023Genre and themes: British literature, World War I, adult, book club, books about books, historical, war
27. The Bookstore SistersAuthor: Alice HoffmanYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, books about books, contemporary, family, fantasy, magical realism, novella, short stories
28. The Break-Up Book ClubAuthor: Wendy WaxYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, book club, books about books, chick lit, contemporary, friendship, womens fiction
29. The Christmas BookshopAuthor: Jenny ColganYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Scotland, adult, book club, books about books, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday
30. The Dictionary of Lost WordsAuthor: Pip WilliamsYear published: 2020Genre and themes: British literature, adult, book club, books about books, feminism, historical
31. The Forgotten Bookshop in ParisAuthor: Daisy WoodYear published: 2022Genre and themes: France, World War II, adult, book club, books about books, drama, historical
32. The Invisible HourAuthor: Alice HoffmanYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, book club, books about books, fantasy, historical, magical realism, time travel
33. The Little Wartime LibraryAuthor: Kate ThompsonYear published: 2023Genre and themes: British literature, World War II, adult, books about books, historical, war
34. The Lonely Hearts Book ClubAuthor: Lucy GilmoreYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, book club, books about books, chick lit, contemporary, friendship
35. The Lost BookshopAuthor: Evie WoodsYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, book club, books about books, fantasy, historical, magical realism, mystery
36. The Lost Story of Eva FuentesAuthor: Chanel CleetonYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, books about books, historical, mystery, thriller
37. The Museum of Ordinary PeopleAuthor: Mike GayleYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, book club, books about books, contemporary, family, literary fiction
38. The Page TurnerAuthor: Viola ShipmanYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, books about books, chick lit, contemporary, family
39. The Reading ListAuthor: Sara Nisha AdamsYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, book club, books about books, contemporary, family, literary fiction
40. The Roughest DraftAuthor: Emily WibberleyYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, books about books, contemporary, enemies to lovers, summer, summer reads
41. The Secret Christmas LibraryAuthor: Jenny ColganYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Scotland, adult, book club, books about books, christmas, contemporary, holiday, mystery
42. The Story She Left BehindAuthor: Patti Callahan HenryYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, books about books, family, historical, mystery
43. The Sweeney SistersAuthor: Lian DolanYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, book club, books about books, chick lit, contemporary, family, family drama
44. The Wishing GameAuthor: Meg ShafferYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, book club, books about books, contemporary, fantasy, magical realism, mystery
45. We Are InevitableAuthor: Gayle FormanYear published: 2021Genre and themes: books about books, contemporary, family, friendship, realistic fiction, young adult
46. Winter Nights at the Bay BookshopAuthor: Jessica RedlandYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, books about books, chick lit, christmas, contemporary, holiday
47. Writers & LoversAuthor: Lily KingYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, book club, books about books, contemporary, literary fiction
48. Writers & LoversAuthor: Lily KingYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, book club, books about books, contemporary, literary fiction

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 books about books romance comp title that fits my book?

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