Underrated Rom-Coms

I feel like I have a never-ending supply of rom-com MOVIE recs for my friends, but when a neighbor asked me last week for a book recommendation, she said, “I like funny romances but I’ve read most of the recent mega-titles.” That put a hitch in my step, because I, too, could only think of the recent mega-titles of the last year or so. I decided to sit down with my reading log (yes, shut up) in order to create a list of underrated rom-coms that you may have missed the first time around!

Any Trope But You — Victoria Lavine

Margot Bradley has made a MINT off of the romance books that she writes for her many, many fans. But unfortunately, Margot is a giant hypocrite. She does not believe in love or Happily Ever Afters at all. No Happily Ever After for herself, no Happily Ever After for her marketing team, and definitely no Happily Ever After for herself.

Margot is so jaded, in fact, that she regularly writes alternate endings for her characters, endings that involve divorce papers and minor criminal behavior instead of the much-lauded wedding bells and adorably cute babies. Unfortunately, Margot’s Not-So-Happily-Ever-After Endings document is made public, and she finds herself cancelled, basically overnight.

It isn’t only a blow to Margot herself. She is the sole provider for her chronically ill sister, Savannah. Desperate to keep the paychecks coming in, Margot decides to trade meet-cutes and toxic mothers-in-law for murder instead, and she keeps on writing. Savannah books her for a six-week stay in Alaska, and Margot immediately finds herself jumping into the arms of a handsome man because she is trying to escape a moose. Yes. A handsome man and a moose. This just might be a romance movie after all!

Praise for the Any Trope But You:

“Lavine turns many of the common romance novel tropes on their heads in this stunning debut. Top-notch banter will have readers laughing out loud as they root for Margot to finally achieve her own happily-ever-after.”—Library Journal, starred review, Romance Debut of the Month

“There are few things as good as a romance about cynical romance writers, and this one adds a wink and a nod to today’s “trope”-based romance culture, too!”—Paste Magazine, The Most Anticipated Romance Books of 2025

“This debut romance is beautifully written, nicely balancing humor and heat with realistic drama and conflict…Margot and Forrest’s roles as caretakers to their relatives ground the story in deeper emotion and lead to refreshing attitude shifts and insights for the characters.”—Kirkus

Codeword Romance — Carlie Walker

Max is a regular girl with a regular life, who just so happens to bear an uncanny resemblance to Sofia Christensen, Europe’s youngest female prime minister. Sofia is accomplished, high profile, and very, very powerful…so of course someone is trying to assassinate her.

The CIA approaches Max with the deal o a lifetime. She’s offered an OBSCENE amount of money if she agrees to be Sofia’s body double on an upcoming vacation in Italy. She even has a handler, which she is pumped about until she meets him. But it turns out that she has already met him. Flynn and Max, in fact, have a steamy past for a long-ago sun-drenched summer.

It would be the trip of a lifetime if it weren’t for the CONSTANT sexual tension sparking between she and Flynn. Oh, and the assassins, obviously. That is also sort of putting a damper on things.

Acting like the prime minister is one thing, but losing her heart to Flynn again is another. Will she let him protect her, both physically and emotionally?

Praise for the Codeword Romance:

“Walker makes her adult debut with this might-be-mob caper that is both a romantic comedy and a holiday mystery, complete with snow, carols, and gorgeous bodyguards wrapped in a bow.” — Library Journal (STARRED)

“A sharply written novel with surprise comedic twists. Readers will enjoy this tale of two ex-lovers who are reunited by espionage and who ultimately find true love as they race through the beautiful streets of Italy, trying to stay alive.”— Library Journal (STARRED)

“Walker’s tight pacing and Max’s first-person viewpoint fuel the excitement, and the supporting cast adds smile-worthy comedic touches in this winning romance.”—BookPage (STARRED)

“The underrated rom-com of the year! Why haven’t I seen more people reading this?” – Amazon Reviews

The Launch Date — Annabelle Slator 

Is it any better working at a dating app than it is scrolling through one? Sometimes. Grace’s dream job at Fate is actually a nightmare. Her boss is gross, she’s not moving anything forward in her life, and she basically feels like a fraud. But when Fate’s CEO offers Grace the chance for a giant promotion, she decides to come in swinging and earn her place at the table.

The job is going to be a challenge. Grace must develop and test drive a series of “first dates” with the other person vying for the job. He’s a socialite, a player, and Grace’s biggest work rival.

Eric isn’t thrilled about spending a lot of time with Grace, either. The dates that she plans are so trite and and cliché, and he is not into dangerous hikes, way-too-steamy yoga sessions, and hikes that nearly end in serious injury.

But as time goes by, the pair begins to realize that all of their disagreements and snipe sessions might just be surface level. They do have a lot of arguments, but Eric is also slowly changing Grace’s ideas of dating, self worth, and love itself.

Praise for the The Launch Date:

“Slator makes her debut with a deliciously smart and fun rom-com that cheekily channels the dryly witty charm of Bridget Jones’s Diary while also demonstrating her own mastery of snappy banter and sizzling sexual chemistry. With its thoughtful characterization and important message about embracing one’s own sense of self-worth, this is an absolute delight.” — Booklist (starred review)

  “Slator, a former marketing manager for [a] real-life dating app, debuts with a slow-burn romance that will satisfy readers who enjoyed Sally Thorne’s The Hating Game.” — Library Journal

“The Launch Date is what rom-com dreams are made of! With a swoony hero and a relatable heroine, the chemistry between the two is magical and sexy. I couldn’t put it down! I adored this phenomenal debut!” — Katie Holt, author of Not in my Book

“Annabelle Slator’s The Launch Date was hilarious and I couldn’t put it down. I’m a sucker for a workplace romance and the enemies-to-lovers trope, and this book did not disappoint. I was swooning for Eric and rooting for him and Grace to reconcile their friendship and end up together.” — Donna Marchetti, author of Hate Mail

Like Cat and Dogs — by Lizzie Shane

This is without a doubt my favorite read on this list! The sixth installment of Shane’s Pine Hollow series checked all of my rom com must-have boxes!

Magda and Mackenzie have been feuding for a long time. Most of the folks in Pine Hollow, Vermont, forget the reason, but it was because Mac ran off with her grandmother’s famous, SECRET maple cake recipe, which he opted for instead of her.

Magda is thrilled to get a call from The Great American Cake-Off, an exciting reality show, because for the first time, no one will know her or her sad backstory. But to her surprise, as soon as she walks onto the set, she sees Mac and his devilishly handsome smile. Can she ever escape this man?

Turns out that the tale of their epic feud has inspired the first-ever Arch Rivals edition of The Great American Cake-Off, so the producers saw Magda and Mac coming a mile away. But as they argue and needle each other relentlessly, the sizzling attraction between them threatens to burst. Obviously only one of them can win the contest, but they can both lose everything. Even things they haven’t really found yet. This slow-burn, dual POV romance is sure to capture your heart…and make you very, very hungry. You can read it as a stand-alone, but we definitely recommend reading this entire heart-warming series!

Praise for the Like Cats and Dogs:

The arguments between Mac and Magda are truly spectacular, with witty comebacks and misunderstandings. The baking show is likewise believable, showing not only the on-screen edit but the drama, stress, and panic behind the scenes. – Library Journal

This is a perfect book for fans of the Pine Hollow series, those who love a good an enemies to lovers trope, and of course baking. – Rollin’ with Rebecca

Sunny Disposition – Deanna Grey

I fell in love with the subgenre of this book: a grumpy/sunshine romance. Everyone knows exactly what that means (and some of us just might be the grumpy one, even if we are not hockey players).

Naomi is sharing her college housing with four hockey players for the semester. It is not an ideal situation. The athletes are loud, gross, and intrusive…except for one of them. Finn Howard never smiles, doesn’t talk, and has a lot of opinions when he does.

Finn isn’t a anxious type of person, but his chest tightens up every time Naomi looks in his direction. She is sweet, and cheerful, and very, very funny. And Finn doesn’t understand how a person can be that happy all of the time.

Naomi feels familiar, but it just might be because her voice reminds him of a gaming streamer he moderates for online. Anonymously, of course. But he knows that if Naomi is the mystery streamer, she is in for a huge disappointment with him. He isn’t the man he used to be, and he will never be that man again.

This slow burn underrated rom-com is perfect for beach days or car trips! You will definitely fall in love with Finn and Naomi.

Praise for the Sunny Disposition:

This was an easy read but one of the cutest ones I’ve read all year! It’s that type of love that makes you want to kick your feet as your reading moments between Finn and Naomi. It doesn’t feel rushed and the build up for their story I think was executed beautifully and you feel very much apart of each of their POV’s. – Nyanuer, Amazon review

The Hating Game – Sally Thorne

Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman are comfortable in their working relationship, in which they both despise each other. Not “dislike” or “tolerate.” Hate. Big time.

Lucy cannot understand why Joshua is so joyless and uptight. And he takes work waaaaaay too seriously. Joshua is horrified by Lucy’s sunny disposition, her quirky hobbies, and her clothing, which is way too bright.

The two are vying for the same promotion, and their passive-aggressive battle comes to a head. Neither will back down, neither will give in…but both of them feel the sexual chemistry between them. Maybe Lucy doesn’t hate Joshua. And maybe he doesn’t hate her. Or maybe one of them is just pretending.

Don’t miss the movie starring Lucy Hale and Austin Stowell on Netflix now. Underrated rom-com book and movie tbh!

Praise for the The Hating Game:

“If you miss romantic comedies, the kind that were so funny, you would pay $15 to see them in the theater—plus the cost of popcorn and candy—this novel will make you very happy indeed…The rising tension and Thorne’s biting dialogue will make you wish for the romantic comedies of days gone by—or just more books like this one.” — NPR Books

“Thorne is a strong writer and one to watch. Her debut will have readers rooting for both Lucy and Joshua in whatever games they play.” — Library Journal

“An addictive, dazzling debut. The Hating Game is bursting at the seams with love (and hate) and heart.” — Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author

We think that this is a great summer reading list – you are most welcome! Everyone has their favorite rom-com subgenre (friends-to-lovers, someone returns to their small hometown, sometimes there are horses), and this list is a great entry point into many of them. Which underrated rom-coms do you recommend to your friends?