September 2025 Romance Book Releases You Won’t Want to Miss
September is overflowing with must-read romance releases, dark, forbidden, angsty, and swoony. From gothic sapphic suspense to sizzling sports rivals and haunting dark romances, this month’s lineup will keep every reader hooked. Here’s a look at the most anticipated romance books hitting shelves this September, in publication order.
The Good Girl Effect by Sara Cate
Expected Publication: September 2, 2025
Salacious Legacy Series #1
From bestselling author Sara Cate comes the start of a bold new series set in Paris, where grief, desire, and forbidden temptation collide.
Jack St. Claire, a grieving single father, buries himself in work running a kink club, while hiring Camille Aubert as his daughter’s nanny. But Camille stumbles upon a secret room and Jack’s darkest desires. As their connection deepens, boundaries blur and passion ignites, but can love truly heal, or will it consume them both?
Fearful by Lauren Roberts
Expected Publication: September 2, 2025
Powerless Trilogy #3.5
A hauntingly beautiful addition to the Powerless world.
When Mara returns to Ilya against her will, she finds herself drawn to the kingdom’s fight for power and to Kitt Azer. As Death shadows every step, Mara learns that love, loyalty, and fate all demand a price. Heart-wrenching and lyrical, this novella explores the cost of survival and the choices that shape destiny.
Damnation by Katelyn Taylor
Expected Publication: September 8, 2025
Gallows Hills Prequel
Before Gallows Hill, before the Brethren, what really happened to Salem in 1692?
Katelyn Taylor takes readers back to the witch trials in this chilling prequel, where dark secrets, vengeance, and twisted faith unravel the truth behind the infamous hysteria. A must-read for fans of gothic, historical romance with a sinister edge.
Wild Card by Elsie Silver
Expected Publication: September 9, 2025
Rose Hill Series #4
From the #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Elsie Silver comes another addictive small-town romance.
Sebastian Rousseau is a grumpy fire pilot and single dad, but also her ex-boyfriend’s father. Forced under the same roof after a twist of fate, forbidden sparks ignite once more. As Sebastian works to rebuild his relationship with his son, temptation grows dangerously irresistible. Love has never been so messy, or so inevitable.
Eldritch by Keri Lake
Expected Publication: September 9, 2025
The Eating Woods Series #2
The darkly enchanting sequel to Anathema.
Maevyth and Zevander must cross the cursed Eating Woods as eldritch magic spreads, warping the mortal world. With monsters closing in and Zevander’s mind slipping to madness, Maevyth faces an impossible fight. Haunting, atmospheric, and brutal, this is fantasy romance at its darkest.
Pitcher Perfect by Tessa Bailey
Expected Publication: September 9, 2025
Big Shots Series #4
Enemies-to-lovers gets a sports romance twist in Tessa Bailey’s sizzling new release.
Robbie Corrigan, rookie hockey playboy, is used to getting whatever he wants. But Skylar Paige, a badass softball pitcher, is immune to his charms. When he offers to fake date her to win over her crush, sparks fly on and off the field. Soon, their fake romance feels far too real in this laugh-out-loud, steamy rom-com.
Lonely by Harleigh Beck
Expected Publication: September 16, 2025
Wellard Asylum Series
A chilling descent into obsession and madness.
At Wellard Asylum, Dr. Lonely sees beauty in destruction and in his patient, Weston Carter. As their dangerous connection spirals, sanity blurs with desire. Featuring both MF and MM content, this dark, explicit horror romance is as disturbing as it is addictive.
You’re Next by Tate James
Expected Publication: September 16, 2025
Devil’s Backbone Series #3
The dark, spicy finale to Tate James’ Devil’s Backbone trilogy.
Caught between nightmare and reality, betrayal and love, the heroine faces her deadliest challenge yet. The Devil’s Backbone Society is closing in, and survival might cost her everything, including the men who have captured her heart. A brutal, emotional ride for why-choose romance fans.
Tourist Season by Brynne Weaver
Expected Publication: September 23, 2025
The Seasons of Carnage Trilogy #1
Welcome to Cape Carnage, visit once, stay forever.
Gardener Harper Starling has a killer green thumb, literally. When tourist Nolan Rhodes arrives, seeking revenge with a blade of his own, their uneasy truce grows into obsession. Darkly funny, wickedly romantic, and sharp as a knife, Tourist Season is enemies-to-lovers at its deadliest.
Soft Tissue Damage by Lilith Vincent
Expected Publication: September 24, 2025
Deadly Hearts Series #2
Forbidden love has never been bloodier.
Cullan, inked and dangerous, is twice her age and her boyfriend’s father. Drawn into his arms as a nanny, she discovers his dark past may link to a killer stalking the city. Twisted, possessive, and utterly addictive, Soft Tissue Damage is dark romance at its most deliciously taboo.
Burning Daylight by Emily McIntire
Expected Publication: September 30, 2025
Defying the Stars Series #1
From bestselling author Emily McIntire comes a forbidden love story drenched in danger.
Juliette Calloway is tired of her life of perfection. Roman Montgomery doesn’t exist on paper, but his kiss burns hotter than truth. When family feuds and betrayal threaten to tear them apart, their love becomes the most dangerous secret of all. Perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers with mafia undertones.
Bitter Burn by Sierra Simone
Expected Publication: September 30, 2025
Lyonesse Series #3
The searing finale to Sierra Simone’s queer Tristan and Isolde retelling.
A wronged king turned villain, a love that burns brighter than vengeance, and an empire soaked in blood. Bitter Burn is raw, devastating, and unapologetically kinky, a dark fairytale ending only Simone could write.
House of Rayne by Harley Laroux
Expected Publication: September 30, 2025
Standalone
Gothic sapphic romance meets supernatural suspense.
On a remote island, Salem and Rayne are drawn into each other’s arms as death stalks Balfour Manor. Forbidden desire mixes with murder and dark magic in Harley Laroux’s haunting standalone, a sensual, sinister gothic tale of love and survival.
Soul Searching by Lyla Sage
Expected Publication: September 30, 2025
Sweetwater Peak Series #1
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lyla Sage comes a small-town romance with a haunting twist.
Collins Cartwright never planned to return to Sweetwater Peak, but when family and financial troubles force her home, she ends up renting a room from the town’s new upholsterer, Brady Cooper. What neither of them expect are the restless spirits determined to push them together. Tender, eerie, and full of heart, Soul Searching is about fresh starts, hidden ghosts, and finding love where you least expect it.
From forbidden age-gap romances and slow-burn sports chemistry to gothic sapphic suspense and brutal dark fantasies, September’s releases promise something unforgettable for every romance reader. Which of these will you be adding to your TBR?
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Happy reading, romance lovers!
