Feeling the urge to add a little laughter to your life? Dive into these 20 funny romance novels that are all bringing their A-game. From fake marriages to flings with famous people, you’ll find laugh-out-loud-funny situations to go along with all that steamy chemistry.
Lovers of the rom-com genre should get ready to laugh, swoon, and fall head over heels in love! But be warned, some of these shouldn’t be read in public — unless you like laughing your head off in front of strangers.
20 Funny Romance Novels You Should Add to Your 2BR Pile
Bellwether by Connie Willis
Bennet and Sandra both work for the HiTek corporation. While he studies monkey group behavior and chaos theory, Sanda focuses on trends and their implications. When a misdelivered package sets off a chain of seemingly bad luck events, the two find themselves working together on a joint project. After several setbacks, the pair start to feel like they will never see the answers to their questions.
Pop culture, chaos theory, and emotional connections all brilliantly converge in Connie Willis’ Bellwether. Willis offers clever writing, loveable characters, and plenty of humor. Pop culture buffs will love the history of various fads featured in each chapter, from Rubix cubes to hula hoops to hot pants!
Will Bennet and Sandra finish their project? Find out here.
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
Due to her twin sister’s wedding, Olive is forced to spend the day with her sworn enemy, Ethan, who just so happens to be the best man. But when most of the wedding party — including the bride and groom — comes down with food poisoning, Olive and Ethan are the only two spared. Not wanting the already-paid-for honeymoon trip to Hawaii to go to waste, the newlyweds give the trip to the pair of adversaries. But when Olive runs into her future boss, a little white lie has her and Ethan pretending to be the happy couple.
A romantic comedy novel at its best, Lauren is fantastic at story-building, and this one transports you to Hawaii! You’ll tag along with Olive and Ethan on their hilarious journey in this foes-to-lovers tale turned phony relationship romance.
Find out if Olive and Ethan survive their Hawaiian getaway together.
Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey
At 23, Georgie is fed up with being viewed as the family’s baby. She is ready to shed that mantle once and for all, and it starts by letting go of her childish crush on her brother’s best friend. Baseball star Travis Ford has returned to their Long Island town following an injury, and he’s surprised to find his bestie’s little sister has turned into a stunning woman. The pair begin to fake date, each with their own agenda, but real feelings may just keep them from achieving their goals.
Fix Her Up is one of the hottest rom-coms to fly off the shelves in recent years. Written by New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey, it is a perfect romance with enough humor to keep you chuckling for the whole read.
Minerva is well aware that the attractive and super-successful Calvin only invited her to dinner to win a wager. And Cal knows that commitment with someone like Minerva is impossible. After their pseudo-date, they hope to part ways — permanently. But destiny is playing a different hand.
Bet Me is a story you can’t stop reading. It is an absolutely hilarious contemporary romance novel that won the Romance Writers of America Rita Award for Best Contemporary Single Title in 2005.
Does Cal win the bet or the girl? Find out on Amazon.
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
Everyone knows that opposites attract — everyone except executive assistants Joshua and Lucy. The pair started their fighting immediately upon entering the office’s front doors. Scornful looks turned into hurled insults, but when a promotion opportunity is announced, the office becomes a veritable war zone. However, Joshua and Lucy soon discover just how fine the line between love and hate really is.
One of the best romantic comedies to grace your 2BR stack, The Hating Game is the enemies-to-lovers rom-com you’ve been craving. It is an office romance with loads of sexual tension to keep the pages turning.
Follow these opposites as they try to destroy each other with your own copy of The Hating Game.
Shortcake by Lucy Watson
Emelia must have racked up some seriously bad karma in her past life to find herself rooming with the insufferable Benjamin in this one. What turn of fate would require her to shack up with the man who thinks she defrauded his grandma out of a few million? Of course, Emelia would want to share a roof with Ben’s icy glares, but the will requires the arrangement. As the stakes are raised, emotions and temperatures run high.
Shortcake is a mesmerizing read that will keep you roaring with laughter. It is a sweet and hilarious story that will have you walking around with a permanent smile etched on your face. Watson has created the rom-com you won’t be able to put down!
It is a comedy about marriage — or, more specifically, the marriages of Caroline and Henry, Lesley and Craig, and Janice and Alec. However, now that Martha has arrived, Henry won’t stay with Caroline much longer. And let’s face it; some trust concerns between Lesley and Craig may be too big to resolve. And Janice divorced Alec two years ago, even though it wasn’t about her lack of love for him—quite the opposite, in fact. So, it’s a bit tricky when Alec shows up out of the blue and discovers Janice and Craig in a compromising position in Caroline’s bedroom.
Some herald Our Tiny, Useless Hearts as Jordan’s best novel to date. It is a fun and intelligent take on relationships full of satire and farce. Those who enjoy a British sense of humor are sure to adore this title!
See which marriages survive and which can’t handle the pressure here.
Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Dean Robillard, the quarterback for the Chicago Stars, is the luckiest man alive. He is a true sports legend and the NFL’s pride, and he also has a lucrative career as an underwear model. However, the joy of life in the spotlight has begun to wane, so Dean has left for a cross-country journey to ascertain where things went wrong. He never anticipated running into a young woman decked out in a beaver costume! When Blue needed a ride, she never imagined America’s hottest football player would pick her up and take her to his vacation house. The charming sports icon and the vagabond portrait artist wind up in a high-stakes game, competing with and against one another for the chance to have it all.
Phillips creates some of the funniest romance books you’ll find on bookstore shelves! Natural Born Charmer is a wonderful story with plenty of laughs, and all the characters — even the minor ones — will work their way into your heart.
Will the beaver costume earn Blue a place in Dean’s heart? Give it a listen.
The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary
After escaping her turbulent relationship with Justin, Tiffy moves into an unusual living arrangement. She has free reign of a one-bedroom apartment at night and on weekends, while a man named Leon has it during the week’s daytime hours. Through the shared Post-It notes they leave each other throughout the house, Tiffy and Leon grow closer. It is a situation that leaves Tiffy with time to deal with the pain of her emotionally abusive ex. Then, the sort-of roommates cross paths by chance, and sparks fly.
The Flatshare is the literary version of a healing mug of tea. It will make you feel warm and like you are wrapped in a big hug. It weaves an excellent romance with a narrative about overcoming trauma.
Kristen’s life is just fine. She’s got friends, a good dog, and peace — until she is tasked with planning her BFF’s wedding. The best man, Josh, is clearly interested, but Kristen is sure he would be better off with someone else, someone without a looming medical issue. She tries her best to keep him in the friend zone, but the attraction is undeniable…and hard to resist.
The Friend Zone is a USA Today bestseller touted as an excellent beach read. It will make you laugh, warm your heart, and maybe even shed a tear, but it will surely make your list of rom-com favs!
Snag The Friend Zone or splurge with all three books in the series!
Sustained by Emma Chase
Following his own rules, Jake succeeds in both the courtroom and the bedroom as a young, accomplished criminal defense lawyer. But everything changes when fate forces him onto Chelsea’s path. Chelsea is working hard to care for her six nieces and nephew after a horrible accident made her their only guardian. Plans of graduate school on hold, Chelsea’s life now centers around changing diapers and shuffling the kids around town. But when Jake enters their lives, everything changes for this lawyer who abhors commitment and a single mom of six with no intention of dating.
Sustained is a funny, belly-laugh-inducing romance. You’ll fall in love with the characters created by Chase, a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author.
The Likely Resolutions of Oliver Clock by Jane Riley
Oliver Clock has everything arranged just so, down to staying trim enough to fit into a standard-sized coffin. Oliver has also found the love of his life: Marie, the florist. Only Marie doesn’t know about his feelings. Tragedy takes Marie out of his life, but the journal she leaves behind confirms she shared Oliver’s feelings of love. As his 40th birthday approaches, Oliver decides to start living and open himself up to love once again, even if it means adding some mess to his perfectly planned life.
The Likely Resolutions of Oliver Clock is a remarkable story as heartwarming as it is funny. Riley’s first book is the pinnacle of feel-good fiction, with a sympathetic main character you can’t help but root for.
The only thing standing in the way of Lou becoming a bona fide psychologist is a letter of recommendation from her supervisor. There’s only one problem. The recommendation hinges on Lou getting a prized client over his writer’s block. But the client happens to be Thomas, the beautiful British author that Lou can’t stop crushing on. When Thomas asks her out, Lou is stuck choosing between the dream guy and the dream career — but maybe there’s a third option. Group therapy, anyone?
Easton has hit comedy gold with Group Therapy sending the reader into howls of laughter. Lou is a heroine you fall in love with immediately, and Thomas is wickedly delicious.
Clara, a former book editor, has been out of work for four months and is now officially out of options. She is just desperate enough to accept a temporary job cleaning out abandoned storage units. A surprised Clara discovers evidence of an old “brothel resume” for a startlingly well-known British actor in a unit once home to an escort service. Her clumsy attempts to reassure Caspian that his secret is safe, go awry, even though she has no intention of profiting from her discovery. The media report that Clara is Caspian’s newest girlfriend, but Caspian is certain she is a blackmailer. Meanwhile, Clara discovers that the A-lister’s charms are more seductive than anticipated.
With a little bawdy humor, a dollop of profanity, and a heap of hysterical dialogue, Crashing the A-List is a swoon-worthy novel you won’t be able to put down.
Holland plans her treks to work around the subway performances by the charming Irish singer Calvin McLoughlin. Unfortunately, she only admires him from afar because she can’t work up the courage to approach him. But a nearly catastrophic incident sends him to her rescue. But since he lacks a visa, he vanishes before the cops learn about his immigration status. The smitten Holland offers him a way to stay in the country and live out his Broadway dreams.
You will adore this clever and entertaining romantic comedy. A heartwarming tale, Roomies is ideal for a relaxing Sunday afternoon spent on the couch.
Find out if the Irish musician accepts Holland’s proposal here.
Nine Rules To Break When RomancingA Rake by Sarah MacLean
Since making her debut ten years ago, Lady Calpurnia’s impeccable reputation has not been to her advantage. Yearning to experience life, Callie compiles a list of scandalous activities that would definitely damage but also get her out of her comfort zone. For these dangerous missions — gambling at a gentlemen’s club, shooting a gun, snatching a kiss from one of the realm’s most sought-after bachelors —the ex-wallflower will need a partner in crime. Enter the infamous rake and libertine, the Marquess of Ralston.
Nine Rules To Break When Romancing A Rake is a captivating historical romance that will enthrall readers who enjoy stories of daring wallflowers, breaking rules, and charming marquesses with bad reputations.
Depressed Matt has a tedious job and no chance of improving his lot in life. That is until he meets Joy, a cancer survivor who defies convention and lives a full life. Their affection for one another increases as they go on a series of out-of-the-ordinary dates. However, Joy’s history is going to catch up with her, and her secret might tear them apart.
A whimsical look at finding love in unexpected places, If Kisses Cured Cancer emphasizes the value of forming relationships with those close to you, appreciating each moment, and not being scared to go skinny dipping in the woods. You’ll cry tears of laughter, tears of joy, and a few tears of sorrow as well.
Once a high school band geek, Theodore is now a rock star in his college band who’s dating the girl of his dreams. Unfortunately his super handsome football star roommate has designs on her too. But Theodore isn’t going down without a fight!
Those who love a good underdog story will fall hard for The Guy on the Right. Best selling author Stewart brings the wit in this hilarious romance.
The CEO of a well-known dating app, Rhiannon, has built her career on the pursuit of love by others. Unfortunately, she has lost hope in her own romantic prospects until Samson, a guy she met on her app. The former footballer broke down her boundaries during their one night together. But then he ghosted. Months later, Samson pops back up, working for her biggest competition. Will Rhiannon swipe right?
The Right Swipe offers some extremely steamy scenes and shows that the meet-cute is still relevant in the age of internet dating. Plus, Rai has created a protagonist you can’t help but love!
Swipe here to find out what Rhiannon chooses to do.
The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella
Samantha loves the pressure of her career; it’s all she thinks about. Everything else can go on the back burner — especially love. But one extremely expensive mistake destroys Samantha’s career and sends her running to the countryside. A case of mistaken identity has her posing as a housekeeper in a grand manor, but there’s one big problem: Samantha doesn’t know how to cook or clean!
Kinsella is a rom-com queen, and The Undomestic Goddess is another devourable offering. Samantha is super likable, and every workaholic will understand her joy in a weekend off!
Get ready for your own weekend with a copy of Kinsella’s fabulous rom-com.
FAQs
Who are the best romantic comedy authors?
While “the best” is certainly a subjective term and has to be decided yourself, there are a few authors that pop up on list after list. Rom-com royalty authors include Sophie Kinsella, Meghan Quinn, Helena Hunting, and Amy Daws.
What are examples of romantic comedies?
All of the books listed here would fall under the romantic comedy classification. Another that you are probably familiar with is Briget Jones’s Diary, but there are some who claim Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice is the original rom-com!
What is the difference between romantic comedy and romance?
The obvious answer is that romantic comedies contain comedy, but that isn’t to say a more traditional romance can’t have funny moments. Another element that is typically added in order to call something a rom-com is the heroine or hero learning something about themselves that enables them to find love.
