There’s nothing quite like relaxing with a good romance novel — especially when that romance novel is well-written and full of lovable characters and tropes alike. The popular “brother’s best friend” trope in romance is a great place to start when looking for your next favorite romance novel. From forbidden love to angsty tension, here are some of modern romance’s finest trope-driven novels!
Tessa Bailey writes rom-coms that are equal parts swoon-worthy and sexy, with well-written characters that you’ll find yourself falling in love with in no time!
For a brother’s best friend romance read that you won’t be able to put down, check out Fix Her Up, the first in the exciting Hot and Hammered trilogy.
Heroine Georgette Castle needs some media attention to spruce up her business — such as a fake dating stint with ex-major league baseball star Travis Ford, who also happens to be her brother’s best friend. But Georgette is far from the easy-to-tease young girl that Travis grew up around, and these fake feelings are about to get a little too real.
You can buy Fix Her Up here, and you’re sure to be clamoring for its sequels Love Her or Lose Her and Tools of Engagement soon after.
My Cone and Only by Susannah Nix
If you’re looking for fluffy, lighthearted romance with a happily-ever-after and a homey small-town aesthetic, look no further than Susannah Nix’s sizzling King Family series, the first of which is My Cone and Only.
Wyatt King has been head-over-heels for his best friend’s younger sister since he can remember, but what he doesn’t know is that the feeling is mutual: Andie Lockhart has been harboring feelings for him since they were both seventeen. Andie needs help fixing up her run-down house, and Wyatt swoops in to help her. He is sure he has his feelings under control until one night when they share an unexpected kiss — they both know that things between them can never be the same.
Nobody writes riveting romance novels quite like Colleen Hoover, the terrific and trendy writer of more than fifteen bestsellers.
With her novel Ugly Love, Colleen Hoover introduces readers to two engaging lead characters: Tate Collins, a workaholic nurse and student, and Miles Archer, the irresistible airline pilot who she meets by chance on her older brother’s doorstep. The two of them begin a relationship that’s purely physical — neither of them is looking for love — but soon they realize that they can’t handle things as easily as they expected. The past is about to come knocking, and it doesn’t come lightly.
You can buy Ugly Love here, and prepare for a whirlwind emotional read by literary master Colleen Hoover.
To Love Jason Thorn by Ella Maise
Witty banter and quirky dynamic duos line the pages of Ella Maise’s captivating contemporary romances that are perfect for a cozy night in.
To Love Jason Thorn is Ella Maise at her best: an alluring story that’s classic without seeming cliche, with a fake wedding, a dreamy movie star hero, and a childhood fantasy turned reality. Olive has been nursing a crush on her brother’s best friend, Jason since she can remember, although nothing ever came of it.
Years later, Jason is a popular film star and Olive is the author of the book behind his next big movie — oh, and they’re pretending to get married? With years of pent-up feelings and family drama to boot, what could possibly go wrong?
Sally Thorne writes sweet and sexy romances sure to make you laugh, cry, and everything in-between — and 99 Percent Mine is no exception.
Meet Darcy Barrett: a driven woman with a career in photography and absolute certainty that Tom Valeska is the finest male specimen who exists in the world. The problem? Darcy’s twin brother, Jamie, claimed Tom as his best friend years ago, and there’s no getting between the two of them.
When Darcy and Tom are apart, she can handle only having one percent of his heart; but when the two of them get thrown into a renovation project together, she quickly realizes that one percent of Tom’s heart isn’t going to cut it anymore.
If you’re looking for a steamy, trope-driven romance read, look no further than Ana Huang’s four-book Twisted series.
The series kicks off with Twisted Love, the tale of haunted Alex Volkov who’s asked to look after Ava Chen, the younger sister of his best friend. The more time he spends with her, the more cracks start to form in his cold facade, and as their love story begins to unfold, so do earth-shattering secrets that threaten to break everything they’ve built.
The novel’s heroine, Lucy, has reached what she considers to be rock bottom: she’s moving in with her older brother. She can’t imagine a worse fate for herself, until she meets Cooper — her brother’s handsome best friend who is completely off-limits, according to her brother. But that isn’t going to stop Lucy from going after what (or who) she wants.
Be with Me is part of the loosely connected Wait For You saga, focusing on lead characters Teresa and Jase. Teresa has been in love with Jase, her big brother’s best friend, for years now — but they haven’t been on talking terms ever since they shared a fateful kiss. Jase has feelings for Teresa too, but he has secrets of his own that he must protect, and he knows he needs to keep his distance. However, no matter how hard the two of them try, it seems like nothing can keep Teresa and Jase apart for good… except, perhaps, their being together.
You can purchase Be with Me here, and make sure to check out the rest of the novels and novellas in the Wait For You saga for more reading pleasure.
The Marriage Mistake by Jennifer Probst
Bestselling author Jennifer Probst has her readers under a spell with the thrilling four-book Marriage to a Billionaire collection, and the third in the series, The Marriage Mistake, is no exception to this rule.
A complex and sexy love story like no other, The Marriage Mistake introduces business CEO Max Gray, and his newest employee Carina Conte. Carina has had a crush on Max since they were teenagers, and after she and Max spend a night together, they get caught — by none other than her traditional Italian mom! The two are forced into a marriage together, to Max’s dismay and Carina’s contempt. Will the two of them be able to find love in all the madness?
Maya Hughes writes engaging and alluring romance novels with perfect proportions of sugar, spice, and everything in between!
Fearless King is part of Maya Hughes’s beloved Kings of Rittenhouse series: five loosely connected sports romances with characters you can’t help but fall for! In this brother’s best friend-inspired addition, readers are introduced to Olivia and Ford, forbidden lovers who get a second chance at love after teenage heartbreak left Olivia in pieces.
You can purchase Fearless King here, and you’ll want to check out the rest of Maya Hughes’s Kings of Rittenhouse series for more heart-pounding reading.
The Secret to Dating Your Best Friend’s Sister by Meghan Quinn
No one writes contemporary romances quite like Meghan Quinn — if you can’t tell from her dedicated fan base to her steady spot on multiple bestsellers lists, her novels are sure to leave you clamoring for more!
The Secret to Dating Your Best Friend’s Sister is the first in her exciting Bromance Club trilogy, where hot romance meets humorous dialogue. Bram has fallen for his best friend’s sister, and he’s written up a list to ensure that he can win her over with little-to-no trouble getting in his way.
However, Julia refuses to be won over quite so easily — that is if she wants to be won over at all. Looks like Bram might have more of a challenge ahead of him than he had hoped for… but he’s not one to give up.
If you’re looking for a romantic comedy with enough laughter to host a comedy show, then Lynn Painter’s Mr. Wrong Number is the right book for you.
Olivia Marshall was having fun and catching feelings after receiving an anonymous text from a wrong number — but when things are anonymous, things get messy. Little does she know that Colin Beck, best friend of her older brother, is on the other end of the line — and neither of them knows what to do when their textual fun isn’t anonymous any longer.
Christina Lauren is the iconic pen name for Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings’s powerhouse writing duo, and their writing range is the stuff of legends. From romantic comedies to steamy novellas, it’s clear to see why the two are constantly topping the charts.
Beautiful Player is the third book in the sizzling Beautiful Bastards series, following grad student Hanna Bergstrom who is determined to get out more thanks to her older brother’s incessant nagging. However, the teacher she has in mind is none other than her brother’s best friend, tantalizing playboy Will Sumner, and soon, he’ll be the one trying to win her over — this time for good.
Kendall Ryan’s guilty pleasure romance reads are the literary love stories that we’ve all been waiting for: intelligent heroines and confident heroes, snappy dialogue, and fun-to-read storylines.
Playing for Keeps is Kendall Ryan at her finest, following hockey player Justin and his best friend’s younger sister, Elise. Elise is harboring a childhood crush and Justin’s past is full of childhood baggage — can the two of them find each other amidst the jocks, the drama, and their history?
You can purchase Playing for Keeps here, and readers who can’t put it down will want to check out the next eight books in Kendall Ryan’s Hot Jocks series, too!
Cross the Line by Julie Johnson
Looking to get your contemporary romance fix? Look no further than author Julie Johnson’s suspenseful and sexy love story, Cross the Line.
Meet Phoebe West: she’s been in love with her brother’s best friend, Nate, for years, and all her pining has led to absolutely nothing. Meet Nate, the subject of Phoebe’s crush: he has feelings for her too, feelings that he has to keep hidden. He doesn’t think he’ll be good for Phoebe, and there are some lines that you just can’t cross. But everything changes when Phoebe falls into unexpected danger, and the only person who can protect her is Nate. Lines are about to be crossed.
Elle Kennedy writes college romances that are as glitzy as they are heartfelt: sweet with a splash of spice!
The Chase is no exception — it’s the story of sweet sorority girl Summer Hayward DeLaurentis and her romance with Colin Fitzgerald, a man who is her opposite in just about every way imaginable. She might not have expected to fall for a tattoo-covered hockey nerd, but she didn’t expect to end up rooming with her brother and his friends either, yet that’s exactly what happened. Whatever happens next, Summer is sure it’s going to be interesting.
You can purchase The Chase here, and be sure to check out the next three books in the Briar U series for more sweet college romance.
Serenading Heartbreak by Ella Fields
Bestselling author Ella Fields covers a diverse range of genres in her writing, but there’s one thing that all of her writing has in common — sexy and unputdownable romance that you won’t want to miss.
Serenading Heartbreak is the story of heroine Stevie and her first and second love: she loved them both for different reasons, and now they’re both back in her life at the same time. Between her brother’s best friend who she believes is her soulmate, and a college man who can give her anything she asks for, Steve is prepared to follow her heart, even if it hurts along the way.
If you’re looking for well-written contemporary romances with strong female friendships and intriguing twists, look no further than the accomplished writing of award-winning author Sarah Morgan.
In Sarah Morgan’s sparkling novel Sleepless in Manhattan, ambitious events planner Paige Walker is offered a business deal from Jake Romano — her brother’s best friend, long-time crush, and the only man to have broken her heart. The two begin working together, and Paige is thrust back into old feelings, trying to think of a way to win over a man who is infamous for trusting nobody.
Sara Desai writes warm and inviting romances that are laugh-out-loud funny while also maintaining unique depth and character growth.
Desai is at her absolute best with The Dating Plan, a story that takes readers into the world of software engineer Daisy Patel and venture capitalist Liam Murphy. With a family reputation and inheritance on the line, the two set up a fake dating scheme with one another, but it isn’t long before real feelings start to enter the equation.
You can buy The Dating Plan here, and prepare to laugh, cry, and everything in between as you follow along with Daisy and Liam’s love story.
Come to Me Quietly by A. L. Jackson
A. L. Jackson writes beautiful, passionate tales full of love, light, and emotion — her storytelling is vibrant and seductive, pulling her readers in until they never want to leave.
The first installment in a three-book series, Come to Me Quietly introduces Aleena Moore, who has spent years pining over Jared Holt, her brother’s best friend and resident bad boy. Just when Aleena is ready to move on, Jared comes to her in a moment of weakness. But is Aleena willing to risk everything for a man who is followed by destruction wherever he goes?
Alexandra Moody’s cute and fun novel I Hate You More is a charming, young adult take on the beloved brother’s best friend trope that you won’t be able to put down.
Chase Williams might be considered the hottest guy at Fairview High by many, but to Ally Lockwood, he’s nothing but her sworn nemesis. So when he moves in with her family for senior year, Ally is less than thrilled, and she begins concocting a plan to get him kicked out. The only catch? To make her plan come true, she’ll have to convince Chase to date her.
Bestselling author Rebecca Jenshak writes lighthearted and fast-paced romance reads you won’t want to miss, and Snowed in With The Player is some of Jenshak’s finest work.
This seasonal romance follows twin sisters Holly and Stella during their exciting movie night-in… only to have it dramatically crashed by their brother and his fellow football teammates. Quiet and reserved twin sister Holly has had a crush on her big brother’s friend Teddy for quite some time now, but she’s always been too shy to get to know him.
When an unexpected snowstorm hits the cabin and snows everybody in, Holly and Teddy get a chance to spend time with each other. But will they be able to admit their feelings to one another before it’s too late?
Charleigh Rose’s edgy novel Bad Habit is teeming with angst, tension, and intoxicating chemistry that will leave readers swooning long after they’ve turned the last page.
Briar Vale can’t help but be drawn to Asher Kelley, who tumbled through her brother’s window one fateful night, bloodied and bruised but still beautiful in her eyes. Their attraction was strong, but the timing was all wrong, and both of them were left damaged and missing one another. That is until Asher shows up again, years later, giving things another shot — that is if either of them can forgive each other first.
You can buy Bad Habit here, and readers will want to check out the companion novels Bad Intentions and Bad Influence for more suspenseful and spicy reading.
Never Date Your Brother’s Best Friend by Jules Barnard
If you’re looking for a fun and fresh rom-com with lovable characters and a whole lot of laughs, look no further than Never Date Your Brother’s Best Friend by talented romance novelist Jules Barnard.
Cali comes up with what she considers to be an impeccable plan: set her friend Gen up with Jaeger, a man she hasn’t seen in years and who she once knew as her brother’s best friend. The plan is foolproof until she sees Jaeger and realizes that sparks are flying between him and her — not between him and Gen. Cali can fix this though, right? She’s determined to control herself around Jaeger — but can he do the same in return?
Rebecca Yarros writes emotional contemporary romances with characters you’ll be rooting for from the first page to the last. Reason to Believe is one of Yarros’s most popular novels: a sweet and sexy standalone that’s full of heart and spirit.
In Reason to Believe, readers meet the delightful heroine Harper, who takes on two young children who need emergency foster care without hesitation. But Harper’s house needs some serious renovation, so she takes them to the only available house she can think of: the house of Knox Daniels, best friend of her older brother, and also the man she’s been harboring feelings for since they were kids.
The house is supposed to be empty, but Knox makes a surprise visit, and soon so does Social Services. The two of them do the only thing they can do: fake a relationship for the sake of the children. A fake relationship with the man of her dreams — Harper has absolutely nothing to worry about.
There’s nothing a book lover enjoys more than reading about a fellow book nerd, and Emma Hart’s The Bookworm’s Guide to Dating is a perfect combination of romance and reading frenzy! Who could ask for more?
Meet Kinsley Lane: all she wanted for her birthday was books, but instead, she got a personalized matchmaking experience courtesy of her brother’s best friend, Josh. She goes along with the little dates he has planned, but there’s only one problem: the only person she finds herself falling for is Josh himself.
Laura Silverman’s fast-paced teen read Those Summer Nights is a romance novel that appeals to readers of diverse ages or backgrounds, and is bound to entertain just about anyone!
Still recovering from a life-changing injury, Hanna grudgingly gets a summer job at Bonanza, an entertainment multiplex straight out of a vacation dream destination. The job would be manageable until Hanna finds out who she’s working alongside: Brie, her ex-best friend, and Ethan, her brother’s best friend who she can’t help but fall for (no matter how off-limits he is). Summer can’t be over fast enough for Hanna — and things are about to get even more complicated.
Wildly popular romance author Katherine Center does it again with Happiness for Beginners, a moving and page-turning tale of life, love, and everything that makes us who we are.
Happiness for Beginners follows protagonist Helen Carpenter, who is newly divorced at thirty-two and desperately looking for a change of course, or something to renew her hope. Her younger brother, Duncan, convinces Helen to sign up for an outdoor survival course with him, and she takes a leap and goes for it — maybe this will be just what she needs.
Soon enough she realizes that this wilderness excursion isn’t exactly what she was hoping for. From terrible weather to unpleasant people, Helen begins to think that things couldn’t get worse — until Jake, her brother’s annoying best friend, kisses her. Now that really wasn’t what she was expecting.
If you’re looking for an angsty, trope-driven romance that will make you laugh and cry, then Claire Contreras’s Kaleidoscope Hearts is just the book you need.
Elle is an artist who has fallen once before for Oliver — her older brother’s best friend. The two of them parted ways and Elle was left with a broken heart. Oliver is older and more mature now, with a career as a doctor, and he’s back in Elle’s life. But can she risk getting hurt by him again?
You can buy Kaleidoscope Hearts here, and check out the companion novels Paper Hearts and Elastic Hearts for more short and sweet romance reads!
The Not So Secret Crush by Jayci Lee
Jayci Lee’s The Not So Secret Crush is a heart-pounding will-they won’t-they romance that will have you reading (and swooning!) all night long.
Adelaide Song’s reputation as a party girl needs some cleaning up, and who better to help her out than her brother’s best friend, also known as PR specialist Michael Reynolds. Michael says yes, but he has to tread lightly around Adelaide: the list of things that could go wrong if the two of them flirted is massive. And so is his fear that there might be more than just a professional relationship brewing between the two of them…
The brother’s best friend trope is when there’s a romantic entanglement between one lead character and that lead character’s brother’s best friend. Commonly, the heroine is attracted to her older brother’s best friend or vice versa.
What are the best brother’s best friend romance novels?
The thirty romance novels above are fast-paced, fun, and entertaining reads that feature the brother’s best friend trope.
What are the most popular romance tropes?
Some of the most popular romance tropes include friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, love triangles, and fake dating.
What type of romance is most popular?
The most popular romance subgenre is contemporary romance, which includes most romance stories set after the 1970s.
What is the best romantic novel to read?
Although it can be difficult to narrow down to just one, the thirty romance books listed above are great contenders.
Layla Hughes is a professional writer who grew up on the Central Coast of California, and later studied English at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. Her love for reading started when she was young, as she has been an avid reader ever since she mastered her ABC’s. She loves the classics, YA fiction, and loves keeping up with current reading and writing trends. She is currently traveling full-time in a converted camper van around the US, Mexico and Canada, enjoying living out a story of her own creation. find Layla on Instagram @laylabeth
