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I’m seriously SO excited to kick off this romance book reading challenge! 

I had such a blast putting together all the prompts, and I’m already thinking about what to come up with for next year because this one was just too fun. 

If you’re a total sucker for romance like me, then this is going to be the perfect challenge for you. 

Each month has a different theme or genre, and I’ve created five prompts to help guide your reading. 

Whether you love historical romances, paranormal twists, or even a sweet rom-com, there’s something for every kind of romance lover here. 

I’m so pumped to see what books you pick up!

How the Romance Reading Challenge Works

Here’s how it works: every month has a different genre or subgenre, and I’ve made sure to include five fun prompts that will keep you on your toes.

The goal is to read a book (or more!) that fits each prompt, so you’ll be checking out all kinds of romances throughout the year. 

My plan is to mix it up and keep it interesting — so whether you’re in the mood for a mystery, a fantasy, or a heartwarming love story, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from!

2025 Romance Book Reading Challenge

January: Winter Romance

1. Read a romance set in a snowy location.

2. Read a slow-burn romance.

3. Read a second-chance romance where the characters are reunited after years apart, set during the winter months.

4. Read a romance featuring a strong, independent heroine.

5. Read a romance set in a remote cabin or lodge during winter.

6. Read a romance where the couple must survive a snowstorm together.

7. Read a romance featuring a winter festival or event.

8. Read a romance between characters who have different ideas about the holidays.

9. Read a holiday romance where the couple spends Christmas together in an unconventional way.

10. Read a romance with a winter sports theme (skiing, snowboarding, etc.).

12. Read a romance that involves a Christmas or New Year’s resolution.

13. Read a romance where the couple meets at a winter charity event.

February: Romantic Thrillers

1. Read a romance that involves a mystery or investigation.

2. Read a book with a couple on the run.

3. Read a dark romance with high stakes.

4. Read a romantic thriller where the couple has to solve a crime together.

5. . Read a romance where one of the main characters is a suspect.

6. Read a romance set in a dangerous, high-stakes environment (e.g., spy world, mob).

7. Read a romance involving a hidden identity or false identity.

8. Read a romance where the main characters are in a life-or-death situation.

9. Read a romance featuring a character with a secret past that threatens the relationship.

10. Read a romantic thriller set in a remote, isolated location.

March: Historical Romance

1. Read a Regency romance.

2. Read a historical romance featuring a scandalous love affair or a forbidden relationship between classes.

3. Read a historical romance that involves a marriage of convenience.

4. Read a romance set during a specific historical event.

5. Read a historical romance set in a royal court or features a character of noble or royal blood.

6. Read a romance that takes place during a war or conflict.

7. Read a historical romance that involves a lost inheritance or family legacy.

April: Contemporary Romance

1. Read a rom-com featuring a quirky protagonist.

2. Read a romance with a friends-to-lovers plot.

3. Read a single parent romance.

4. Read a celebrity romance.

5. Read a romance that focuses on personal growth.

6. Read a romance set in a small town.

7. Read a romance featuring a couple who meet through a quirky app or online dating.

8. Read a romance where the couple works together on a big project.

9. Read a romance featuring a character starting over in a new city.

10. Read a workplace romance between colleagues or boss and employee.

11. Read a romance where the characters have opposite personalities.

12. Read a romance featuring a character who is a baker, chef, or foodie.

13. Read a romance with a plot centered around a wedding or event planning.

May: Fantasy Romance

1. Read a romance set in a magical world — this world could be dystopian or anything else. 

2. Read a vampire paranormal romance.

3. Read a fantasy romance with a chosen one plot. Bonus if you read a romance where the heroine is the prophesied savior or key to saving the world.

4. Read a romance between enemies who become lovers.

5. Read a fantasy romance where the heroine has a hidden power.

6. Read a romance featuring a mythical creature (e.g., dragon, fairy, mermaid).

7. Read a romance where one of the characters is cursed or under a spell.

8. Read a romance involving a rivalry between two magical beings or factions.

9. Read a romance where the characters have to fight together against a dark force.

10. Read a fantasy romance that includes a quest or journey.

June: LGBTQ+ Romance

1. Read a male/male romance.

2. Read a female/female romance.

3. Read a non-binary romance.

4. Read a romance with diverse LGBTQ+ characters.

5. Read a LGBTQ+ romance that leans into self-acceptance.

6. Read a romance with a bisexual character exploring a relationship with someone of the same sex.

7. Read a romance that tackles important LGBTQ+ issues or activism.

8. Read a historical LGBTQ+ romance.

9. Read an LGBTQ+ romance set in a college or university setting.

10. Read a romance featuring characters coming out to their families.

11. Read a lighthearted LGBTQ+ romance with humor and fun moments.

12. Read an LGBTQ+ romance that takes place during Pride Month or at a Pride event.

July: Romance with Adventure

1. Read a romance where the couple goes on an epic adventure together.

2. Read a romance set in an exotic location, like a tropical paradise or island getaway.

3. Read a romance involving travel or exploration.

4. Read a historical romance with a treasure hunt.

5. Read a romance set during a road trip.

6. Read a romance set in a wilderness or survival situation.

7. Read a romance that involves a treasure hunt or quest.

8. Read a romance where the couple faces a natural disaster together.

9. Read a romance set during an expedition to a new land.

11. Read a romance featuring a character who is a thrill-seeker or adventurer.

12. Read a romance where the couple must survive a dangerous or remote location.

August: Weird Romance

1. Read a romance where the hero or heroine is not what they seem.

2. Read a romance with an unreliable narrator.

3. Read a romance featuring a protagonist who has amnesia or memory loss.

4. Read a romance where the characters swap lives or identities.

5. Read a romance where a character has a supernatural or mythical power.

6. Read a romance where the love story takes place in a parallel universe.

September: Romantic Comedy

1. Read a romance with witty banter.

2. Read a romance that involves a mistaken identity.

3. Read a romantic comedy with an awkward meet-cute.

4. Read a romance with a happy ending that’s too good to be true.

5. Read a romance with humorous situations and a lighthearted tone.

6. Read a romance where the characters work together on a ridiculous challenge.

7. Read a romance involving a fake relationship that becomes real.

8. Read a romance with a protagonist who tries to hide their feelings through humor.

9. Read a romance with a quirky setting, like a quirky coffee shop or bookstore.

10. Read a romance where the characters start as rivals before falling for each other.

October: Gothic Romance

1. Read a romance with a spooky or eerie atmosphere.

2. Read a romance involving a haunted house.

3. Read a romance where the couple faces dark secrets.

4. Read a romance with a mysterious, brooding hero.

5. Read a historical gothic romance with a tragic love story.

6. Read a romance set in a Victorian mansion with dark secrets.

7. Read a romance involving a cursed or haunted artifact.

8. Read a romance where the characters uncover long-buried family secrets.

9. Read a romance with a gothic hero who’s morally ambiguous.

10. Read a romance where the characters are trapped in a spooky, atmospheric location.

November: New Adult Romance

1. Read a romance where the characters are in college or one set in a college dorm or apartment.

2. Read a coming-of-age romance.

3. Read a romance with characters experiencing life changes or transitions.

4. Read a romance where the characters survive their first serious relationship.

5. Read a romance where the characters meet while studying abroad.

6. Read a romance featuring characters pursuing different career paths while dating.

7. Read a romance set in a summer internship or job program.

December: Holiday Romance

1. Read a Christmas-themed romance.

2. Read a romance set during New Year’s Eve.

3. Read a winter-themed romance with festive traditions.

4. Read a romance where the characters rekindle a holiday tradition together.

5. Read a romance that involves a holiday miracle or unexpected gift.

6. Read a romance that takes place during a holiday getaway.

7. Read a romance where the characters are involved in holiday charity work.

8. Read a romance set during the holiday season with family drama.

9. Read a romance about a couple reconnecting during the holiday season after years apart.

10. Read a romance where the characters fall in love while preparing for a holiday event.

How to Make the Most of the 2025 Reading Challenge Prompts

Honestly, the best way to enjoy this reading challenge is to have fun with it! 

Don’t stress if you don’t finish a book right away – there’s no rush. 

I like to pick books that I’m genuinely excited about, whether they’re new releases or ones I’ve been meaning to read for ages. 

You can also join a book club or share your progress on social media to keep things fun and get inspired by others.

My goal is to make the most of each month’s genre and just enjoy the love stories along the way. 

So, let’s make 2025 a year of awesome reads and even more exciting romance!

I’d love to hear which prompts you’re most excited about, so don’t forget to drop a comment below!

And if you’re looking for more bookish fun, check out some of my related posts to keep the romance going all year long.

Let’s make 2025 our best reading year yet!