Big City Contemporary Romancesparis_picThese are contemporary romances set in big cities in which the city shines through as a character. We’re not interested in romances in which the hero and heroine stay in a hotel room — or an apartment — for the entire book. In this list we want titles where our hero and heroine get out and about and give readers a feel for the city.

But what about historical romances set in big cities, you ask? Check out the Special Settings List here at AAR, and make suggestions the next time it’s open for submissions. In the future we may give alternate reality/ paranormal/ steampunk/ futuristic/and time travel romances their own list, but for now, we’re sticking with contemporaries.

List begun 07/13; List updated 08/13

  • Hong Kong
    • The Trouble With Valentine’s (2013)(originally released as Wife for a Week, 2007) by Kelly Hunter (C+ at AAR)
  • Mumbai
    • Monsoon Wedding Fever (2012) by Shoma Narayanan (B- at AAR)
  • Singapore
    • Her Singapore Fling (2011) by Kelly Hunter
    • Untameable Rogue (2010) by Kelly Hunter
  • Auckland
    • What the Librarian Did (2010) by Karina Bliss (B+ at AAR)
  • Melbourne
    • A Natural Father (2009) by Sarah Mayberry
    • Anything For You (2006) by Sarah Mayberry
    • Her Secret Fling (2010) by Sarah Mayberry (C+ at AAR)
  • Sydney
    • The One that Got Away (2013) by Kelly Hunter (B at AAR)
  • Helsinki
    • Three Fates (2003) by Nora Roberts (also New York and Prague) (A- at AAR)
  • Leeds
    • The Chocolate Run (2008) by Dorothy Koomson
  • London
    • Girl From Mars (2009) by Julie Cohen (B+ at AAR)
    • Last Chance Saloon (2001) by Marian Keyes (B+ at AAR)
    • Confessions of a Shopaholic (2001) by Sophie Kinsella (B-/C at AAR)
    • I’ve Got Your Number (2012) by Sophie Kinsella (B+ at AAR)
    • About Last Night (2012) by Ruthie Knox (B+ at AAR)
    • Knowing the Score (2013) by Kat Latham
    • To the Moon and Back (2011) by Jill Mansell (B+ at AAR)
    • Her Best Worst Mistake (2012) by Sarah Mayberry
  • Paris
    • The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris (2013) by Jenny Colgan
    • All’s Fair in Love and Chocolate (in Kiss the Bride) (2012) by Laura Florand (B- at AAR)
    • The Chocolate Kiss (2012) by Laura Florand
    • The Chocolate Thief (2012) by Laura Florand (A/C- at AAR)
    • The Paris Assignment (2013) by Addison Fox (also set in New York City) (B at AAR)
    • The Art of French Kissing (2008) by Kristin Harmel
    • It Happened in Paris (2011) by Molly Hopkins
    • Anna and the French Kiss (2011) by Stephanie Perkins (Young Adult)
  • Prague
    • Three Fates (2003) by Nora Roberts (also New York and Helsinki) (A- at AAR)
  • Rome
    • Flirting With Italian (2011) by Liz Fielding (A- at AAR)
    • Italian for Beginners (2009) by Kristin Harmel
  • Austin
    • Between the Lines (2011) by Tammara Webber
  • Baltimore
    • Blue Smoke (2005) by Nora Roberts (B at AAR)
  • Boston
    • The Billionnaire Next Door (2007) by Jessica Bird (B+ at AAR)
    • Mortal Sin (2004) by Laurie Breton (B+ at AAR)
    • Taylor’s Temptation (2001) by Suzanne Brockmann (B at AAR)
    • Making Him Sweat (2013) by Meg Maguire
    • Taking Him Down (2013) by Meg Maguire
    • The MacGregor Brides (1997) by Nora Roberts
    • Take Me Tonight (2007) by Roxanne St. Claire (B+ at AAR)
    • Truly, Madly (2010) by Heather Webber (B+ at AAR)
  • Chicago
    • A Fine Romance (2013) by Christie Barth
    • Planning for Love (2012) by Christie Barth
    • Must Like Kids (2013) by Jackie Braun (B+ at AAR)
    • Knock me off my Feet (2002) by Susan Donovan (B- at AAR)
    • Some Like it Hot (2011) by Louisa Edwards (C+ at AAR)
    • A Lot Like Love (2011) by Julie James (B+ at AAR)
    • Love Irresistibly (2013) by Julie James (B at AAR)
    • Practice Makes Perfect (2009) by Julie James (B at AAR)
    • Something About You (2010) by Julie James (A- at AAR)
    • The First Move (2013) by Jennifer Lohmann (A- at AAR)
    • Paradise (1991) by Judith McNaught (A at AAR)
    • Match Me If You Can (2005) by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (A at AAR)
  • Columbus
    • Faking It (2002) by Jennifer Crusie (B+ at AAR)
  • Dallas
    • Black Ties and Lullabies (2011) by Jane Graves (B- at AAR)
    • Crazy Thing Called Love (2013) by Molly O’Keefe
  • Denver
    • The I-Team Series (2005-) by Pamela Clare (Various grades at AAR)
  • Houston
    • Blue-Eyed Devil (2008) by Lisa Kleypas (B+ at AAR)
    • Smooth Talking Stranger (2009) by Lisa Kleypas (B at AAR)
    • Sugar Daddy (2007) by Lisa Kleypas (B at AAR)
  • Las Vegas
    • The Winning Hand (1998) by Nora Roberts (A+/A- at AAR)
  • Los Angeles
    • Just the Sexiest Man Alive (2008) by Julie James (B- at AAR)
    • I Heart Hollywood (2010) by Lindsey Kelk
    • Good For You (2011) by Tammara Webber
    • Here Without You (2013) by Tammara Webber
  • Louisville
    • Pushing the Limits (2012) by Katie McGarry (NA)
  • New Orleans
    • Be My Baby (1999) by Susan Andersen (A- at AAR)
    • Thigh High (2008) by Christina Dodd (B- at AAR)
    • Kill and Tell (1998) by Linda Howard (A+/B+ at AAR)
    • Midnight Bayou (2001) by Nora Roberts (B at AAR)
    • Deliver me (2007) by Farrah Rochon
    • Release Me (2009) by Farrah Rochon (B at AAR)
    • Rescue Me (2011) by Farrah Rochon
    • Bad Moon Rising (2003) by Katherine Sutcliffe (A- at AAR)
  • New York
    • Love in Bloom’s (2002) by Judith Arnold (B+ at AAR)
    • The Boy Next Door (2002) by Meg Cabot (B at AAR)
    • Can’t Stand the Heat (2009) by Louisa Edwards
    • Too Hot to Touch (2011) by Louisa Edwards (A- at AAR)
    • On the Steamy Side (2010) by Louisa Edwards (B- at AAR)
    • The Paris Assignment (2013) by Addison Fox (also set in Paris) (B at AAR)
    • Drawn in Blood (2010) by Andrea Kane (B- at AAR)
    • Twisted (2008) by Andrea Kane
    • Body Check (2003) by Deidre Martin (A at AAR)
    • Fair Play (2004) by Deidre Martin (B+ at AAR)
    • Icebreaker (2011) by Deidre Martin (B+ at AAR)
    • Someone to Watch Over Me (2003) by Judith McNaught (B at AAR)
    • Good Night Tweetheart (2010) by Teresa Medeiros
    • Nightcap (2008) by Kathleen O’Reilly (B at AAR)
    • Three Fates (2003) by Nora Roberts (also Helsinki and Prague) (A- at AAR)
    • Grace Grows (2012) by Shelle Sumners (A- at AAR)
  • Philadelphia
    • Hidden Riches (1995) by Nora Roberts (A- at AAR)
  • San Diego
    • Caught in the Act (2012) by Jill Sorenson (B+ at AAR)
    • Crash Into Me (2009) by Jill Sorenson
  • San Francisco
    • I Only Have Eyes for You (2012) by Bella Andre
    • If You Were Mine (2012) by Bella Andre
    • Hot Under Pressure (2012) by Louisa Edwards (B+ at AAR)
    • The Monk Downstairs (2002) by Tim Farrington (B at AAR)
    • Fallen From Grace (2003) by Laura Leone (A at AAR)
  • Seattle
    • See Jane Score (2003) by Rachel Gibson (A- at AAR)
    • Simply Irresistible (1998) by Rachel Gibson (B at AAR)
    • True Love and Other Disasters (2009) by Rachel Gibson (B at AAR)
    • Absolutely, Positively (1996) by Jayne Anne Krentz
    • Trust Me (1995) by Jayne Anne Krentz (A at AAR)
  • Washington, D.C.
    • Prospect Street (2003) by Emilie Richards (A- at AAR)
    • Sacred Sins (1987) by Nora Roberts (A- at AAR)
  • Buenos Aires
    • Show No Mercy (2008) by Cindy Gerard (C at AAR)

This list is now closed.