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In the romance realm, there is an entire trope dedicated to single parents. From surprise pregnancies to Brady Bunch situations, these single-mom romance books revolve around motherhood, second chances at love, and the struggles of being a single parent.
For more single-parent books, check out this curated list.
Read on for the best single-mom romance books.
The Takeover by T.L. Swan
For five years, single mother Claire Anderson has worked tirelessly to keep her late husband’s media company afloat. When the notorious head of acquisitions at Miles Media, Tristan Miles, sets his sights on the failing company, he offers to take the business off Claire’s hands. But nothing could ever convince her to hand the family company over to the heartless billionaire takeover king of New York.
Funny, sexy, and bittersweet, The Takeover is an unputdownable enemies-to-lovers romance filled with hilarious banter, three devilishly cute kids, and a host of disturbing pranks that will ensure you have a permanent smirk etched on your face. As one of the best single mom romance books out there, you can expect to fall in love with the Anderson-Miles extravaganza.
The Idea of You by Robinne Lee
When Solène Marchand takes her daughter Isabelle to a concert to meet her favorite boy band, August Moon, she never expects to forge an instant connection with the lead singer: the twenty year old British pop star Hayes Campbell.
Enamored with one another, the pair find it impossible to resist each other and are forced to face numerous obstacles when their relationship goes public.
Sexy, honest, and raw, The Idea of You is an unputdownable rockstar romance and one of the best single mom romance books from 2017. Not only will the characters burrow their way into your mind by the end, but you will also be longing for a sequel to satisfy all those Hayes and Solène needs.
Sustained by Emma Chase
Jake Becker plays by his own rules. As an up-and-coming criminal defense attorney who’s at the top of his game, Jake is scoring in the courtroom and the bedroom. But when a twist of fate pushes him into Chelsea McQuaid’s path, everything changes.
After a tragic accident left Chelsea the sole guardian to her six nieces and nephews, she’s struggling to keep them afloat. Instead of grad school, Chelsea’s life now revolves around changing diapers and lugging the kids around town. But everything changes when Jake enters their life.
Sustained is a charming, laugh-out-loud romance between a lawyer who avoids commitment at all costs and a single mom of six who has no plans of entering a relationship.
Wait for It by Mariana Zapata
After a fatal accident left Diana Casillas as the legal guardian of her two nephews, the 29-year-old is determined to give them a good life, though the transition has been anything but easy.
While settling into her new home, she meets her smoking-hot neighbor Dallas Walker. The two get off on the wrong foot, but between neighborly events and baseball games, Diana and Dallas find themselves growing closer.
From the Queen of Slow Burn comes Wait for It, a steamy and captivating single mom romance that ticks all the right boxes. As Diana is the cousin to soccer star Sal Casillas (from Kulti) and best friend to Van (from The Wall of Winnipeg and Me), Zapata fans will be happy to catch some moments with the beloved characters.
Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan
Newly divorced single mom Nora Hamilton is a master at crafting happily-ever screenplays for TV movies. But when she goes off script and writes a screenplay on the demise of her marriage, it gets picked up by a big-time Hollywood studio that casts sexy A-lister and former sexiest man alive Leo Vance as her ex.
With filming wraps up, Nora could not be more surprised when she finds Leo on her porch with a proposition that will make her $7,000 richer. In need of a break from the media and paparazzi, Leo asks to stay for an extra week in her tea house. Nora accepts, unaware of the life-changing week that is to come.
With witty humor and a swoon-worthy love story, Nora Goes Off Script is a cute beach read that you will not be able to put down. As far as romances go, this is one of the best single mom romance books of 2022.
Sway by Adriana Locke
Amid his most high-profile campaign to date, the last thing Barrett Landry needs is a distraction.
Fate has other plans.
When he crosses Alison Baker’s path, every one of Barrett’s carefully laid out plans flies out the door. Soon the only thing on his mind is the intriguing single mother who could care less about his upcoming election.
But Alison has been hurt before, making her wary of entering another high-profile relationship that could ultimately backfire on her and her son Huxley.
Read Sway if you’re in the mood for a political romance between a soon-to-be Governor of Georgia and a waitress working two jobs to keep her and her son afloat. As one of the best single mom romance books, you cannot go wrong with this page-turner.
Ghosted by J.M. Darhower
Single mother Kennedy Garfield is working to make ends meet. The last thing she needs is for Hollywood’s A-lister Jonathan Cunningham, the father of her daughter, to re-enter her life. That all changes with his next job. Set to film in New York, Kennedy is equal parts nervous that he’ll show up and fearful that he won’t, that he no longer cares.
King of the tabloids, Jonathan has been through scandal after scandal as he struggles with his own addictions. When he learns of where the next film in the superhero franchise will be shot, he decides to revisit the girl he left behind. What he soon finds out is that he did not just leave one girl behind, he left two.
One of the ultimate second chance celebrity romance books for all you hopeless romantics out there who are looking for a romance story with kids in tow. If you love single mom romance books, you need to add Ghosted to your list.
The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
Single mom Jess Davis may be a whiz at numbers, but she is far from an expert at relationships. If anything, she is perfectly content with the life she has with her daughter, so why mess that up by adding a man into the equation?
Enter Dr. River Peña, the founder of the buzzworthy DNA matchmaking service GeneticAlly. No one is more surprised than Jess to learn that she and the grumpy, stuck-up nerd are a near-perfect match. It is not theoretically possible that they are romantically compatible.
Right?
Sexy, scientific, and seriously sweet, The Soulmate Equation is a unique romantic comedy overflowing with laughs and charm. Not only is it one of the best and most realistic single mom romance books on the market.
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
When bestselling erotic writer Eva Mercy bumps into award-winning author Shane Hall at a literary event, she is transported back to their brief but all-consuming week-long affair. In a twist of fate, the two star-crossed lovers get a second chance at love – a love that never truly died.
Sexy, sweet, and complex, Seven Days in June is a masterfully written page-turner that grapples with a range of topics, including motherhood and generational trauma. As one of the best single mom romance books of 2021, I recommend that you get your hands on this because it is the type of book that stays on your mind long after you finish it.
Sacrifice by Adriana Locke
When tragedy strikes, leaving Crew Gentry brotherless and Julia Gentry a widow, Crew swears to take care of Julia and his niece Ever. And when tragedy strikes a second time, Crew will do whatever it takes to win the $50,000 Julia desperately needs to save her daughter. Even if that means returning to the ring that nearly paralyzed him years ago.
But bad luck comes in threes and a third tragedy could leave the Gentry family in ruins.
Read Sacrifice if you’re looking for an emotionally-charged single parent romance that will give your heartstrings a hard tug. You may even shed a few tears along the way.
Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score
When runaway bride Naomi Witt rolls into town to come to her twin’s rescue, she does not expect to get the third degree from the town’s occupants, nor for her sister to leave her with an 11-year-old niece she never knew existed minutes after stealing her car and money.
With no money, no job, no car, and a surprise kid, Naomi knows nothing will ever be the same. And if not for Knox Morgan, a surly grump of a man who distrusts Naomi, she would be in a world of pain. Because even though he would love to book her a one-way ticket out of his life, he refuses to stand by and watch as her world falls apart.
Adorable, fun, and sweet, Things We Never Got Over is an enemies-to-lovers contemporary romance featuring a sunshine runaway bride, a grumpy business owner, a funny kid, a fake dating situation, and a small town full of gossip.
Magic Man by Jamie Schlosser
Casey Maxwell never planned on following in her mom’s footsteps and becoming pregnant at sixteen, but a positive test turned her life upside down. Now, at eighteen, Casey is doing everything in her power to give her son a good life, but it’s not easy. So when she is presented with free tickets to the local carnival, she snatches them up.
Jay Langston walked down a dangerous path and paid for it with jail time. The only thing that got him through his two-year sentence was Casey Maxwell, the soon-to-be mother with knobby knees and cute dimples. After being released, he is unwittingly drawn back into Casey’s orbit, but getting her to notice him will take more than a handful of tickets and magic tricks.
Touching, sweet, and spicy, Magic Man is an emotion-laden second chance, single mom romance that will hit you in all the feels.
The Air He Breathes by Brittainy C. Cherry
After losing the love of her life, Elizabeth is doing her best to move on and mend the pieces of her life back together. It helps that she has her daughter Emma who keeps her from completely falling apart. After staying with her mom for an extended period, Elizabeth knows it’s time to return home. Once back, she finds not much has changed since she left. Well, besides the small town’s newest resident, Tristan Cole.
Cold, cruel and callous, people tend to steer clear of the aloof recluse. But Elizabeth can sense a kindred spirit hidden beneath that asshole exterior and refuses to allow him to push her away.
Emotional, touching and heartbreaking, The Air He Breathes is a captivating single mom romance perfect for fans of Mia Sheridan and Emma Scott.
Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake
Up-and-coming photographer Delilah Green had no plans of ever returning to her hometown Bright Falls until her step-sister Astrid wrangles her into being the photographer for her wedding.
Bumping into people from her past is unavoidable, but nothing could have prepared her for the grown-up version of Astrid’s best friend, Claire Sutherland. Sparks fly, and soon the pair strike up a friends-with-benefits arrangement that blossoms into more than they ever saw coming.
Steamy and humorous, Delilah Green Doesn’t Care is a charming contemporary romance that tells its readers a story of family, love, friendship, parenthood, and healing.
Desperately Seeking Epic by B.N. Toler
At twelve-years-old, Neena is running out of time. All she wants is to meet her dad before it’s too late.
Unbeknownst to her mom Clara, Neena puts an ad on Craigslist addressed to her father which quickly goes viral and finds its way to Paul, the famous stuntman and resident adrenaline junkie.
Still, Clara is hesitant to allow him back into their lives after he abandoned her in search of a new adventure. But nothing will stop Paul from meeting his daughter.
For an epic love story, read Desperately Seeking Epic. Be sure to break out the tissues because there’s a 99.9% chance that you’ll be sobbing after the first chapter. Let’s face it, B.N. Toler will rip your heart out.
Down Too Deep by J. Daniels
When tragedy hit and left Nathan Bell a widow, the single father shut down, throwing himself into work and leaving his parents to become his daughter’s pseudo-caretakers – a decision he comes to regret two years later.
Now unable to connect with his daughter, Nathan reaches out to the one person who may be able to salvage their bond: Jenna Savage, a single mom of twins.
As the days pass, Nathan finds himself falling for the supermom, but he knows it cannot last. After all, their arrangement has a deadline.
Emotional, passionate, and sweet, Down Too Deep is an unputdownable slow-burn page-turner perfect for readers looking for single parent romance books with a single mom and dad.
Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Walking down the aisle with cold feet and second thoughts is not a great way to start a marriage, but what’s she to do? Daisy has no other choice. She’s broke. Every one of her credit cards have been canceled. And the cherry on top of this delightful situation? She’s been threatened with jail time if she refuses to marry the mystery man. All she has to do is stick out the next six months with his traveling circus and then she’s free.
Humorous, witty and emotional, Kiss an Angel centers around an accidental pregnancy and an arranged marriage that evolves from a fake relationship into something real. Daisy and Alex’s enemies-to-lovers romance will make you laugh, cry and think. It’ll undoubtedly stay on your mind for quite some time.
Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan
Two strangers on the brink of making their mark on the world meet in a bar and spend the night bonding over basketball and feeling an inexplicable connection. All August West wants to do is learn more about the unforgettable girl from the bar, but nothing can ever come out of those few memorable hours they spent together. Not while Iris DuPree is in a relationship with his archenemy Calab Bradley.
Nicknamed the “golden boy” of the NBA, Caleb plays the perfectly doting boyfriend to a tee. But all that glitters is not gold and Caleb’s mask fades behind closed doors. Over the years, the two reminisce about that beautiful night they spent together during their darkest moments. And even though it may be a long shot, fate is on their side.
Heartbreaking, touching and emotional, Long Shot is a slam dunk in the sports universe, especially if you love single mom romance books. It will yank at your heartstrings while simultaneously filling you with hope for Iris and August.
The Bitterroot Inn by Devney Perry
Maisy Holt has a lot on her plate. Between running The Bitterroot Inn, dealing with renovations, and raising her son, Maisy has no time for men. That is until Hunter Faraday walks through the doors.
But what happens when the past makes its way into the present and threatens everything they have built?
Sweet, emotional, and steamy, The Bitterroot Inn is the page-turning conclusion to the Jamison Valley series perfect for readers who love their romance books with a sprinkling of insta-lust, a resilient single mom, and a hot-as-sin stranger with secrets from his past.
Worth the Fall by Claudia Connor
When an injury sends Navy SEAL Matt McKinney back home on medical leave, he never expects to meet the love of his life at the beach.
A widowed mother of four with a fifth on the way, Abby Davis has her hands full. Determined to form new, happy memories with her kids, Abby decides a day at the beach is the perfect solution. She never foresaw Matt McKinney, the sweet SEAL who would irrecoverably change her life.
Worth the Fall is a swoon-worthy single mom romance that takes its readers on a journey of love, loss, healing, and parenthood.
This Is Forever by Natasha Madison
As the son of a hockey god and the brother of a rising hockey star, Justin Stone knows that he has big skates to fill. When the offseason comes around, he agrees to run a hockey camp for underprivileged kids – a decision that becomes his best yet when single mom Caroline Woods walks into the rink with her six-year-old son.
Beautiful, emotional, and passionate, This Is Forever is a sports romance that expertly weaves the trials of parenthood and unexpected romantic interests into an unforgettable read. As one of the best sports romance books with a single mom and a hockey star, I recommend adding it to your TBR pile.
Rewriting the Stars by Claire Kingsley
In this modern-day rendition of Romeo and Juliet, firefighter Levi Bailey and single mom Annika Haven defy the century-long Tilikum town feud and their family’s expectations to take a chance on each other.
Hilarious, spicy, and suspenseful, Rewriting the Stars is a laugh-out-loud romantic comedy overflowing with crazy shenanigans and humorous pranks. With a dash of mystery and a sprinkling of forbidden love, this page-turner is a must-read, especially for readers looking for single mom romance books.
The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros
Besides his trusty labrador retriever Havoc and his best friend and fellow brother-in-arms Ryan, special ops soldier Chaos – Beckett Gentry – has no one, a problem Ryan rectifies by convincing his younger sister Ella to write deployment letters to him.
When tragedy strikes and leaves Beckett more alone than ever, he finds solace in the arms of the one woman who understands the unbearable agony of Ryan’s passing.
If it is an ugly cry you want, then it is an ugly cry you shall get. The Last Letter is a heartbreakingly tragic military romance that deviates from the typical contemporary romance script and explores the ups and downs of motherhood while taking its readers on a journey of love, loss, grief, forgiveness, heartache, hope, and the power of unconditional love.
Be My Hero by Linda Kage
Ever since a psychic granted Pick Ryan glimpses his future as a kid, he has been obsessed with finding his soulmate “Tinkerbell” from those visions.
As the years go by, he never gives up hope even though his life hasn’t gone as planned, from working two jobs to keep him and his addict friend Tristy afloat to failing to find his Tinkerbell.
That all changes the day Eva Mercer walks into his life wearing a Tinkerbell shirt. Everything about her is reminiscent of his dreams and he is convinced that she’s his soulmate.
But nothing is ever as simple as it seems and Pick must make a life-altering decision.
Read Be My Hero if you’re in the mood for a slow-burn romance between a sweet and sexy hero and a pregnant heroine who will do whatever it takes to give her child a good life. As one of the best single mom romance books, you cannot go wrong with this page-turner.
The Brawl by Willa Nash and Devney Perry
Ronan Thatcher is never left wanting in the female department. That is until high school teacher Larke Hale knocks him down a few pegs with a swift rejection – a rejection that pushes him to take on a teen client looking to sue her high school teacher for an unfair grade when he learns that said teacher is none other than Larke herself.
Let the games begin.
The Brawl is a heartwarming small town romance overflowing with witty banter, swoon-worthy moments, and engaging characters. As far as single mom romance books go, this is one you do not want to miss.
One Last Time by Corinne Michaels
Recently divorced single mom Kristin McGee is doing everything she can do to piece her life back together after leaving her emotionally abusive marriage. But between job-searching and taking care of her two kids, Kristin is hanging by a thread.
When she lands a job as a celebrity journalist, she cannot believe her luck. That is until she learns that her first assignment is Noah Frazier, one of the biggest names in Hollywood. Imagine Kristin’s surprise when she secures not one but two exclusive interviews with the notoriously private world-renowned actor.
But when Noah expresses his desire for more, Kristin will have to decide if she can handle everything that comes with Noah’s celebrity status.
Sexy, heartwarming, and addictive, One Last Time is an unputdownable single mom romance that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster of heartbreak, hope, self-discovery, healing, and love.
One Percent of You by Michelle Gross
Between nursing school, a night job, her young daughter Lucy, and her growing baby bump, 22-year-old Hadley Reynolds has no time for complications, especially ones that come in the form of judgemental tattoo artists that argue with preschoolers over bags of chips.
One Percent of You is a sweet single mom romance perfect for readers who love books with the grumpy/sunshine trope.