Romance Beyond the Couple: Books That Celebrate Community, Friendship, and Found Family
Romance is often criticized for being fluffy, formulaic fodder for bored women. Romance readers know the drill and have our arguments locked and loaded for when people try to dismiss our beloved genre. I could regale you with the attacks, which are just as old as the enemies-to-lovers trope, but instead, I’m going to highlight one of my favorite strengths of the genre: community.
No genre does community like romance. Romance novels don’t just pair off characters and call it a day—they build entire ecosystems of connection. Best friends, nosy neighbors, chaotic aunties, queer friend groups, meddling siblings, and found families who ride for each other no matter what—these relationships make the stories feel lived-in, vibrant, and emotionally real. Some of the most meaningful scenes in a romance aren’t just about the couple falling in love but about someone being truly seen for the first time by a friend, a community, or a chosen family.
In a world that can often feel isolating, these stories offer something radical: a vision of love that expands outward. Romance reminds us that people can grow together, build support systems, heal through connection, and sometimes, accidentally form a group chat that changes their whole life.
The books below feature romance, yes—but also friendship, found family, and characters discovering that they don’t have to go it alone. If you’ve ever felt rescued by your people, or longed to find them, these stories are for you.
Like Lovers Do by Tracey Livesay
In Like Lovers Do, Tracey Livesay delivers a heartfelt contemporary romance grounded in ambition, trust, and the power of deep friendship. Nicole is a driven and compassionate doctor with big career goals and no time for distractions—especially not her charming, commitment-phobic neighbor, Ben. But when he asks her to pose as his girlfriend for a weekend trip to win over his conservative friends, she agrees—for the sake of friendship, of course. As sparks fly and boundaries blur, Nicole leans on her tight-knit circle of brilliant, supportive Black women who offer advice, laughter, and honesty through every twist. The result is a warm, modern love story that celebrates chosen family, emotional growth, and the kind of friendship that lifts you up when love catches you off guard.
Band Sinister by KJ Charles
This delightful historical offers a deliciously queer romance brimming with wit, warmth, and the transformative magic of found family. When shy, sheltered Guy Frisby is thrown into the scandalous orbit of Sir Philip Rookwood and his eccentric circle—dubbed “the Murder”—he expects sin and debauchery. What he finds instead is a vibrant, accepting community where intellect, honesty, and desire are welcome in equal measure. As Guy cares for his injured sister at Rookwood Hall, he begins to see that the life he’s been taught to fear might hold the freedom and love he’s longed for. Full of sharp banter, chosen family, and joyful rebellion against social norms, Band Sinister is a love story about opening oneself to connection—in all its beautiful, messy, and liberating forms.
Luck of the Draw by Kate Clayborn
This novel blends emotional depth, humor, and slow-burning romance in a story rooted in redemption, grief, and the sustaining power of friendship. After a shared lottery win changes everything, former corporate attorney Zoe Ferris is determined to make amends for her past—starting with the O’Leary family, whose wrongful death case still haunts her. What begins as a tense encounter with Aiden O’Leary soon turns into an unexpected fake engagement, pulling them into each other’s lives with surprising tenderness. Throughout, Zoe is bolstered by her two closest friends—fellow lottery winners and her chosen family—whose unwavering support adds warmth and strength to her journey. Clayborn’s heartfelt storytelling proves that community and connection are just as life-changing as luck.
A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole
Alyssa Cole delivers a sparkling contemporary romance that centers community, friendship, and the transformative power of found family. Naledi Smith, a fiercely independent grad student and former foster kid, has learned to rely only on herself—until an unexpected connection with Prince Thabiso challenges everything she knows about love and belonging. Along the way, Naledi leans on her strong group of female friends, whose witty advice, fierce loyalty, and unforgettable group text keep her grounded through the whirlwind. As Thabiso hides his royal identity to experience life beyond duty, the two form a flirty friendship that deepens into genuine intimacy. The first in a series that celebrates this circle of women, the story proves that family can be found—and chosen—in the most unexpected places.
Hotter than Ever by Elle Kennedy
After being publicly jilted at the altar, Claire is swept away by her almost-brother-in-law to recover in peace—but instead finds herself entangled in a connection that’s anything but quiet. Dylan, a brooding Navy SEAL, offers shelter, but it’s his complicated dynamic with his roommate Aidan that draws Claire into something unexpected, tender, and deeply charged. What begins as a chaotic escape evolves into a magnetic triad, where trust and vulnerability unfold alongside desire. At the heart of this steamy, queer poly romance is a fierce sense of loyalty and chosen family, as bonds forged through service, survival, and emotional honesty create a safe haven where love can grow.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
A solitary witch who’s always lived by the rules suddenly finds herself in the middle of a magical household that turns everything she knows upside down. Tasked with helping three young witches control their powers, Mika arrives at Nowhere House expecting to teach—but instead discovers the beauty of being seen, needed, and chosen. The quirky residents—ranging from mischievous kids to a grumpy librarian fiercely devoted to their safety—draw Mika into a life richer and warmer than she ever imagined. With its whimsical setting, quiet romance, and deeply affirming exploration of belonging, this cozy, enchanting novel celebrates the power of found family—showing how a group of strangers, bound by magic and care, become something much more: a true family in every sense of the word.
If I Can Give You That by Michael Gray Bulla
If I Can Give You That is a heartfelt coming-of-age story about a trans teen navigating grief, identity, and the quiet bravery of letting others in. Seventeen-year-old Gael has spent most of his life guarded—managing a difficult home life while trying to stay under the radar at his conservative Tennessee high school. But when a support group introduces him to Declan and a circle of affirming, accepting queer teens, Gael slowly begins to find the courage to share his truth. As friendship deepens into first love, and community blossoms around him, Gael learns that even in the most unexpected places, you can find people who feel like home.
Sweet Tea and Sympathy by Molly Harper
When a flamingo-centered scandal tanks her high-powered event planning career, Margot is forced to leave behind Chicago’s glitz and reluctantly relocate to Lake Sackett, Georgia—a town so small even her embarrassing moments have an audience. There, she’s swiftly and hilariously absorbed into the McCready family fold, who run a funeral home and bait shop out of the same building. With nosy neighbors, bossy relatives, and more unsolicited advice than she ever asked for, Margot is essentially bullied into belonging. But as she finds her footing and starts to fall for a charming local principal, she discovers that the messy, meddling, deeply loyal community around her might be exactly what she didn’t know she needed.
Honey and Spice by Bolu Babalola
Honey and Spice is a sharp, funny, and emotionally rich romance that centers on Kiki Banjo, a fiercely independent college radio host dedicated to protecting her fellow Blackwell students from heartbreak. Known for her savvy advice and signature no-nonsense attitude, Kiki is the unofficial big sister of her tight-knit Black student community at a predominantly white university. But when she unexpectedly falls for Malakai, the charming new guy she publicly warned everyone about, Kiki is forced to confront her own walls around love, trust, and vulnerability. As friendships shift and deepen, Kiki finds strength not just in romance but in a broader, hard-won sisterhood—one that surprises her with support, forgiveness, and growth. From late-night group chats to public reckonings, this is a story about how community lifts us, love softens us, and how found family can feel like home.
For more romances that center community and friendship, try these found-family romances and queer romances about found family, too.
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This week, we’re highlighting a post that celebrates the 100th anniversary of The Great Gatsby! Revisit F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic (and emblem of assigned reading) and get a crash course on the book’s history, including challenges encountered by its readers and adapters. Read on for an excerpt and become an All Access member to unlock the full post.
January 16, 2025, marked the 100th anniversary of the publication of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby. The New York Public Library celebrated with a party, following a special performance of the Broadway musical adaptation of the novel. Simon and Schuster recently released a new audiobook with an introduction by Jesmyn Ward.
The novel’s theme of reinventing oneself is timeless. The ideas of living a lie by reinventing yourself and wealth making people callous are equally resonant today. How did this novel become so influential, especially on other American novels, and a fixture on high school syllabi? Was it always a bestseller? What aspects of Gatsby hold up, and which ones have aged terribly?
Fitzgerald’s original title for The Great Gatsby was Trimalchio in West Egg. I think the publisher was right to change it. Trimalchio is a character from the ancient Roman work The Satyricon. Combined with the fictional West Egg neighborhood, this reference is cryptic. Gatsby is now an icon in his own right. He doesn’t need a classical allusion for us to notice the theme of excessive wealth.
In a 2014 NPR interview, Maureen Corrigan, the author of So We Read On: How The Great Gatsby Came to Be and Why It Endures, explained how Gatsby became popular. Initial reception was mixed, ranging from the headline “Fitzgerald’s Latest a Dud,” to Modernist poets like T. S. Eliot saying they loved it. When Fitzgerald died in 1940, Gatsby was unpopular (but not out of print). A few years later, it was republished for US service members in World War II, and 123,000 copies were given to members of the military through the Armed Services Editions.
After World War II, Gatsby was no longer an obscure book with mixed reviews. It was considered a classic and became a staple of countless high school syllabi. Constance Grady wrote that Gatsby was ideal for many 20th and early 21st-century English teachers’ emphasis on New Criticism. It’s a great choice for close readings of short passages and analyzing symbolism. However, historical context is also crucial and should never be downplayed, especially in terms of bias.
The Great Gatsby possibly condemns white supremacist theories but uses racist language elsewhere. Tom Buchanan reads white supremacist books and goes on racist rants. Daisy mocks him for this. It’s easy to read this as condemning Tom’s overall bigotry. However, Fitzgerald also expressed racist and antisemitic views in real life.
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