Romance Recs for Your Astrological Sign from Author Susie Dumond
By Susie Dumond
Susie Dumond is a queer writer originally from Little Rock, Arkansas. She is the author of Queerly Beloved and Looking for a Sign. Susie is a senior contributor at Book Riot and a bookseller at Loyalty Bookstores. She lives in Washington, D.C., with her wife, Mary, and her cat, Maple. When she’s not writing or reading, you can find her baking cupcakes or belting karaoke at the nearest gay bar.
There’s no better way to survive the summer heat than by popping in your earbuds and listening to a steamy romance audiobook. But which new book is your perfect match? Let the stars be your guide! We’ve got the perfect romance audiobooks (and a couple hardcovers) for every sign of the zodiac listed below. If you want even more recommendations for summer romance vibes, check the suggestions for your moon and rising signs.
And if you love astrology and romance, may I humbly suggest checking out my newest novel, Looking for a Sign? It’s a fun, mystical romance about a queer woman who goes on a date with one person of each astrological sign in order to find her perfect match. Whether or not you’re as obsessed with the zodiac as I am, it’s a joyful adventure through New Orleans with something to discover for every sign.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Listen to: A Shore Thing by Joanna Lowell
Kit is a creative, strong-headed trans man who gave up his passion for painting to live authentically, now focusing instead on selling bicycles to vacationers in Victorian Cornwall. When widowed botanist Muriel asks Kit for illustrations of local seaweed, he has a different idea: Muriel is the perfect person to help him win a bet that women can ride bikes as well as men. As they train together cycling across sunny beaches, a new heat rises between them. It’s a delightfully queer Victorian romance sure to charm ever-competitive Aries.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Listen to: A Love Like the Sun by Riss M. Neilson
Laniah and Isaac have been best friends since childhood, but life has taken them in different directions. Now Laniah is struggling to keep her mom’s natural beauty store open in her small hometown, while Isaac has become an international sensation as a model and creator. When Laniah refuses Isaac’s financial help, he does what any best friend would do: hatches a plan to fake date Laniah in order to grow her business’s social media platform. But as Laniah and Issac build their fake love, a real love begins to grow too, or maybe an old love they’ve both been ignoring. Tauruses will love this grounded childhood-friends-to-lovers romance by Riss M. Neilson.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
Listen to: Isabel and the Rogue by Liana De la Rosa
Typically a shy bookworm, Isabel’s life in Mexico was shaken by the French occupation. After her parents send Isabel and her sister to England for safety, Isabel takes a risk and starts digging for British intelligence that might help her home country. Sirius, a British covert agent, catches Isabel searching for information, and as they start to work together, they realize they’ve got more in common than their espionage efforts. Bookish Geminis who dream of dangerous adventures will be swept off their feet by Liana De la Rosa’s latest historical romance.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Listen to: Match Me If You Can by Swati Hedge
Jia is a magazine writer in Mumbai who secretly writes a relationship advice blog and dreams of becoming a matchmaker. Little does she know that her childhood friend Jaiman, a pub owner who makes a mean craft cocktail, has been secretly pining after her for years. When Jia gets a chance to help a coworker find true love and clinch the byline for a new matchmaking column, she throws herself into the challenge. But pulling strings in others’ love lives causes all kinds of unexpected chaos, including in Jia’s own shot at romance. Emotionally driven Cancers are sure to love Jia, a romantic meddler with a heart of gold.
Leo (July 23-August 22)
Read: Here for the Wrong Reasons by Annabel Paulsen and Lydia Wang
Montana rodeo queen Krystin has never really been in love, and she figures going on the world’s most popular dating reality show is a good place to start. Lauren, meanwhile, has no delusions about finding true love on TV; she’s secretly a lesbian and only competing on the show to gain more followers on social media. But when Krystin and Lauren feel a spark between them, they’re in for a lot more drama behind the scenes than anyone expected. Leos who love the spotlight will be captivated by the twists, turns, and true love in Here for the Wrong Reasons.
Virgo (August 23-September 22)
Listen to: Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay
Librarian Emily gets a dream-come-true job offer as an assistant and bookshop employee for Siobhan Riordan, a famous Irish novelist struggling to finish the tenth book in her series. Emily eagerly packs her bags and moves to the Emerald Isle. But Emily’s job is harder than it seems after she immediately butts heads with Siobhan’s son Kieran, who manages the bookstore and clearly doesn’t want Emily getting in his way. Soon, Emily and Kieran realize they’re both driven by a love of Siobhan — and they might also fall in love with each other. Passionate, driven Virgos will love this layered enemies-to-lovers story by Jenn McKinlay.
Libra (September 23-October 22)
Listen to: But How Are You, Really by Ella Dawson
Charlotte would rather do just about anything than go to her five-year college reunion. Her career isn’t what she wants, she’s fallen out of touch with her queer friend group, and she’s let her passions fall to the wayside. But her boss is the graduation keynote speaker at her university the same weekend as the reunion, so Charlotte has no choice but to head back to campus. Could the reunion be just what Charlotte needs to remind herself of who she once was — and a chance to reconnect with the hot hockey player she wishes she hadn’t ghosted? But How Are You, Really is a funny, relatable romance with a message about embracing your true self that will resonate with Libras, who too often put their own needs last.
Scorpio (October 23-November 21)
Listen to: One-Star Romance by Laura Hankin
Natalie and Rob meet as maid of honor and best man at a wedding ceremony for their best friends, and they immediately clash when author Natalie realizes Rob gave her latest book a harsh one-star review on Goodreads. Then they have to face each other over and over again because they love their best friends too much to skip out on their housewarmings, baby showers, and other big life events. But the more they bump into each other, the more Natalie and Rob’s quarrels shift into something else. Scorpios will love the enemies-to-lovers story and unshakeable dedication to friendships in Laura Hankin’s latest five-star novel.
Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)
Listen to: Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan
Rufus, the son of an Earl and a supermodel, was raised in the lap of luxury. But now his family has gone broke, and Rufus’s mother sees a solution: finding her single son a wealthy bride during her daughter’s extravagant wedding at an eco-resort. Rufus agrees and sets off on a mission to charm the most eligible bachelorettes at the wedding, even though he’s secretly in love with the girl next door. But when a volcano threatens to erupt, everyone’s plans are thrown off course. Sagittariuses, known for their wanderlust, will enjoy the glitzy tropical settings and Kevin Kwan’s sharp sense of humor in Lies and Weddings.
Capricorn (December 22-January 19)
Read: Barely Even Friends by Mae Bennett
Bellamy has been fighting tooth and nail to make a name for herself in the male-driven historical remodeling industry. So when she’s offered the chance to head up restoration of the vast Killington Estate as lead contractor, it seems perfect — until she realizes Oliver, the grumpy caretaker of Killington and grandson of the estate’s owner, is going to throw a huge wrench into her plans. As they work together on the restoration, Bellamy realizes Oliver’s curmudgeonly exterior is not all it seems. Hard-headed, passionate Capricorns are sure to be won over by this contemporary Beauty and the Beast retelling by Mae Bennett.
Aquarius (January 20-February 18)
Listen to: Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places by Claire Kann
No one seems to take Lucky’s gift for the supernatural seriously. But then a new TV show being shot at the famously haunted Hennessee House goes off the rails when every actor quits only a few days into filming, and suddenly Lucky’s talents sound a lot more useful. Lucky immediately starts working her way into the house’s good graces — and just as quickly hits it off with the show’s host, Maverick Phillips. When the house starts to get jealous of Lucky and Maverick’s dynamic, things get even more spirited. Aquarius will love Lucky’s quirky charm and penchant for the mystical.
Pisces (February 19-March 20)
Listen to: The Bump by Sidney Karger
Hyper-organized director Wyatt and chaotic former child actor Biz may be totally different, but their relationship is a perfect balance. That is, until they’re preparing for their child to be born, when the stress pushes them both to the edge. Wyatt and Biz decide an epic cross-country road trip is just what they need to get ready for fatherhood. They’re forced to question that decision, though, as they face all kinds of unexpected detours and bumps in the road. The Bump is a delightful, poignant story perfect for sweet and sentimental Pisces.
