Single Mom Romance Books to Make Your Heart Melt

It’s always a good time to celebrate strong women and who can be stronger than a woman raising their kids alone? So here we are counting down our favorite single mom romance books. Birth moms, adoptive moms, guardians, they’re all moms here and get all the credit for making it work and doing whatever is necessary for their kids. And not only do you often get the ‘cute kid’ scenes, but I like the maturity that motherhood often brings to a heroine. They have to put the needs of their child before themselves, and that often includes their love life. Which makes the romance deliciously complicated.

Single Mom Romance Books

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Single mom reads single mom romance books

Suzanne from Under the Covers Book Blog talks about re-reading RIDE STEADY by Kristen Ashley, a single mom romance book she loved, from her new perspective as a single mom herself now!

Our favorite single mom romance books

Never Enough by Lauren Dane

Never Enough by Lauren Dane

Genre: Contemporary romance

Adrian Brown got a girl pregnant thirteen years ago without knowing. To the kids benefit, he wasn’t raised by his birth mother but by his aunt, who decided to adopt him. Fierce, protective, momma bear. Now Gillian thinks it’s time to give Miles the opportunity to meet his real father and his family so she tries to make contact. Adrian falls in love not only with his kid but with his mom!

This series is full of family love and unity but also a lot of spicy romance! The jacuzzi scene in this book will forever be in my memory and Adrian Brown will go down as Mr. Perfect for me.

We are obsessed with the Brown Family by Lauren Dane so much we’ve done a series guide! Check it out here and learn more about every single character and the proper order you should read them in.

Book Cover Bountiful by Sarina Bowen

Bountiful by Sarina Bowen

Genre: Contemporary romance

A one night stand with a hot stranger she met at her bar passing through their small town. It was supposed to be an uncomplicated fling, no last names or life story. But a little while later Zara’s life changed when she found out she was pregnant with no way of finding Dave from Brooklyn. She’s changed her life to make Nicole her first priority and now two years later Dave walks into her coffee sho. She has to find a way to tell him about his daughter but keep her protected at the same time.

sustained-emma-chase

Sustained by Emma Chase

Genre: Contemporary romance

One of THE classic single mom romances comes from Emma Chase. If you’re looking for all the cuteness and chaos a whole group of kids can bring, this is the book for you. After the death of her brother, Chelsea becomes the sole guardian of her nieces and nephews. She’s young and not prepared for that responsibility. So when Jack shows up at her door, a stranger bringing back one of them, she holds on to that lifeline with both hands.

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Book Cover Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas

Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas

Genre: Contemporary romance

When her sister abandons her baby with Ella, the responsible sister, she takes it upon herself to make sure the baby’s father, Texas millionaire Jack Travis, takes responsibility of his child. When I was thinking about some of my favourite book mums, the first person that came to mind for me was Ella. But, she isn’t a mum, she’s an aunt who has taken on responsibility for looking after her nephew Luke. Watching Ella and baby Luke form a maternal bond was beautiful, it really showed that you don’t have to birth a child to be a mother. Tack on Jack Travis taking care of Luke and this book is guaranteed to melt your ovaries.

Lisa Kleypas is the ultimate queen of historical romance, but did you know she writes amazing contemporary romances as well? Let us convince you to read the Travis Family series! Click here to check out our series guide.

trailer-park-heart-rachel-higginson

Trailer Park Heart by Rachel Higginson

Genre: Contemporary romance

“I don’t hate you. I’ve never hated you.” 
“Then why are you an asshole?” I’d demanded. 
“So you’ll notice me.”

The girl from the wrong side of the tracks and his childhood nemesis. Ruby had dreams of escaping her small town life she had once considered a prison. But life had other plans. She’s ended up just where she thought she wouldn’t be. Working as a waitress, living in the same trailer she grew up with her single mother and raising her own son. Then the boy she still held a grudge all these years later came back into town hoping to finally have a chance.

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Single Mom Romance Books
Book cover Seduction and Snacks by Tara Sivec

Seduction & Snacks by Tara Sivec

Genre: Contemporary romance

Claire didn’t want kids. She lost her virginity to a stranger on a one night stand, she didn’t even catch his name! Which would’ve been helpful when she found out she was pregnant. Then years later he strolls into the town’s bar and doesn’t remember her. Now she must make him remember and then tell him he has a son. If you’re looking for the book that will have you literally laughing out loud, this is the one!

Book cover Worth the Fall by Claudia Connor

Worth the Fall by Claudia Connor

Genre: Contemporary romance

Claudia Connor has written so many great books that feature single mothers and I highly recommend you read all of them. But I had to pick just one for this list, so I landed on Abby. She won on head count alone – she has four kids and is pregnant with her fifth when she meets Matt our hero. The kids in this book steal the show, they are so darn cute and Abby is utterly devoted. This is a sweet summer romance that will leave you with a smile on your face and reaching for the next book.

Book Cover At Peace by Kristen Ashley

At Peace by Kristen Ashley

Genre: Contemporary romance

Kristen Ashley tends to write more single dads then she does mums, but one of my favourite romances by her is At Peace whose heroine is single mum Violet. Violet is mum to twin teenage daughters and moves next door to the extremely hot Joe Callahan. Now, Joe. Joe is an alphahole, something I don’t normally tolerate, but damn I love him anyway. As for Violet I really loved her and her relationship with her girls, when the kids in a book are babies/toddlers cute moments are much easy to create. Teenagers aren’t cute. However, they are funny and I love the closeness of the mother-daughter relationship in At Peace. 

devil's-daughter-lisa-kleypas

Devil’s Daughter by Lisa Kleypas

Genre: Historical Romance

Devil’s Daughter was one of my most anticipated released of 2019, I adore Lisa Kleypas, she writes some of the best romances. However, she doesn’t often include children in her relationship dynamics. But, like she does everything else, she did this fantastically. The relationship between her and her children was lovely and some of my favourite moments in the book was when she, West (our hero) were out with the children. Hot men being kind and cute with kids…it’s an ovary explosion.

wait-for-it-mariana-zapata

Wait for It by Mariana Zapata

Genre: Contemporary romance

If I can get Mariana Zapata on a recommendation list I will, I love her books they are full of slow burn romance goodness. Wait For It isn’t her most popular title, however, I really enjoyed it. Diana is the guardian of her two nephews and I just loved her relationship with them. It was tragic, they’d all suffered a loss, but beautiful as well as she embraces them fully into her life and takes on a mother figure role.

Book cover Hero by Lauren Rowe

Hero by Lauren Rowe

Genre: Contemporary romance

Colby Morgan may be high a kite on painkillers and in the ICU, but when he sees Lydia Decker he knows she’s the one. Now, he just needs to convince her, as although he’s the one who is badly injured and needs physical therapy, he’s not the only one who needs to heal. Lydia and her kids have already gone through the heartbreak of losing her husband to a dangerous job, she’s not sure she face risking her heart again. Even if Colby is beautiful inside and out and makes her mind and body feel things she’d never thought she’d experience again.

Other single mom romances you should check out!

Book Cover To Beguile a Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt

To Beguile a Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt

Genre: Historical Romance

If you’re a fan of fairy tale re-imaginings then To Beguile a Beast is perfect. It’s a Beauty and the Beast retelling involving a scarred naturist and a former courtesan with the addition of children. What I love about books where you have a hero or heroine with children is seeing the bond form between the children and the parent’s love interest and this book does this so well. They are all wounded in different ways and human kindness and acceptance goes a long way towards healing.

Book Cover Love Me Again by Jaci Burton

Love Me Again by Jaci Burton

Genre: Contemporary romance

We’ve seen the sexy Deacon Fox earlier in the series.  Loretta broke his heart when she left him after high school and went on to marry a future politician.  Deacon has never gotten over the hurt and is not ready to face Loretta now that she’s back in town.  In fact, they’ve done a good job at avoiding each other until he ends up working on the building next to her new bookstore.  And Loretta’s daughter (and new pooch) soften him up.  Small town, kids, animals, sexy construction worker and second chances… LOVE ME AGAIN was overflowing with goodness.  I couldn’t put it down.

Check out my most read authors of the last decade! Lots of authors mentioned in this post there
Book Cover Grim by M.K. Eidem

Grim by M.K. Eidem

Genre: Sci Fi Romance

I can’t do a recommendation list and not have a sci fi alien romance on it. Luckily, one of my favourite sci fi romances happens to slot in perfectly. Lisa, a single mum, has been abducted, however, she isn’t worried about herself…it’s the two young children she has left behind. However, only one of her captors is willing to go back and get her children, on one condition, she agrees to be his mate. She accepts gladly. This book…it hits all my sweet spots! A curvy heroine, adorable kids, a gorgeous hero who is just a big sexy marshmallow. Cue my swoon!

Book Cover Until Lilly by Aurora Rose Reynolds

Until Lilly by Aurora Rose Reynolds

Genre: Contemporary romance

This book is a double whammy as it features a single mum and a single dad. It’s utterly perfect if you want something that’s short and sweet.

Book Cover Raising Kane by Lorelei James

Raising Kane by Lorelei James

Genre: Erotic romance

I am not a fan of the bad boy hero character type, so when I first read Raising Kane featuring hell raiser Kane I wasn’t that excited about it, but I loved the series so I picked it up. Little did I know that Kane had transformed into a reformed bad boy. That is something I can get into. Kane isn’t the man he used to be; he’s grown up and wants to give back, which is why he is part of the Little Buddies programme. But, as fantastic as Kane is… Ginger our single mother who has her boy in the Little Buddies programme is who I love. She’s strong and independent with a heart full of compassion, I can see why Kane fell so hard for her.

Book Cover King of Hearts by L.H. Cosway

King of Hearts by L.H. Cosway

Genre: Contemporary romance

There is so much to love about this book, L.H. Cosway gleefully tap dances on our heart strings and has you smiling one moment and heartbroken the next. I don’t want to say too much though as it would give major spoilers. But needless to say…read this book, you won’t regret it.

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soulmate-equation-christina-lauren

The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren

Genre: Contemporary romance

Jess Davis is a devoted single mother to seven-year-old Juno and a freelance data analyst. Her entire life is lived in a four block radius. That radius includes a coffee shop where she and her best friend, Fizzy, go to work. For years, Jess has been eyeing up the hot man they call Americano, until a rumor about his line of work has her stopping him one day in the shop. See, Dr. River Peña has created an app to help people find their soulmates based entirely in their DNA. As a lark, Jess sends in her sample. But when her results come in with an insanely high match to none other than Americano himself, a man Jess isn’t even sure she likes all that much, her life gets turned upside down. Since Juno was born, she hasn’t wanted or felt like she needed love in her life, but she finds it hard to believe the numbers because her and River’s match are lying, and she also finds herself more drawn to him the more time they spend together. Is it possible that numbers truly led her to her soulmate?

Book cover Life's Too Short by Abby Jimenez

Life’s Too Short by Abby Jimenez

Genre: Contemporary romance

Vanessa is a successful vlogger and her motto has been to live life at the fullest.  Why? Because her mom had a fatal genetic condition and since Vanessa has seen some signs, she suspects that she does as well. She’s spent a lot of time coming to terms with that fact and trying to take care of what’s left of her family as best as she can without making any new attachments. But the sexy lawyer that lives next door makes that hard. From a friendly relationship to the natural progression things take, Vanessa has a lot to deal with to be able to have her happy ever after.

Until it Fades KA Tucker

Until It Fades by K.A. Tucker

Genre: Contemporary romance

UNTIL IT FADES is such a charmingly sweet story that you can’t help but fall in love with.  Slow burn romance done to perfection. Catherine was forced to mature by circumstances and life. She had a rough go of it as a teenager and has had to take a lot of criticism from her whole small town. Becaming pregnant at a very young age and has been trying her best to raise her precocious little daughter with her GED education and the help of some good people.  One night while driving home she saves a man from a burning car after an accident.  This man turns out to be a living hockey legend. Brett is mature for his age and committed to his career and passion. The friendship and connection that comes from their chance meeting is endearing and EVERYTHING I wanted to read.

Book cover The Offer by Karina Halle

The Offer by Karina Halle

Genre: Contemporary romance

Bram has been living in San Francisco near his brother for a while now.  He’s been for all intents and purposes cleaning up his act.  At Linden’s wedding, Bram decides to act on his attraction to Steph’s best friend Nicola and proposes one night of sex.  Nicola knows the type of man Bram is, the playboy kind.  She doesn’t need that in her life, she’s a mother trying to get ahead in the world for herself and her daughter.  Trying to pursue her passion.  And the heartbreak that comes with someone like Bram does not fit in. Fast forward a few months, and Nicola is down on her luck and Bram might be the one ticket she needs to stay afloat and not drown in her problems.  She has to accept Bram’s help for a place to live until she gets back on her feet.  But having Bram that close proves more than her defenses can fend off.

Other single mom romances you should check out!

Book cover The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

Genre: Contemporary romance

THE BRIDE TEST is simply magical.  It was funny and endearing, thought-provoking in dealing with serious issues but also sweet and romantic in a very different way than the first book.  Plain and simple, this book was so addictive I didn’t want to put it down.  Yes, I will go as far as saying I loved this one more than the first.  Ms. Hoang did this story justice.  The right pacing, the perfect chemistry, multi-dimensional characters.  I was hooked, line and sinker.  I can’t wait for more.

Book cover The Cad and the Co-Ed by L.H. Cosway and Penny Reid

The Cad and the Co-Ed by L.H. Cosway and Penny Reid

Genre: Contemporary romance

The chemistry was spot on but they also meshed in so many other levels than purely sexual.  They both had to grow up and leave their old lives behind so they can start a new one together eventually.  And I couldn’t have been happier with how it turned.  Plus, did I mention the secret baby?  I mean, I am a sucker for a cute kid.  Especially when there’s a hot tatted up rugby player loving on him.  THE CAD AND THE CO-ED will warm your heart as well.

boy-toy-sarina-bowen-tanya-eby

Boy Toy by Sarina Bowen and Tanya Eby

Genre: Contemporary romance

BOY TOY is actually my favorite in the series.  It’s not quite as funny, I think the title of funniest still goes to book 1 for me.  But it’s certainly the most endearing.  The hero is younger than the heroine, she’s divorced and raising her two daughters on her own trying to figure out her new role in life as their sole caregiver.  That comes with a set of struggles she’s learning to navigate on itself.  And then there’s Liam, who happens to be in charge of her kids at the daycare she’s using.  But also, he was a teenager she used to babysit (along with his much younger siblings) when she was in college.

Book Cover British Bedmate by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland

British Bedmate by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland

Genre: Contemporary romance

As always, this writing duo knows just how to deliver a story and characters that are highly addictive and will have your nose stuck in its pages and not coming up for air until you’ve finished.  There’s a certain magic in their stories that I love being swept up in and this delivered that.  Just pick this up, I’m pretty sure you won’t regret it.

Book Cover Demon Deception by M.J. Haag

Demon Deception by M.J. Haag

Genre: Paranormal romance

Although Cassie is living behind the thick fences she knows she isn’t safe. She knows that the zombies and the hellhounds could break through and take away her daughter. After losing her husband and young son she knows she would do anything to keep her remaining child safe. Including hooking up with one of the fey. She knows being under the fey’s protection is about as safe as you can get in this new terrifying world. But, with so much to lose falling in love is almost as terrifying as the teeth of a hellhound. Kerr was sweet and patient, adorable with kids. Fierce and protective. And hot as hell. All at once, I was a goner.

And in case this list isn’t enough, here are the single mom romances at the top of my TBR

Updated October 25, 2022. Original list published May 10, 2019.

What are your favorite single mom romance books?

Let us know in the comments!

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One Comment

  1. Glad to see this list to help with my Romancelopoly square. 🙂

    And, because I like romances involving single parents.