What’s working well right now on BookBub? There’s no better team to answer that question than our editors, and we’ve gathered a list of top trends readers have been interested in across categories from romance to nonfiction to thrillers. Read on to find out what titles might be a good fit for an upcoming Featured Deal, New Release for Less, or Ads campaign!
The Editorial Review Process
As a reminder, we have a limited number of spots in our curated Featured Deals and New Releases for Less emails. Because we receive hundreds of submissions per day, we’re only able to feature a subset of the titles we see, so we rely on an editorial process to determine which deals and new releases BookBub’s members are most likely to buy. Our editors use a combination of historical performance data and knowledge of our members’ tastes to select the featured books.
Below, we share what tropes and trends have been working well recently in a few of our categories, and for examples of books we’ve run that include these attributes. While the editors would love to see more books that meet these descriptions, keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive — there are lots of other themes, tropes, and subjects that our readers enjoy in each of these categories.
Also, because we receive so many submissions, not every book that falls into one of these areas will necessarily get selected for a feature. Even if a book is a good fit for our audience, timing is everything and we may simply not have room for your book when you submit! Lastly, note that these trends are not evergreen — our readers’ tastes and preferences typically change over time, so be sure to subscribe to the Partners Blog for future trend updates like this one.
You can jump to view trends within a specific genre here:
Romance
Erotic Romance: Opposites Attract
Instant sparks ignite when opposites attract! Grumpy/sunshine, good girl/bad boy, and wealthy/blue-collar are all sub-tropes that can do well with our Erotic Romance audience due to the immediate and fiery sexual tension these push-and-pull pairings produce.
Example Featured Deal blurb: From a USA Today bestselling author comes a scorching small-town romance: Good girl Rosie has always avoided bad boy Dylan — until she’s ditched after a date and the sexy biker offers her a ride…
Historical Romance: A New Chance at Love
Books where a widow or widower is finding a second chance at love — usually after a disastrous first marriage — keep our Historical Romance readers turning the pages. It’s a bonus if they have children that need taking care of as well. These romances generally begin with the widowed character feeling burned by love, so putting their hearts on the line a second time is that much harder… and that much more enchanting!
Example Featured Deal blurb: The Duke of Ravensmore is rough around the edges, and the untimely death of his first wife has made searching for a new match nearly impossible. When Daphne finds herself floundering during the London season, they wonder if a quick marriage can solve two problems at once…
Paranormal Romance: Playful Reads
Due to the recent success of rom-com-esque paranormal romances like The Ex Hex and Payback’s a Witch, more lighthearted romances are coming into the spotlight than ever before. These more playful and upbeat romances featuring witches and shifters finding love can be a refreshing change of pace while still delivering the supernatural aspects that our readers enjoy.
Example Featured Deal blurb: Living in a magical mansion with a coven of witches isn’t easy, and Essie has long yearned for a different life. But when their cute new landlord discovers his tenants haven’t paid rent since the 1700s, things are sure to heat up! A delightful paranormal rom-com perfect for fans of The Ex Hex.
Romantic Suspense: Dangers from the Past
Almost everyone can relate to having an ex they’d rather forget, but recently our Romantic Suspense readers have been intrigued by what happens when those past relationships turn deadly. Stories featuring women on the run from dangerous exes into the safe arms of a Navy SEAL, federal agent, or police officer who will protect them at all costs offer a thrilling journey for readers where love always wins!
Example Featured Deal blurb: After barely fleeing her violent ex during a snowstorm, Hope finds herself wounded and trapped in a car hanging off the edge of a cliff. Former Navy SEAL Wyatt comes to her rescue and swears to keep her safe, but can she learn to trust him as sparks fly?
Contemporary Romance: Secret Billionaires
Meet-cutes between perfect strangers have always been a fan favorite, and finding out the new guy of your dreams is actually a billionaire? Even better! Our readers have been swooning for love interests that are already perfect book boyfriends in every way — and just so happen to be secret billionaires. These lighthearted romances can be both sweet and spicy, and whether it’s a blind date that turns into more or a chance encounter that sends sparks flying, these books keep readers eagerly awaiting the big reveal.
Example Featured Deal blurb: In desperate need of a fake boyfriend to introduce to her parents, Penny offers $20 to the sexy guy at the bar to play the part and walk away. But she doesn’t realize that Hayden is actually a billionaire — and he has no intention of leaving her side!
New Adult Romance: Snowed In
Recently, forced proximity romances have been a big hit with our New Adult Romance readers. These books tend to include the added bonus of other beloved tropes that make the main characters’ isolated time together even more steamy — featuring everything from second-chance romances to enemies turned lovers. Add in a snowy setting where the main characters get trapped in a cozy, romantic cabin, and things are sure to heat up fast!
Example Featured Deal blurb: Recovering from heartbreak, Kristy is thrilled when her best friend offers her a free weekend getaway. But she’s shocked as Addie’s firefighter brother, Austin, walks into the remote cabin to find Kristy half naked! Austin’s had a crush on his sister’s best friend for years, but is he ready to open his heart again?
Rom-Com: Life Swap
Our Rom-Com subscribers can’t get enough of life swap stories à la the film The Holiday or Beth O’Leary’s The Switch! This beloved trope involves two protagonists swapping lives and discovering love and other new beginnings in unfamiliar territory — but unique twists abound! An ordinary housewife stumbles into the life of a movie star, twins secretly switch places, and much more in these delightfully plotted reads.
Example Featured Deal blurb: Perfect for fans of The Great British Bake Off! Chef Charlie works as a judge on a reality baking show. Her twin sister, Cass, runs the family bakery in their quaint mountain hometown. When Charlie loses her sense of taste before the holidays, they swap lives… “Pure delight, I couldn’t stop from smiling” (Taylor Jenkins Reid).
Other Fiction
Action and Adventure: At Sea
Lately, adventures at sea have been making a big splash with our Action readers! Whether it’s a World War II naval thriller or a mission to uncover deadly secrets in the Florida Keys, action books set near the water keep readers on the edge of their seat and turning page after page.
Example Featured Deal blurb: When a treasure hunter in the Florida Keys is killed after making a major discovery, former Navy SEAL Logan and his wife set off to investigate. Their hunt sets them on the trail of a murderous band of criminals in this fast-paced adventure!
Historical Fiction: Southern Settings
Lush, vividly rendered settings are always a draw for Historical Fiction readers — and right now, they’re loving books set against the backdrop of the American South. From the Carolinas to Louisiana to Texas, atmospheric Southern locations are the perfect complement to these gripping and thought-provoking historical tales.
Example Featured Deal blurb: Fans of Where the Crawdads Sing will love this “magnetic” novel (Publishers Weekly). In rural North Carolina, Lucy and her new friend, Allie, unravel curious and heartbreaking mysteries against the backdrop of World War II. “You won’t want to miss this one” (New York Times bestselling author Kathleen Grissom).
Literary Fiction: Worlds Colliding
Novels that explore the clash between conflicting worlds are big hits in our Literary Fiction category. Often, protagonists of these stories feel forced to choose between opposing ways of life — be it living in nature or the city, following tradition or modernity, or remaining trapped by old traumas or finding a way to move forward. Across different topics and themes, our subscribers are rightfully captivated by how a character journeys toward understanding themselves — and the world around them.
Example Featured Deal blurb: “Delightful” (The New York Times Book Review), with over 11,000 five-star Goodreads ratings: Shy, straitlaced Mary Jane takes a job nannying for a progressive couple hiding an errant rock star in their house — and it turns her world upside down. “I dare you to find a more winning novel” (New York Times bestselling author Kevin Wilson).
Thrillers: Mysterious Husbands
Sometimes, the biggest mysteries of our lives come from those we thought we knew best. Nothing captures this disorienting experience quite like a favorite psychological thriller trope — the husband who isn’t quite all he appears to be. Is there a benign explanation, or has the marriage been built on lies?
Example Featured Deal blurb: A new release! En route to her sister’s wedding at a luxury ski resort, Mila’s car breaks down — and she and her husband are forced to break into an abandoned cabin for shelter. But when she wakes, Ethan is gone… A nerve-rattling psychological thriller.
Science Fiction: Suspended Animation
Protagonists who awake from years of sleep or suspended animation have been big hits with our science fiction subscribers lately! These books often highlight heroes who are put into artificial sleep while they travel to alien worlds, waking on arrival to confront new companions — friendly or otherwise.
Example Featured Deal blurb: When a transport pod lands on an alien planet, martial artist and outdoorsman Kevin Murdock and his fellow occupants wake from suspended animation to face their strange new world — and its colossal wildlife. Can they survive? An exciting sci-fi adventure.
Nonfiction
General Nonfiction: Music History
General Nonfiction readers have been excited for books about music, particularly volumes that offer a broad look at centuries of classical music history. Our readers are looking for accessible, digestible content that allows them to better understand the evolution of music over time and incorporate new knowledge into their own listening. Music books that include trivia-friendly facts and little-known anecdotes are also popular.
Example Featured Deal blurb: Music lovers will welcome this sweeping guide to over 1,000 years of classical music, with information on major composers, works, instruments, styles, and more! Includes gorgeous photographs and fascinating facts.
Advice and How-To: What’s Your Type?
Advice readers are currently gravitating toward books designed to deepen their understanding of their own personalities. Whether through the Enneagram, the Myers-Briggs indicator, or other typing systems, these titles promise to help readers unlock insights about their core traits, behaviors, and relationship patterns — and use them to change their lives for the better.
Example Featured Deal blurb: Knowing your personality type can help you reach a deeper level of self-understanding and growth. Based on Jungian psychology and using illustrative pop culture references, this guide to typology details how your personality type influences your priorities, potential, and more.
Biographies and Memoirs: Behind the Curtain
Books that offer a glimpse into a niche or secretive industry continue to perform well with our Biographies and Memoirs readers. From luxury hotels to the world’s top ballet companies, no field is off-limits.
Example Featured Deal blurb: In this “fascinating insider’s tale” (People), a New York City Ballet soloist pulls back the curtain on the rarefied world of elite dance companies. “While the juicy details of beautiful people behaving badly are beguiling, it’s Pazcoguin’s unsparing criticism of the industry that begs an encore” (Publishers Weekly).
Humor: Travel
Humor subscribers have been loving travel-related content recently! From rollicking travelogues that chronicle real-life misadventures to witty regional guides that offer a look at a community’s idiosyncracies, our readers want to be whisked away.
Example Featured Deal blurb: When do Midwesterners not apologize? How much ranch dressing is enough? Learn how to survive the Midwest with this hilarious guide from an Emmy Award–winning journalist! This sidesplitting New York Times bestseller is chock-full of entertaining yet informative quizzes, jokes, and trivia.
Teen
Teen and Young Adult: Fae
Our Teen and Young Adult subscribers are currently loving all things fae, a trend likely buoyed by the popularity of books like The Cruel Prince and A Court of Thorns and Roses on BookTok. These enchanting fantasies usually feature a bold and daring protagonist, a mysterious fae kingdom, and plenty of adventure and magic — and bonus points if there’s a dash (or more) of romance!
Example Featured Deal blurb: A spellbinding #1 New York Times bestseller with over 8,200 five-star Goodreads ratings! Torn between two fae princes, Abriella questions her destiny in Faerie. This recent release is “seductive, enthralling, and dangerous… The fantasy romance I have been craving” (Stephanie Garber).
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