As a voracious romance reader, I must admit that reading is an expensive habit – whether it’s paperbacks or hardcovers, e-books or Kindle, or bookish merchandise, it can take a toll on your wallet.
Are you a romance reader searching for your next great read, but your book budget is limited? Well, there are plenty of ways to read amazing free romance books without having to spend a dime.
Whether you prefer steamy stories or sweet love tales, this guide will show you exactly how to get free romance books online safely and legally. I’ll walk you through the best sources to discover your next read – from author newsletters to digital libraries, the best legit places to find free romance books for adults that suit your taste.
Free Romance Book Guide:
Sign Up for Author Newsletters & Reader Magnets
One of the easiest ways to get free romance books is by signing up for your favorite authors’ newsletters. As a thank-you for joining their mailing list, many romance authors will send you a free full-length ebook or an exclusive novella—also known as a ‘reader magnet’. Often, they also share free e-books from their fellow authors.
These books are often the first in a series, a prequel, bonus POVs, or special scenes only available to email subscribers.
💡Tip: Follow your favorite authors on Instagram, Threads, or their official websites. You’ll often find a “Free Book” link in their bio or homepage banner.
Where to find these newsletters:
- Author Website
- Instagram Bio Link
- Author backmatter
- Facebook romance reader groups
Use Book Promo Sites for Curated Free Romance Deals
If you’re looking for a consistent stream of free romance books online, book promotion sites are goldmines. These platforms work directly with authors and publishers to feature limited-time deals, including discounted books. Some are completely free to download for a day or more.
These are not pirated copies, but official giveaways, often part of a book launch or series starter strategy. And the best part? You don’t have to do any digging—they’re all curated by genre and regularly updated.
Top Book Promo Sites to Find Free Romance Books:
- Prolific Works: Prolific Works is a great platform for discovering free romance books straight from the authors. You can browse public giveaways sorted by genre and download titles instantly in EPUB, MOBI, or PDF after signing up to their platform.
- The Fussy Librarian: This free email newsletter delivers personalized romance book alerts every day or every few days—depending on the frequency you choose. You select your genre preferences (like sub-genres or heat level), and the newsletter sends you only books that match—many of which are legitimately priced at $0.00 that day.
- Bookbub: Sign up for daily email alerts tailored to your romance preferences—what sub-genres you love, which formats you read, and whether you want free or discounted options.
🔐 Pro Tip: Create a dedicated email address for signing up to these promos and newsletters. That way, your main inbox stays clutter-free (But your TBR won’t).
Using these platforms is an easy and safe way to discover free romance books to download, especially if you enjoy finding new-to-you authors in the indie world.
Sign up for Romance ARCs on NetGalley
If you’re open to reading and reviewing, Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) are a fantastic way to access free romance books before they hit the shelves. Publishers and indie authors use platforms like NetGalley to share early copies in exchange for honest reviews.
ARC is ideal for avid readers willing to provide feedback or post reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, or a blog.
NetGalley is a platform where authors and publishers share digital review copies. You can browse by genre (romance is a major category!), submit your request, and if approved, receive it on your Kindle or download it in your preferred format.
The more reviews you leave, the better your chances of getting approved for future titles.
💡 Bonus tip: Even newer reviewers can score approvals from indie authors or small presses who are eager for feedback.
Other ARC Opportunities for Romance Readers:
- Booksprout: Popular with indie authors for ARC teams and promo lists.
- BookSirens: Caters to readers open to reviewing indie romance books, small-press publishers & more.
- Author Review Teams: Many romance authors offer ARCs directly through their newsletters or private Facebook groups.
- Bookstagram Tours: Sign up for promo tours to receive a free ebook in exchange for a photo or post.
Getting ARCs is one of the most rewarding ways to explore free romance books, especially if you love supporting authors and staying ahead of new releases.
Curious about starting your own book blog? Here’s a complete guide on How to start a Book Blog.
Free Romance Stories on Reading Platforms & Apps
There are some amazing platforms where romance authors share their work for free in the form of serialized stories and web novels. These aren’t your typical book formats, but they are perfect for binge-reading sessions when you want something fresh and ongoing.
Some reading platforms to explore:
- Radish Fiction: This platform specializes in serialized romance stories that update regularly. Although only the first few chapters are free for some books, you’ll need ‘coins’ to unlock more chapters.
- Tapas: While known for comics, Tapas also hosts romance novels and web fiction, much of which is available for free.
- Wattpad: Wattpad offers free romance stories across all subgenres written by aspiring and established authors.
Borrow Romance Books Free with Library Apps
If you have a library card (or can get one online), you already have access to thousands of free romance books to read online, including bestsellers, audiobooks, and even spicy indie titles. Digital libraries are an underrated source for romance readers looking for free, legal access to books.
Top Library Apps for Romance Readers:
- Libby: Libby, powered by OverDrive, connects you to your local library’s digital collection. With just a tap, you can borrow ebooks and audiobooks, reading them directly in the app or sending them to your Kindle (in the US). Romance is one of their biggest genres, with everything from cozy love stories to high-heat picks.
- Hoopla: Hoopla offers instant borrowing. Great for audiobooks, graphic novels, and ebooks. If you’re into steamy contemporary or small-town romances, there’s usually a huge rotating catalog.
Download Free Romance Ebooks from Amazon, Kobo & More
Amazon/Kindle Books
Amazon has regular deals on Kindle ebooks from high discounts to freebies, including a massive selection of romance books to download. This is one of the easiest ways to grab a free read, especially if you already use the Kindle app or device.
How to Find Free Romance Books on Amazon: Search for “free romance books” and use the “Sort by: Price: Low to High” filter, possibly switching to desktop mode on your browser.
💡 Pro Tip: Sort by Avg. Customer Review to find the highest-rated reads
No Kindle device? No problem. The Kindle app works on any phone or tablet. But if you’re thinking of upgrading your reading experience, check out this guide to the Best Kindle for reading.
Kobo, Google Play Books & Apple Books
Other platforms like Kobo, Google Play Books, and Apple Books also offer free romance books, often with curated “Free” sections:
- Kobo: Known for first-in-series freebies and indie romance gems. Download via the Kobo app.
- Google Play Books: Filter by price to discover free romance reads. Works across Android and iOS.
- Apple Books: Check the “Top Free” or “Romance” sections for rotating selections, especially on iPhones and iPads.
These platforms are great alternatives if you don’t use Kindle, and many of the titles overlap or rotate between them.
Special Online Romance Books Event: Stuff Your Kindle Day
“Stuff Your Kindle Day” is an indie-author–driven ebook giveaway event, originally created by romance author Zoe York. It’s designed to offer free romance ebooks for approximately 24 hours. The event now spans multiple retailers—Amazon, Kobo, Apple Books, Google Play, Nook, and more.
Join Romance Reader Communities That Share Free Book Alerts
While newsletters and book sites are great, sometimes the best free romance book finds come directly from other readers. Online communities—especially on Reddit and Facebook—are full of active romance fans sharing daily deal links, author giveaways, and surprise Kindle promos. They usually have freebie Friday posts with readers commenting with Amazon links.
These spaces are a great way to:
- Discover limited-time free books
- Find genre-specific or spice-level recommendations
- Get alerts about newsletter-exclusive reader magnets
- Connect with like-minded romance readers
- Ask for book recommendations
⚠️ Stay Safe: Only Use Legal Sources: Always double-check that the links go to legitimate sites like Amazon, BookFunnel, or the author’s own website. Avoid shady download links or pirated file-sharing sites.
Some Quick FAQs
Where can I read romance books for free?
You can read free romance books online through trusted platforms like NetGalley, BookFunnel, or freebies from Amazon, Kobo, etc., and library apps like Libby or Hoopla. Author newsletters and reader groups also share exclusive freebies directly from the authors.
What types of romance books can I get for free?
Pretty much every trope and subgenre you love:
- Contemporary and historical romance
- Fantasy, dark, and paranormal
- Billionaire, mafia, monster, and romcoms
It depends on where you look—Reddit, Facebook Groups, and BookFunnel often feature niche gems!
Will I keep the book forever?
It depends:
- Amazon or Kobo downloads = yours to keep
- Library apps = temporary borrowing (like physical books)
- ARCs and BookFunnel giveaways = May expire/be archived if not downloaded in time
Are Kindle Unlimited books free?
Not exactly. Kindle Unlimited is a subscription service offering unlimited access to thousands of romance books, but it’s not free. You can read more about what is Kindle Unlimited here.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to break the bank to fall in love with a new story. Whether you’re into steamy contemporary, brooding historical heroes, or fantasy slow burns, there’s a free romance book waiting for you: legally, safely, and right at your fingertips. From NetGalley arcs to Amazon’s free Kindle titles, and library apps filled with adult romance, the options are endless if you know where to look. Bookmark this guide, start exploring, and let your next book boyfriend find you… for free.
Psst – If you found this guide helpful, share it with a fellow romance lover or pin it for later! Got a secret source for free books? Drop it in the comments!