NERFA Finalists & Winners

2026 NERFA FINALISTS AND WINNERS – Are Bolded Below and Have Been Moved to the Top of the Category List

Contemporary Romance
The Magical Tea Shop by Aimee O’Brian

Just the Way You Are by Nika Rhone
Perfect Match by Peggy Jaeger

Historical Romance
The Lyon Returns by Kimberly Keyes

Crimes, Conspiracies, and Courtship by Aubrey Wynne
Reluctantly in Love with a Viscount by Teresa Sweeney

Mainstream Romance
After the Ocean by Lauren E. Rico

Tanked by Kelly Fae Wilson
Woe is Wednesday by Maggie FitzRoy

Romantic Novella
Love Lost and Found by Vanessa Victoria Kilmer

Imperfectly Perfect by Dania Voss
Our Complication by Alexandra Caluen

Romantic Suspense
Perfect Vengeance by Tee O’Fallon

Guarding Bristol by Kaylea Cross
Two Seconds Too Late by Dani Pettrey

Speculative Romance
The Magical Bed & Breakfast by Aimee O’Brian

The Magical Christmas Cottage by Aimee O’Brian
Thrice Bound by Nicole E Kelleher

First Book
This Kind of Love by Ashley Detweiler

Ghosted by Lori Matsourani
Tanked by Kelly Fae Wilson

2025 NERFA – Are Bolded Below and Have Been Moved to the Top of the Category List

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Making the Play by AD Lynn

Pour Baby by P.J. DeVere
Second Chance with a Cowboy by Jennie Marts

HISTORICAL ROMANCE

One Kiss to Desire by Grace Callaway

Beyond Time’s Embrace by Tina Susedik
Charlotte and the Seductive Spymaster by Grace Callaway

MAINSTREAM ROMANCE

Black Heart(s) by Calliope Daniels

The Wrangler’s Christmas Gift by Roxanne Snopek
Tuesday Means Trouble by Maggie FitzRoy

ROMANCE NOVELLA

The Scoundrel’s Christmas Challenge by Aubrey Wynne

A Wallflower’s Wassail Punch by Aubrey Wynne
The Maestro and the Roofer by Brianna Bancroft

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

False Evidence by Rachel Grant

Cold Spite by Toni Anderson
Don’t Look Back by Rachel Grant

SPECULATIVE ROMANCE

The Smell of Smoke and Ash by Patty Blount

Ghostly Protector by Stacy McKitrick
Wilt by Harlowe Wilde

BEST FIRST BOOK

Piece by Piece by Twila Mason

The Grumpy Guardian’s Redemption by Sara J. Walker
Men In Books Aren’t Better by Amanda Nelson & Lisa-Marie Potter

YOUNG ADULT

Sadly, we did not get enough contestants in this category. Those who dis submit their stories were added to another category for consideration. We hope next year will get more entries – please spread the word!

Congratulations to Winners (Are in Bold above) ! And to the Finalists as well. Thank you so much for everyone who participated this year.