Swoon Alert! 6 Harlequin Romance Novels Are Becoming CW Movies—Featuring Cowboys to Coffee Shops

Romance lovers, it’s time to grab your popcorn and Diet Coke and head to the theaters because  The CW recently announced that it would be adapting six Harlequin novels into movies! And if that wasn’t enough, they will star some incredible early 2000s actors and actresses. To learn who will be starring in the films and which novels are being adapted, keep scrolling!  

What to know about the Harlequin adaptations

Originally announced by Deadline, the Harlequin movie adaptations will be presented by The CW, Bell Media and Centinel Media, and produced by Neshama Entertainment. They will be released in theaters nationwide starting in late August. 

“The CW has been building a passionate weekend audience of movie lovers, and this new slate of original films is for romance fans everywhere,” CW’s head of scripted and unscripted content, Heather Olander, told Deadline. “These feel-good stories, inspired by hugely successful blockbuster Harlequin novels, are the perfect blend of nostalgia and escapism, and thanks to our exciting partnership with Fathom Entertainment, we’re thrilled to bring these films to the big screen first—giving fans the chance to laugh, swoon, and fall in love, together in theaters this summer.” 

The six films expected to be released 

As mentioned above, there will be six book-to-screen adaptations, which are as follows.

‘Montana Mavericks’

Montana Mavericks is a bestselling romance series that has been written by multiple authors over the years. The film adaptation will follow Hannah, a best-selling New York City author, who unexpectedly inherits a family ranch in Montana. While there, she meets a handsome cowboy named Cliff and soon sparks begin to fly.  It will be released in theaters from August 26 to August 27 and star Katherine McNamara (Shadowhunters and Arrow) as Hannah and Dennis Andres (Workin’ Moms and Feel the Beat) as Cliff. 

“Had a wonderful time working with these lovely folks. Can’t wait for you to see this one in theaters,” McNamara wrote on Instagram. 

‘Ordinary Girl in a Tiara’

Originally written by Jessica Hart and published in 2011, this movie centers around vintage fashion devotee Caro Cartwright after she agrees to help her childhood nemesis Philippa Levreaux. Katharine King So (Transplant and Revival) will play Caro, and Kathryn Gallagher (Gossip Girl and You) will play Philippa, and as of publication, this film doesn’t have a release date. 

‘Paws in the City’ 

Paws in the City is a swoon worthy romance series written by Stefanie London. In the first one, entitled The Dachshund Wears Prada, Issa is tasked with watching a dachshund diva named Camila. And if that wasn’t hard enough, she soon begins to fall in love with Camila’s owner, Theo. A sweet, pawfect story. 

The film itself will star Emeraude Toubia (Shadowhunters and With Love) as Issa and Carter Jenkins (Famous in Love and After We Fell). It doesn’t have a release date yet. 

‘Sweet on You’

Sweet on You—or Recipe for Romance, since that’s what the movie will be called—was written in 2020 by Carla de Guzman and follows, a barista and café owner named Sari after a rival bakery owned by the handsome Gabe opens up next door. Soon sparks begin to fly in more ways than one, but will this love affair be savory or sweet?  

The film adaptation currently doesn’t have a release date, but will star True  O’Brien (Days of Our Lives) as Sari and Alex Mallari Jr. (The Adam Project and Ginny & Georgia) as Gabe.  

‘Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell’ 

Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell follows Savvy Sheldon, who tries to redo her entire life. Enter Isaiah, a man who comes and sweeps her off her feet. What follows is a battle of love and second chances. 

The novel was originally published in 2022 and was written by Taj McCoy. In the adaptation, Amber Riley (Glee and Disney Jr’s Ariel) will play Savvy and Dorian Grey (Transplant and Star Trek: Discovery) will play Isaiah. It doesn’t have a release date yet. 

‘Second Guessing Fate’ 

The last book The CW will be adapting is Second Guessing Fate, a novel written by Claire Robyns in 2011. It follows Gemma, after a fortune tells her she is one bad date away from meeting her soulmate. Enter Nick. Their date goes terribly wrong, thankfully, and soon Gemma meets the ever-charming Enzo, whom she thinks is her soulmate. Soon, though, the lines become blurred and Gemma begins to wonder if the fortune teller was wrong. This story is perfect for fans of magical realism and love triangles. 

In the film, Danielle Panabaker (Sky High and The Flash) will play Gemma, Corey Sevier (Immortals and Awaken) will play Nick and Brendan Morgan (Hearts Around The Table and The Handmaid’s Tale) will play Enzo. The film doesn’t have a release date yet.