Recommended for you
I love romance stories like The Summer I Turned Pretty, but as a woman whose teenage years are long behind her, I prefer to explore more sophisticated and mature versions of these books. Who said your high school years are the only time you can meet the love of your life?
With this in mind, here are some of the most engaging romance novels that range from fluffy and lighthearted to gut-wrenching and achingly profound. Because variety is good, right? Here are the best books to read for when you're really missing The Summer I Turned Pretty.
Scroll to see all the dreamy romance books like The Summer I Turned Pretty that you should pick up ASAP!
Amazon
The Summer Knows by Sarah E. Pearsall
A Brit + Co reader described this book as "the perfect adult version" of The Summer I Turned Pretty, so you know I had to look into it! Adrienne Harris didn't expect her life to turn out the way it did — living in the Florida panhandle, working as a waitress, and trying to make it through the day as a single mother. She used to have so much promise for her future when she was a teen in Harbor Point, but some things just don't last forever, I guess. When she has to go back home, she's forced to face what she left behind at seventeen years old. Adrienne's story is full of change, loss, and second chances — but could it be full of love, too?
Amazon
People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry
When in doubt, when it comes to romance novel recommendations, author Emily Henry will always have your back. She is the queen of this genre, managing to craft characters and relationship dynamics that will capture your attention the whole way through.
I love how engaged I feel whenever I read Emily Henry’s books. Whenever I crack open one of her novels, I feel as though I’ve entered a brighter, more care-free universe filled with bubbly characters and sizzling romantic tension. People We Meet On Vacation may be a lighthearted read, but it’s still completely captivating in its own right. It’s perfect for people who are looking for a breezy yet heartfelt friends-to-lovers romance.
Amazon
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne is another excellent feel-good romance novel that I find myself re-reading every other year. I’m just so into it! I love the colorful world Sally Thorne manages to create. It’s filled with lighthearted fun, while contrasted with serious chemistry between the romantic leads. If your cup of tea is the enemies-to-lovers trope (and let’s be real, who doesn’t love such a steamy romance category?), then you will be doing yourself a favor by picking up this book. Honestly, although it’s sort of silly at times, my advice is to just have fun with it. It’s not trying to be War and Peace, so don’t go into it thinking it should be!
Amazon
It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
Another absorbing, lighthearted romance that kept me engaged throughout is It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey. Loosely based on the character Alexis Rose from Schitt’s Creek, the novel tells the story of Piper, a 20-something influencer who finds herself “cancelled.” In order to ground herself, her father sends her away to a small fishermen’s village, where she meets a rugged sailor with whom she has absolutely nothing in common. The two keep butting heads until they eventually fall for one another in a steamy turn of events. It’s perfect for those looking for a fun, nautical read.
Amazon
By A Thread by Lucy Score
By A Thread by Lucy Score is great, because it explores the budding romance between two individuals who are aged 40. Yet despite being more mature in age, their behavior whenever they’re around one another is anything but! This is a classic New York co-worker romance, with 10x the steam. It’s a great fluffy read for anyone looking for a lighthearted tale filled with sass, laughs, and a whole lot of chemistry.
Amazon
Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman
We’ve all sobbed at the ending of the movie starring Timothee Chalamet, but just wait till you read the gut-wrenching novel by Andre Aciman. Talk about heartbreak! This literary triumph will take you away to “Somewhere in Northern Italy,” surrounded by olive trees, sun-soaked villas, and a whirlwind of emotions. If you’re looking for an unforgettable LGBTQ romance novel, look no further than CMBYN.
Amazon
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Another unforgettable LGBTQ romance novel that everyone needs to read, like, yesterday, is The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. It will take you away to the glitz and glamor of 1950s Hollywood, while stealing your heart with its unexpected central romance.
Looking for more TV & entertainment news? Follow us on Facebook so you never miss a thing!
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
