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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? Whether you're lounging on the beach, relaxing poolside, or soaking up the sun in your backyard, these summer romance books are the perfect companions for your next warm-weather escape.
Scroll to see all the dreamy romance books that you should pick up ASAP!
Amazon
Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune
In Carley Fortune’s highly anticipated romance The Perfect Storm, lifelong best friends Frankie and George are forced to confront years of unresolved feelings after Frankie is unexpectedly dumped on the eve of her wedding. When George convinces her to take the honeymoon anyway—together—they escape to the wild beauty of Tofino, where old wounds, buried secrets, and undeniable chemistry surface. Inspired in part by Little Women’s Laurie and Jo, it’s a heartfelt friends-to-lovers story about heartbreak, healing, and second chances. Here's our ranking of Carly Fortune's top 5 summer romance books.
Amazon
June Baby by Shannon Garvey
Set against the sun-drenched shores of Block Island, June Baby follows Ruth, a young woman still grappling with grief years after losing her mother. Returning to the island that became her sanctuary, Ruth reconnects with her first love, Charlie, while uncovering long-buried family secrets left behind by the woman who helped raise her. This emotional summer story explores love, loss, identity, and the courage to rewrite your future.
Amazon
The Summer Girlfriend by Kristina Forest
When aspiring student Noelle Lewis agrees to pose as the girlfriend of Jeremiah Smith, heir to a beloved family baking empire, it seems like an easy way to earn extra tuition money. But what starts as a fake-dating arrangement at a charming New Jersey beach house soon turns into a summer filled with family, healing, and unexpected feelings. As their connection deepens, Noelle and Jeremiah must decide whether their romance is all for show—or the real thing.
Amazon
The Missed Connection by Tia Williams
In Tia Williams’ sizzling new romance, casting agent Sasha Cruz falls hard for the handsome stranger seated beside her on a flight to Paris—only to lose him without exchanging contact information. After an accidental company-wide email launches a global search for “Seat F,” Sasha embarks on a quest of her own, aided by a dangerously attractive detective from her past. As sparks fly and secrets unfold, Sasha discovers love may be closer than she imagined.
Amazon
Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan
When single mom Dolly Brick returns to her Rhode Island hometown to help save her family's home, she doesn't expect to cross paths with Stewart Whitfield, a wealthy heir nursing a very public heartbreak. Their fake dating arrangement is meant to solve a problem, but as summer unfolds with glamorous events, seaside adventures, and undeniable chemistry, Dolly must decide whether she's finally ready to let someone into her carefully guarded heart.
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
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.Looking for more TV & entertainment news? Follow us on Facebook so you never miss a thing!
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