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I personally feel that summer is the perfect time to read a romance novel.
And if you’ve been wondering which ones to add to your list, then this is the post for you!
I’ve included everything from sweet friends-to-lovers stories to grumpy-and-sunshine pairings and all the most lovable romance tropes you know and love.
Do you think you’ll check out any of this summer’s romance books? Let me know in the comments!
And if you have a go-to summer romance read that you revisit every year, I’d love to hear about it too.
That said, I absolutely know you’re going to love and enjoy these summer romance books, and I’m sure you’ll be adding some of them to your reading list!
1. Mango Summer by Agay Llanera
There’s something almost magical about a love story tied to nature, and Mango Summer gives us just that.
Fiona’s family mango farm is in trouble – the fruit has turned sour, and according to family legend, it’s because she isn’t married yet.
The pressure is on, but Fiona is 36, single, and not exactly eager to settle for just anyone.
Enter Greg, her best friend’s younger brother, who once had a massive crush on her.
He’s back in town, and what starts as a short visit turns into something much sweeter.
The age gap, the longtime crush, the undeniable chemistry – it all makes for a heartwarming slow-burn romance.
Plus, the setting sounds like the perfect summer escape, full of golden mangoes, warm breezes, and a love story that’s as ripe as the fruit on the trees.
2. Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings
Winning the lottery should make life easier, right? Not for Opal.
Instead of freedom, she’s been drowning in people demanding her money.
So, she buys a failing flower farm to escape the chaos and focus on her art.
The only problem? The farm already has a stubborn, gorgeous tenant named Pepper who refuses to leave.
Pepper and Opal are total opposites – grumpy vs. sunshine, practical vs. impulsive – but their forced cohabitation slowly turns into something deeper.
The push-pull tension, the unexpected softness, the beauty of growing something new (both love and flowers!) – it’s a perfect summer romance that feels like a warm hug.
3. Island Affair by Priscilla Oliveras
Fake dating? A firefighter hero? A tropical paradise? Yes, yes, and yes!
When social media influencer Sara gets stood up by her unreliable boyfriend right before a big family trip, she panics.
Her solution? Convince local firefighter Luis to pretend to be her fiancé for the week.
Luis, who has his own reasons for playing along, turns out to be more than just a fake date – he’s kind, protective, and maybe exactly what Sara needs.
From sunset bike rides to slow, sizzling kisses, this book feels like a beach vacation in the best way.
And with a big Cuban family adding heart and humor, it’s the kind of story that makes you believe in love under the sun.
4. Finding Joy by Adriana Herrera
Desta never wanted to return to Ethiopia, the place of his happiest childhood memories but also his deepest pain.
But when work sends him there, he unexpectedly finds himself reconnecting – not just with his roots, but with Elias, a man who changes everything.
Elias is torn between his love for his homeland and his dream of studying abroad.
But meeting Desta makes him wonder – what if home isn’t just a place, but a person?
Their love story unfolds beautifully against the backdrop of Ethiopia, full of heartfelt moments, cultural rediscovery, and the hope of a future built together.
It’s emotional, romantic, and so deeply moving.
5. The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood
What happens when you meet the love of your life after you die?
Delphie wasn’t expecting much from the afterlife, but she definitely wasn’t expecting to meet the most gorgeous guy ever, only to have him ripped away and sent back to Earth.
Luckily, she’s given a deal – if she can find him within ten days, she gets a second chance at life (and love).
Cue a whirlwind adventure full of serendipitous moments, hilarious mishaps, and heartwarming realizations.
This book is all about fate, fresh starts, and following your heart.
Plus, Delphie is the kind of heroine you can’t help but root for!
6. Savor It by Tarah Dewitt
Sage has always been the quirky, small-town girl with a farm full of misfit animals.
But after a rough breakup, she needs to prove something – to herself and the town.
Winning the annual summer festival would do the trick, but she needs a partner.
Enter Fisher, a broody New York City chef who’s lost his passion for cooking.
He’s in town for a fresh start, but he and Sage keep butting heads. The only solution? A temporary alliance.
But between cooking competitions, stolen moments, and undeniable chemistry, what starts as strategy turns into something much more.
This book is sweet, swoony, and full of delicious slow-burn romance.
7. Girls of Summer by Nancy Thayer
One unforgettable summer changes everything for Lisa and her two grown children.
Lisa, finally open to love again after years of being single, finds herself drawn to Mack, a younger man who makes her heart race.
Meanwhile, her daughter Juliet is managing her own romance, and her son Theo is facing the past he tried to leave behind.
Set on the dreamy shores of Nantucket, this book weaves together family, love, and fresh starts.
It’s about second chances at any age, healing from the past, and finding joy in unexpected places.
If you love multi-generational stories with heart, this one is a must-read.
8. Cottage by the Sea by Debbie Macomber
Annie is looking for peace after a devastating loss, and she finds it in a quiet seaside town where she spent childhood summers.
There, she meets Keaton, a gentle giant with a heart of gold, who slowly helps her heal.
This story is warm, tender, and full of emotional depth.
It’s about romance and rebuilding after loss, the power of community, and the unexpected ways love finds us when we need it most.
If you’re in the mood for a cozy, heartfelt read, this one’s perfect.
9. One Hot Italian Summer by Karina Halle
A summer writing retreat in Tuscany? Sounds dreamy.
Grace is struggling with writer’s block when she takes a month-long escape to Italy.
The last thing she expects is for Claudio, her agent’s ridiculously handsome ex-husband, to show up – with his adorable son in tow.
They’re supposed to keep things professional, but let’s be real – romance under the Tuscan sun is impossible to resist.
Claudio is charming, passionate, and exactly what Grace needs to spark both her writing and her heart.
This book is sizzling, romantic, and full of Italian charm.
10. When I Think of You by Myah Ariel
Seven years after their college romance crashed and burned, Kaliya and Danny find themselves working together again – him as a rising director, her as an aspiring filmmaker.
The chemistry is still there, but so is the hurt.
As they manage Hollywood’s chaos and their complicated past, they have to decide – do they take another shot at love, or walk away for good?
This story is filled with longing, ambition, and the kind of love that refuses to fade.
11. Room for Two by Sydney Landon
Asher Jackson is used to getting his way – especially with women.
But Dana Anders, the manager of the coffee shop in his hotel, isn’t impressed by his usual charm.
Instead of flirting, they end up trading sarcastic remarks like it’s a sport.
But when Dana needs extra cash and Asher needs to scare off some clingy exes, they strike a deal – Dana will pretend to be his jealous wife.
Easy, right? Except the more they play the part, the more it starts to feel real.
Asher, who swore off love after a heartbreak, finds himself rethinking everything.
And Dana? She might just want to turn their fake marriage into something real.
This is one of those stories where the fake dating trope delivers all the delicious tension and slow-burn romance!
If you love playful banter, forced proximity, and the thrill of two people realizing their feelings too late, this is for you.
12. All Fours by Miranda July
A woman decides to drive from LA to New York and leave behind her husband and child – only to pull over twenty minutes later, check into a random motel, and start an entirely different journey.
What begins as a simple detour turns into something much deeper – a reinvention of herself, her desires, and her entire life.
Miranda July has this magical way of making the most unexpected stories feel deeply relatable.
This book is part road trip novel, part self-discovery, and completely unique.
It’s about pushing boundaries, redefining love, and figuring out what happiness really looks like when you stop following the script.
If you’re looking for a thought-provoking, funny, and intimate summer read with a touch of rebellious adventure, this is the one.
13. You Are Here by David Nicholls
Michael is trying to escape his lonely, empty home.
Marnie is avoiding the world, hiding out in her London flat.
Neither of them is looking for company but thanks to a very determined mutual friend and some unpredictable weather, they find themselves stuck together on a ten-day hike through the English countryside.
At first, they can’t imagine anything worse.
But as the miles pass and the journey forces them to open up, they realize they might just be exactly what the other needs.
David Nicholls is known for writing emotional, character-driven love stories, and this one has all the charm of a classic summer read.
It’s about healing, finding unexpected love, and realizing that sometimes, getting lost is the best way to find yourself.
If you love slow-burn romance with depth, humor, and stunning scenic descriptions, this is the perfect pick.
14. The Pisces by Melissa Broder
Lucy is lost.
Her long-term relationship just ended, she’s stuck in an endless cycle of bad Tinder dates, and she’s not even sure she believes in love anymore.
When her sister offers her a summer escape – housesitting a beautiful beachside home in Venice Beach – it seems like the perfect chance to reset.
But instead of finding peace, Lucy becomes fixated on an enigmatic swimmer she spots one night on the shore.
He’s otherworldly, dangerously alluring, and unlike anyone she’s ever met.
Soon, she’s caught up in a romance that feels like fate – but might also be something much darker.
This is one of those books that blends mythology with modern romance in the most unexpected way.
It’s strange, sexy, and deeply emotional – perfect if you want something completely different from your typical summer love story.
15. Love Me Do by Lindsay Kelk
Phoebe Chapman isn’t looking for love.
But when she visits her sister in Hollywood and meets Bel, a personal trainer with a huge crush on their cute next-door neighbor Ren, she can’t help but step in as matchmaker.
After all, Bel and Ren are perfect for each other!
Or are they? As Phoebe plays Cupid, she finds herself tangled up in unexpected friendships, love letters, and the magic of Los Angeles.
And before she knows it, she might be falling for more than just the city.
This is the kind of book that feels like sunshine in novel form – warm, charming, and full of swoony moments.
If you love friends-to-lovers romances and stories that make you laugh, sigh, and dream of summer adventures, you’ll adore this one.
Do you think you’ll be adding any of these amazing summer romance books to your reading list?
Let me know in the comments below!
These books are perfect for your beach bag, and in fact, I’ve written another post about the absolute best books to take to the beach – so be sure to check that out.
