75 Exciting New Romance Books to Read in Summer 2026

Brighter Than Before by Courtney Walsh

If you’re looking for a feel-good second-chance love story that’s warm, uplifting, and full of heart, you’ll want to pick up Brighter Than Before. After her seemingly perfect life falls apart, Claire makes a bold decision to start over in Chicago—with a list of goals to help her rebuild from scratch. As she forms new friendships, rediscover old passions, and step back into the dating world, she begins to realize this fresh start might be exactly what she needs.

Harvest Season by Brynne Weaver

The second book in the Seasons of Carnage trilogy blends dark romance, suspense, and twisted humour into an addictive read. Secrets are piling up fast in Cape Carnage, and Nolan is finding it harder than ever to tell truth from lies. As Harper’s past comes to light and loyalties fracture, their connection grows as dangerous as the chaos around them.

The Missed Connection by Tia Williams

When a missed connection on a flight to Paris leaves Sasha convinced she’s lost her chance at love, an accidental company-wide email sparks an international search for the mysterious “Seat F.” But as she chases the fantasy of the perfect stranger, a familiar detective from her past begins to complicate everything. This romantic, glamorous story is filled with chemistry, humour, and plenty of swoony moments.

The Summer Girlfriend by Kristina Forest

Noelle agrees to pose as Jeremiah’s girlfriend for the summer in exchange for tuition money, expecting an easy arrangement with clear boundaries. But between beach days, family gatherings, and undeniable chemistry, their fake relationship starts to feel a little too real. If you love heartwarming fake-dating romances, this summer story is a fun escape. It sounds like the perfect summer read!

Wildcard by Jennifer Iacopelli

Another sports romance! As rising tennis star Indy fights for her shot at Wimbledon, the last thing she needs is a complicated romance with her friend’s older brother—and one of the sport’s biggest agents. With high-stakes tournaments, friendship drama, and undeniable chemistry, Wildcard is perfect for fans of emotional, addictive sports romances.

You Won’t Forget Me by Mazey Eddings

After a messy breakup sends her band into chaos, Cubby must navigate public heartbreak, sudden fame, and mounting tension with her best friend and bandmate, Darcy. What starts as an impulsive hook-up quickly becomes feelings neither can ignore. This sapphic romance is perfect for readers who love messy emotions, music-industry drama, and friends-to-lovers stories.

Dearly Departed by Chip Pons

If opposites attract and romance is more your style, check out this myth-inspired rom-com. When Hayden, once Hades himself, finds his carefully controlled life disrupted by the endlessly charming Levi, he’s forced to question whether reclaiming his old life is really what he wants anymore. It’s funny and heartfelt, making it a unique romance to pick up this June!

Good at Being Alive by Elizabeth O’Roark

I love romance stories with travel, and this one revolves around a fake honeymoon across Europe—how fun does that sound? After a tragedy leaves Bex struggling to save her family’s travel business, she agrees to pose as a newlywed with her grumpy British business partner for a reality TV series. But things get complicated fast. Full of beautiful settings, emotional healing, slow-burn tension, and plenty of chemistry, it’s the perfect romantic escape.

Leave and Come Back by Lavanya Lakshmi

If you love wedding chaos, big family drama, and romantic comedies with heart, Leave and Come Back sounds like a fun pick for June. When Simran’s new boyfriend accidentally crashes her cousin’s elaborate Indian wedding celebrations, the entire family launches a hilarious scheme to win over her intimidating aunt. Filled with Bollywood-inspired charm, heartfelt family moments, and plenty of romantic tension, this debut sounds absolutely delightful.

Romantic Hero by Kirsty Greenwood

I can’t wait to pick this up! A romance author, struggling with heartbreak and writer’s block, gets the shock of her life when the villain from her unfinished novel shows up in her living room. As they strike a deal to help each other get what they want, she begins to see him and her story in a new light. From the author of The Love of My Afterlife, this playful romance is perfect for fans of magical twists and unexpected love stories.

The Great Outdoors by Kayla Olson

After being dumped for being high-maintenance, Sadie signs up for an intense wilderness adventure, determined to prove she can survive outside her perfectly planned comfort zone. What she doesn’t expect is a frustratingly attractive trek leader who slowly makes camping, hiking, and life without five-star amenities far more appealing. It sounds like a fun romance to pick up—I can’t wait to read it!

The Someday Garden by Ashley Poston

I’m so excited to read this one! When Sophie takes a summer job restoring the gardens of a charming coastal estate, she expects a fresh start—not a mysterious door that leads to a hidden garden where a man is trapped. As strange events unfold around the property, she’s drawn deeper into its magic and the people who call Lilymoor home. Like The Seven Year Slip, this enchanting story is perfect for readers who love whimsical romance with a touch of mystery.

West of Forever by Corinne Michaels

Fans of Elsie Silver and western romance won’t want to miss this one! When a woman falls for the grumpy single dad her family considers the enemy, their secret relationship quickly becomes impossible to ignore. Packed with emotional tension, small-town drama, and plenty of swoony cowboy moments, this first book in the Heartstone Ranch series is the perfect romance to get lost in this June.

Chase Me If You Can by Heather Frances

Another exciting debut on this list! If love stories with adventure are more your style, you don’t want to miss this unique new release. When competitive storm chasers Sloane and Wes are forced to work together during tornado season, years of rivalry and tension begin to shift into something far more complicated. It promises to be atmospheric, emotional and full of high-stakes chemistry.

In Every Possible Way by Alicia Thompson

After visiting Ireland last year, I’m always excited to pick up books set there! After a disastrous date takes an even worse turn, Jess wakes up in Ireland with no explanation—and no way home. With the help of a gruff but kind mechanic, she’s swept into a whirlwind forty-eight hours filled with connection, vulnerability, and a touch of magic. I think this is going to be such a whimsical romance!

Reasons to Be Loved by You by Hannah Brown

I’m so excited for Hannah Brown’s next romance! Heading home for a quiet summer, Nikki instead finds herself face-to-face with her past when her brother announces he’s marrying the woman tied to her very public heartbreak. Teaming up with the bride’s brother, she sets out to stop the wedding—but their plan quickly gets complicated. If you enjoyed Funny Story and One Golden Summer, I think you’ll love this lakeside romance, filled with banter, messy family drama, and unexpected romance.

Scandal of the Summer by Alexandra Vasti

A runaway heiress, a fake princess’s estate, and a charming smuggler posing as staff? This Regency romance sounds wildly entertaining. When Ruby escapes London’s marriage market and collides with the dangerously charismatic Captain Archer, sparks fly amid the chaos and deception. Funny, flirty, and packed with adventure, Scandal of the Summer feels like the perfect historical romance to kick-start your summer reading TBR!

Winner Takes All by Emily Martin

This rom-com sounds chaotic in the absolute best way! As Eleanor and Adam race across Las Vegas to untangle the events of their wild night before a major record deal slips away, they quickly realize their chemistry might be more real than either expected. Packed with banter, music-industry drama, and classic rom-com chaos, this is such a fun and addictive love story!

Big Stick Energy by Sarina Bowen

Fans of Off Campus and Heated Rivalry will want to pick up this hockey romance! Accidentally sending your hockey team captain a scandalous message is bad enough, but fake dating him through an entire wedding season is even worse! As Darcy and Eric try to keep their relationship strictly pretend, lingering glances and growing feelings make things far more complicated than either expected. You won’t want to miss this one!

An Education in Longing by Charlotte Stein

An Education in Longing blends dark academia, dangerous magic, and a complicated romance into an addictive romantasy. After earning a place at a mysterious magical university, Mina discovers that surviving its deadly challenges may depend on the last person she wants to trust—a powerful, dangerous fellow student with secrets of his own. If dark fantasy romance is your thing, be sure to pick this one up! 

Every Version of You by Natalie Messier

This romantic debut is a must-read this summer! After an unexpected death, Joey is given the chance to relive the year she first met her longtime crush and the man she thought she hated. Determined to finally win the heart of the one who got away, she quickly discovers that second chances can change everything. With romance, friendship and a touch of magical realism, so many readers will love this one.

Just for the Season by Rachel Griffiths

Just for the Season gives a Regency twist to a dating competition as Lady Charlotte gathers England’s most eligible bachelors for an extravagant summer retreat. Determined to secure a husband after a scandal threatens her future, Charlotte has plenty of worthy candidates to choose from—yet she can’t stop thinking about the duke who once broke her heart. Funny, romantic, and full of second-chance chemistry, this historical romance sounds like a delightful summer read.

Kiss, Marry, Kill by Cara Tanamachi

Kiss, Marry, Kill follows a true-crime podcaster as she tries to solve a serial-killer case while dating possible suspects—how interesting does that sound? After a devastating mistake sends her career into a tailspin, Ella returns home only to find herself tangled in a mystery that may be far more personal than she ever expected. It sounds like the perfect mix of romance, suspense and humour! 

Love Wells Kept by Bailey Hannah

Who can resist a good cowboy romance? After a devastating accident erases years of Jackson’s memories, he returns home to a wife and children he no longer remembers, leaving both him and Kate searching for a way forward. Set in a fictional town in British Columbia, this final book in the Wells Ranch series is a heartfelt, hopeful love story that explores what happens when two people fall back in love. 

Rewrite the Stars by Lindsay Hameroff

If you’re anything like me, you can’t resist a good romance set by the lake. In Rewrite the Stars, a summer at a lakeside fixer-upper gives former actress Marissa a chance to escape the spotlight and focus on herself. When renovations force her into close quarters with a charming contractor, what begins as a quiet retreat quickly turns more complicated. Heartwarming and romantic, this second-chance-at-life story sounds perfect for fans of Carley Fortune. 

Rich Girl Summer by Lily Chu

Lily Chu always delivers charming, feel-good romances, and Rich Girl Summer sounds like a fun escape. After a career disaster leaves Valerie scrambling, she agrees to spend the summer posing as a billionaire’s long-lost daughter to help uncover a family secret. With a glamorous setting, family drama, and a slow-burn romance with an infuriatingly handsome assistant, this one deserves a spot on your summer TBR!

Star-Crossed Summer by Devon Daniels

A decade after a whirlwind Hollywood romance ended in heartbreak, Scarlett finds herself face-to-face with the man she never truly forgot. Returning to the seaside town where it all began forces both Scarlett and Ryder to confront old feelings, painful memories, and the secrets that drove them apart. Emotional and swoony, this one sounds like a perfect second-chance romance for summer.

Summer People by Sally Blakely

If you’re looking for an emotional, nostalgic second-chance romance, definitely try this one! A secret summer romance, years of unresolved feelings, and a final beach getaway come together in Summer People. Everett and Sutton have spent years hiding their on-again-off-again relationship from their closest friends, but a reunion trip forces them to confront the past they’ve been avoiding. 

The Final Score by Lana Ferguson

If you binged Off Campus and Heated Rivalry, you won’t want to miss your next hockey-themed romance. After an injury threatens his future and a housing crisis leaves Abby with nowhere to go, the two find themselves sharing a home—and slowly discovering they have more in common than they expected. There’s forced proximity, hockey, and some emotional baggage, all of which make this an addictive read. I love Lana Ferguson, so I’m excited to pick this one up!

The MASH Up by Laura Marie Meyers

This is one of my most anticipated romance books for the summer! After a birthday breakup turns her life upside down, Ruby wakes up inside the childhood M.A.S.H. game she used to play—and suddenly her wildest seventh-grade dreams have come true. The only problem is that the game insists her soulmate is her brother’s best friend, the one man she’s spent years trying to avoid. Fun, whimsical, and full of romantic tension, this magical rom-com sounds like a delightful escape—I know I can’t wait to read it!

The Roommate Rule by Georgia Stone

A summer in Wales becomes far more complicated when two complete opposites find themselves sharing a cabin for six weeks. Determined to keep things simple, Dylan sets one very important rule: absolutely no romance with her charming, carefree roommate. Packed with forced proximity, opposites-attract chemistry, and plenty of tension, this romance will keep you turning the pages.

Book Club Boyfriend by Jenny Holiday

Romance books with bookish elements are the best! A struggling film producer and a bestselling author with writer’s block form an unexpected friendship in this charming contemporary romance. What begins as a series of text messages soon becomes movie nights, shared secrets, and plenty of time spent together under the same roof. Book Club Boyfriend sounds like a delightful romance about finding love when life doesn’t go as planned.

Extracurricular by Rachel Lynn Solomon

This one is definitely on my summer TBR! Extracurricular follows a former pop star who’s searching for a fresh start and finds herself unexpectedly drawn to her psychology professor. As Ramona adjusts to life outside the spotlight and Nick navigates his complicated past, a friendship forms that soon becomes impossible to ignore. Rachel Lynn Solomon is an auto-read author for me, and this heartfelt romance sounds like a perfect blend of emotional depth, chemistry, and personal growth.

In Stormy Weather by Chelsea Curto

Hurricane season provides the backdrop for this rivals-to-lovers romance between two meteorologists who can’t seem to stay out of each other’s way. When Quincy and Sebastian are forced into close quarters during one scorching Florida summer, old grudges quickly give way to something far more complicated. This one sounds so interesting, and I love the cover!

The Romance Revival by Christina Lauren

I’m always excited when a new Christina Lauren book is announced, and this one sounds especially emotional. After a tragic accident erases her husband’s memories, scientist Emery uses groundbreaking technology to bring him back—but now she must find a way to make him fall in love with her all over again. I have an advanced copy of The Romance Revival—so be sure to come back to read my thoughts! 

If Books Could Kill by Kate Eberle

This premise immediately caught my attention because it sounds completely bonkers in the best possible way. When romance reader Roxie wishes herself into her favourite author’s next book, she expects a swoony love story—not a crime thriller in which her first date tries to murder her. Blending romance, mystery, and plenty of bookish humour, this sounds like a wildly entertaining read.

Just a Highland Fling by Naina Kumar

A road trip through the Scottish Highlands is already a great setup for a romance, but adding a runaway bride and a one-night stand makes it even better. When Neelu finds herself travelling across Scotland with the last person she expected to see again, old sparks quickly begin to reignite. Readers who enjoy forced proximity, second-chance chemistry, and plenty of banter will want to add this one to their summer TBR.

Married with Benefits by Ellie Palmer

Marriage-of-convenience romances are always hard for me to resist, and this one has a fun setup. When an unexpected inheritance leaves Lainey and Elliot with intertwined futures, a practical arrangement quickly becomes far more complicated. With the small-town setting, forced proximity, and plenty of romantic tension, this sounds like a delightful contemporary romance.

Not That Kind of Proposal by Victoria Lavine

A hopeless-romantic wedding planner and a cynical divorce lawyer are forced to team up in this new enemies-to-lovers rom-com. When Gracie agrees to let Jude help plan her ex’s wedding to save a beloved Rhode Island estate, sparks fly between two people who couldn’t be more different in their views of love. With the wedding setting, plenty of banter, and opposites-attract chemistry, this sounds like a fun romance!

The Princess Trap by Talia Hibbert

If you’re anything like me, you’re excited for Talia Hibbert’s next release—especially since it features fake dating and royalty! After a chance encounter with a handsome stranger sparks a media scandal, Cherry is reluctantly swept into a fake engagement with a prince trying to repair his reputation. With plenty of humour, chemistry, and royal drama, this sounds like a fun addition to any romance reader’s TBR.

Vera Stein is Fine by Julie Murphy

Julie Murphy’s latest romance proves it’s never too late for a fresh start. When Vera unexpectedly finds herself living in a quirky retirement community of former Hollywood stars, she comes face-to-face with an old flame she never expected to see again. Packed with humour, heart, and a delightful cast of characters, this second-chance romance is absolutely charming. I just adore the cover, too!

Yes, Chef by Grace Reilly

A struggling chef and a social media influencer team up to save a beloved restaurant in this opposites-attract romance by Grace Reilly. When Poppy convinces the grumpy, grieving Jack to help revive his late mentor’s restaurant, the two quickly realize that working together is easier than ignoring the chemistry between them. Foodie romance fans will definitely want to add this one to their reading list!

Fossil Feud by Maggie North

This is another one I’m particularly excited about! Academic rivals, dinosaur fossils, and a quest to expose scientific fraud sound like the perfect adventure romance! When paleontologists Ripley and James are forced to work together to uncover the truth behind a suspicious fossil discovery, their professional partnership quickly becomes far more complicated. Readers who love STEM romances and opposites-attract dynamics should definitely keep this one on their radar.

I’ve Got a Crush on You by Lauren Blakely

Small-town romance fans will not want to miss this one! When Chloe discovers that her recent fling is also her new landlord and business partner, keeping things professional quickly becomes impossible. With the quirky town setting, forced proximity, and plenty of chemistry, this sounds like a fun and charming romance.

Just for the Plot by Meghan Quinn

Meghan Quinn is one of my auto-read authors, so I’m always excited when she has a new release. When Bennett finds himself falling harder than ever for his sister’s best friend, the friendship they’ve always relied on begins to shift into something far more complicated. Filled with slow-burn tension, witty banter, and plenty of chemistry, this sports romance is sure to be a hit with romance readers.

Pride Comes Before a Fall by Virginia Heath

Another fun historical romance releasing in July! When a reform-minded journalist takes a job chaperoning the family of a duke she should despise, their clashing beliefs quickly give way to undeniable attraction. With witty banter, Regency charm, and an opposites-attract romance at its centre, this is a delightful addition to the Miss Prentice’s Protegees series. 

Return to Sender by Stephanie Parente

A cross-country road trip, a lost love letter, and an unexpected romance make this debut an incredibly charming read. Hoping to help her grieving younger sister, Violet sets out to track down the author of an undelivered letter, only to find herself spending more and more time with its grumpy yet intriguing writer. Readers who enjoy emotional romances, found family, and road-trip adventures will want to add this one to their reading plans this July.

Second First Dates by Gabriella Gamez

This rom-com takes the bad-first-date trope to a whole new level. After Leti realizes she’s accidentally gone on the same disastrous date twice, she’s horrified to discover the culprit is now her brother’s roommate and is constantly in her orbit. With dating-app mishaps, forced proximity, and plenty of opportunities for sparks to fly, this sounds like a fun and charming romance!

Wild Goose Chase by Sarah Adler

I can’t wait for this one! An illegal taxidermy goose might be one of the most delightfully ridiculous romance premises I’ve seen in a while. When antique dealers Cal and Annie are forced to team up after a contraband bird goes missing, their search quickly becomes complicated by their growing attraction. Sarah Adler is known for quirky, charming romances, and this one sounds like it will be full of humour, banter, and plenty of sparks.

Embrace by Bal Khabra

Set in Toronto, Embrace is a college hockey story that follows Kian, an NHL-bound player who reluctantly joins a study group to complete the credits he needs to graduate. Things get complicated when he starts to fall for Scarlett, the woman leading the group and his coach’s daughter. With a little forbidden romance and plenty of hockey, this is a great pick for readers who love Off Campus and heartfelt romances. 

How to Find Love in the Cereal Aisle by Alissa Derogatis

After a painful breakup leaves her with writer’s block, romance author Ainsley decides to recreate classic rom-com meet-cutes in real life, hoping to find inspiration for her next book. As one disastrous attempt after another fails to deliver the happily-ever-after she’s searching for, she wonders if love might be closer than she thinks. This sounds like a fun romance about finding love in unexpected places!

Lost and Found by Tarah DeWitt

A new Tarah DeWitt romance to look forward to! After losing her best friend, Bea is determined to honour her friend’s dream of becoming a mother while navigating a future she never expected. When she moves in with longtime friend Silas, a firefighter carrying his own wounds, their friendship deepens. It sounds emotional, hopeful and full of heart—all about the possibility of finding love when you need it most.

A Witch in Notting Hill by Alexandra Paige

Who can resist a good witchy romance? When a spell goes disastrously wrong, turning her manager into a cat, actress and secret witch Willow heads to London in search of a magical fix. While there, she teams up with Oliver, the grumpy owner of an occult bookstore who doesn’t believe in magic, for an adventure that takes them across the city. It sounds unbelievably cozy and whimsical—I can’t wait to read this one!

In What World by Bridget Morrissey

If you like romance books with forced proximity and a speculative twist, you’ll want to try In What World. It follows former high school rivals Marlowe and Priscilla who reunite when their drama teacher mysteriously disappears. Their search leads them through a series of alternate realities where they discover different versions of themselves and relationships that challenge everything they thought they knew about each other. It’s not to be missed!

My Best French Wedding by Amanda Sellet

How lovely is this book cover? When wedding-industry rivals Hildy and Walter find themselves competing for the biggest story of the year at a lavish destination wedding in southern France, old wounds and unresolved feelings quickly resurface. As they race to secure the best scoop, their week of champagne, luxury, and close quarters makes it harder to ignore the chemistry that’s been simmering between them for years. If you love rivals-to-lovers romance and travel in books, My Best French Wedding is the book for you this summer! 

See You at the Sunset by Susan Lee

After losing her job and discovering her boyfriend has been unfaithful, Jia retreats to her grandmother’s retirement community in search of comfort and a fresh start. The last person she expects to run into is Hudson, the lawyer who fired her, who is spending time there with his grandfather. Filled with humour, heart, and lively characters, this opposites-attract romance is the perfect one to pick up this summer.

Spellfire by Agatha Willow

If you’re looking for a sweet sapphic romance packed with magic and charm, Spellfire is the perfect cozy read! Bryn never planned to return to Grimoire Academy, but an unexpected inheritance from a beloved professor brings her back to the magical school she left behind. When she reluctantly agrees to stay and teach alongside headmistress Amelia, her former school crush, the two witches find themselves spending more time together than either expected. 

The Magic We Made by Meg Cabot

There’s nothing better than a book by Meg Cabot! This witchy romance is a great pick for readers looking for a cozy romance with small-town charm, magic, and a touch of suspense. It follows therapist Frankie, who believes there’s a logical explanation for everything, making life in a town suddenly overrun with witches a bit challenging. When aspiring young witches begin disappearing, she reluctantly teams up with her mysterious new neighbour, Ash, a man whose magical abilities might be the key to solving the mystery.

The Matchmaker’s Cottage by Kat Sloane

Fans of small-town romance and emotional second-chance love stories will want to pick up The Matchmaker’s Cottage. Julia has spent years building her cozy bed-and-breakfast in Upstate New York, but when her childhood sweetheart unexpectedly returns with a celebrity matchmaking scheme that could save her struggling business, she’s forced to spend more time with him than she’d like. As old feelings resurface, Julia and Ethan must decide whether their story deserves a second chance. 

World’s Okayest Oracle (Reluctantly) Seeks Demon by Olivia Dade

Oracle Gwen has spent her life predicting everyday mishaps, but when a vision reveals a threat that could change humanity’s fate, she finds herself in desperate need of help. Unfortunately, that help comes in the form of Hugh, the demon who witnessed one of her most embarrassing failures years earlier. Olivia Dade is such a fun romance author, and this new release blends paranormal romance with humour and adventure, making it a perfect pick for your summer TBR.

You’ll Be the Death of Me by Holly Michelle

You’ll Be the Death of Me is another paranormal romance on this list that combines ghosts, second chances, and a swoony love story. Verdella has her dream job and a bright future until she unexpectedly dies a week before her wedding. After a mix-up in the Afterlife Administration leaves her stuck between life and death, she’s forced to team up with Cole, the charming clerk responsible for the mistake, to set things right. This sounds like the perfect book to read if you loved The Love of My Afterlife. 

Colt by Jessica Peterson

If you’re a fan of Elsie Silver and small-town settings, don’t miss Colt. The first book in the Double U Ranch series introduces readers to the Wallace family and their Texas Hill Country ranch. When a city marketing expert arrives to help modernize the family business, sparks fly between her and a widowed rancher who has little interest in change. The perfect choice for a ranch-themed romance! 

Fireworks by Bonnie Woods

If you’re anything like me, you love books set in Scotland. This autumn romance follows a bookshop employee in the Scottish Highlands who finds herself clashing with the village’s newest firefighter. As the annual fireworks festival approaches and circumstances force them to work together, their rivalry slowly gives way to something hard to ignore. As the summer months wind down, Fireworks is definitely worth picking up! 

How to Find a Romance in a Bookshop by Poppy Alexander

Bookish love stories are always a good idea! Featuring a seaside bookshop, a literary festival, and two bookish characters searching for a fresh start, How to Find a Romance in a Bookshop is perfect for readers who love stories about books and the people who write them. As Petra and Ross spend more time together, they grow in ways they never expected. It’s the perfect cozy escape! 

Mutual Discord by Liana De la Rosa

Sofia has built a successful online platform celebrating overlooked women throughout history, but keeping her secret influencer career hidden from the people she loves has left her feeling isolated. When a friendship with one of her followers begins to deepen, Sofia is shocked to discover he’s actually her best friend’s boyfriend. If forbidden love and complicated feelings are something you enjoy, this romance is sure to deliver.

Old Flames by Nadine Gonzalez

Set at a charming Key West bed-and-breakfast, this romance follows two authors whose writing retreat takes an unexpected turn when strange messages appear in their manuscripts. As they investigate the mystery, they uncover the story of two star-crossed lovers whose lives were forever changed by the constraints of their era. This one sounds like a unique and enjoyable story, perfect for summer.

Ship Happens by Mason Deaver

If you’re like me and love cruising, you won’t want to miss Ship Happens! Mason Deaver delivers a heartfelt second-chance romance that takes readers from a holiday reunion to an unforgettable cruise through Alaska. When Owen unexpectedly finds himself trapped on a weeklong vacation with the ex who broke his heart, old feelings quickly resurface. Featuring trans representation, a stunning cruise ship setting, and plenty of emotional tension, this romance is perfect for readers who love stories about rekindled love and found family.

Something About September by Julia McKay

Another cozy romance to pick up as summer ends and fall begins! After inheriting her grandmother’s diner, Rebecca returns home to renovate the beloved local spot, only to find herself working closely with the contractor she never quite got over. Featuring a second-chance romance, a single dad, and all the cozy fall vibes, this sounds like the perfect book to curl up with as the weather turns.

Demons and Diplomacy by Megan Frampton

Set in an alternate Victorian London where vampires, demons, and other supernatural creatures live openly among humans, this historical fantasy romance follows a government official charged with maintaining peace among species. When the Devil and his dangerously charming son arrive in the city, Cora is drawn into a conspiracy that could threaten everything she has worked to protect. This is perfect if you’re in your romantasy reading era!

Experiments in Offline Dating by Kat Mackenzie

Another perfect book on this list to pick up if you’re hoping to travel through books this summer. Experiments in Offline Dating features a matchmaking festival, a dating podcast, and a grumpy Irish sheep farmer—what could be better? After a disastrous blind date, Maya is horrified to discover she’ll be spending even more time with the man she can’t stop arguing with. If you enjoy witty banter and enemies-to-lovers chemistry, you’ll want this one on your TBR. 

I Haunt It That Way by Isabelle Popp

An Appalachian cabin, a fresh start after a divorce, and an unexpected reunion with her ex-husband’s best friend set the stage for this cozy paranormal romance. As Thora begins renovating her family’s long-abandoned mountain retreat, strange occurrences around the property suggest they may not be the only ones living there. Blending autumn atmosphere, forced proximity, and a touch of ghostly mystery, this sounds like a perfect pick for those wanting to start spooky season a little early.

Keeping Score by Brittany Kelley

Brittany Kelley returns with a soccer romance pairing a driven team executive with the easygoing goalie she can’t seem to avoid. When a lost bet forces Michelle to spend more time with Tristan, she begins to see a different side of the charming athlete who has always pushed her buttons. Packed with workplace tension, opposites-attract chemistry, and plenty of soccer, this romance is perfect for any sports romance fan!

One for the Road by Elliot Fletcher

Elliot Fletcher returns to the Isle of Skye with a charming romance about a grumpy doctor and the single mother next door. What begins as a fake relationship to solve both of their problems soon becomes far more complicated as real feelings develop. Filled with small-town charm, Scottish scenery, and plenty of heart, this romance is perfect for readers who love opposites-attract stories and cozy settings. I can’t wait to pick this up!

Some Kind of Haunted by Hazel Beck

Some Kind of Haunted is a cozy horror romance featuring a mysterious knitting shop, a charming Iowa town, and a looming Halloween deadline. When twins Lexi and Logan travel to the Midwest to settle an unexpected inheritance, they uncover long-buried family secrets and a supernatural threat beneath the town’s picturesque surface. If small-town charm, romance, and a few spooky thrills are your thing, don’t miss this one! 

The Cozy Nook Bookshop by Jeannie Chin

After a series of setbacks, Emma leaves New York City behind for a fresh start running a bookshop in Vermont, only to find herself at the centre of a local legend involving a grumpy forest ranger and a supposedly fated meeting. Fans of the grumpy/sunshine trope, bookshops and heartwarming small-town romances will want to pick this up this summer!