While winter might be the best season to read in (cozy vibes and all that), I actually tend to read the most in the summer. There’s something about reading a book by the pool or lake (or any body of water) that soothes something deep in my soul. I read more romance than I do all year, and it feels like being 13 again. During the summers between school, I would read as many books as possible—sometimes three in a day. My days were spent going to the library in the mornings and inhaling books all afternoon. All these years later, I feel like I’ve crafted the perfect summer reading list, from cottage vibes to vacations.
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune: Set in Barry’s Bay, ON, this summer romance follows Percy and Sam as they reconnect after 12 years. Told in dual timelines, this book gave me swooning alongside feelings filled with so much nostalgia.
One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune: Imagine the book above, but ten times better. It’s crucial to read Every Summer After first, but I highly recommend jumping straight into One Golden Summer. As the sequel, this story follows Sam’s brother, Charlie, in his own romance in Barrys Bay. While you will experience the same nostalgia, the romance between Alice and Charlie feels so much more real and tangible.
Till Summer Do Us Part by Meghan Quinn: I’ve always said that Meghan Quinn is one of the few romance authors who can write almost 500-page romances, and I’ll happily enjoy every page. While Till Summer Do Us Part is at 432, it is nothing short of a fun cottage read. It follows Scottie and Wilder, who are forced to fake-date during a couples retreat with Scottie’s entire company. Expert pure rom-com vibes here.
Good Girl Complex by Elle Kennedy: This book polarizes a large portion of the reading community, but I genuinly loved this book. Imagine small beach-town vibes, characters that border on mild clichés, and some addictive romance! This was the definition of spicy fun summer romance.
Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas: One of the most addicting books I’ve ever read… Imagine a girl who starts dating her ex-boyfriend’s dad. If 20-year age gaps aren’t for you, then I would suggest NOT reading this one. But if you’re okay with an age gap, I highly recommend this one!
What is Love? by Jen Comfort: For all my trivia and Jeopardy-loving fans, this is a book you must read ASAP. I found so many aspects of myself in both these characters, and it was truly the best of both worlds — good spice and characters that felt real. I knew who Teddy and Maxine were, and that ultimately makes the romance so much more fun to read because I was ROOTING for these two.
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry: This book has been my #1 romance for over a year and will probably stay there for a long time. This second-chance romance follows Poppy and Alex (best friends, but complete opposites) through dual timelines—one in the present tense as they reconnect, and the other set in their past summer vacations. This book felt like third-wheeling in the best way possible.
The Ex Vows by Jessica Joyce: I fully credit this book for making me fall in love with second-chance romances. Jessica Joyce wrote this book for every eldest daughter, and I felt every word. The story follows two ex’s as they attempt to save their mutual friend’s wedding in Napa Valley. He calls her “peach” since her name is Georgia, and that was enough to sell me.
The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas: Picture a good old-fashioned fake dating romance between two coworkers who can’t stand each other. Throw in some Clark Kent mmc energy at a wedding in Spain, and you’re set. This book was purely for the vibes, and I loved every minute of it.
The Wedding People by Alison Espach: While it is fresh in my mind because it’s a recent read, it’s also a new favourite. I went into this story blind, and that’s how I’m going to recommend everyone else read it as well, but I will say that it deals with some darker themes of depression and suicide. I believe it is written very well—even with some light humour sprinkled in—but read with caution if you find those topics difficult. Phoebe and this story will remain in my brain for a very long time.
The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand: Another unexpected favourite of mine, and I would pay good money to re-read this story for the first time. As the name suggests, the book is about Lizbet Keaton, who gets hired as the new general manager at The Hotel Nantucket. Featuring a whole cast of characters whose you can’t decide whether you like or not, this book is the perfect summer read. While it feels light at times, there are emotional beats that make me want to inhale everything Elin Hilderbrand has ever written.
Just For The Summer by Abby Jimenez: Despite this book being the last in a 3-book series, there is absolutely nothing wrong with reading it first (that’s what I did). They’re interconnected books, but I never felt like I lacked any knowledge in this story. The synopsis felt equally intriguing and a tad cliché, but I was hooked within the first few pages. Just For The Summer follows Emma and Justin who attempt to break their bad dating history by dating each other. But then, Emma’s toxic mother shows up, and Justin has to assume guardianship of his three siblings, so they begin to navigate a lot more than their romance issues. This book also happens to have one of the best lines in romance:
“The best kind of love doesn’t happen on moonlit walks and romantic vacations. It happens in between the folds of everyday life. It’s not grand gestures that show how you feel, it’s all the little secret things you do to make her life better that you never tell her about.”
July 7 | The Final Score by Lana Ferguson: Maybe it’s because I’m still missing Off Campus, or maybe I just like a hockey romance, but I desperately want this book in my hands. The book follows a grad student and a hockey player who are now living together, and I know for a fact it will be fun.
July 14 | Extracurricular by Rachel Lynn Solomon: Not only is the cover a work of art, but it’s also a psychology professor x student romance… My reading roots often start with Vampire Academy, which also marks the first teacher-x-student romance book I’ve ever read. The trope (when done right) is so fun to read, especially when the age gap isn’t anything concerning. A recent review also shares, “I also loved how the book explored heavier topics like childhood fame, panic attacks, and self-identity, which made the story feel grounded and realistic.”
July 28 | Just for the Plot by Meghan Quinn: I saw “baseball” and “book clubs” in the synopsis and was immediately sold. Meghan Quinn has never steered me wrong before, and I know a best-friend’s-brother romance won’t fail me.
July 28 | Getting Away with Murder by Shari Lapena: I had to throw in one thriller here, and it’s partly because I’m super curious about it. The book follows Jill and Ted as they attempt to murder a family member to inherit their money and save themselves. Normally, I don’t love unlikeable characters, but an early review notes that it’s pulled off dynamically, and now I'm intrigued.
➡️ What’s on your summer reading list?
…here’s what else is happening in the book world!
EXCLUSIVE: Elle Kennedy on Building the World of Off Campus
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The BIGGEST Changes in the ‘Every Year After’ Adaptation: Breaking down the 5 biggest changes from book to screen (and whether they actually make sense).
How Far Should Adaptations Stray From Their Book? Rivals Just Made Its Biggest Change From Jilly Cooper’s Book Yet
Why Readers Are Finally Seeing Themselves in Books
Fourth Wing Just Crossed the Line Most Book Adaptations Never Reach
Not Everything Needs to Be the Next Heated Rivalry, and here’s why shows like ‘Off Campus’ deserve their own spotlight!
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