Delightful Summer Romance Books

After Aurora York loses both parents unexpectedly, lonely and lost after a public meltdown that threatens her professional credibility, she’s shocked when DNA test results show a blood relative in Sicily. When her cousin reaches out online and begs her to come to Italy to meet everyone in person, Aurora makes the leap. Aurora arrives in Sicily for a month, and there she meets a colorful, dynamic family steeped in tradition. Aurora begins to heal from her grief … and enjoys the attention of a kind and handsome Italian man. But when the summer ends, a new opportunity calls her back to the States. Will Aurora leave everything in Sicily she loves behind, or take the chance on a whole new future?

For Nikki DiMarco, living in Maui and working at her mom’s Filipino food truck wasn’t exactly how she expected her life to turn out, but it’s the hand she’s dealt. When Callum James shows up with his British food truck and parks right next to her, it starts an instant rivalry. The solution? They’ll enter the upcoming food festival, and the winner keeps the coveted spot. But as the weeks pass, Nikki starts to see a different, more sensitive side of Callum, prompting her to rethink everything. With immersive details, Smith expertly brings delectable international dishes to life along with a sizzling side of enemies-to-lovers romance.

Jordan Edelman, a love cynic, is spending the summer working with a local astronomer. Dating isn’t on her radar. Enter Ethan Barbanel, her father’s super cute research assistant. As they spend the summer together, she dives headfirst into her research and feelings for Ethan. With a woman-in-STEM protagonist, witty banter, and a touching journey of self-discovery, Reynolds’s charming romance is perfect for fans of Kasie West and Jenna Voris.

Emily in Paris gets a ballerina twist in this jetsetting rom-com set in the City of Love. Mia has a magical summer planned: She’s heading to France to study ballet! But training with the elites is easier said than done, especially when her rival, Audrey, is willing to stop at nothing to one-up her. And then there’s Louis, a distractingly handsome local who wants to show her everything that Paris has to offer. Enchanting with the right amount of escapism, Jouhanneau beautifully captures the butterfly emotions of first love with the stakes of taking a chance and following your dreams.

Every year, Juliette gets a reprieve from her childhood rival, Priya Pendley, at Fogridge Sleepaway Camp. So when her longtime nemesis turns out to be her cabinmate for the season, she’s more than annoyed. She’s downright furious. Can the two put their perennial feud aside long enough to enjoy the summer? Bursting with romantic tension, chemistry, and hilarious banter, this enemies-to-lovers sapphic rom-com is perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Meryl Wilsner.

From romance powerhouse Ali Hazelwood, author of Deep End, The Love Hypothesis, and Bride, comes a love story that’s equal parts passionate and delightful. For Conor Harkness, Maya Killgore is off-limits. Not only is he five years older than her, but she’s also his best friend’s sister. But keeping her at arm’s length becomes impossible when the two of them get stuck together in a romantic Sicilian villa. Sparks fly in this irresistible story that’ll keep you hooked until the last page.

Noelle Lewis doesn’t have time for long walks on the beach, brunch with the girls, or summer vacations. She’s too busy saving up to go back to college. Her main gig is now serving as a “stand-in” bridesmaid, which doesn’t pay enough for the upcoming semester’s tuition. But then the perfect, if not unconventional, opportunity arises… After a chance meeting, Noelle and Jeremiah come to an agreement. He’ll hire her to be his stand-in girlfriend for the weekend, and she’ll use that money toward her tuition. She figures it will be quick, easy money, but as it turns out, Jeremiah’s family is lovely, and Jeremiah is even lovelier. Soon, a weekend agreement turns into an entire summer, and Noelle and Jeremiah will have to keep their hearts in check, or else it’s sink or swim for them both.

Fans of Love Island, this is for you! Cas can’t believe she’s been selected as a contestant for the wildly successful dating reality show, Hot Summer. With her company as a major sponsor, reaching the finals means landing her long-awaited promotion. Nothing can stop her. And then she meets fellow contestant, Ada. Their instant connection is undeniable. Now, Cas must choose between her heart and her ambitions. Named one of Book Riot’s Best LGBTQ Beach Reads of the year, this queer romance is brimming with juicy gossip, hot hookups, and sensational drama.

From the author of the viral The Ruinous Love Trilogy, comes a new dark and twisted romance that is equal parts wicked and funny. Harper Starling calls Cape Carnage home, and she protects it at all costs. Nolan Rhodes is a serial killer who has his eye on Harper as his next victim. When an amateur detective comes to town, Harper and Nolan strike an unlikely partnership. But it’s not long before their truce turns into obsession. Named Barnes & Noble’s Best Romance Book of 2025, Weaver offers another sexy serial killer romance with unique characters and her signature quirky prose.

Ali Morris is a professional organizer whose own life is a mess. Her mom died two years ago, then her husband left, and she hasn’t worn pants with a zipper in longer than she cares to remember. No one is more surprised than Ali when, for the first time, she takes off her wedding ring and puts on pants with hardware — overalls count, right? — she meets someone. Or rather, her dog claims a man for her … by peeing on him. Ethan smiles at Ali like her pants are just right — like he likes what he sees. He looks at her like she’s a younger, braver version of herself. The last thing newly single mom Ali needs is to make her life messier, but there’s no harm in a little summer romance. Is there?

Taylor Cameron has a reputation for being the town’s biggest flirt. Even her best friend thinks she can’t make it two months without hooking up with someone. Determined to prove her wrong, she decides to give straight-laced Avery Jensen flirting lessons to help break her out of her shell. She never expected to fall for her pupil, and it makes keeping up her end of the bet so much harder. From the New York Times bestselling author of While We Were Dating and The Proposal comes an LGBTQ+ romance featuring two headstrong women with themes of found family and self-discovery.

After his friends ditch him, Kai Barbier’s summer is turned upside down, forcing him to go to CYPHR’s sold-out show solo. When a blackout forces the show to end early, Kai’s suddenly forced on the streets of Raleigh with Elias Davis, his unsuspecting seatmate. The night turns into an unexpected escapade and a wholesome, queer romance. Full of heart and soul, Tucker puts two characters who couldn’t be more different together and gives them a summer adventure like no other.

For the last sixteen years, Effie Olsen has traveled the world as a professional chef. When her job goes up in flames, she’s forced back to her hometown. Local hot spot Brown Butter is one of the best restaurants in the country, and it has a vacancy for a sous chef. The tiny Maine island town holds many memories for Effie, especially with Ernie Callahan, her former best friend. It’s not long before Ernie shows her that settling down isn’t as bad as she thought it could be. Summer love is served on a delectable platter in this childhood-friends-to-lovers romance that’s overflowing with nostalgia, sweet moments, and just the rich amount of spice.

My Best Friend’s Wedding just got a millennial makeover! Joy has a secret: She’s in love with her best friend, Malcolm. So when Malcolm announces he has a new girlfriend, Summer, Joy is crushed. And when the happy couple invites Joy to a weekend getaway, she has no choice but to accept. Enter Fox: A kindred spirit who’s agreed to fake-date her for the weekend to make Malcolm jealous. Named one of Parade’s Best Romance Books of All Time, Kann’s brilliant story features a diverse cast, celebrates the nuances of friendship, and explores themes of letting go and celebrating who you are.

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of One Day in December comes a scintillating rom-com bursting with charm and full of twists. Former soap actress Kate Elliott is recovering from a divorce when she finds a book that makes her believe in love again. She can’t believe it when talent agent Charlie Francisco asks her to play the author for the book’s summer tour. She can’t turn down the opportunity even though Kate and Charlie’s mutual disdain is instant. But there’s a fine line between love and hate. With each interview, press appearance, and book signing event, the lies pile on, and their mutual attraction grows. Can the two of them make it to the end of the summer?

Contemporary romance queen Emily Henry, author of Great Big Beautiful Life and People We Meet on Vacation, now a Netflix series, delivers a sparkling love story with layered characters. Once academic rivals, Augustus Everett and January Andrews find themselves unexpectedly neighbors for the season. Crippled with writer’s block, the two decide to swap genres. What follows is a summer neither of them expected.

From USA Today bestselling author Ashley Herring Blake comes a fresh and inventive new sapphic contemporary romance. April Evans and Daphne Love have two things in common: They share an ex and are now cabinmates for the summer at the lake-town resort where they work. Things heat up when they compete for a chance to showcase their art in a London museum. But love can find you in the most unexpected times with the person you least expect. Fans of Haley Cass and Alexandria Bellefleur will swoon for this delightful and clever forced-proximity, enemies-to-lovers story.

Neelu Pillai makes a last-minute decision to fly to Scotland for her estranged father’s wedding with one goal: to get through it with as little conflict as possible. But when her tipsy tirade at the rehearsal dinner is the reason her father gets left at the altar, she agrees to help him track down his runaway bride. There’s just one problem: The third member of this road trip through the highlands is Jacob, the hot desi bagpiper from the wedding who just happens to be Neelu’s recent one-night stand. Their journey to Skye is certainly not smooth, but as the two work together through the obstacles, doing their best to reunite Neelu’s father with his bride, they realize that there’s more to each other than meets the eye. And that the electric connection they’d felt the night they met is still as strong as ever.