If your summer involves sunshine, poolside and a stack of romance reads, you’re in the right place. There’s something about a good book, comfy lounge chair and some SPF that just feels so right! To set you up well, we’ve rounded up the best romance books to get on your reading list ASAP! This romance reading list hits all the best tropes: exes to lovers, fake relationships to budding romance, and all the yearning you could ask for. Whether you’re lounging next to the water or taking refuge in the AC, these popular new romance novels will keep you in good company!
A Gardin Wedding
Rosey Lee
Goodreads rating: 3.56
Martha Gardin has a history of stirring up drama, but dating charming Oji Greenwald seems to bring out her softer side. When she steps into a sensitive family situation, tensions rise, threatening their relationship. To move forward, Martha must confront her past and discover what truly matters.
Why our editors love it: Don’t call, don’t text, we’re on “do not disturb” mode rereading this one again and again! This heartfelt romance featured such a great character arc that we were swooning over the love story AND the personal growth.
One Golden Summer
Carley Fortune
Goodreads rating: 4.37
When photographer Alice returns to Barry’s Bay for the summer to care for her grandmother, she doesn’t expect to run into Charlie—the boy in the photo that changed her life. As old memories resurface and new sparks fly, Alice must decide if she’s ready to step out from behind the lens and risk her heart.
Why our editors love it: Carley Fortune’s lakeside romances are full of the sweetest, most heartwarming relationships – even beyond the love interest! You’ll fall for every single character in One Golden Summer.
Summer in the City
Alex Aster
Goodreads rating: 3.73
Screenwriter Elle returns to NYC with a looming deadline and zero inspiration, until she discovers her new neighbor is Parker, her billionaire ex-hookup turned nemesis. When a fake relationship and creative collaboration spark real feelings, their summer of pretend starts to feel anything but.
Why our editors love it: Accidental next door neighbors with simmering tension all summer long, all while they explore New York City together? Count us IN.
Sounds Like Love
Ashley Poston
Goodreads rating: 4.01
Songwriter Joni returns home to reset her creativity—but instead finds a haunting melody, a fading family legacy, and an infuriating musician who shares the same song in his head. As they team up to finish it and break their strange connection, they might just fall for more than the music.
Why our editors love it: Ashley Poston’s novels are like magic, and this might be our favorite of hers! It’s giving Taylor Swift vibes in all the best ways!
Funny Story
Emily Henry
Goodreads rating: 4.2
After a brutal breakup, Daphne finds herself stuck in her ex’s hometown, rooming with his new fiancée’s ex, Miles. What starts as a fake-fun summer of staged photos and mutual wallowing soon turns into something real… even if falling for each other is the worst idea imaginable.
Why our editors love it: Is there anyone who does it quite like Emily Henry?! Opposites attract, butterflies-inducing banter, and an FMC we can’t stop rooting for from page 1? Yes please.
Say You’ll Remember Me
Abby Jimenez
Goodreads rating: 4.04
Sparks fly and tempers flare when Samantha meets swoon-worthy vet Xavier. After one unforgettable date, real-life complications force her to walk away. But some connections are too strong to forget… and maybe even worth fighting for.
Why our editors love it: Two words: hot veterinarian. Need we say any more?!
The Four Engagement Rings of Sybil Rain
Hannah Brown
Goodreads rating: 3.83
Sybil escapes to Hawaii for a solo honeymoon, but her ex-fiancé shows up with a new flame, prompting her to fake a relationship with another ex. Juggling two former fiancés (and a third waiting in the wings), Sybil must finally face her past to find out if she’s ready for a real shot at love.
Why our editors love it: We’re major Hannah Brown fangirls over here, and she can do no wrong in our eyes! We all adore this fun and charming romcom that’s the perfect summer read.
The Love Haters
Katherine Center
Goodreads rating: 3.84
Katie’s career is sinking fast, until a last-chance assignment sends her to Key West to film a handsome Coast Guard rescue swimmer (who also happens to be her coworker’s estranged brother). One problem: she lied about knowing how to swim. What follows is a wild ride of secrets, sun-soaked sparks, and a chance to rewrite her story.
Why our editors love it: This feel-good romance will have you laughing out loud – it’s literally the perfect book to start and finish in a single day while lounging poolside (and dutifully reapplying your sunscreen!).
Problematic Summer Romance
Ali Hazelwood
Goodreads rating: 3.94
When Maya finds herself sharing a villa in Sicily with Conor, her older brother’s best friend and longtime crush, tension, secrets, and undeniable chemistry simmer. Amid wedding chaos and coastal charm, what starts as a bad idea might just turn into the summer fling neither of them saw coming.
Why our editors love it: 2025 is the summer of Italian travel, and this book transports you straight to Sicily with the added bonus of a spicy romance plot woven throughout the pages.
It’s a Love Story
Annabel Monaghan
Goodreads rating: 3.97
Jane Jackson built a career on faking confidence, but one lie too many sends her back to Long Island, where she must face her awkward past, a popstar ex, and Dan Finnegan, the grumpy former crush she never expected to fall for. What begins as damage control might just turn into a real love story.
Why our editors love it: Forced proximity, enemies to lovers, and found family tropes galore had us kicking and squealing from start to finish in this romance!
Can’t Get Enough
Kennedy Ryan
Hendrix Barry has it all: success, ambition, and no time for love. But when tech mogul Maverick Bell crashes into her perfectly planned life, their chemistry is undeniable. He’s everything she shouldn’t want… and maybe exactly what she needs.
Why our editors love it: Spicy, funny, and emotionally tender, we can’t get enough (ha, see what we did there?!) of this book by Kennedy Ryan.
Beg, Borrow or Steal
Sarah Adams
Goodreads rating: 4.04
When rivals-turned-neighbors Emily and Jack find themselves stuck together for the summer, their ongoing feud takes an unexpected turn. Forced to team up to protect Emily’s secret identity as a romance author, their fiery tension sparks something neither of them was prepared to write into their story.
Why our editors love it: Rivals-to-lovers is the undisputed champion of romance tropes – yeah, we said what we said!!! Don’t believe us? This book is proof!
Whether you’re a fan of fake dating, fierce heroines, or flirty banter, this summer reading list has the perfect romance books to sweep you off your feet. Whether you’re reading on your Kindle, flipping through a hardcover, or listening on the go, get ready to fall hard for these unforgettable love stories.
Loved this list? Don’t miss 15 Books to Help You Reach Your Reading Goal, because there’s always room for one more.
