I’m generally of the opinion that a summer read is a book you read in the summertime. Regardless of the time of year, I’m happy for a book to carry me away to anywhere at all. Because of how I read, that means my 2026 summer reads have included a book set during a rainy English autumn, one set in sweltering summertime Taiwan, one set in a frigid Montreal winter, and two books set in Antarctica (yes, two!).
But variety is key to my readerly happiness, and sometimes what I crave is a book set during the season I’m in. Right now that means a book with a summer setting, activities, and emotional register. One that isn’t terribly mentally demanding, and that I don’t need to take notes on (unless I really want to.) And sometimes, what really scratches this itch is a juicy summer romance.
In a romance novel, I have a good idea of what to expect (i.e., happy ever after or happy for now). I have a good idea of what will be most important to the plot (i.e., the love story). The enjoyment is in watching it play out on the page.
I hope you enjoy this collection of romance novels that take place during the summertime, and the summery activities that take place therein. As for the scope and emotional register of a summer story, I particularly like the variety this collection represents: we see characters in seasons of personal and professional preparation, we see characters seeking escape and a break from it all, we see some characters seeking adventure and enjoyment and others seeking much-needed reflection.
I hope one of these romances will be the exact read your summer needs. If you’d share a favorite romance novel or two that feels like summer to you in comments, we’d all be grateful.
Psst—here’s a reminder about heat ratings: “chaste” for when there’s nothing more than kissing on the page, “closed door” means sex scenes are hinted at, “open door” means they happen on the page. I hope that helps!
15 romances that feel like summer
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Flying Solo
Holmes's warm-hearted sophomore novel is set, like her first, in the fictional harbor town of Calcasset, Maine. If you like the sound of a woman reevaluating what she really wants on the cusp of turning 40 (with plenty of When Harry Met Sally references), a second-chance romance with a sexy librarian, an older role model who lived an amazing life on her own terms, and a mystery subplot involving a beautiful duck decoy, this is the book for you. I breezed through the audiobook as narrated by Julia Whelan. (Closed door.) More info →
Seven Days in June
The early pages of this swoony romance with serious depth are set at a literary festival, where bestselling writers Eva (bombshell of the fantasy romance genre) and Shane (darling of the literary fiction world) are reunited after nearly twenty years apart, in front of an audience of delighted readers. Nobody knows the two have met before, or that they were high school soulmates before they were wrenched apart due to circumstances neither fully understands. This was a lot of fun and also insightful about the complexities of romantic and family relationships, with a summer-in-NYC setting I particularly enjoyed. A couple of content notes: this is open door and includes addiction and self-harm, as Williams shows her characters working through trauma in order to find both healing and their way to each other. More info →
Once More with Feeling
This 2023 Summer Reading Guide selection is a pitch-perfect second-chance romance with a summer camp backstory. When persona non grata Kathleen Rosenberg is offered the starring role in her best friend’s musical, she can’t say no: this is the best thing to happen to her since her music career went down in flames ten years ago. But there’s a catch: the director is Cal Kirby, and he’s the reason the whole world hates her. Nevertheless, Kathleen says yes, and the story takes us from auditions to workshop to out-of-town tryouts as their musical gets ready for its big debut, and Cal and Kathleen reckon with their past and present. Bold, sassy, and packed with fun gossipy industry details and (fictional) celebrity dirt. (Open door.) More info →
Just for the Summer
Abby Jimenez has long been an auto-read author for me. In her 2024 romance, we meet Emma and her best friend Maddy, both travel nurses who never stay in the same place for more than three months. But then thanks to the internet, nomadic Emma starts up a relationship with Justin, whose circumstances mean he can't leave Minneapolis. It's obvious to the reader this is going to end in heartbreak, but it's an Abby Jimenez novel, so surely they'll find a way through it ... right? I especially appreciated the strong sense of place: Abby is known for incorporating real places and businesses into her books, and I googled so many Minneapolis locations! If you want to read more about Maddy’s journey, she gets her own romance in the novella The Situationship. (Open door.) More info →
The Ex Vows
Joyce's 2024 romance centers on Eli and Georgia, a couple who met and fell in love when they were teenagers, but who broke up five years ago under painful circumstances. Now they're back home to celebrate the Napa Valley wedding of their mutual best friend Adam, and for his sake, they've resolved to pretend that everything is fine and they're both at peace with how things ended. But the truth is they never got over each other, and when they're brought back into each other's lives for a week because of the wedding, sparks fly. This was a delightful, smartly-written read with heart and depth; I flew through it. (Open door.) More info →
Second Tide’s the Charm
Two nerdy marine biologists get a second chance at true love in this sweet chaste romance. Hope and Aiden first met and fell in love on the job, brought together by their shared love of sharks. It’s been three years since they split up, but marine biology is a small field, and this summer they find themselves working together again, filming viral shark videos for social media. They agree to keep it professional, but it’s quickly obvious to all—especially their pals on board—that the spark’s still there. They spend a lot of time getting in their own way, but this slow-burning, low angst story will be just the ticket for many a summer reader. You’ll laugh, you’ll sigh, you’ll google goblin sharks. More info →
Beg, Borrow, or Steal (When in Rome #3)
Since I read my first Sarah Adams book a few years ago, her work has become a sweet escape when I need it. It doesn't hurt that the When in Rome series offers a positive portrayal of my home state of Kentucky. This enemies to lovers romance is the third in the series, but it stands alone just fine. In this one eldest daughter Emily Walker takes the lead, and WOW do we see how the early deaths of her parents prompted her to pick up a heavy emotional burden and intense practical responsibilities where her two youngest sisters are concerned. In spite, or likely because, of her background, she's a first-class second grade teacher—but she nurses secret dreams of becoming a romance novelist. Meanwhile, her fellow second-grade teacher and workplace rival Jack is keeping a secret of his own: only his agent knows that he is the writer behind a wildly successful (and pseudonymously written) mystery series. I so enjoyed watching these two come into each others' orbits and find well-deserved love and happiness, and I REALLY enjoyed all the banter and hijinks along the way. I primarily listened to the great audio narrated by Nelson Hobbs and Brittany Pressley, but found myself dipping into the e-version because I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next. (Open door.) More info →
One Last Stop
A twenty-something overcomes the impossible to find love and the family she longs for in this time-slip romance inspired by Kate & Leopold. Adrift and lonely, 23-year-old August moved to New York City with hopes of leaving the past behind and building a new life. To her great surprise, things start going well. She bumps into Jane (literally) on the Q line, developing a serious crush on the beautiful girl with the retro punk rock look. August is terrified she’ll never see Jane again, but then she does—on the Q line. It turns out Jane has been stuck on the Q line since the 1970s. If August and Jane are to get their happy ending, Jane needs to figure out how to get her unstuck—with the help of her friends, of course. Delightfully frothy and feel-good. (Open door.) More info →
August Lane
Black’s sophomore follow-up to The Art of Scandal is set in small-town Arkansas and the world of country music. Luke Randall is known as a one-hit wonder. But for thirteen years, he’s been keeping a potentially career-ending secret. He didn't write the lyrics; his first love did…and he’s still in love with her. His fortunes change when 90s era Black country music star Jojo Lane is finally tapped for the Country Music Hall of Fame, and Luke is invited to open for a celebratory concert in their shared tiny hometown. But going back means facing the demons of his past—including his first love August Lane, Jojo’s daughter. This romance explores who gets to call themself a country artist, the creative process, love, addiction, and recovery. (Open door.) More info →
Rise to the Sun
Following her triumphant debut You Should See Me in a Crown, Johnson delivers another YA novel full of friendship, romance, and music. Indiana teenagers Olivia and Toni stand on the precipice of change—but first, unbeknownst to each other, they can’t wait to attend the massive Farmland Music Festival with their respective best friends. Neither has finding love on their mind: Olivia is getting over a bad breakup; Toni is about to leave for college, and is still grieving a terrible loss. But each pair of friends desperately wants to win the #FoundAtFarmland scavenger hunt, and so they all team up—and when they do, sparks fly. Unfolding over a single weekend, this delightful story boasts a fast-paced plot, a whole lot of heart, and literary references to Jane Austen, Jo March, and Zora Heale Hurston. More info →
Slanting Towards the Sea
This cinematic debut literary novel and messy, messy love story unfolds in the dog days of summer in Croatia. (Unlike the other books on this list, this is NOT a romance novel—but I don’t get enough opportunities to talk about it and am shoehorning it in here!) Nine years ago, Ivona divorced her one true love for reasons known only to herself and her mother-in-law. But while she may have divorced her husband legally, she never left him emotionally. Now, at thirty-eight, she remains close friend and confidant to him and his wife, and auntie to their young children. Outsiders marvel at the friendly dynamic of their “triangle.” Ivona is floundering: she hasn’t sought the romantic love she still craves, and professional satisfaction has likewise evaded her. But when she meets a new man and the comfortable triangle is forced into a square, all four must reckon with their true feelings. A 2025 MMD Summer Reading Guide selection. More info →
Every Summer After
This second chance romance alternates between the present day storyline and the six summers when Persephone and Sam first met at the lakeshore cabin, fall in love, and fall apart due to betrayal. Percy punishes herself by keeping everyone at a distance; she never plans on going home again. But when Sam’s mom dies, there’s no way she can stay away from Barry’s Bay. Their connection is as strong as ever—but they’ll have to decide whether they’re ready to take a risk and confront the past. This was recently adapted into a TV series for Amazon Prime Video, Every Year After. (Open door.) More info →
Dolly All The Time
In this smart, sweet, and soulful tale and 2026 Minimalist Summer Reading Guide pick, a big-hearted, deeply loyal woman named Dolly returns to her coastal hometown for the summer to help her struggling family. But their struggles go from bad to worse when a house fire damages their roof, and they need cash, fast. When Dolly crosses paths with Stewart Whitfield, handsome local “royalty” who has struggles of his own, an unconventional solution to both their problems presents itself: they’ll fake date for the summer and everybody will be happy. But then Dolly catches feelings. I loved the irrepressible Dolly, her rapport with her bestie, the slow-burning love story, the family fish business. This one goes down easy in the best sense. (This was our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club June 2026 selection.) More info →
Love, Lists, and Fancy Ships
This blend of women's fiction and romance centers on a nearly-30-year-old woman named Jo who was excitedly working through a 30-by-30 list until her plans got derailed by a family tragedy. When her nieces unexpectedly show up for the summer, they demand that she get back to work on her list. She gets started by kissing a stranger: she thinks she'll never see him again, but surprise! He's her new neighbor AND her new coworker (soon to be dubbed "Hot Yacht Chef") aboard the luxury yacht where Jo works as a steward. With the help of her friends, family, and new love interest, Jo starts facing the pain of the past, and plotting a course for the future—including plans to knock out that bucket list. The audiobook, as narrated by Karissa Vacker, was a walk-another-mile, fold-another-load DELIGHT. (Chaste.) More info →
The Summer Girlfriend
This sweet summer romance and 2026 Summer Reading Guide selection is bursting with bookishness and baked goods. Jeremiah has been avoiding his tight-knit family lately, claiming his (fictional) girlfriend has kept him too busy. Noelle makes decent money as a for-hire bridesmaid, but needs a lot more to pay tuition for her coveted library science degree. After a bookstore meet-cute, Jeremiah makes Noelle an offer: pretend to be his girlfriend at his family’s beach house for the weekend. That outing goes so well, they extend their fake fling for the whole summer. Noelle falls in love with the house, the family… and pretty soon she’s falling for Jeremiah as well. Little does she know, it’s mutual. This is a fun escapist read with a beach house setting that’s a character in its own right. I enjoyed talking with Kristina Forest in What Should I Read Next? Ep. 530: Nothing holds my attention like a romance. (Open door.) More info →
What are your favorite romances that feel like summer? Please share in the comments.
P.S. 15 breezy romance series for when you need an escape, Hit the road with these 10 road trip romances, and 18 fresh and flirty contemporary romance novels for your TBR.
P.P.S. Starter Guide: Romance.
2 comments
Slanting Towards the Sea is such a hidden gem. You’re right- it doesn’t get talked about enough. I absolutely loved it!
Great list! I really want to know the title of the books set in a rainy, English autumn and a frigid Montreal winter!