Is there anything better than curling up with a swoony romance while the sun is shining, your iced drink is sweating on the side table, and the scent of sunscreen and fresh-cut grass fills the air? Whether you’re at the beach, by the pool, or lounging on your porch swing, these love stories will give you all the butterflies and warm fuzzies you crave this time of year.
From flirty banter to heartfelt slow burns, these ten books bring the heat in the best possible way. If you love charming characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and happily-ever-afters, you’ll want to make room in your summer tote for these delightful reads.
Here are ten heartwarming romance novels perfect for the season.
10 Romance Books Perfect for Summertime
1. The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther
Read more on GoodReads, including my review.
This one feels like stepping into a dreamy East Coast summer with a touch of bittersweet nostalgia. After losing her sister, Meredith returns to Martha’s Vineyard for a family wedding, where she hopes to reconnect with her loved ones and begin to heal. But things get more complicated when the annual family tradition of Assassin kicks off, and she ends up teamed with a charming groomsman named Wit. Their chemistry? Instant. The setting? Utterly romantic. The emotional growth? Surprisingly moving. If you love second chances, beach weddings, and flirty games with real stakes, you’ll want to dive into this book ASAP.
2. The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh
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When cautious junior editor Kelsey meets bold, terminally ill Georgina during a hospital stay, an unlikely friendship sparks a life-changing idea. Kelsey proposes a Summer of Yes, saying yes to everything they normally avoid. From tourist days in New York to a surprise visit to Georgina’s estranged family, their adventures lead to healing, unexpected love, and second chances. It’s a beautiful blend of heartfelt growth, friendship across generations, and gentle romance. This uplifting story is equal parts heartwarming and inspiring, perfect for anyone craving a feel-good summer read with emotional depth.
3. Summer Ever After by Kortney Keisel
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Romance-loving Jane is tired of being single, so she creates a foolproof dating plan inspired by her favorite bookish tropes. From the classic “only one bed” to tender caretaking scenes, she’s determined to script her own happily ever after. But her plan goes off the rails when real feelings start brewing for the one guy she should avoid, Walker Collins, her best friend’s older brother. With swoony tension, laugh-out-loud moments, and heartfelt emotion, this one is perfect for fans of friends-to-lovers and off-limits romance. Set on a fictional island off the coast of Florida, it’s a perfect beach read for a lazy summer day!
4. Dear Henry, Love Edith by Becca Kinzer
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Get ready for an epistolary-style romance with a delightful twist. Edith is quirky, lovable, and gearing up for a humanitarian trip to South Africa. Henry is a grumpy but endearing homebody who would rather be left alone. When a case of mistaken identity leads to a series of letters between them, sparks begin to fly. Their banter is everything, and the slow-burn build is chef’s kiss. This story is charming, funny, and perfect for fans of opposites attract with a healthy dose of small-town sweetness.
5. Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan
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Ali Morris’s life is a bit of a mess. Her job as a professional organizer doesn’t exactly match her own chaotic world—her mom is gone, her ex-husband is out of the picture, and she hasn’t worn real pants in ages. But when her dog claims a man by peeing on him, everything changes. Ethan is kind, grounded, and sees Ali just as she is. Full of wit, heart, and second-chance charm, this story is perfect for anyone who loves a feel-good summer beach read about finding love when life is anything but tidy.
6. All’s Fair in Love & Blackmail by Gracie Ruth Mitchell
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This book is pure fun. Think small-town antics, fake dating, family meddling, and two characters who are way too stubborn to admit they’re falling for each other. India and Felix have a history that’s equal parts snark and chemistry. When blackmail forces them into a partnership, they try to keep things professional. Spoiler alert: they fail spectacularly. The banter is sharp, the pacing is quick, and the romance is wildly entertaining. This is a great pick when you want something fast-paced, hilarious, and full of heart.
7. Love, Unscripted by Denise Hunter
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Chloe Anderson’s debut beach read is headed to the big screen, but she’s horrified when notorious Hollywood heartthrob Liam Hamilton is cast as her swoon-worthy hero. After Chloe’s fiery phone rant accidentally reaches Liam himself, the two are roped into a fake relationship to save both the movie and his reputation. Filming in her small hometown brings them closer than either expected, and soon their pretend romance starts to feel very real. Full of charm, witty banter, and slow-burn chemistry, this is the kind of breezy, feel-good read made for a sunny afternoon by the water.
8. The Love Haters by Katherine Center
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Katie Vaughn is on the edge of losing her job as a video producer when she’s asked to profile Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West. There’s one problem: Katie can’t swim but pretends she can. Adding to the chaos, Hutch’s brother Cole is her coworker, and they don’t get along. As Katie navigates swim lessons, hurricanes, and stolen kisses, she finds herself caught in lies and a chance at real love. With humor, heart, and plenty of sunshine, this one’s a perfect summer escape.
9. The Beach Trap by Ali Brady
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Two estranged half-sisters inherit a beach house and are forced to renovate it together. Add in sunshine, secrets, and some seriously swoony love interests, and you have a beach read that hits all the right notes. While the romance is front and center, the story also explores sisterhood, forgiveness, and fresh starts. The dual timelines and perspectives give this story extra depth, and the beach setting is perfect for summer escapism. You’ll laugh, tear up, and fall hard for the couples and the family bonds that grow stronger with each chapter.
10. Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
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(Note: This is book three in the Part of Your World trilogy. I highly recommend reading the first two books before reading this one.)
Abby Jimenez is the queen of heart-melting romances with real emotional stakes, and this book might be her most summery one yet. Justin and Emma are both cursed in love. Every person they’ve dated has found their soulmate right after breaking up with them. So they come up with a plan. Date each other. Break up. And finally find the one. Of course, nothing goes according to plan, and their chemistry is undeniable. There’s banter, real vulnerability, and so much heart. It’s romantic, funny, and a perfect reminder that love usually shows up when you least expect it.
Wrap Up
Whether you’re sipping lemonade on the porch, lounging by the pool, or curled up with a fan and a good snack, these ten summer romances will bring the feels and the fun. From witty banter and fake dating to second chances and emotional growth, these stories are filled with sunshine and heart.
So grab your sunglasses, charge your Kindle or iPad, or swing by your local indie bookstore and get ready to fall in love all summer long.
Happy reading, and may all your summer love stories end in happily-ever-afters.
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