Happy first day of summer.
Personally, I am largely indifferent to the summer. I don’t spend all year wishing it would get here and I don’t really need the heat and sunshine in order to function (I am an autumn girlie through and through).
I do like the long days and the late night sunsets. I do like changing into my summer silhouette of cycling shorts and an oversized t-shirt. I do like London in the sunshine and I love not looking odd when I mainline iced coffee twice a day. I love a summer shower and the way everything looks a bit greener once it’s passed.
I love the romanticised lazy quality of the days and how it sometime feels like you have endless hours to read (even though if you’re a working adult nothing really changes).
And on that note, I am going to come in hot with 20 (I am trying to show restraint) books I think should be on your summer reading list this year. Note: this is too long for email, so you will need to read in the app or in a browser and this is the Bookshop shop (affiliate link).
Savor It - Tarah DeWitt
I will not stop talking about this book. Savor It just oozes small town summer and is so heartfelt and sexy. You are going to want to visit Spunes and you might also not want to leave. (But you will get to go back)
Whisky Business - Elliot Fletcher
If Spunes doesn’t interest you maybe the Isle of Skye will. Whisky Business is as equally heartfelt and sexy. And also involves kilts…
Mixed Signals - B.K Borison
I will tell everyone and their dog to read the Lovelight series but Mixed Signals is the summer one, so I’ll recommend that one on this list. If you think I love small town romances you would be correct.
Clean Point - Meg Jones (out June 25th)
Clean Point is a tennis romance and don’t ask me why (the answer is Wimbeldon) but tennis just screams summer to me. Even though I am very aware that it is a year around sport (I wasn’t aware just how year around until this very year and now I am the kind of person who watches tennis near daily. Not mad about it.)
Let the Games Begin - Rufaro Faith Mazaura (out July 18th)
In keeping with the sport theme, it’s an Olympic year and Let the Games Begin is set at the Olympic Games, so it’s perfect for this summer.
Just for the Summer - Abby Jimenez
It really does what it says on the tin here. It’s a summer romance that is supposed to be ‘just for the summer’…it also involves a unicorn floatie. Also involves A+ Reddit usage.
The Lagos Wife (The Nigerwife) - Vanessa Walters
If thrillers are more your vibe, then this might be right up your street. Set against the backdrop of the sticky heat of Lagos with all the mystery you could possibly want.
Wildfire - Hannah Grace
Wildfire involves a summer camp. What is more summer than that? (Not that I have ever been to one)
The Wedding Menu - Letizia Lorini
I am The Wedding Menu’s biggest fan (not proven, but it feels like that). It somehow manages to make the name Ian sexy…my reference points for Ians is singular - Ian Beale (IYKYK).
Losers Duet - Harley Laroux
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May I introduce you to my favourites duet (and novella) in the world? You know it's good when I frequently have to talk myself out of re-reading all 1,000 or so pages (yes really, it would be worth it too) on a near weekly basis. It’s a polyamory dream (do check the trigger warnings though) and has some of the best relationship dynamics I’ve read within this genre of romance books.
Love Theoretically - Ali Hazelwood
This isn’t any more summery than Hazelwood’s other titles, but the cover of Love Theoretically is yellow which just feels more summery…it’s also my current fave of Hazelwood’s contemporary romances (because Bride is my favourite but that’s paranormal and I haven’t read Not in Love yet which I feel may take top spot)
Sunny Disposition - Deanna Grey
I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t have at least one hockey romance on this list. I still think about Sunny Disposition every now and then, it is just that good.
The Pairing - Casey McQuiston (out August 6th)
Warning, The Pairing may make you want to go on a trip around Europe and eat ALL the food. But that is just a standard summer fantasy anyway right? (at least it is for me.)
The Idea of You - Robinne Lee
Look, The Idea of You is a good book even if it did make me rage just a little bit. I have just about forgiven it for that and the more distance I get from it the more I realise that it is a really solid piece of literature
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue - V.E Schwab
There is nothing overly summer-like about this book. At it’s core it is a story about time and love. It’s quiet. It’s waves lapping gently on the sand as the sun dips below the horizon. If I was capable of committing to a favourite book of Schwab’s I would maybe say it is Addie LaRue.
Long Live Evil - Sarah Rees Brennan (out August 1st)
If you want to support women’s wrongs this summer then I present Long Live Evil. It also features a heavy dose of female rage.
The Ex Vows - Jessica Joyce (out August 1st)
A second chance romance between two people trying to save their friends wedding against the backdrop of Napa Valley. Really what about that doesn’t scream late summer evenings reading away while the sun sets (and sipping some wine if that is your bag)?
The Kiss Quotient - Helen Hoang
I am not exaggerating when I say that The Kiss Quotient changed my life just a little bit. It unlocked a part of me that I hadn’t actually realised was kept behind chains. I am not too sure if I would be the writer I am (The kind that has finished writing two full books, is publishing one in December and is about to start writing her third book. The kind who has a thing like a ‘publication schedule’ occupying one of the tabs in her brain) if I hadn’t read this book. I definitely wouldn't be the reader that I am. I wouldn’t have given Ali Hazelwood a chance. I wouldn’t have moved on to authors like Katee Robert, Emily McIntire, Lauren Asher, Ana Huang, Talia Hibbert, Sierra Simone. That list goes on and on and on. I’m not saying that this book will change your life, but it does maybe have the power to do so and could give you a renewed energy come September (the second, better, restart of the year).
The Luna Sisters - Liana De La Rosa
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If you are looking for something to fill the Bridgerton shaped whole in your life, then you need Ana Maria and The Fox and Isabel and the Rogue. Funny, well written, giddy and swoonworthy moments. Sizzling chemistry. They have everything you would want from a historical romance. And also, look at these gorgeous covers.
Title Inspiration - If you didn’t clock that this was Summer Lovin’ from Grease, I am here to confirm that it is.
Adding so many of these to my list! The Kiss Quotient also changed how I read and opened up a whole new genre for me. Also kudos on your own writing wins!
I have seen The Kiss Quotient come up so many times I may finally get if!!