Top 5 romances to read this summer

As we approach the end of the year, it feels like everyone is suddenly in a mad dash to complete long-forgotten New Year’s resolutions. Join a gym, quit smoking, or if you’re me, read 70 books for the year.

Of course, I started off strong, kicking off my New Year with some much-needed time off work to relax and read all day on my brand new Kindle. But as life got busy and the year began to slip away, my reading slowed to a crawl.

Now that the weather is warming up, all I want to do on the weekends is bask in the gorgeous sunshine and dive into a delicious romance novel that has those fun, summery vibes. When I say fun, summery vibes... I mean it. I want something light-hearted, fluffy, and that leaves me feeling good in all the best ways.

If you’re like me and craving a juicy romance to read by the pool this summer, check out these picks (in no particular order):

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

Clementine inherits her late aunt’s idyllic New York City apartment, only to discover it holds a unique kind of magic—a magic that allows its residents to slip seven years into the past or future.

Clementine experiences this magic firsthand when she encounters a mysterious man standing in the apartment, a man who lived there for a summer seven years ago. He has kind eyes, a southern drawl, and exists in a time seven years in the past. Over the course of the summer, Clementine realises that her time with Iwan is fleeting, and surely no sane person would believe they’re living in an apartment that magically connects two time periods.

This romance exudes all the eclectic, summery vibes. It’s fun, charming, and sprinkled with a touch of magic. Despite the magical realism, the story feels incredibly relatable, and I loved following Clementine’s journey as she discovered what she truly wanted in life.

Funny Story by Emily Henry

Daphne’s life is perfect. She has a gorgeous fiancé, Peter, and they share a beautiful home in his lakeside hometown. That is, until he realises at his bachelor party that he’s in love with his stunning childhood best friend, Petra, and shatters Daphne’s heart into a million pieces.

With nowhere to go (since Peter and Petra now live in the house that Daphne furnished to perfection), she moves in with Petra’s long-term jilted ex-boyfriend, Miles. Miles is the complete opposite of Peter—he smokes up a storm in his room, works as a bartender at a local winery, and thrives on chaos. The two mostly avoid each other until they bond over their shared heartbreak upon receiving Peter and Petra’s wedding invitation. Together, they hatch a plan.

This is a wonderful romance to sink your teeth into if you’re craving cosy small-town vibes, where the townspeople all look out for one another. It also features one of the most beloved tropes in romance: fake dating, and it’s executed brilliantly. While the premise may seem unlikely in real life, the characters and setting feel authentic, with Daphne facing significant personal growth throughout the story.

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

Olive’s perfect twin sister is about to have the wedding of her dreams. Having funded most of the wedding and the entire honeymoon by winning internet competitions, she seems like the luckiest girl in the world—until every attendee at the wedding gets horrible food poisoning, except for Olive and her sworn enemy, Ethan. With an all-expenses-paid honeymoon in Hawaii up for grabs, Olive and Ethan agree to put their differences aside for a free holiday.

Despite their mutual loathing, Olive and Ethan must pretend to be loved-up newlyweds when Olive unexpectedly runs into her future boss at the resort, and a little white lie slips out. With a luxurious itinerary of free couple’s activities, Olive soon finds she’s no longer pretending.

I devoured this in a single sitting. It’s an easy read, and while the premise is far-fetched, it’s entertaining and keeps you hooked. This book is perfect for poolside reading, especially with its stunning Hawaiian resort setting.

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

Stella is exceptionally intelligent, with a brain wired to detect patterns and algorithms with ease, but the thought of French kissing makes her squirm. Stella has Asperger’s and struggles with certain textures, making any kind of romance feel repulsive. Though she longs for a long-term relationship, she feels she needs some 'practice' before she's ready, so she enlists the help of a professional. Enter Michael, a Vietnamese ex-model turned escort, who’s down on his luck and can’t afford to turn down Stella’s offer.

Michael is not at all what Stella expected, and she soon finds herself craving not just his kisses but also the other things he teaches her.

This book is a delightful romance that’s easy to devour. It’s refreshing to see autism represented on the page, with a character who is more than just a diagnosis. Stella feels real and fully fleshed out, as does Michael, and you genuinely root for them to make it work. This novel is sweet, charming, and full of unexpected twists.

Fix Her up by Tessa Bailey

Despite being in her twenties, Georgie Castle is still treated like the baby of her family. Determined to prove she’s all grown up, she’s willing to do whatever it takes to be taken seriously. She has big plans for her children’s party planning business and is tired of being brushed aside. She also figures that having a serious boyfriend might convince her family she’s no longer a kid—especially since she hasn’t been on a date in, well, forever.

Enter Travis Ford—her brother’s best friend and her biggest childhood crush. Once a Major League Baseball star, Travis has returned to his hometown after an injury ended his career, where he’s constantly reminded of his 'glory days.' With his past womanising ways, his reputation is in tatters, and no brands want to work with him post-injury.

Georgie proposes a solution: the two of them will fake date. She’ll finally be treated as an adult, and Travis will appear more family-friendly. But Georgie is no longer the childish little sister of his best friend, and there’s nothing fake about how much Travis wants her.

This book is so much fun! While the writing isn’t world-class, it’s an easy and entertaining read. I really enjoyed watching Georgie grow into herself and stand up to her family. Plus, the chemistry between her and Travis is fantastic.

Whether you're lounging by the pool, soaking up the sun at the beach, or just enjoying a lazy weekend, these five romances are perfect companions for your summer reading list. Each one offers its own charm, from magical New York apartments and fake dating to small-town drama. With light-hearted plots, swoon-worthy characters, and plenty of feel-good vibes, these books will have you flipping pages long after the sun sets.

So, grab your favourite spot in the sun and dive into these reads—your perfect summer escape awaits!