There really is nothing better than getting stuck into a good book. And with sunny days and warmer evenings, summer is the perfect time to head outside for a spot of al fresco reading.
But while everyone has their own go-to genres, romance novels are arguably the best books to read during the summer. They’re fun, easy to follow and often take place in sunny destinations themselves. If you’re looking for your next favourite romance novel, author Katie Ginger, who writes contemporary romance as Annabel French for Avon, HarperCollinsUK, has shared her top reading recommendations for this summer.
Her latest book, The Floating Amsterdam Flower Shop, is a slow-burn, grumpy-sunshine love story perfect for anyone looking for some summer escapism.
Here are Katie’s top 10 romance recommendations. For more book recommendations, reviews and news, you can also click here to subscribe to our free weekly newsletter, The Bookish Drop, on Substack.
1. Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood
“There’s a reason Ali Hazelwood is one of the biggest names in romance right now and her latest read described as ‘what is wrong meets what feels right’ definitely won’t disappoint,” Katie said.
“With an older man/younger woman dynamic and a destination wedding in Sicily, this forced-proximity romance is going to sizzle like the Sicilian sun!”
You can buy Problematic Summer Romance here.
2. Maid for Each Other by Lynn Painter
“Lynn is an absolute auto-buy author for me. Her books are always full of witty banter, red-hot chemistry and gorgeous heroes. So this one about a professional cleaner and featuring some of my favourite tropes (forced proximity and fake dating!) sounds perfect to curl up with on a sun lounger.”
You can buy Maid for Each Other here.
3. Back in the Saddle by Maggie Eckersley
Cowboy romance anyone? Umm…yes, please! Perfect for fans of Lyla Sage, get your spicy, grumpy-sunshine fix here. She’s done with love; his ranch is on the line…let the yearning commence.
You can buy Back in the Saddle here.
4. The Blonde Who Came in from the Cold by Ally Carter
You’ve got to wait until August for this one, but when it’s described as an action-packed, second-chance rom-com about two rival spies who join forces in order to stay alive, you just know it’s going to be worth the wait!
You can buy The Blonde Who Came in from the Cold here.
5. Till Summer Do Us Part by Meghan Quinn
My life literally changed the day I read my first Meghan Quinn novel, and I can’t wait for her next release to hit the shelves (and my Kindle!).
Featuring a woman who pretends she has a husband and an unhappy marriage and then ends up in therapy with the fake husband she’s roped in to help her, this will definitely have you laughing out loud. Maybe not one to read on public transport in case you end up snorting your coffee through your nose!
You can buy Till Summer Do Us Part here.
6. When Javi Dumped Mari by Mia Sosa
Friends-to-lovers is another of my all-time favourite tropes (yeah, I know, I have loads!) and this gorgeous romance about two friends who promised never to date someone the other disapproved of sounds absolutely perfect. Playful and sexy but with masses of heart this might just be your next favourite read.
You can buy When Javi Dumped Mari here.
7. It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan
Another gorgeous romance full of warmth from this absolutely brilliant author. This one’s about a creative executive who tells a whopper of a lie and has to call in a favour from the last man she’d ever want to to fix things.
You can buy It’s a Love Story here.
8. Not Part of the Plan by Lucy Score
Who doesn’t love a reformed playboy? Somehow it’s always more rewarding when they mend their ways and realise what love actually is, and Lucy’s latest offering of a bad-boy photographer and feisty small-town heroine will definitely have all the spice and all the feels too.
You can buy Not Part of the Plan here.
9. My Big Fat Vampire Wedding by Jessica Gadziala
If you love something with a touch of the supernatural, then this one described as an Addams Family vibe romcom could be for you.
Pandora’s a vampire who needs to marry by her birthday in three months’ time or she won’t inherit the ancient family fortune, and regular human Victor’s her husband of choice. But as her crush on him grows, and their big fat vampire wedding looms, will their promise of ‘till death do us part’ be fake after all?
You can buy My Big Fat Vampire Wedding here.
10. Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
No summer reading list would be complete without an Emily Henry book, so I’ve had to include her latest offering. Another perfectly written love story about two writers vying to tell the tale of a reclusive heiress, but with more plot twists and secrets than an episode of Succession!
You can buy Great Big Beautiful Life here.
Katie Ginger writes contemporary romance as Annabel French for Avon, HarperCollinsUK. Her next book, The Floating Amsterdam Flower Shop, a slow-burn, grumpy-sunshine love story, will be published in June 2025. Follow her on Instagram for everything romance reading and writing.
