Let's talk buzzy summer romances

And what to read next

Summer is very much here and with it comes a flood of new romance novels, all vying for a place of honor on a beach towel or beside the pool. There’s so many, in fact, that it can be hard to choose, particularly if you’re a more occasional romance reader. Today I wanted to talk about four very buzzy recent romance releases and what kinds of readers they might appeal to, as well as additional recommendations if you enjoyed one of these. Think of this as a much more rambly version of those flowcharts designed to lead you to your perfect summer read, because I have zero graphic design skills but an impressive ability to ramble.

I believe adamantly that there’s a romance novel for (almost) every kind of reader, even if it sometimes takes a little bit of digging to determine exactly what kind of romance is right for you. Sometimes when I see people default to reading the newest Emily Henry and not love it—to be clear, I quite like Emily Henry!—I want to metaphorically come bursting in and recommend them a whole stack of romance novels that might be a better fit for their reading tastes. What I’m hoping to do here is help readers sort through the books they’re seeing everywhere and be more likely to find something that’ll be a smash hit for them. (Future installments to possibly come? Let me know in the comments if there’s a romance you’d be curious to hear my thoughts on!)

But now let’s get to the books:

Funny Story by Emily Henry

When children’s librarian Daphne is dumped by her fiance Peter for Peter’s longtime best friend Petra, she finds herself stranded in a small Michigan town and moving in with the one person who can really understand her pain…Petra’s ex-boyfriend Miles. Daphne and Miles are total opposites but they may have also hatched a genius fake-dating plan? This is Henry’s tropiest and steamiest book so far and my favorite of her catalog after Book Lovers. (Admittedly, I haven’t revisited Book Lovers so I reserve the right to change my rankings at any time.) If you were drawn to the angstier parts of Beach Read, this may not be as successful for you but if you enjoyed the sharp banter of Book Lovers or the wonderful sense of place in People We Meet on Vacation, you might really like this one. Miles and Daphne have fantastic chemistry and Henry draws out the tension between them exquisitely in an excellently done slow burn. I also loved the summery Michigan setting, the secondary friendship plotline, and the emphasis Henry puts on Daphne learning to make a life for herself without a partner. I did occasionally want to shove both Miles and Daphne straight into therapy but, especially after being frustrated with Happy Place last year, I savored this one. (Open door, medium steam.)

To try next:

• Two Wrongs Make a Right by Chloe Liese, for revenge fake dating and lots of banter.

• Or if you like how Henry always includes a strong secondary plotline and wanted a tad more angst here, consider The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn, for deft genre blending and gorgeous writing

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Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

Two people who share the same curse—everyone they date goes on to find their soulmate immediately after they break up—meet cute via Reddit thread and decide to date just for the summer in an attempt to break their curse. Jimenez is a good fit for readers who want some more serious issues wrapped up in a kind, cozy package. Here, Emma is grappling with her complicated and painful relationship with her mother while Justin has just agreed to assume guardianship of his three siblings. Her books always feature a lot of caretaking and romance built on everyday moments and Just for the Summer is no exception. I loved Yours Truly last year but this one was less successful for me, partially because I was in the mood for a spikier, messier romance. She also tends to write real golden retriever heroes, willing to do anything for the heroine and forgive her anything, and I found myself wanting Justin to acquire a few more flaws? I did find this very voice-y and readable, especially with the way Jimenez uses short sentences to build momentum, and think this could be a good title to breeze through in a day or two. (Open door, low steam.)

If you loved this, you might like:

• Canadian Boyfriend by Jenny Holiday, for Midwestern energy, great therapy representation, and nice people trying their best.

• Ready or Not by Cara Bastone, for a heroine with a hilarious narrative voice, a hero who’s pure sunshine, and a book that exudes warmth at every turn.

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How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang

Thirteen years after a tragic accident bound Helen Zhang and Grant Shepard together permanently, they meet again when Grant accepts a spot in the writers’ room of the TV adaptation of Helen’s bestselling YA series. This was exactly the messy, gloriously angsty romance I was yearning for and it’s the one I’d recommend most to occasional romance readers who want a bit of an emotional gut punch along their love story. I loved the sharpness of Kuang’s writing and the space she allows her characters to mess up and find their way back to each other, as well as the behind-the-scenes detail of what it’s like in a Hollywood writers’ room. (Kuang is a screenwriter so you know she knows what she’s talking about.) There's a lot of drama here but it always feels deeply grounded in the characters and their backstory, which makes the emotional beats hit all the harder. No detail is wasted and every moment between Grant and Helen sings with meaning. Definitely check content warnings before picking this one up if you’re a sensitive reader. (Open door, high steam.)

If you’re craving more big feelings:

• Reel by Kennedy Ryan, for another behind-the-scenes Hollywood romance with an epic feel. Ryan might be the current queen of big feelings romance, actually?

• The Ones Who Got Away series by Roni Loren, for a series that thoughtfully handles trauma and grief, celebrates female friendship, and is ultimately a powerful portrayal of healing. (Note that this series is centered around the survivors of a school shooting, so be gentle with yourself. I love these books and think Loren writes very sensitively about tough topics but also understand it’s a subject that’s an automatic no for some readers.)

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The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren

Years after free-spirited artist Anna and buttoned-up academic West went their separate ways after a marriage of convenience meant to get them into married student housing, West turns up with a proposition for Anna. Fake being his loving wife for his sister’s luxurious destination wedding in Indonesia—and face his wildly wealthy family—so he can still receive his massive inheritance. This was perhaps my platonic ideal of a summer romance read? It’s fun, fizzy, and exudes summer on every single page. Liam and Anna have fabulous chemistry and this delivers on all the tension a well-executed marriage of convenience trope can bring. True, the setup is a little over-the-top but if you’re willing to buy into it like I was, I think you’ll have a fabulous time. (If you prefer your contemporary romance on the more grounded side, perhaps not the right summer read for you.) As a bonus, most of the book takes place on an Indonesian island so all the descriptions are positively lush. I think this could make for a perfect steamy summer escape. (Open door, high steam.)

If you want to be swept off your feet again:

• The Fiancee Farce by Alexandria Bellefleur, for an engagement of convenience, rich people drama, and main characters with palpable chemistry.

• Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall, for opposites-attract goodness, a very British sense of humor, and some fake dating for the ages.

Let me know if you’ve read any of these and your further reading recommendations!

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Currently reading: Christa Comes Out of Her Shell by Abbi Waxman, which I’m really charmed by so far.

Recommendations, miscellany, and little bits of joy:

• I’m upstate for the weekend again and my boyfriend and I visited the FDR Presidential Library and Museum this afternoon, which I would highly recommend if you’re a history nerd like me.

• The breezy new Dua Lipa album, which has made its way into my rotation over the last couple of weeks. Sometimes I just want to bop around my kitchen while I do chores and this is an ideal bopping around album.

• All the summer strawberries! They’re tiny, sweet, and delicious.