Prepare for your summer of romance with these 12 most anticipated romance novels of the season! From romantic beach getaways to steamy historical fiction, this list is filled with recommendations that you are sure to fall in love with.
Misfit In Love by S.K. Ali
Janna Yusuf is looking forward to her brother Muhammad’s wedding where she can reunite with her mother, tell Nuah that she is finally ready for a relationship with him, and officially start her summer of love. However, Janna’s plans quickly go awry as Muhammad and his fiancé opinions conflict, her dad starts acting weird, her mom starts spending more time with an old friend instead of her, and Nuah starts treating her differently than the last time they saw each other. To make matters worse, newcomers Haytham and Layth make Janna’s heart more confused than ever about what she really wants.
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
Ever since college, Poppy and Alex have been best friends after a fateful car share home from college, even though they are complete opposites. For the past decade, they have spent every summer together going on entertaining vacations. However, during their last trip, they ruined everything between them and stopped talking. Two years later, Poppy convinces Alex to take on last trip together after she discovers that she is not truly happy in life and decides to fix everything. The two must attempt to put their argument to the side for one week, but how long can they ignore what happened between them two years ago?
The One You’re With by Lauren K. Denton
Highschool sweethearts Mac and Edie lead a seemingly perfect life in their upscale community near Mobile, Alabama. To everyone else, excellent interior designer Edie and beloved pediatrician Mac have an amazing life with their two beautiful children. However, on the inside, their relationship is threatened after a young woman walks into Mac’s office and her existence alone starts to question everything Mac and Edie know about each other. The story alternates from the present day to nineteen years ago, when Edie and Mac took a break for three months and the decisions they made then unknowingly threaten their lives in the present.
Talk Bookish to Me by Kate Bromley
Kara Sullivan lives a happy single life as a bestselling romance author and popular bookstagrammer until she hits a massive writer’s block, and her focus becomes shifted towards her best friend’s upcoming wedding plans. To make her stressful matters worse, her first love and heartbreak, Ryan Thompson, unexpectedly arrives at the wedding party. His arrival surprisingly strikes inspiration for Kara’s newest historical romance novel. In order to meet her deadline and save her friend’s wedding, Kara decides to put up with her infuriating ex-boyfriend, all while trying to ignore the reignited sparks between them.
The Checklist by Addie Woolridge
From a perfect boyfriend to absolutely crushing it at work, everything seems to be going perfectly in Dylan Delacroix’s life. But when Dylan upstages her boss, she is sent to her hometown, Seattle, to help manage the difficult task of curbing the impulses of an eccentric CEO. Once she moves, she finds more difficulties to add to her ever-growing checklist, including managing a feud between her Bohemian parents and their neighbors, facing conflict in her relationship, and fighting her growing attractions to her neighbor’s son. Dylan soon accepts that she can’t keep everything in order just as she likes and decides to come up with a new plan for herself.
Love Next Door by Helena Hunting
Dillion Stitch decided many years ago that she was going to leave her hometown behind her and never go back, but when her brother gets into trouble, she must travel home to take her place in the family business. After moving in, she discovers she has a new neighbor and decides to formally meet them. However, their relationship starts on a rocky path after Dillion accidentally greets Donovan “Van” Firestone while he is completely naked. This encounter is the beginning of their relentless bickering around the town and eventual attraction to each other. They soon find comfort in each other in Pearl Lake, a place where neither feels entirely at home.
Incense and Sensibility by Sonali Dev
Yash Raje has made a name for himself by relying on his simple mantra: control your feelings and you can control the world. He is currently running as California’s first serious Indian gubernational candidate, but when a hate-fueled incident at a rally injures his friend, Yash starts to black out with panic. In order to get him back on the campaign trail and keep his condition private, his family hires a stress management coach, India Dashwood. The two work together to overcome his condition, but can they ignore the romantic night they had together ten years ago?
While We Were Dating by Jasmine Guillory
Ben Stephens has never bothered with a long-term relationship, especially since he is too busy dealing with family drama and a huge ad campaign her just landed with movie start Anna Gardiner. In order to make a name for herself and distract herself from an upcoming casting decision, Anna has joined the ad campaign but didn’t expect Ben to be her biggest distraction. The two are instantly attracted to one another and their flirtations turn serious after a family emergency. Eventually, their infatuation is turned into something that is more suited for the cameras, but how long will they be satisfied with a fake relationship?
The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang
Anna Sun is currently experiencing massive burn out after various attempts to replicate the viral video of her playing the violin that helped her achieve career success. To make her situation worse, her longtime boyfriend has asked for an open relationship before committing more, which hurts Anna deeply. To get even, Anna decides to participate in an open relationship as well, with the goal of hooking up with unacceptable men. She soon meets Quan Diep, who accepts her unconditionally and offers more than sex. Tragedy strikes her family and Anna takes on an unexpected role, resulting in Anna and Quan fighting for their chance at a relationship.
If You, Then Me by Yvonne Woon
In order to escape her boring life, Xia spends her time on the app she created which allows people to get answers in the form of one’s older self and talking to her online crush, ObjectPermanence. Everything starts to look up once Xia attends Foundry, an app incubator for tech prodigies in Silicon Valley and starts to flirt with Mast, her classmate. After a couple dates with Mast, finding her nemesis, and meeting with a Foundry alumna who offers to help mold her future, her online crush lets her know that he is also attending Foundry. Xia finds herself torn between Mast and her online crush, as well as what is best for her future.
The Name Curse by Brooke Burroughs
After Bernie’s father dies, her concerned friends and family convince her to join a hike through Alaska to gain a new perspective. Matthew, a struggling screenwriter, has also decided to join the hike to gain some inspiration and process the reappearance of his absent father. When the two meet, it’s annoyance at first sight, and they are further annoyed when they discover that they must share a tent together. Overtime, as the two are forced to hike together, they find a source of empathy, inspiration, and growing attraction for each other.
Bombshell by Sarah MacLean
Lady Sesily Tablot has been viewed as London’s biggest scandal for years due to her knack for doing what she wants when she wants, especially since all of her sisters are now married. Due to her reputation, no one looks twice when she lures a man outside of social gatherings into dark corners. However, these trysts are not what they seem. Caleb Calhoun has been trying to avoid the beautiful Sesily and his growing attractions, but he soon finds himself in close proximity of her by keeping Sesily safe during her dangerous late-night encounters.
