Nothing pairs better than romance novels and summertime

by Alexa Murland ★ AUGUST 4th, 2025

Summer is the perfect time to dive into a good book. I read year-round, but I always find the most time to catch up on popular titles during the summer months.

There’s nothing better than getting lost in the pages of a novel. Whether you’re tanning by the pool, lounging on the beach or sneaking in a few chapters on a break at work, a lighthearted read can be the perfect escape from everyday chaos.

Reading can feel draining if you haven’t caught the book bug. As a child, summer reading was the last thing I wanted to do — every book I picked up was assigned by a teacher and felt purely educational. Now, I can’t think of a better way to spend my free time than wrapped up in a romance novel.

This summer, I wanted to share a few romance book recommendations to add to your TBR (to-be-read) list — ones that might just change your perspective on reading. I’m constantly flooded with suggestions on BookTok, and I’ve read all of these picks myself, so I feel qualified to share my opinions.

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston:

This romance novel blends time and fantasy, following a book publicist and her roommate — who lives seven years in the past. From the very first page, I was hooked, giggling and kicking my feet the whole time. It’s a quick read you could easily finish over a weekend at the beach, and it’s one I’ll never forget.

Summer in the City by Alex Aster:

This book will help you live out your New York City dream, following the romance between a successful movie writer and a billionaire. I recently picked it up after seeing it on TikTok, and it turned out to be the perfect summer read. I tore through it and became obsessed with the characters and their witty banter. I’d recommend it to anyone who fantasizes about falling in love in New York City post-grad — something I’d love to experience myself.

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry:

This small-town romance follows two writers competing for the job of a lifetime: chronicling the biography of a woman who escaped the spotlight. This was a five-star read for me, as all Emily Henry books are. I had waited all year for its release, and it exceeded my expectations. If you don’t pick up this one, I’d still 100% recommend anything else by Emily Henry — but this might just be my favorite.

The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren:

Fake dating turns into real romance when two former roommates pretend to be a couple on a tropical vacation to inherit a large sum of money. Christina Lauren knocked it out of the park with this one; I loved every second of it. The tropical setting made it the perfect summer read, and the characters’ chemistry made it even better. This is definitely one to add to your must-read list.

The Wedding People by Alison Espach:

A surprise guest at a wedding in Newport, Rhode Island, tries to put her life back together with the help of the wedding party. While this book isn’t quite like the other four romance novels I mentioned, it captivated me from the start. The main character’s emotions, the plot and the coastal setting made this a summer read for the ages. I was thoroughly impressed by Alison Espach’s writing, and I would do anything to experience this book again for the first time.

If you take away anything from my book reviews, let it be this: TikTok can deliver some truly great recommendations.

Edited by: Chloe Rudnick and Madison Sherman

Fall in Love With These Summer Reads