The Summer of Broken Rules

K.L. Walther

Meredith Fox is returning to Martha’s Vineyard for a family wedding. This will be the first time she’s been back since the death of her sister, Claire. Although Meredith has mixed feelings about returning, she is excited to participate in her family’s favorite game, Assassin. When she is paired up with a cute groomsman named Wit, a summer romance threatens to force Meredith to confront her grief and begin to open up.

This novel was heavily inspired by Taylor Swift lyrics, so Swifties, this one’s for you!

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Summer Girls

Jennifer Dugan

Cass is a working-class girl local in her idyllic beach town. Birdie is a wealthy “summer girl” who has found herself in some trouble. When Birdie’s father hires Cass to keep an eye on his daughter, the girls find themselves at odds with each other. This enemies-to-lovers romance follows the pair as they navigate class differences and family struggles. 

A truly delightful read that balances slow-burn romance with serious social issues. Not to mention that the cover is the cutest thing ever!

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This Summer Will Be Different

Carley Fortune

Lucy and Felix have one major rule: they cannot be together. After all, Felix is Lucy’s best friend’s younger brother, and crossing that line could jeopardize one of the most important relationships in her life. But despite their best efforts to stay apart, the chemistry between them is impossible to ignore. Set against the charming backdrop of Prince Edward Island, this swoon-worthy romance follows Lucy and Felix over the years as they navigate friendship, longing, and a connection that refuses to fade.

Dreamy, sexy, and charming, the coastal atmosphere of this book makes for the perfect beach read!

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My Roman Summer

Bruna De Luca

Scottish-Italian teenager Livia has always felt caught between worlds, never fully belonging to either side of her heritage. Hoping for a fresh start, she travels to Rome to spend the summer helping at her grandmother’s bar. Instead, she finds family tension, an unexpectedly cold welcome, and a frustratingly smug co-worker named Giulio who seems determined to get under her skin. But as the summer unfolds among the magic of the Eternal City, Livia begins to see Rome, and perhaps Giulio, in a whole new light.

Sweet, charming, and full of Roman summer vibes, this book is perfect for younger readers and anyone looking for a lighthearted escape to Italy.

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The Pairing

Casey McQuiston

Theo and Kit thought their breakup was firmly in the past until they both unexpectedly show up for the very same European food and wine tour. Determined to prove they’ve moved on, the two bisexual exes strike up a playful “hookup competition” to see who can sleep with their hot Italian tour guide first as they travel through France, Italy, and Spain together. But surrounded by incredible food, stunning scenery, and memories of what they once had, it becomes harder and harder to ignore the feelings that never truly disappeared.

Perfect for foodies, wine lovers, and readers who enjoy a little extra spice with their summer romance. This book offers all the magic of a European vacation!

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Problematic Summer Romance

Ali Hazelwood

Maya Killgore knows falling for her older brother’s best friend is a terrible idea, especially when that best friend is the accomplished, frustratingly handsome, and much older Conor Harkness. But when the two find themselves thrown together at a chaotic destination wedding in Sicily, surrounded by stunning coastlines, incredible food, and undeniable chemistry, resisting each other becomes much easier said than done.

Perfect for readers craving an age-gap romance. It’s got those European vibes, sunshine, seaside views, and plenty of tension!

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Bad Boy Era

Amy Daws

The 4th book in the Mountain Men Matchmaker series, this novel is about Everly Fletcher, who has just returned from Dublin to spend a quiet summer on Fletcher Mountain. When her best friend’s twin brother, Conri “Wolf” Reilly, shows up, Everly’s dreams for a restful and peaceful summer are thrown off course. He is infuriating, brooding, and very Irish. The pair are forced to live together while Wolf is in the United States trying to repair his image in the rugby world, leading to a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance. 

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In Your Dreams

Sarah Adams

Madison Walker left her small Kentucky hometown with dreams of making it big in the culinary world. But after years of chasing success in New York City, she returns home with a bruised ego and no idea what comes next. When she’s offered the chance to become the head chef of a new farm-to-table restaurant, it feels like the fresh start she’s been desperately searching for. There’s just one complication… the opportunity comes from James Huxley, owner of Huxley Farm, her brother’s best friend, and the man who has been quietly in love with her for years. As opening day draws closer and sparks begin to fly, Madison and James must navigate small-town gossip, family drama, and the fear of risking everything for a chance at something more.

This novel is the fourth and final book in the When In Rome series by Sarah Adams. This book can still be enjoyed as a standalone, but it does feature appearances from other protagonists throughout the series!

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Love’s a Witch

Tricia O’Malley

Sloane MacGregor is from a long line of witches, and when she left her hometown of Briarhaven, she swore she would never return. However, when her grandmother summons her back to break a curse placed on their bloodline, Sloane has to do exactly that. The town’s mayor, Knox Douglas, has worked tirelessly to make his town a haven for magical folk. The last thing he needs is a MacGregor witch causing trouble. He’s decided that Sloane absolutely has to go. However, magic may have other plans.

This is such a cozy, charming read full of quirky characters, fun banter, and men in kilts!

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A River Enchanted

Rebecca Ross

Set on the magical island of Cadence, Jack Tamerlaine is a bard who has been summoned home to help find girls from his clan who have gone missing. He is forced to work with his childhood nemesis and future clan leader, Adaira, to appease the island’s spirits and uncover the truth behind the missing girls. Yet, as the pair gets closer to solving the mystery, it becomes apparent that an older, darker secret about Cadence lurks beneath the surface.

This book builds such a unique and enchanting magical world that’s got you entranced from the very first page!

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The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches

Sangu Mandanna

Mika Moon has spent her life hiding her magic and keeping her distance from others. That is, until an unexpected message invites her to teach three young witches at the mysterious Nowhere House. There, she finds an eccentric found family, a grumpy but handsome librarian, and the possibility of finally belonging somewhere. But when danger threatens their newfound home, Mika must decide how much she’s willing to risk to protect the people who have become her family.

This is perfect for readers craving cottagecore, witchy vibes, even in the summer!

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Cleat Cute

Meryl Wilsner

Despite only being 26, Grace Henderson has been the star of the US Women’s National Team for years. However, when Grace is sidelined with an injury, rookie Phoebe Matthews is chosen to take her place. Phoebe is gregarious and excitable, basically everything Grace isn’t. These two must balance being teammates and rivals as they compete for a spot on the World Cup team. As tension rises, so does undeniable attraction. Grace and Phoebe must decide what is more important, continuing their relationship or making the roster.

This sports romance is both funny and steamy!

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Reality Bites

Amy Mass

Grace Lambert is comfortable in the world of frogs and science. She’s never had any kind of social media and has no interest in reality TV. That is, until her frog research lab loses its funding and a cash prize from a popular dating show suddenly becomes very appealing. Competing with other contestants, Grace is thrust into a world of cameras, challenges, and influencer culture. Grace quickly discovers that keeping her motives secret may be the least of her problems when an unexpected behind-the-scenes romance begins to bloom.

Perfect for fans of Love Island looking for a fun, summery rom-com!

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Just Playing for Keeps

Lauren Blakely

After being publicly dumped on the hockey arena jumbotron, dating coach Remy is rescued from humiliation by Lake Axelrod, the team’s grumpy, tattooed star winger. When Lake offers to be her fake boyfriend for her sister’s wedding, it almost seems too good to be true. If this arrangement works, she gets revenge on her ex, and he helps save her reputation. But as fake kisses turn into real feelings, the line between pretending and reality becomes impossible to ignore.

Grumpy/sunshine pairing, fake dating, and hockey?! It doesn’t get much more enticing than that!

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Quicksilver

Callie Hart

Saeris Fane is not just an ordinary human. She is a powerful alchemist who can manipulate quicksilver. She is also a thief and has been stealing from the Undying Queen for as long as she can remember. Her life changes when she steals something she shouldn’t and discovers an enchanted gauntlet that opens a portal to Yvelia, a mystical realm home to the Fae. She accidentally becomes magically bound to Kingfisher, a brooding Fae warrior. Together, they must help his army win a dark vampire war. Saeris learns quickly that the dark and ruthless Kingfisher will do whatever he must to protect his people. Even if it costs Saeris her life.

Perfect for those looking to escape the summer sun and dive into a dark, icy realm filled with magic, mystery, and a romance that burns hotter than the season itself!

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The Wicked Sea

Jordan Stephanie Gray

Zephyra of the Syl is always running from something. She has traded her tail for legs to escape an abusive situation under the sea. She escaped to Mortia, a land that despises and persecutes Merrow. Caught stealing, her true identity is revealed, and Zephrya finds herself captured and sentenced to death by a powerful warlock named Arion Stone. To escape her fate, Zephrya offers to help Arion locate a mystical heart in the sea that will save both of their lives. The two become magically bound and cannot escape one another, as much as they would like to. But as Zephrya’s past catches up to her, they must find a way to work together, or they will both die.

Mermaids and warlocks together make quite the pair! Arion and Zephrya are complex, morally gray characters that you just can’t help but be completely fascinated with!

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The Jasmine Throne

Tasha Suri

Imprisoned by her brother, Princess Malini dreams of revenge while trapped in the crumbling Hirana temple. When she discovers that her servant Priya holds a dangerous magical secret, the two form an unlikely alliance that could change the fate of an entire empire. Both have plenty to gain, but they also have a lot to lose. Together, they must navigate power, betrayal, and their growing connection.

Perfect for those wanting a book with notes of South Asian influence, lush worldbuilding, and sapphic yearning!

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