It’s no secret that I love contemporary romance books. If you look at my Goodreads, it’s pretty obvious. I love escaping into a story that I know has a happy ending. This summer has been full of some wonderful summer reads by some of my favorite authors. Now that it’s the end of August, and summer is coming to a close, I’m ready to close out the summer by sharing mini reviews of some of the most popular romance books that released this last summer season.
‘Romancing Mister Bridgerton’ by Julia Quinn
While this book was not a new release this summer, the hit TV show “Bridgerton” on Netflix did use this book as inspiration for Season 3. If you were thinking that the TV show would be like the book – you were wrong. The book covered some more heavy issues between Penelope and Colin – specifically jealousy, deception, and insecurities. I cannot say that I enjoyed this book any more than I enjoyed the latest season of the show. I felt that both characters in the book were quite “whiney” and almost unlikable. I had a hard time rooting for them as a couple. Now, as far as the book series goes, my favorite so far as been Benedicts (‘An Offer from a Gentleman’) which makes me so excited for season four of the show.
Synopsis from the Publisher:
Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend’s brother for . . . well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret . . . and fears she doesn’t know him at all.
Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought of as nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can’t seem to publish an edition without mentioning him. But when Colin returns to London from a trip abroad, he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same—especially Penelope Featherington! The girl who was always simply there is suddenly the girl haunting his dreams. When he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide . . . is she his biggest threat— or his promise of a happy ending?
‘Just for the Summer’ by Abby Jimenez
Abby Jimenez is one of my go-to authors and her release this year has been my favorite romance book this year. She has this way of writing stories that are heart-wrenching while also hopeful. On par with her other books, this book tackles some major themes specifically around childhood trauma, anxiety, and family struggles, which resonated with me deeply. Another thing I enjoy about the author’s writing is how with these serious topics, she also provides some levity with the humorous banter between the characters. I’ve recommended this book countless times this summer, as well as given a few copies away to friends and family.
Synopsis from the Publisher:
Justin has a curse, and thanks to a Reddit thread, it’s now all over the internet. Every woman he dates goes on to find their soul mate the second they break up. When a woman slides into his DMs with the same problem, they come up with a plan: They’ll date each other and break up. Their curses will cancel each other’s out, and they’ll both go on to find the love of their lives. It’s a bonkers idea… and it just might work.
Emma hadn’t planned that her next assignment as a traveling nurse would be in Minnesota, but she and her best friend agree that dating Justin is too good of an opportunity to pass up, especially when they get to rent an adorable cottage on a private island on Lake Minnetonka.
It’s supposed to be a quick fling, just for the summer. But when Emma’s toxic mother shows up and Justin has to assume guardianship of his three siblings, they’re suddenly navigating a lot more than they expected–including catching real feelings for each other. What if this time Fate has actually brought the perfect pair together?
‘A Novel Love Story’ by Ashley Poston
I adored this book as much as I adored ‘The Dead Romantics’ and ‘The Seven Year Slip’ by Ashley Poston. In ‘A Novel Love Story’, Elsy loves to get lost in stories that have a happily-ever-after, mostly because no one leaves you at the alter or ditches your annual retreat for something better. In this sense, I can relate to Elsy in my love for romance books – no one leaves a romance book disappointed with the ending. Ashley Poston’s has a beautiful way of crafting a story that is whimsy while real at the same time.
Synopsis from the Publisher:
Eileen Merriweather loves to get lost in a good happily-ever-after. The fictional kind, anyway. Because at least imaginary men don’t leave you at the altar. She feels safe in a book. At home. Which might be why she’s so set on going her annual book club retreat this year—she needs good friends, cheap wine, and grand romantic gestures—no matter what. But when her car unexpectedly breaks down on the way, she finds herself stranded in a quaint town that feels like it’s right out of a novel…
Because it is. This place can’t be real, and yet… she’s here, in Eloraton, the town of her favorite romance series, where the candy store’s honey taffy is always sweet, the local bar’s burgers are always a little burnt, and rain always comes in the afternoon. It feels like home. It’s perfect—and perfectly frozen, trapped in the late author’s last unfinished story. Elsy is sure that’s why she must be here: to help bring the town to its storybook ending.
Except there is a character in Eloraton that she can’t place—a grumpy bookstore owner with mint-green eyes, an irritatingly sexy mouth and impeccable taste in novels. And he does not want her finishing this book. Which is a problem because Elsy is beginning to think the town’s happily-ever-after might just be intertwined with her own.
‘Business Casual’ by B.K. Borison
In the last book of the ‘Lovelight Farm’ series by B.K. Borison, I was not ready to say goodbye to the characters I fell so in love with. I will honestly say, this was not my favorite book in the series. The story felt a bit chaotic and it didn’t seem like Nova ever really let her guard down with Charlie, which made the falling in love part not necessarily believable for me. I will say that I did enjoy the characters and they felt relatable in a sense. I still recommend reading this book, actually – please read the series!
Synopsis from the Publisher:
Nova Porter isn’t looking for love, and she certainly has no explanation for her attraction to buttoned-up, three-piece-suit-wearing investment banker Charlie Milford. Maybe it’s his charm? Or maybe it’s his determination to help her fledgling business however he can. Either way, she’s distracted every time he’s around. With her new tattoo studio set to open in her hometown of Inglewild, she doesn’t have time for frivolous flirtations.
In an effort to get Charlie out of her system once and for all, Nova offers a proposition. One night. No strings. They’ll kick their uncomfortable attraction to the curb and return to their respective responsibilities. But their explosive night together scatters their expectations like fallen leaves. And with Charlie in town as the temporary head of Lovelight Farms, Nova can’t quite avoid him. And Charlie? Well, Charlie knows a good investment when he sees one. He’s hoping he can convince Nova he’s worth some of her time.
‘This Summer Will Be Different’ by Carley Fortune
I will admit, I am not a Carley Fortune stan. This is her third book, and it was the best one yet, although I didn’t love it. I felt like the story could have been told a lot better than with all of the flash backs that were done. I’m not sure that they added much to the overall story. One thing to know about Carley Fortune books, they are always told in two separate time frames – past and present. One thing I do like about Carley Fortune’s books is that she transports me to somewhere in Canada I’ve never thought of visiting, and makes me want to add it to my bucket travel list.
Synopsis from the Publisher
Lucy is the tourist vacationing at a beach house on Prince Edward Island. Felix is the local who shows her a very good time. The only problem: Lucy doesn’t know he’s her best friend’s younger brother. Lucy and Felix’s chemistry is unreal, but the list of reasons why they need to stay away from each other is long, and they vow to never repeat that electric night again. It’s easier said than done.
Each year, Lucy escapes to PEI for a big breath of coastal air, fresh oysters and crisp vinho verde with her best friend, Bridget. Every visit begins with a long walk on the beach, beneath soaring red cliffs and a golden sun. And every visit, Lucy promises herself she won’t wind up in Felix’s bed. Again.
If Lucy can’t help being drawn to Felix, at least she’s always kept her heart out of it. When Bridget suddenly flees Toronto a week before her wedding, Lucy drops everything to follow her to the island. Her mission is to help Bridget through her crisis and resist the one man she’s never been able to. But Felix’s sparkling eyes and flirty quips have been replaced with something new, and Lucy’s beginning to wonder just how safe her heart truly is.
‘Funny Story’ by Emily Henry
Emily Henry has become the queen of the summer romance read. Her last four books before ‘Funny Story’ were hits and this book is nothing short of that either. Back in my college days, I spent a summer in northern Michigan and when I was reading this book, it took me right back to that time and the scenery. If you’ve never been to northern Michigan in the summertime, please add it to your travel list immediately. It’s one of the most beautiful, peaceful places in the world. Ok, but back to the book – I struggled to buy into the “love story” portion of this book. The main character, Daphne, jumped from being engaged and struggling to find her identity to being in a relationship with someone else within weeks. Daphne felt a bit “desperate” to latch on to someone or somewhere throughout the book and it didn’t seem like those issues were resolved by the end of the book. This was still a fun read that I recommend.
Synopsis from the Publisher
Daphne always loved the way her fiancé Peter told their story. How they met (on a blustery day), fell in love (over an errant hat), and moved back to his lakeside hometown to begin their life together. He really was good at telling it…right up until the moment he realized he was actually in love with his childhood best friend Petra.
Which is how Daphne begins her new story: Stranded in beautiful Waning Bay, Michigan, without friends or family but with a dream job as a children’s librarian (that barely pays the bills), and proposing to be roommates with the only person who could possibly understand her predicament: Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak.
Scruffy and chaotic—with a penchant for taking solace in the sounds of heart break love ballads—Miles is exactly the opposite of practical, buttoned up Daphne, whose coworkers know so little about her they have a running bet that she’s either FBI or in witness protection. The roommates mainly avoid one another, until one day, while drowning their sorrows, they form a tenuous friendship and a plan. If said plan also involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their summer adventures together, well, who could blame them?
But it’s all just for show, of course, because there’s no way Daphne would actually start her new chapter by falling in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex…right?
‘The Rom-Commers’ by Katherine Center
Katherine Center has become an autobuy author for me in recent years. I’ve loved her last two books ‘The Bodyguard’ and ‘Hello Stranger’ so much that I immediately had to get my paws on ‘The Rom-Commers’. Now typically, I’m not a huge audiobook fan, but listening to ‘The Rom-Commers’ was so fun! Emma and Charlie’s banter was fun and cute – especially with them both being such sad characters at the beginning. I was rooting for Emma the whole time to just believe that she could be successful and hoping Charlie could just get over himself enough to see how wonderful Emma was. Lastly, I also loved the cameos from Jack Stapleton from ‘The Bodyguard’ throughout the book.
Synopsis from the Publisher
Emma Wheeler desperately longs to be a screenwriter. She’s spent her life studying, obsessing over, and writing romantic comedies—good ones! That win contests! But she’s also been the sole caretaker for her kind-hearted dad, who needs full-time care. Now, when she gets a chance to re-write a script for famous screenwriter Charlie Yates—The Charlie Yates! Her personal writing god!—it’s a break too big to pass up.
Emma’s younger sister steps in for caretaking duties, and Emma moves to L.A. for six weeks for the writing gig of a lifetime. But what is it they say? Don’t meet your heroes? Charlie Yates doesn’t want to write with anyone—much less “a failed, nobody screenwriter.” Worse, the romantic comedy he’s written is so terrible it might actually bring on the apocalypse. Plus! He doesn’t even care about the script—it’s just a means to get a different one green-lit. Oh, and he thinks love is an emotional Ponzi scheme.
‘The Paradise Problem’ by Christina Lauren
The duo of Christina Lauren has taken of our hearts and given them the biggest warmest hugs – that’s the best way I can put it. I loved this book so much – the second chance romance, family secrets, tropical vacation, grumpy/sunshine – all of it. Just read it – it will be worth it!
Synopsis from the Publisher
Anna Green thought she was marrying Liam “West” Weston for access to subsidized family housing while at UCLA. She also thought she’d signed divorce papers when the graduation caps were tossed, and they both went on their merry ways.
Three years later, Anna is a starving artist living paycheck to paycheck while West is a Stanford professor. He may be one of four heirs to the Weston Foods conglomerate, but he has little interest in working for the heartless corporation his family built from the ground up. He is interested, however, in his one-hundred-million-dollar inheritance. There’s just one catch.
Due to an antiquated clause in his grandfather’s will, Liam won’t see a penny until he’s been happily married for five years. Just when Liam thinks he’s in the home stretch, pressure mounts from his family to see this mysterious spouse, and he has no choice but to turn to the one person he’s afraid to introduce to his one-percenter parents—his unpolished, not-so-ex-wife.
But in the presence of his family, Liam’s fears quickly shift from whether the feisty, foul-mouthed, paint-splattered Anna can play the part to whether the toxic world of wealth will corrupt someone as pure of heart as his surprisingly grounded and loyal wife. Liam will have to ask himself if the price tag on his flimsy cover story is worth losing true love that sprouted from a lie.
** Reviews are of my own personal opinion
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