For Readers: Blog

Must like: long walks on the beach, unforgettable sunsets

We hope you’ll fall head over heels for these vacation-ready romances. All of our choices give off that special summer vibe, perfect to keep you company in exotic locales or merely planted next to the local pool. Take a look and see which of these screams summer to you. Happy reading!

Imagine you’ve been handed a once-in-a-lifetime cruise to the Galápagos Islands. There’s only one catch: your office nemesis will be there, competing for the same promotion. Shipped by Angie Hockman is a slow-burn romance about a work rivalry that has been blown out of proportion. Filled with unforgettable imagery, this light and fun read shows us how fine the line between hate and love can be. [e-book | print | audiobook]

Wedding season is already in full swing, though we hope most celebrations won’t hit the drama level of The Secret Bridesmaid by Katy Birchall. Sophie is a professional bridesmaid, hired to secretly keep everything under control while filling out the bridal party. When she’s hired by a high-society London family to manage a diva bride who wants nothing to do with her, hijinks ensue. Throw in the bride’s handsome and off-limits brother, and you’ve got a laugh-out-loud story about love, friendship, and secret identities. [e-book | print]

The title says it all: Seven Days in June by Tia Williams is a steamy story about two writers who are given a second chance at love during one hot summer week. These complex characters are far from perfect, and heavy topics from their past bring things down to earth. For readers willing to tackle an emotional read that looks realistically at the intersection of trauma and relationships, this is a rewarding read. Reese Witherspoon chose this title for her June book club. [e-book | print | audiobook]

For a heartwarming read, Preslaysa Williams brings the charm and warmth of South Carolina to life in the pages of A Lowcountry Bride. Forced to leave her promising career as a bridal designer in New York, Maya packs up and heads home to Charleston to help her father. While there, she jumps at an opportunity at a local bridal boutique, owned by a widowed father who is in over his head. Sparks fly, but Maya must decide what shape her future will take and what it means to return home. [e-book | print]

Float Plan by Trish Doller is part travel tale, part romance, and part musing on grief, all combining to create a sweet and moving love story. After the death of her husband, Anna decides to sail the Caribbean solo, hoping the trip the couple had planned will bring her closure. Out of her depth (pun-intended) onboard, Anna hires help in the form of Keane, an Irish sailor looking to prove himself. From cabinmates, to confidantes, to something more, the duo find themselves on a journey of self-discovery and understanding, almost as satisfying as the scenic islands they glide past. [e-book | print]

We leave you on the laid-back beaches of Key West with Anchored Hearts by Priscilla Oliveras. Famous photographer Alejandro reluctantly returns home to recuperate from an injury, despite his rocky relationship with his father and the inevitable run-in with the girl he left behind. She has made a life for herself as a paramedic and personal trainer and has no intention of looking back. But with a little help from meddling family, the two are compelled to reevaluate how their professional ambitions, family obligations, and personal longings can all fit together. [e-book | print]

—Laura