Get Ready for Summer: 30 Must-Read Romances to Pack for Your Vacation
Hot Summer Romance Reads
Looking for the perfect steamy summer romance read to kick off your summer? Whether you're lounging poolside, soaking up the sun on the beach, or escaping to a cozy summer cabin, I've rounded up 30 incredible books to keep you company. This list includes a wide mix of swoony romances—some sweet, some steamy—with a short summary and a spice level rating for each one. (And don't worry—not every book on this list brings the heat; sometimes, you just need a heartwarming story that feels like a hug.) Dive in and find your next summer obsession!
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Spice Level Guide
1 — Sweet & Subtle: Flirty tension, kisses, and fade-to-black scenes. Just a hint of heat.
2 — Lightly Flirty: Suggestive moments, heated kisses, and a little steam — but the door mostly stays closed.
3 — Medium Heat: On-page steamy scenes that balance sexy and emotional. Just enough to make you blush but still leaves a little to the imagination.
4 — Hot & Heavy: Multiple detailed steamy scenes, lots of physical chemistry, and very little left to the imagination. Definitely NSFW reading.
5 — Scorching: Explicit, frequent, and blazing. These books bring the heat hard — you’ll need a fan (and maybe a cold shower).
by Elle Kennedy
Summary:
In this swoony, feel-good romance, a free-spirited girl returns to her family’s lakeside town for one last summer of fun before college. Enter the broody but charming boy next door who can’t seem to stay away. Expect late-night swims, banter, and a summer they’ll never forget.
Spice Level: 2/5
Sweet with a little heat—think flirty kisses and just enough tension to make you blush, but the bedroom door stays mostly closed.
By Ali Hazelwood
Summary:
In this sharp, witty novella, two academics find themselves reluctantly thrown together during a summer research project at a tropical university campus. Sparks fly, tensions mount, and buried feelings surface in a story packed with Ali Hazelwood’s signature banter, sexual tension, and emotional payoff.
Spice Level: 4/5
High spice—slow-burn attraction that explodes into detailed steamy scenes with strong emotional undercurrents.
By Meghan Quinn
Summary:
When Scottie lies about having a husband to impress her boss, she scrambles to find a fake spouse—enter Wilder, an improv-loving millionaire who agrees to play the part. Things spiral hilariously out of control when the ruse lands them in a weeklong couples’ retreat... with her entire office.
Spice Level: 3.5/5
Flirty and fun with a few steamy scenes, balanced by laugh-out-loud awkwardness and slow-burn tension.
by K. L. Walther
Summary:
Set during a family vacation on Martha’s Vineyard, this story of love, loss, and second chances centers around a lively game of Assassin, where one girl finds herself falling for someone new while healing from heartbreak.
Spice Level: 1/5
Sweet and swoony with minimal spice—perfect for readers who love slow-burn summer romances.
by Emily Henry
Summary:
Emily Henry delivers another heartfelt, witty story about self-discovery and love found in unexpected places. This novel explores healing, adventure, and embracing life's messiness with an unforgettable summer romance.
Spice Level: 2/5
Low to moderate spice, focusing more on emotional connection with a few tender, intimate scenes.
By Nadine Gonzalez
Summary:
Set in a lively Miami condo complex, Only Lovers in the Building follows two neighbors with clashing personalities—and undeniable chemistry—as summer storms, building gossip, and close quarters push them into a sizzling romance. It's fresh, funny, and full of sunshine and steamy tension.
Spice Level: 3/5
Moderate spice—plenty of slow-burn tension with a few open-door scenes that are sexy but still light and playful.
By Ali Hazelwood
Summary:
In this steamy, small-town novella, a prickly marine biologist and a charming local lifeguard find themselves butting heads—and then falling for each other—over the summer. Packed with banter, emotional depth, and sun-drenched chemistry, it's a perfect quick beach read.
Spice Level: 4/5
High spice with detailed steamy scenes, but balanced by heartfelt character development.
By Alex Aster
Summary:
A vibrant, flirty romance set in the heart of New York City, where two ambitious twenty-somethings navigate career dreams, friendships, and a sizzling summer fling that just might turn into something real. Think rooftop bars, late-night walks, and major chemistry.
Spice Level: 2/5
Low to moderate spice—mostly flirty tension with a few steamy but fade-to-black or lightly detailed scenes.
By Elle Everhart
Summary:
Hot Summer follows two rivals—both competing travel influencers—who get stuck working together on a last-minute, high-stakes assignment across Europe. What starts as snarky competition quickly sizzles into undeniable chemistry in this fast-paced, witty, and totally addictive enemies-to-lovers romance.
Spice Level: 3/5
Moderate spice—plenty of slow-burn tension that builds into steamy, open-door scenes without overwhelming the story’s playful energy.
By Bianca Gillam
Summary:
When a scandal forces a rising Hollywood actress to hide out in a sleepy coastal town, the last person she expects to clash—and spark—with is the grumpy local journalist. Bad Publicity is a sizzling, enemies-to-lovers summer romance filled with small-town charm, gossip, and electric chemistry.
Spice Level: 4/5
High spice—plenty of steamy, detailed scenes balanced with snarky banter and emotional tension.
by Bridget Morrissey
Summary:
After a canceled wedding, Garland heads to an adults-only summer camp hoping to reset her life—and maybe reconnect with her childhood crush. But when sparks fly with her crush’s sister instead, Garland finds an unexpected, beautiful second chance at love. That Summer Feeling is a joyful, sapphic romance full of nature walks, camp adventures, healing, and the surprising magic of summer.
Spice Level: 2/5
Low to moderate spice—sweet and tender intimacy with a couple of mild open-door moments.
by Annabel Monaghan
Summary:
A charming and witty romance about a woman who’s sworn off love—until an unexpected summer connection makes her rethink everything she thought she wanted.
Spice Level: 2/5
Moderate spice with heartwarming moments and lots of summer charm. Super steamy and laugh-out-loud funny.
by Meghan Quinn
Summary:
A hilarious and heartwarming romantic comedy where a spontaneous bridesmaid duty leads to an unexpected romance, full of witty banter and feel-good fun.
Spice Level: 3/5
Playful and steamy with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.
By Beth O’Leary
Summary:
When a canceled wedding leaves two strangers stranded on a remote island getaway, they’re forced to share a luxury villa—and their messy, vulnerable sides—with each other. Full of witty banter, heartfelt moments, and sun-soaked romance, this story blends humor and emotional depth beautifully.
Spice Level: 2/5
Light to moderate spice—romantic tension and a few steamy but emotionally driven scenes.
by Sophia Money-Coutts
Summary:
An uplifting and romantic story about returning home, rediscovering love, and finding your place in the world amidst the beauty of summer landscapes.
Spice Level: 2/5
Moderate spice with heartwarming moments and self-discovery.
by Carley Fortune
Summary:
A heartfelt second-chance romance where two former lovers reunite at a lakeside resort years after their whirlwind summer together. Can they pick up where they left off or are some things best left in the past?
Spice Level: 3/5
Moderate spice with emotional depth and nostalgic summer vibes.
by Emily Giffin
Summary:
A heartfelt story of friendship, love, and taking chances set against the backdrop of one unforgettable summer pact that changes everything.
Spice Level: 1/5
More focused on emotional connections with minimal spice.
by Jessica Gilmore
Summary:
A dreamy island romance between two people who find themselves thrown together for a summer that promises new beginnings and unexpected love.
Spice Level: 2/5
Sweet romance with light spice and plenty of summer vibes.
by Carley Fortune
Summary:
A nostalgic and emotional summer love story about second chances, personal growth, and rediscovering old flames.
Spice Level: 3/5
Moderate spice with bittersweet moments and heartfelt chemistry.
by Jenny Han
Summary:
A coming-of-age story about first loves, family, and summer memories that will leave you nostalgic for beach days and young love.
Spice Level: 1/5
Sweet, clean romance with a focus on emotional growth and love triangles.
by Tessa Bailey
Summary:
In this delightful friends-to-lovers story, a Hollywood assistant and a charming fisherman find themselves unexpectedly catching feelings while navigating small-town life.
Spice Level: 4/5
High spice with sizzling chemistry and witty banter that Tessa Bailey fans know and love.
by Priscilla Oliveras
Summary:
A fake relationship on a dreamy island getaway quickly turns into something real as sparks fly between a social media influencer and a firefighter.
Spice Level: 3/5
Moderate spice with tropical heat and swoon-worthy moments.
by Lacie Waldon
Summary:
A flight attendant on the verge of quitting finds herself stuck on an unexpected layover with a rival coworker. As their banter turns into something more, she must decide whether to follow her heart or stick to her plan.
Spice Level: 2/5
Lighthearted chemistry with some steamy moments, perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers.
by Angie Hockman
Summary:
Two work rivals forced to compete for a promotion find themselves falling in love on a cruise ship adventure that offers more than just beautiful views.
Spice Level: 2/5
Light to moderate spice with workplace banter and tropical fun.
by Emily Henry
Summary:
A heartwarming friends-to-lovers tale about two best friends who reunite for one last vacation in hopes of recapturing their bond—and maybe discovering something more.
Spice Level: 2/5
Low to moderate spice with emotional slow-burn romance.
by Emily Henry
Summary:
Two writers with opposing styles (one a romance author, the other a literary fiction writer) swap genres for the summer, leading to playful rivalry, heartfelt moments, and undeniable chemistry.
Spice Level: 3/5
Moderate spice with witty banter and emotional depth—classic Emily Henry vibes.
by Christina Lauren
Summary:
When two enemies are forced to share a non-refundable honeymoon trip, things quickly heat up as fake dating turns into something real under the tropical sun.
Spice Level: 2/5
Low to moderate spice with irresistible chemistry and tropical hijinks.
By Carley Fortune
Summary:
A nostalgic second-chance romance set over six summers and one life-changing weekend, where former childhood sweethearts reunite at the lakeside town that first brought them together.
Spice Level: 3/5
Moderate spice with a few tender, sensual scenes that perfectly complement the emotional intensity of the story.
By Susan Wiggs
Summary:
A beautifully written story about starting over in a charming beach town, where love, family, and community intertwine for a heartwarming summer escape.
Spice Level: 1/5
Light on spice with a strong focus on personal growth and cozy seaside vibes.
By Tessa Bailey
Summary:
A Hollywood socialite is forced to relocate to a small coastal town, where she butts heads (and sparks fly) with a grumpy fisherman who challenges her in more ways than one.
Spice Level: 4/5
High spice with sizzling tension and signature Tessa Bailey steaminess.
Final Thoughts: Your Perfect Summer Starts with the Right Book
No matter what kind of summer vibe you're chasing—sweet and nostalgic, fiery and flirtatious, or hilarious and chaotic—there’s a book on this list ready to be tossed into your tote bag. And hey, no judgment if you end up binge-reading more than one (or five) in a single weekend!
So grab your sunglasses, stock up on your favorite drinks, and get ready to fall in love—again and again—with these perfect summer reads.
Which one are you diving into first? Let me know in the comments!