Looking for your next feel-good summer romance read? Summer in the City by Alex Aster delivers a sharp, swoony enemies-to-lovers story set against a cinematic New York City backdrop. With witty dialogue, slow-burn tension, and a heroine battling writer’s block in a luxury apartment next to her billionaire nemesis-turned-fake-boyfriend, this one had me smiling from start to finish. Bonus: I’ve got the perfect cocktail pairing to sip while you read.

Ready for a romance reading challenge? This month, I’m daring you to try a new genre or subgenre and step outside your reading comfort zone. From my first spicy historical (thanks, Lisa Kleypas!) to discovering fantasy romance through Twilight and From Blood and Ash, I’m sharing how taking a chance led me to my favorite reads—and how it can do the same for you!

Being a mom means you’re constantly pulled in a hundred directions—but that doesn’t mean your “me time” has to vanish into the laundry pile. Whether you’ve got five stolen minutes in the school pickup line or a full hour after bedtime (miracles do happen), there is time to get lost in a great love story. This list of 25 top-rated romance novels is tailor-made for busy moms—think short chapters, swoon-worthy characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and just the right amount of steam. From magical fantasy escapes to comforting small-town love stories, there’s something here for every mood and every mom. Bonus: We’ve included honest spice ratings and reading tips to help you sneak in every delicious page.