BEACH READS

Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake

“I’ve come to expect out-of-the-park neurodiversity representation from Mazey Eddings, and Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake delivered the goods. Picture it: an Australian in Philadelphia. Organized, focused, guarded Rake meets effervescent, creative, ball-of-sunshine Lizzie. She has ADHD, a major part of the story which is depicted beautifully in good times and in bad. A hookup turns into an unplanned pregnancy, and our hot mess heroine is keeping it. This book surprised me at every turn—I especially appreciated the discussions of erotic power and harmful familial relationships. The audiobook’s dual narration was lovely.”

Mary, Raven Book Store

From the author of The Matzah Ball comes a pitch-perfect romcom following a third-generation Jewish matchmaker who unwittingly finds her own search for love thrust into the spotlight...

The perfect Jewish husband should be: A doctor or lawyer (preferably a doctor) Baggage-free (no previous marriages, no children) And of course—he must... Read more »

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina meets The L Word in this fresh, sizzling New York Times bestselling rom-com by Lana Harper.

Emmy Harlow is a witch but not a very powerful one—in part because she hasn't been home to the magical town of Thistle Grove in years. Her self-imposed exile has a lot to do with a complicated family history and a desire to... Read more »

If you enjoyed Book Lovers, then you’ll love Thank You For Listening.

“Julia Whelan is the Meryl Streep of audio so it’s no surprise that her sophomore novel is feast for the ears. It’s meta. The characters are audiobook narrators finding themselves in trope after trope but fighting against it. It’ll make you swoon. It’ll make you cry. It will definitely make you laugh.”

Lissa, Book Club

Off the Map

“I adored this book. I listened to it almost in one sitting because I could not stop. It was exactly what I needed in a little romantic escape. Equal parts wholesome and steamy, it features a badass girl who doesn't think love is for her - until she meets the Irish lad of her dreams. Perfect romance for any time of year!”

Rae, Titcomb's Bookshop

A touching and witty novel about a woman who takes an impulsive trip to England to meet the man behind the voice she’s fallen for. From the author of the PopSugar Beach Reads Selection Instamom, this book is perfect for fans of Kate Clayborn, Christina Lauren, and Sophie Kinsella. Gigi Rutherford loves love stories. She reads them, she sells... Read more »

Happy Place

“I’ve never been so devastated by love before. Not in the absence of it, but in the all-encompassing presence of it in a book like this. This book isn’t 'Slow release hot', as Harriet would be described by Wyn, because it seized my attention from the first chapter. This book did not disappoint and I cannot wait to see what else Henry has in store for us! Happy Place is a heartfelt romance novel that will leave readers’ hearts aching until they swoon in the last chapters. It follows two characters thrown into close quarters on a week attending their best friends’ nuptials.”

AnnRea, Butterbean Books

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A small-town sweetheart and an emotionally unavailable bad boy try to find some common ground in this chemistry-filled romance from the author of The Cheat Sheet and When in Rome.

Annie Walker is on a quest to find her perfect match—someone who complements her happy, quiet life running the local flower shop in Rome,... Read more »

She’s Insta-famous. He uses a flip phone.When her business partner is accused of serious financial crimes, superstar influencer Cat Cranwell—an engineered marvel of beauty, energy, and fun—falls from her penthouse perch. Des­perate to get away from the online trolls and paparazzi docu­menting her disgrace, Cat accepts her uncle’s offer to work... Read more »

The Proposal

“The Proposal is a smile in book form. When I realized it was about Carlos, the best friend from Guillory’s The Wedding Date, I smiled. Carlos is fun, smart, and loves to cook — he’s also not perfect, not horrible, just the normal quirks. Nikole has some issues too. The two meet, enjoy each other’s company, and try to make their quirks fit together.Guillory writes these wonderful, engaging romance stories that are totally realistic and charming — think of the best cocktail party story you’ve heard about how a couple met, and this book will be better. Funny, uplifting, and lighthearted, The Proposal is a perfect Friday night date.”

Julie Karaganis, Cabot Street Books & Cards

Book Boyfriend

“This book was adorable. While the premise is fun and well-plotted, I think I liked it so much because I listened to the audio and the voice actor brought SO MUCH to the story. PK has been in love with his best friend Art since college. When Art comes to stay with him after a messy break-up, PK wants to tell him how he feels, but can’t. Instead, he writes a romance novel about his love, and, when it gets picked up by the publisher he works for, he decides to make it into a grand gesture by revealing it to Art in public. Things go very wrong. But it is a romance after all! ”

Karrie, Vroman's Bookstore

If you enjoyed The Kiss Quotient, then you’ll love The Love Hypothesis.

“Ali Hazelwood's debut is a HIT! This book has it all. On the serious side, we've got valuable conversations of asexuality and a focus on women in STEM and the realities of the academic world. On the tropey side, we've got fake dating, a bit of the grump/sunshine dynamic, and a hilarious play on "there was only one bed"! This book has so many laugh out loud moments, often courtesy of Olive's best friend Ahn, that I cannot stop thinking about. There's really something for everyone in this story, and it's one I couldn't put down! If you are a fan of contemporary romances, or are just starting out in the genre, this is an absolute must-read!!!”

Sarah, Anderson's Bookshop

The Charm Offensive

“While Dev believes in fairytale romances, Charlie most certainly does not. That doesn’t stop the two of them from stumbling into their own romantic comedy that will leave you absolutely charmed.”

Lauren Homza, Rediscovered Books

Get a Life, Chloe Brown

“Get a Life, Chloe Brown is the ultimate book candy! Chloe, a Black British thirty-something web designer, has been living in her family home ever since a diagnosis of fibromyalgia upended her life several years prior. After years of semi-hermithood, a near-death experience prompts her to make a list of things she’d like to do in order to “get a life.” As fate would have it, the apartment building she soon moves into contains a devilishly handsome superintendent. With a beautiful and long overdue representation of fibro and plenty of glorious, woman-focused sex, this audiobook is absolute bliss.”

Mary, Raven Book Store

The Last Chance Library

“This is an engaging tale of loss, grief, regret and loneliness, and how community, shared purpose and compassion can lead the way to healing and new starts. June is grieving the loss of her Mother and living in the home they shared that serves as a memory bank of her youth. The library, where her Mother worked, and June now works is the only other place she is comfortable. An odd assortment of people use her library on a daily basis, some to work, some to read, some for companionship and some for escape. When that refuge for so many is threatened facets of all their personalities emerge that are so deeply buried, the person had no idea of their capabilities. You will laugh, become exasperated, shed tears, and possibly plan a trip to your local library when you finish this book. A heartwarming read that will engage you from beginning to ending.”

Jackie, Fiction Addiction

A USA Today Best Book of 2021!

"Bromley does a deft job at keeping the twists and turns of this reunion realistic and utterly romantic.” —USA Today

Inspiration can come from the most unlikely—and inconvenient—sources.

Kara Sullivan’s life is full of love—albeit fictional. As a bestselling romance novelist and influential bookstagrammer, she’s fine... Read more »

Opposites attract in this laugh-out-loud romantic comedy about a free-spirited lawyer who is determined to find the perfect match for the grumpy bachelor at her cousin's wedding.
 
After a devastating break-up, celebrity-obsessed lawyer Zara Patel is determined never to open her heart again. She puts her energy into building her career... Read more »

A Marie Claire Book Club Pick!

Even with a step-by-step plan, these fake fiancés might accidentally fall for each other in this hilarious, heartfelt romantic comedy from the author of The Marriage Game.

Daisy Patel is a software engineer who understands lists and logic better than bosses and boyfriends. With her life all planned out, and no... Read more »

Beach Read

“Two vastly different authors, one summer in close proximity, and a challenge issued to write in each other’s style, and do it better. Is that the set up for a perfect romance? Yes. The answer is absolutely, positively, 100% yes. Equal parts witty banter, real-world issues, and incredible character dynamics, this should be the go to for anyone looking for something fun, but undeniably full of heart.”

Kendall, Brilliant Books Audio

If you enjoyed Practical Magic, then you’ll love The Ex Hex.

“This book elicits the perfect cozy, witchy vibe that you crave in October (or all year round). It's the mashup of Sabrina the Teenage Witch (Melissa Joan Hart edition) and Hocus Pocus that I didn't know I needed. It's silly but narrator Caitlin Davies had me smiling on my work commute and immediately magicked up a kitschy Halloween movie marathon after I finished the book. Now I just need Erin Sterling to release a sequel every October until I die!”

Kimi, Buttonwood Books and Toys