Take this from me, this is a book that you’re not going to regret reading this summer. If you love a little bit of romance, reuniting friendships, and a whole lot of family love, then this is the PERFECT book to feed your soul.

Synopsis

Taylor Edwards’ family might not be the closest-knit—everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled—but for the most part, they get along just fine. Then Taylor’s dad gets devastating news, and her parents decide that the family will spend one last summer all together at their old lake house in the Pocono Mountains.

Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven’t actually gone anywhere. Her former best friend is still around, as is her first boyfriend…and he’s much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.

As the summer progresses and the Edwards become more of a family, they’re more aware than ever that they’re battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance—with family, with friends, and with love.

To me, Morgan Matson is the queen of summer books because contemporary books just give you all the summery feels from love, to friends, to ice cream, to dogs, and to cute McNerds. This is the book for those who have a spot for some cute guys in glasses and a whole lot of dogs.

Synopsis

Andie had it all planned out. When you are a politician’s daughter who’s pretty much raised yourself, you learn everything can be planned or spun, or both. Especially your future. Important internship? Check. Amazing friends? Check. Guys? Check (as long as we’re talking no more than three weeks).

But that was before the scandal. Before having to be in the same house with her dad. Before walking an insane number of dogs. That was before Clark and those few months that might change her whole life. Because here’s the thing—if everything’s planned out, you can never find the unexpected. And where’s the fun in that?

What are the chances that you will find love at the post office? I don’t know, but if you do, let me know. Arthur finds his new love story at the post office with Ben who’s there trying to get up the courage to mail off his exes things back to him. Yikes. Do optimistic and lovable Arthur and reserved and hesitant Ben able to find love? I don’t know, you tell me 😏

Synopsis

Arthur is only in New York for the summer, but if Broadway has taught him anything, it’s that the universe can deliver a showstopping romance when you least expect it.

Ben thinks the universe needs to mind its business. If the universe had his back, he wouldn’t be on his way to the post office carrying a box of his ex-boyfriend’s things.

But when Arthur and Ben meet-cute at the post office, what exactly does the universe have in store for them?

Maybe nothing. After all, they get separated.

Maybe everything. After all, they get reunited.

But what if they can’t quite nail a first date . . . or a second first date . . . or a third?

What if Arthur tries too hard to make it work . . . and Ben doesn’t try hard enough?

What if life really isn’t like a Broadway play?

But what if it is?

Tahereh Mafi is a literal queen when it comes to writing fantasy books, but this is her first contemporary book and I can thoroughly say that it does not deter from her beautiful stylistic writing. I absolutely adored the plot of this book and the little quirks in it. When reading this, it also made me think of how close to home this book must have been to her being as she is a Muslim woman who did grow up in a world after 9/11. I could see the different components that related to Tahereh such as her fierceness and the love of break dancing, which I never knew Tahereh could break dance, but GOSH, if she can write and break dance, she really is multitalented.

Synopsis

It’s 2002, a year after 9/11. It’s an extremely turbulent time politically, but especially so for someone like Shirin, a sixteen-year-old Muslim girl who’s tired of being stereotyped.

Shirin is never surprised by how horrible people can be. She’s tired of the rude stares, the degrading comments—even the physical violence—she endures as a result of her race, her religion, and the hijab she wears every day. So she’s built up protective walls and refuses to let anyone close enough to hurt her. Instead, she drowns her frustrations in music and spends her afternoons break-dancing with her brother.

But then she meets Ocean James. He’s the first person in forever who really seems to want to get to know Shirin. It terrifies her—they seem to come from two irreconcilable worlds—and Shirin has had her guard up for so long that she’s not sure she’ll ever be able to let it down

You best bet, this had to make it on this list because after three years, THREE YEARS, Christine Riccio makes her grand debut in the world with Again, But Better and words cannot literally express how proud and happy I am for Christine. If you live under a rock, Christine is a Booktuber who has been making videos since she was in college and I have been following her for years and through all her video diaries. I’ve been there through her ups and downs, her road blocks, her successes, and her cover reveal and everything and it’s such an amazing journey to see her progress in her book writing and to finally see the book she has been working on for sooo long be published. And she has come so far! She had a book tour, an audiobook, a special edition in Barnes and Nobles and Target, and Barnes ,and Nobles made her book the first book club book. Her book is always number three on the New York Times Bestsellers list!!! If that’s not a reason to pick up her book, then I don’t know what is!

But I just feel like if there’s anyone who deserves all the hype and glory that she has been getting, it’s Christine, so I highly recommend you watch her videos, read her book, or listen to the audiobook. I still have to read her book, but I know if it’s anything like Christine, it’s going to be amazing 🖤

Synopsis

Shane has been doing college all wrong. Pre-med, stellar grades, and happy parents…sounds ideal—but Shane’s made zero friends, goes home every weekend, and romance…what’s that? 

Her life has been dorm, dining hall, class, repeat. Time’s a ticking, and she needs a change—there’s nothing like moving to a new country to really mix things up. Shane signs up for a semester abroad in London. She’s going to right all her college mistakes: make friends, pursue boys, and find adventure! 

Easier said than done. She is soon faced with the complicated realities of living outside her bubble, and when self-doubt sneaks in, her new life starts to fall apart. 

Shane comes to find that, with the right amount of courage and determination one can conquer anything. Throw in some fate and a touch of magic—the possibilities are endless.

Can’t really say that I know what this book is about because I have yet to read it, but I love Jen Bennett’s writing and just like Morgan Watson, her books scream summer romance. So I know this book is going to scream it too.

Synopsis

After an awkward first encounter, Birdie and Daniel are forced to work together in a Seattle hotel where a famous author leads a mysterious and secluded life in this romantic contemporary novel from the author of Alex, Approximately.

Mystery-book aficionado Birdie Lindberg has an overactive imagination. Raised in isolation and homeschooled by strict grandparents, she’s cultivated a whimsical fantasy life in which she plays the heroic detective and every stranger is a suspect. But her solitary world expands when she takes a job the summer before college, working the graveyard shift at a historic Seattle hotel.

In her new job, Birdie hopes to blossom from introverted dreamer to brave pioneer, and gregarious Daniel Aoki volunteers to be her guide. The hotel’s charismatic young van driver shares the same nocturnal shift and patronizes the waterfront Moonlight Diner where she waits for the early morning ferry after work. Daniel also shares her appetite for intrigue, and he’s stumbled upon a real-life mystery: a famous reclusive writer—never before seen in public—might be secretly meeting someone at the hotel.

To uncover the writer’s puzzling identity, Birdie must come out of her shell…discovering that the most confounding mystery of all may be her growing feelings for the elusive riddle that is Daniel.

Now you can’t really read this one unless you’ve read the Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi. So I suggest you read those books and read my Shatter Me reviews then read Defy Me, which is the fifth book in the series. I have yet to read this book, but I read the previous book and I’m soooooooo ready to know what goes down in this book!

Synopsis

Juliette’s short tenure as the supreme commander of North America has been an utter disaster. When the children of the other world leaders show up on her doorstep, she wants nothing more than to turn to Warner for support and guidance. But he shatters her heart when he reveals that he’s been keeping secrets about her family and her identity from her—secrets that change everything.

Juliette is devastated, and the darkness that’s always dwelled within her threatens to consume her. An explosive encounter with unexpected visitors might be enough to push her over the edge.

Back in 2017, I read Geekarella, which is a galactic fangirl esque take on Cinderella and it was a fun time. I’m not really the type of person into Star Wars or Star Trek, so maybe I couldn’t relate to the book as much, but I still highly enjoyed this sequel and the way the characters evolved.

Synopsis

Imogen Lovelace is an ordinary fangirl on an impossible mission: save her favorite character, Princess Amara, from being killed off from her favorite franchise, Starfield. The problem is, Jessica Stone—the actress who plays Princess Amara—wants nothing more than to leave the intense scrutiny of the fandom behind. If this year’s ExcelsiCon isn’t her last, she’ll consider her career derailed.

When a case of mistaken identity throws look-a-likes Imogen and Jess together, they quickly become enemies. But when the script for the Starfield sequel leaks, and all signs point to Jess, she and Imogen must trade places to find the person responsible. That’s easier said than done when the girls step into each other’s shoes and discover new romantic possibilities, as well as the other side of intense fandom. As these “princesses” race to find the script-leaker, they must rescue themselves from their own expectations, and redefine what it means to live happily ever after. 

The title of this book is summer itself. I absolutely adored reading this book! It encompasses three of my favorite things: friendship, romance, and a good road trip. So pack your bags and join famous singer, Lilah, and her best friend Reagan on the ride of the summer.

Synopsis

After breaking up with her bad-news boyfriend, Reagan O’Neill is ready to leave her rebellious ways behind. . . and her best friend, country superstar Lilah Montgomery, is nursing a broken heart of her own.

Fortunately, Lilah’s 24-city tour is about to kick off, offering a perfect opportunity for a girls-only summer of break-up ballads and healing hearts. But when Matt Finch joins the tour as its opening act, his boy-next-door charm proves difficult for Reagan to resist, despite her vow to live a drama-free existence.

This summer, Reagan and Lilah will navigate the ups and downs of fame and friendship as they come to see that giving your heart to the right person is always a risk worth taking.

A fresh new voice in contemporary romance, Emery Lord’s gorgeous writing hits all the right notes. 

For the summer, we all need that one emotional book that is still happy, but sad—–sappy. This is that one book. You will laugh, you will cry, you will feel it all with this book and that’s the best way to feel. So sit down on the stairs with a bowl, your choice favorite cereal (mines Coco Pebbles or Frosted Flakes), and pick up this book to read it for the long haul.

Synopsis

Jack Ellison King. King of Almost.

He almost made valedictorian.

He almost made varsity.

He almost got the girl . . . 

When Jack and Kate meet at a party, bonding until sunrise over their mutual love of Froot Loops and their favorite flicks, Jack knows he’s falling—hard. Soon she’s meeting his best friends, Jillian and Franny, and Kate wins them over as easily as she did Jack. Jack’s curse of almost is finally over.

But this love story is . . . complicated. It is an almost happily ever after. Because Kate dies. And their story should end there. Yet Kate’s death sends Jack back to the beginning, the moment they first meet, and Kate’s there again. Beautiful, radiant Kate. Healthy, happy, and charming as ever. Jack isn’t sure if he’s losing his mind. Still, if he has a chance to prevent Kate’s death, he’ll take it. Even if that means believing in time travel. However, Jack will learn that his actions are not without consequences. And when one choice turns deadly for someone else close to him, he has to figure out what he’s willing to do—and let go—to save the people he loves.