Hello, summer! June always feels like a deep exhale — the school year has ended, the days are stretching out, the sun is shining but hasn’t cranked up the heat yet, and everything just slows its roll a little. It’s that sweet spot where life seems easier and lighter, and I can’t think of anything I’d rather do than sneak in a quiet hour with a good book. (Let’s be real: Any time is a good time for that!) Here are the romance novels helping me ease into this glorious season.

*****

It wouldn’t be summer without a new offering from Carley Fortune, and her latest, One Golden Summer (Berkley), brings all the heart, heat, and lakeside charm fans love!

Alice Everly is feeling burned out and disconnected from the photography career that once inspired her. When her grandmother Nan breaks her hip and needs help while she convalesces, Alice comes up with a plan for them to return to Barry’s Bay, the small Canadian lake town where she spent one unforgettable summer at 17.

Alice has barely arrived in Barry’s Bay when she meets Charlie Florek. She recognizes him from the photo she took that long-ago summer of three teenagers in a yellow boat — the one that inspired her passion for photography and launched her career. Now, that handsome boy is all grown up and spending the summer helping his brother, Sam, and sister-in-law, Percy (from Every Summer After), get ready for their baby at their house across the lake. He’s gorgeous, funny, infuriatingly charming — and somehow always around when Alice least expects it.

As the two keep bumping into each other, they fall into a casual rhythm — checking off Alice’s spontaneous summer bucket list and sharing the kind of flirty, fast connection that only seems to happen on vacation. Their chemistry is undeniable, but it’s not just about attraction — both Alice and Charlie are sorting out their lives, and the emotional side of their story adds depth to their slow-burn romance.

One Golden Summer is about taking a breath, starting over, and recapturing the joy of life. As Nan tells Alice, “Good things happen at the lake.” Fortune makes us believe it’s true.

*****

New York Times bestselling children’s author Aisha Saeed makes a bold entrance into adult fiction with The Matchmaker (Bantam).

Nura Khan is a third-generation desi matchmaker in Atlanta, and her business, Piyar Matchmaking Agency, is thriving. With a unique approach that combines modern technology and old-school personalized pairing, Nura has built a brand that attracts the Southern city’s elite. Her weddings are lavish affairs, and her happy clients can’t stop referring their friends. But while Nura is a pro at helping others find amor, her own love life is nonexistent. To maintain appearances, she relies on her childhood best friend, Azar, who plays the role of her devoted fiancé at events. It’s a harmless charade — but there are some very real feelings stirring beneath the surface.

Just as the business seems to be succeeding beyond Nura’s wildest dreams, things start to fall apart. A dream wedding ends in disaster, a podcast slandering her work appears, and anonymous threats begin piling up. When a second wedding implodes, it’s clear someone is deliberately sabotaging Nura — and they’re threatening to do more than just damage her matchmaking reputation. With her loyal Piyar team and Azar by her side, she races to uncover who’s behind the attacks, all while dealing with her complicated feelings for Azar and the expectations of her close-knit community.

Saeed’s adult debut is part swoony romance, part twisty mystery, and completely full of heart. Set against a vibrant backdrop of South Asian culture, The Matchmaker also shines thanks to its memorable supporting cast of Nura’s friends, family, and clients. This was the perfect read to kick off my summer!

*****

Annabel Monaghan’s It’s a Love Story (Putnam) is a charming, slow-burn romance that delivers exactly what the title promises.

Jane Jackson is trying hard to rewrite her story. A former child actor, she once played Janey Jakes, the awkward comic relief on a hit ’90s sitcom. Now, she’s a Hollywood producer determined to prove herself via a carefully rehearsed personality and a can’t-miss movie idea she’s desperate to bring to the big screen. But in her enthusiasm, she accidentally tells her boss that pop superstar Jack Quinlan will write an original song for the film. The problem is she hasn’t spoken to Jack in 20 years — not since he gave her her first kiss and then broke her heart in the most humiliating way.

Jane’s only hope of saving her project is to track him down and ask for his help. She reluctantly teams up with Dan Finnegan, a handsome, aloof cinematographer whose creative vision clashes with hers. She can’t stand him, and he barely seems to tolerate her, but they both want the same thing: to get this movie made. Their search takes them to Dan’s hometown on Long Island, where Jack is scheduled to perform. There, the picturesque coastal setting, Dan’s boisterous and loving family, and their shared mission begin to chip away at Jane’s perfectly constructed image. (It doesn’t help that they also have to share a bedroom in the cramped house.)

With witty banter, endearing secondary characters, and a deeply satisfying enemies-to-lovers story arc, Monaghan brings all the feels. It’s a Love Story is a delightfully messy, warmhearted ride that reminds us the best romances often begin when we least expect them.

Kristina Wright lives in Virginia with her husband, their two sons, two Goldendoodles, and a ginger cat. She’s a regular contributor at BookBub and a lifelong fan of romance fiction. Find her on Bluesky at @kristinawright.