15 must-read romance novels to love as summer ends
You’re just a reader, standing in front of a bookshelf, asking it to tell you what to read.
Luckily, it has answers — or at least we do. The last days of summer are the perfect time to check out a romantic comedy, whether on a still-warm (for now) beach or at a coffee house where you might just experience your own meet cute.
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We compiled a list of novels that are either out now or coming soon — but we needed a little help, so we turned (once again) to Leah Koch, the co-founder and co-owner of The Ripped Bodice, the romance bookstore in Culver City (and Brooklyn). Read on to discover a list of our, and Leah’s, picks for light-hearted rom-coms to get lost in this summer (or, if you prefer, in the wintry holidays).
We hope they’ll complete you.
“The Bump,” Sidney Karger
Love goes on the road in this rom-com from “Best Men” author Karger. In his latest, TC commercial director Wyatt and his partner, actor-turned-journalist Biz, decide to drive a ‘92 Volkswagen from Brooklyn to California to pick up their baby, who is being delivered via a surrogate. Things get … well, bumpy.
“Cash Delgado Is Living the Dream,” Tehlor Kay Mejia
“A heartwarming Queer romance set in a tight-knit small-town community, where long-time friends navigate the transition from friends to lovers, all while on a quest to save their bar,” says Koch of one of her summer favorites.
“The Design of Us,” Sajni Patel
Bhanu is sunny. Sunny, despite his name, is not. The two tech co-workers have opposite temperaments, and do not get along at all — but they’re forced to pretend to be lovers thanks to Bhanu’s impulsive lie when the two encounter each other in Hawaii. This is an enemies-to-lovers story with a tropical twist.
“Everyone I Kissed Since You Got Famous,” Mae Marvel
Leah Koch describes this novel as a Queer love story about childhood friends, one of whom is now a famous actress. She says of the author, “Marvel’s great writing brings to life the irresistible chemistry between characters, making it a must-read rom-com for the season.”
“The Friend Zone Experiment,” Zen Cho
Renee Goh seems to have it all — her own women’s clothing company in London and a pop-star boyfriend. After she gets dumped, her father offers her the chance to run the family business in Singapore, but there’s a complication — she reconnects with her college boyfriend, Ket Siong, throwing her future into doubt.
“Hot Summer,” Elle Everhart
“Wanderlust” author Everhart’s latest follows Cas, who finds herself a contestant on a British reality dating show. She wants to win the series in order to gain a promotion at work, but her plans go awry when she falls for Ada, a contestant who pines for a real relationship.
“Just Some Stupid Love Story,” Katelyn Doyle
The latest from L.A. writer Doyle (who writes historical romances under the name Scarlett Peckham) is a meta-rom-com: It tells the story of Molly, a rom-com screenwriter who thinks love is actually a sham, but might have to change her mind after she reconnects with her high-school boyfriend.
“Lavash at First Sight,” Taleen Voskuni
The second novel by San Francisco author Voskuni follows Ellie and Vanya, two Armenian American women from rival Bay Area families who can’t help but be drawn to each other. Expect some mouth-watering food content in this one.
“Let the Games Begin,” Rufaro Faith Mazarura
The games might be over, but you don’t need to let go of your Olympics fever just yet. Mazarura’s debut follows two strangers who (literally) run into each other at the summer games: Olivia, an ambitious intern, and Zeke, a star runner for Great Britain’s team. Talk about carrying torches.
“The Lost Story,” Meg Shaffer
“A fairy tale for grown-ups!” raves Koch. “Inspired by C.S. Lewis’s ‘The Chronicles of Narnia,’ best friends Jeremy and Rafe, once lost in a magical realm, must confront their mysterious past to help vet tech Emilie find her missing sister, with Schaffer’s masterful storytelling weaving together enchantment and adventure.
“Miranda in Retrograde,” Lauren Layne
The latest from “Made in Manhattan” author Layne focuses on the title character, a young physics professor who, after losing out on a promotion, decides to spend a year following her horoscope. She ends up meeting two intriguing men — but which one do the stars think she’s fated for?
“Name Your Price,” Holly James
In the latest from Southern California author James, a public fight between actor Chuck and Hollywood scion Olivia leads to the couple’s breakup — and lands them on a reality show where they’ll have to live with each other for a month for the chance to get a million dollars each. Of course, there’s a twist: they’re not allowed to touch each other, and the house only has one bed.
“The Royals Upstairs,” Karina Halle (out Sept. 10)
Prolific author Halle, who lives in L.A. and Canada, returns with a rom-com about James, who takes a job as a protection officer for a Norwegian prince, only to find that the nanny for the royal children is his ex-girlfriend. Sparks fly, even in frigid Scandinavia.
“Sunshine and Spice,” Aurora Palit (out Sept. 10)
Palit’s debut novel follows brand consultant Naomi, who agrees to fake-date Dev, whose mother is desperate for him to get married as soon as humanly possible. It doesn’t take long for the faux couple to realize they have actual feelings for each other.
“The Truth According to Ember,” Danica Nava
The debut novel from Southern California-based author Nava follows a Chickasaw woman who pretends to be White in order to score an accounting job. She meets and falls for a fellow Native coworker, Danuwoa, but their employer forbids intra-office dating — which sets the pair up nicely for a blackmailing colleague.