Lit Hit List: Favorite Romance Reads - Summer 2021

For several weeks, I’ve had about 4 drafts going of romance round-ups because, hi, I read a lot of them. However, some of them were just okay, and it felt more efficient to just present the BEST OF THE BEST, imho. Some of these were on my Most Anticipated Books of Summer List, but some are surprising sleeper hits. I think there’s something for everyone here, and I hope you find something up your alley!

“If The Shoe Fits” by Julie Murphy (Bookshop | Kindle) - 4

I don’t really consider myself a reality TV person — tbh, I don’t watch any of it because other people’s awkwardness makes me extremely uncomfortable — but I keep finding myself reading about it. Maybe because the drama of it translates well to fiction? Focus, Elizabeth. No need to speculate about your penchant for drama when you’re trying to briefly review a charming book. And yes, this one was charming. It was billed as an updated Cinderella story, and since I’ve never met a fairy tale I don’t enjoy, I obviously picked this one up. Cindy, our lead, was adorable, and I loved all of her sidekicks. I also enjoyed the body-positive slant to this book; it really added to the story, and while I was a little disappointed we didn’t get an evil stepmother this time around, I’d recommend this one to anyone who has ever wished for a happy ending (or just loves shoes).

“Very Sincerely Yours” by Kerry Winfrey (Bookshop | Kindle) - 4

Kerry Winfrey is becoming one of those quietly reliable authors for me — she’s not the flashiest author, but her books are a must-read and sure to bring a smile to my face. Her newest is the tale of Teddy and Everett, two kids-at-heart who fall in love via letter. I know, I know. It sounds almost too saccharine, but somehow it isn’t. Teddy works at a vintage toy story, and in a moment of personal vulnerability, she writes a note to the host of a local children’s TV show, Everett — and I’m sure you can imagine where this is going. Even if you know a happy ending is coming, it’s such a fun journey to get there. Everett, Teddy, and their friends and family are just absolutely the cutest, and and I enjoy how well Kerry Winfrey draws her characters. They are fully-formed, and delightfully weird, and a pleasure to spend some time with.

“Isn’t it Bromantic” by Lyssa Kay Adams (Bookshop | Kindle) - 3.75

I read somewhere in early-panini days that people that are overly anxious tend to rewatch the same things over-and-over again because the lack of surprises is comforting. As I’m probably on my 90th rewatch of “The West Wing,” I can attest this phenomenon is true, and I think it applies to my book reading habits as well. I am a chronic re-reader, and there are few things I love more than a series; familiar characters, even in new plot scenarios, are a comfort to me. All that to say, I really enjoyed Lyssa Kay Adams latest Bromance book! This one focused on the Russian, and his long-absent wife, and honestly, it may have been my favorite one in the whole series. And no, that’s not recency bias. The Russian, or Vlad, was one of my favorite bits of comic relief in the series, and it was a pleasure to spend a book with him as he healed from an injury, and got to know his wife, Elena. Yes, I meant what I said. This book is fully of the series’ humor and heart, and honestly, if I could find a man that loved a romance novel the same way I did…

“While We Were Dating” by Jasmine Guillory (Bookshop | Kindle) - 3.75

I know Shannon has already reviewed this one, but honestly, the limit does not exist in singing the praises of Jasmine Guillory. While this was not my favorite of the series (that’s a tie between this one and this one), I still really enjoyed reading Anna and Ben’s story — I can’t be the only one that loves a book with “Notting Hill” vibes. It’s fun, it’s a little formulaic (we love a happy ending around here!), and it’s perfect for a poolside read.

“The Secret Bridesmaid” by Katy Birchall (Bookshop | Kindle) - 4.25

Honestly, I’m surprised this book didn’t get more love on #bookstagram - a British rom com, full of mistaken identities, a giant wedding, and cute boys? Obviously, I’m in, and I’d think that many of you will be, too. Sophie is a secret bridesmaid in London; she’s hired by posh brides (or their mothers) to make sure everything leading up to the wedding goes smoothly, but she does it by posing as a friend to the rest of the world. Everything is going well for Sophie — that is, until she’s hired by the most recalcitrant bride, Cordelia. We get to join Sophie on Cordelia’s wedding planning adventure, and we also get to watch Sophie fall into deep crushdom with Cordelia’s older brother. I’m sure you can see where this is going, but it’s still a fun and quick read, full of British charm and wit.

“The Bookshop of Second Chances” by Jackie Fraser (Bookshop | Kindle) - 3.75

Who among us hasn’t hoped that we’d receive a letter in the mail, willing us an inheritance from a previously unknown relative? Bonus points if it’s a house in Scotland.

No? Just me?

Liar.

Thea, our main characters, actually receives one of those letters - and it’s especially well-timed since everything else about her well-ordered life is falling apart. Her husband has left her, she’s lost her job, she’s totally adrift, when her great-Uncle dies and leaves her his cozy cottage in Scotland. Who wouldn’t be thrilled to go on that adventure? When she gets to the coast, she settles in quickly to life there, finding friends, a new job, and of course, an ornery bookstore love to spar and…more…with. This is the ultimate bookworm escape novel, as I feel confident we have all imagined such a scenario — I do feel like there was some unnecessary family drama that detracted from the escapism I really wanted from this one, but all in all, a tip-top read.

“The Summer Job” by Lizzy Dent (Bookshop | Kindle) - 4

Do you ever read a book and within about 10 pages, know it’s just going to blow up spectacularly? For me, that’s “The Summer Job.” But honestly, I didn’t even mind it because Birdy’s summer was so great. Birdy, a true lost girl, says yes to a summer gig as a lark — even though the summer job was actually offered to her BFF Heather, a trained sommelier. What she thinks will be an easy adventure and quick buck escalates quickly into a situation that runs the risk of not only ruining her life, but her best friend’s reputation. Did I mention that the quiet bed and breakfast was actually a top tier inn undergoing a massive renovation, there are family secrets, and of course, a really cute chef in the kitchen? Even though I spent most of this book SO ANXIOUS to see what happened when the shit hit the fan, I loved it. Trust me, it’s worth the heightened heart rate.

“Beth & Amy” by Virginia Kantra (Bookshop | Kindle) - 4

I really enjoyed the first book in Virginia Kantra’s modern retelling of “Little Women,” and so I was excited to see how she’d continue it while focusing on Amy and Beth. I will tell you now that I put it off until I was in a stable emotional place in case she decided to do us dirty and kill Beth off, but while we are spoiler free around here, let me say, this is not a freezer book. While this book flips between Beth — a budding songwriter and musician — and Amy — an up-and-coming fashion designer, and their journey home for Jo’s wedding. Of course, family drama abounds (I’d say in line with the second half of “Little Women”), but it’s a refreshing and realistic look at how love and life can be a little messy. I have become a bit of an Amy-stan in recent years, and I loved getting to spend time “inside her head” here, and Kantra’s Beth was a breath of fresh air.

I will caution that this book builds directly on what happened in “Meg and Jo,” so you may be a little bit lost if you haven’t read the first book in this series - however, it’s a great read, too, so I don’t think you’d hate it.

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