5 Summer Books That’ll Make You Fall In Love

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A romance book. Those will they won’t they reads that just make you furious but hungry for more. 

The very books your mother warns you will give you unrealistic expectation of the world. But it’s okay to dream, surely?

Also, you’ve never really been one to take advice, anyway. Not when the lead in the latest book you’re reading is just so dreamy. With his chiselled jawline or her blue eyes that swallow you completely.

None of this is helped since our summer 2020 of love is mainly spent practising social distancing and wearing less than adorable masks. Although, some of us have acquired some amazing ones. So, because of this, I think we should spend more time falling in love within the pages of books.

I’ll tell you though, regardless of the pandemic, it’s not stopped me from falling in love with an array of books. And the characters within them. For me, summer is less about sun, sea and sand and more about smirking behind a fun read; how I’ll let the ice melt in my drink. All the while wondering to myself why these two crazy love-struck fools won’t just talk. I mean, if they did, there wouldn’t be much of a book, but that’s honestly beside the point. 

As frustrating as the if-they-talked-they-wouldn’t-be-in-this-mess at the time is, I live for it. It’s will they won’t they making my heart thump in my chest. So, as this summer comes and goes very differently than any we have experienced before, I’m so glad one thing hasn’t changed: romance books. 

Head Over Heels by Hannah Orenstein

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Having been welcomed in by Avery’s crumbling life, I truly stayed for the sweet romance growing over the pages. The fact that both of these people come together over their mutual love for gymnastics, and to train a young Olympian makes this story even more beautiful. The played out reality check didn’t sway in me that there would be happiness at the end, you may just have to read yourself to find out if that’s true or if I was proven wrong.

Field Notes On Love by Jennifer E. Smith

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A romance on a train is something I’ve always been in awe of. There’s something about travelling through the countryside getting to know someone. This book twists the ‘trope’ on its head, making the way this book handles it more light hearted and a recipe for disaster. 

Mae, who shares the name of Hugo’s ex girlfriend. This being the entire reason he’s with her on this train to begin with, isn’t exactly the romantic start you’d hope for. Soon enough, with the countryside flying by, the books pages swallow you whole. The character’s walls descend, something blossoms between them that makes the romantic in me beam. They are what each other needs to push themself to the next level of who they’ll become. And if that isn’t the best thing, I’m not sure what is. 

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord

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A romance stemming from Twitter? Now I’ve heard it all, I thought to myself. This book is so much more than social media flirting. I honestly think it will surprises you by how well it is all handled by Emma. For one, it’s not what you think when the two characters come together. They already know one another. Not that one of them knows this.

Twitter may also be the place their flirtatious banter elevates. But their feelings are already there, only building on the layers which already exist. Making this a funner, and more compelling romance that forced me to grin from ear to ear—not that I really ever minded.

This book is also filled with mouth-watering food and recipes I’m desperate to learn. Which is a huge bonus, I’d say. 

Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan

This book is the epitome of summer. Lou is determined to have the best summer possible, and yet life hands her a hot dog costume to wear at Magic Castle—her summer job. It’s a summer job at a theme park where teenagers play games they shouldn’t play—including, fake dating to make others jealous. It’s fun, quirky, and an enjoyable read that makes you wish your summer job was outside and not in an office. What adds to this adorable romance is that you can see what’s growing before the character does, the blossoming feelings one is too afraid to shout out. Fake dating leads to this, but we all love it anyway. Plus, you get a chance to do that shake of the head we all love doing when we know the main character has some apologising to do. 

What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera

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Every part of this is romance at its prime, one of the reasons I’ve left it till last. Arthur is only in New York for the summer and Ben thinks romance isn’t around the corner in the slightest. So, of course, that means romance is going to smack into this pair before they realise—right outside a post office nonetheless. 

It’s adorable, kind-hearted spirit makes me want to believe in love finding us, being in the right place at the right time, and that truly magical things happen in the city that never sleeps. It also helps this book has just the right amount of teenage awkwardness to make it seem that bit more realistic.