In honor of the summer reading season, we asked Agata, the queen of romance recommendations, to share some novels perfect for your TBRs.
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Welcome back, friends :)
Today we are talking about romance novels full of summer fun so grab an iced coffee or some gellato and remember to put on sunscreen. Tell me where do you wish to spend your vacation and I will gladly recommend the perfect book for you.
Hussies & Harpies Press, 2019
a tropical beach:
Desire and the Deep Blue Sea by Olivia Dade
What do you do when you need a break but can't afford a holiday? You ask your coworker to accompany you on a reality show as your fake boyfriend to score a Carribean island getaway, obviously. This novella is full of fluffy goodness yet it doesn't shy away from talking about mental health, because our heroine deals with anxiety. Did I mention that she is a fabulous fat woman not ashamed to wear swimsuits? It's simply swoontastic to see the hero so far gone for her he offers the most romantic nerdy love confession of all time. You will appreciate Olivia's writing for challenging toxic masculinity.
Avon Impulse, 2019
a London townhouse:
A Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite
Pride month may be over but consider this your gentle reminder to support queer books all year around. Start with this beautiful story of affection blossoming between an astronomer commissioned to translate a scientific text and a countess who finds joy in embroidery. It's a reclaiming of queer women's rightful place in history but also a celebation of their contributions to society. The prose is exquisite and the romance soft. Plus Avon blessed us with that gorgeous cover art so no wonder this is a buzzy title.
Carina Press, 2019
in Manhattan:
Spellbound by Allie Therin
Listen, I get it. Sometimes we all want to escape into an alternative magical world. Imagine Prohibition-era New York where a reclusive antiquarian is asked to use his powers to help retrieve a supernatural amulet that could bring about the apocalypse. Not only is the worldbuilding fascinating and the ensemble cast terrific but we get nuanced representation of a biracial protagonist. Can't wait for the sequel!
Createspace Independent Publishing Platform, 2018
a secluded lakeside cottage:
Real Kind of Love by Sara Rider
Poor Clementine. All she wanted was to enjoy some quiet time to work on her audiobook narration. Being the only introvert in a big family of loud extroverts isn't easy. Luckily a friendly bartender agrees to be her fake boyfriend for a week to keep the choas and noise at bay. This story asks interesting questions about allowing yourself to be defined by past mistakes and what makes partners compatible. Shenanigans include seduction via reading sexy stories out loud, craft beers plus ridiculous family games.
BONUS: here's a sneakpeak at my personal TBR:
Along for the Ride by Mimi Grace - two stubborn people begrudgingly take a roadtrip together and—oops—there's only one bed at the hotel.
A Secret Desire by Kaia Danielle - a widow struggling to revitalise a beach resort for black people gets unexpected help from a man who nurtured a crush on her for years. This is the second book in Decades: A Journey of African American Romance series.
Escape to Pirate Island by Niamph Murphy - a swashbuckling tale of a smuggler and a lady who inherited a treasure map embarking on an epic transatlantic adventure.
Sincerely hope this tiny list brought a smile to your face. Feel free to get in touch on Twitter (@Aqueda_Veronica) if you are looking for personalized romance recomendations, I am always happy to be of assistance in exchange for cute puppy photos :)
You are also welcome to subscribe to a tiny letter we send out once a month with a group of my friends talking about upcoming romance publications. Read the previous issues in the archive.
About Agata
Agata can be found tweeting about romance novels and cute baby animals while eating obscene amounts of dark chocolate over at @Aqueda_Veronica.
