During the prime of summer, when the sun is at its best and hottest, sunglasses need to come out. Especially when the sun makes reading a book that much harder, what is more useful than a nice pair of sunglasses? Enjoy genres from fantasy to mythology to straight romance with a little extra spice this summer. Check out these five romance books that will have your sunglasses fogged up.
The Fine Print by Lauren Asher
The Fine Print is written by Lauren Asher, a New York Times bestseller who loves her DIY projects. It was published in 2021 and is part of the Dreamland Billionaires trilogy. Each book in this trilogy is a standalone story, following the Kane family. The three stories are told in a dual point of view between one of the Kane brothers and their respective girls. This contemporary, enemies-to-lovers story is the perfect mix of spicy scenes and fluff to get you hooked — an ideal, light read for this day.
The story follows the youngest Kane brother, Rowan, who recently took charge of his family’s multi-billion-dollar theme park. A broody man who doesn’t believe in happy endings. All he wants to do is complete his grandfather’s dying request to rebuild the place so he can get his inheritance. Zahra is a worker at the theme park. After a drunken night criticizing everything about it, she was certain that was the end for her. Instead, Rowan offered her a job. Zahra thought this was the best option for her, and Rowan knew he needed her. But once sparks fly between a boss and his employee, do they ever go out?
Corrupt by Penelope Douglas
Penelope Douglas blessed us with Corrupt. This dark romance author lives in New England with multiple New York Times bestselling books ranging from stalker romance to LGBTQ+ romance. Corrupt is the first book in the Devil’s Night series, released in 2015. Each story is a standalone romance, focusing on one friend group, but the plot is chronological, making it essential to read in order. There are four main books, two novellas, and Penelope Douglas creates an obsessive story with the perfect mix of tension and an American mafia plot.
The dual point of view story follows Michael Crist, son of a wealthy businessman, and Erika Fane, daughter of some of the most affluent people. Erika has always had feelings towards Michael and never acted on them. What could she do? She was dating his younger brother, but nothing she could do could keep her away, even after high school and college. However, Michael has a different plan because he has held out for revenge for her ever since high school. For what she did to his friends, they are in jail now. Revenge is best served in bed…right?
Invoking The Blood by Kalista Neith
Invoking The Blood by Kalista Neith is a vampire fantasy romance story released in 2022. Kalista Neith is a small fantasy and dark romance author, living in Arizona. The book is set to be a trilogy with the second book, A Trial of Lace and Bone, which was released in 2023. Unlike the past books, it is a chronological series that only follows two characters. A third book is planned, but there are a few novellas out. Neith gives us a beautiful vampire story with a woman in control.
The story follows a woman named Faye. A girl who has no magic and is mortal, living in a world of immortals. Her sister encourages her to break into one of the most dangerous balls, a ball for the vampires. There she sees a Prince, Rune. Rune sees and can’t forget her, and she can’t ignore him. So, Rune abducts her. Taking her to his kingdom and realm, keeping her forever, that is, until he learns of her status. Entering his life, she realized it was darker than she thought. With strong emotions brewing between them and secrets at every corner, is she truly safe here?
It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
Tessa Bailey, a popular contemporary romance writer who lives on Long Island, released It Happened One Summer in 2021. It Happened One Summer is the first book in the Bellinger Sisters duet, with the second book being Hook, Line, and Sinker, which was released in 2022. With a new book coming out soon, Tessa’s summer love stories are always filled with equal amounts of fluff and spice, and perfect for summer.
Piper Bellinger is your average LA influencer. Living her life partying and on social media. She is a fashion icon, and nothing can bring her down except when a party gets too big, comes crashing down, and sends her to jail. Her stepfather can’t take it anymore and decides to send Piper away to live with her sister in Washington State to run their late father’s business. She knows that she will hate it. What could life be like in the Pacific Northwest have for her? But then she meets Brendan. A captain who doesn’t believe Piper belongs at all, but Piper knows she belongs. If not for herself, then for him. Because no matter how much LA could scream her name, this man and place might already have their claim.
A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair
A Touch of Darkness is written by New York Times bestselling author, and mythology lover, Scarlett St. Clair. It is the first of seven books in the Hades x Persephone Saga and was released in 2019, with the most recent book being released in 2024. This fantasy, Greek mythology tale is as steamy as you imagine when the two characters are Hades and Persephone. This modern retelling of the two will have you exploring Greek mythology repeatedly.
Persephone is supposed to be the Goddess of Spring. Well, people think she is. Plants and flowers just die around her, and what kind of Goddess fails at their title? In a chance to forget everything, she packs up and moves to Athens. There, she passes off as a mortal journalist, hoping no one would pick up on the Goddess who walks their streets. Hades has other plans. The owner of a massive gambling ring in the mortal world, Persephone, finds herself in contact with Hades. Create life in the Underworld for your freedom, a deal that seems impossible given the luck on the flowers. The failure itself isn’t the problem; it’s the feelings she knows are forbidden.
A wide variety of books have some steamy romances to fill up your summer. These various genres with spicy romances, still have a good balance between plots, fluff, and the spice, making them the perfect books for your sunny days. Whether in your backyard, beach, or pool, these five romances will make it hard to see through your sunglasses.
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