Pack These 14 Summer Romances—Because Real Life Can Wait

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From fake dating to rivals-to-lovers, these brand-new romantic comedies are perfect vacation companions.

There’s nothing like a great rom-com to make your summer reading list feel complete. Whether you’re beachside, lakeside, or just staycationing with a fan and a popsicle, these 2025 romantic comedies deliver the laughs, the swoons, and all the vacation vibes.

Let’s dive into the best new rom-coms of the summer—organized by your favorite tropes.

TropiComs: Romances with a Summer Setting

Not Safe for Work by Nisha J. Tuli

Buy on Amazon
Premise: Engineer Tris Malik and her rival Rafe are forced to share a suite during a Hawaii leadership retreat, where professional grudges turn into romantic sparks.
Why You’ll Love It: A rivals-to-lovers romance set in paradise with sharp banter and tropical tension.

Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver

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Premise: Actress Kate agrees to fake being the author of a bestselling romance on a book tour—but her chemistry with talent agent Charlie threatens to upend the plan.
Why You’ll Love It: Fake identity, slow burn tension, and a cross-country summer of author events.

The Love Haters by Katherine Center

Buy on Amazon
Premise: Journalist Katie profiles a Coast Guard swimmer in Key West—while hiding a huge secret and fighting off undeniable sparks.
Why You’ll Love It: Forced proximity in the tropics, a grumpy hero, and emotional depth packed with Center’s signature heart.

Fake Dating, PR Disasters & Roleplay Romance

Let’s Make a Scene by Laura Wood

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Premise: Former teen co-stars must fake a PR relationship again—for a documentary, a sequel, and unresolved chemistry.
Why You’ll Love It: A nostalgic Hollywood setup with sizzling tension and a second chance at real love.

The Proposal Project by Donna Marchetti

Buy on Amazon Premise: Priscilla must secretly collaborate with her best friend’s boyfriend’s best friend (yes, really) to plan a surprise proposal—while catching feelings.
Why You’ll Love It: Classic rom-com misunderstandings, fake dating antics, and event-planner chaos.

It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan

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Premise: Jane lies about landing a popstar for a film deal and must spend a week reconnecting with her past—and a crush she didn’t see coming.
Why You’ll Love It: A perfect blend of nostalgia, Hollywood antics, and undeniable chemistry.

What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon

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Premise: Fired and desperate, Dani takes a job abroad—only to fake marry her high school ex for a visa and inheritance scheme.
Why You’ll Love It: Second chances, marriage of convenience, and European summer vibes.

Second Chances & Emotional Reconnection

Left on Forever by Tarah DeWitt

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Premise: Divorced but not disconnected, Wren and Ellis reunite for a road trip that could reignite everything they lost.
Why You’ll Love It: Tender, emotionally rich, and perfect for fans of small-town, grown-up love.

Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone

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Premise: Grieving Lenny agrees to a pact with grumpy uncle Miles to help each other find joy—and maybe love—again.
Why You’ll Love It: A slow-burn romance built on emotional healing, heartfelt connection, and gentle humor.

Passion Project by London Perry

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Premise: Bennet’s post-breakup rut meets weekly challenges and unexpected chemistry with Henry—her almost-date turned emotional support partner.
Why You’ll Love It: A healing journey through friendship, flirtation, and weekend adventures.

Enemies, Rivals & Forced Proximity

Battle of the Bookstores by Ali Brady

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Premise: Josie and Ryan must compete for the same bookstore job while unknowingly falling for each other in a book forum.
Why You’ll Love It: Lovers-to-rivals-to-lovers with literary banter, anonymous DMs, and bookstore drama.

Any Trope by You by Victoria Lavine

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Premise: A canceled romance author tries to reinvent herself in Alaska—only to fall into every romantic trope imaginable.
Why You’ll Love It: A tongue-in-cheek, trope-filled romance with a brooding hero and big heart.

Love Across Cultures & Borders

Gold Coast Dilemma by Nana Malone

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Premise: Ofosua Addo, caught between tradition and desire, must decide if defying her arranged marriage for love is worth the risk.
Why You’ll Love It: A Ghanaian-American heiress, wedding drama, and a forbidden romance.
Buy on Amazon

Only Lovers in the Building by Nadine Gonzalez

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Premise: After a career meltdown, Liliane Lyon escapes to Miami Beach for sun and solitude—but sparks fly when she bonds with brooding professor Ben over romance novels. As their poolside reading sessions turn into accidental matchmaking, they may be writing their own love story.
Why You’ll Love It: Forced proximity, apartment building drama, and sizzling chemistry (plus, that title!).
Buy on Amazon

Wrap-Up

Whether you’re craving emotional slow burns, laugh-out-loud banter, or a vacation fling with heart, these 2025 rom-coms deliver all the summer feels. Pack a few of these in your tote, queue them up on your Kindle, or pop in an audiobook, and let the romantic chaos begin.

Which trope are you loving this summer? Drop a comment or tag me with your favorite beach read from this list.

P.S. Want more summer reading recs? Check out:

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