I recently moved into a new apartment with private outdoor space, and as the sun sets later and later, I spend more and more time out there with a romance novel and an iced chai latte or glass of wine. I have more books on my TBR than I’ll be able to finish this summer and I’ll also be busy promoting my own romantic comedy, Someone Just Like You (out July 25th), but I have narrowed down my most-anticipated romantic comedies from other authors releasing this summer. Thank you to Booktrib for inviting me to share them with you!
THE SEVEN YEAR SLIP by Ashley Poston
I was destroyed in the best possible way by Poston’s adult debut The Dead Romantics last year. It’s not surprising that this follow-up is among my most anticipated reads of the summer. This one has The Lake House vibes with dual timelines woven together. I love a speculative twist so this was an instant pre-order for me.
THE DEJA GLITCH by Holly James
I’m such a fan of time loop romances and this one has such a fun and original twist because only one half of the couple knows it’s happening. Jack has been living the same day for months and is convinced the only way out is to make Gemma fall in love with him before the clock strikes midnight. Palm Springs meets Fifty First Dates!
ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE by Danielle Jackson
The cover on this one alone makes me swoon! Set against the backdrop of a Chicago summer festival, this enemies-to-lovers romance between the office manager of a boudoir photography studio and a sexy bartender and aspiring chef is sure to sizzle. It will pair perfectly with food truck snacks and a chilled glass of wine.
CHANGE OF PLANS by Dylan Newton
I adored the first two books in this series and admire the way the author balances depth with laugh-out-loud moments. I’m certain this one, which pairs a chef with a former Marine, will be no exception and I’m especially excited to see what hilarious antics the three children get up to. The premise also has Life as We Know It vibes and I’m a sucker for a trope where mutual love for the same children helps bring a couple together.
FLY WITH ME by Andie Burke
The premise of this one is golden! A flying phobic nurse is recruited to save a life during her first-ever flight and is then propositioned to fake date the pilot in a scheme to help both of their careers. I’m delighted by this sapphic romance and I haven’t even started it yet.
KISSING KOSHER by Jean Meltzer
By one of my favorite authors, this enemies-to-lovers romance between the grandchildren of rival bakeries sounds like a Jewish Romeo and Juliet and is guaranteed to bring laughter and tears in equal measure. Meltzer has a gift for providing much-needed mental and physical health representation without losing any of the humor.
LOVE ON THE BYLINE by Xio Axelrod
I devoured The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes and since the follow-up doesn’t release until 2024, I’m thrilled to read this one while I wait. A second chance forced proximity romance between a struggling journalist and the assistant to a rising Hollywood star, this one sounds like a winner.
SOMEONE JUST LIKE YOU by Meredith Schorr
New Yorker Molly Blum knows everything about her lifelong nemesis, Jude Stark. With their families so close, they should have been best friends. Instead, she thinks he’s a too-charming slacker, and he thinks she’s allergic to fun. After years of one-upping each other’s pranks (chocolate-dipped cat treats are not as delicious as they appear), one high school joke went too far, and they stopped speaking completely. But now that they’re supposed to help plan a massive party for their parents—together—there’s no better time to resume their war.
And it is on. Only somewhere between all the sniping and harmless hijinks, a reluctant friendship develops, along with an unexpected spark of sexual tension. It might have to do with the fact that she’s been dating Jude-lookalikes and he’s been dating Molly doppelgangers. Or the fact that neither of them is nearly as horrible as they thought. All Molly and Jude know is that they’ve mastered the art of hating each other. Falling in love, on the other hand, is a whole new battlefield.
