A ‘Novel’ Idea to Heat Up Your Summer: 10 Beach Reads That Are as Romantic as Our Soaps

Credit: Grand Central Publishing; St. Martin’s Press

From reconnecting with the past to imagining a beautiful future ahead, we invite you to get lost in these summer romances.

Today marks the first day of summer and a great way to escape is to grab a book and curl up for a morning, afternoon or evening — whenever you can take a break from the real-world — for some much-deserved relaxation. As luck would have it, we often take respite with a good love story ourselves and have compiled some of this season’s most-popular romance releases.

For instance, best-selling author Nicholas Sparks teased in regard to his latest work of art The Return, “Life endlessly offers us chances to set new directions, and in the process, we grow and change…”⁣

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Then there’s Elin Hilderbrand, who revealed that her release Golden Girl was, “was inspired by losing my dad when I was sixteen and then, twenty-nine years later, boarding an emergency Medflight helicopter during my breast cancer battle and having to say goodbye that day to my three kids, not knowing if I was going to make it.”

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And Emily Giffin, whose 2010 book Something Borrowed was turned into a 2011 film, starring All My Children alum Colin Egglesfield (Joshua), has a release titled The Lies That Bind. “If you haven’t read it yet,” she had reached out to fans in an earlier Instagram post, “I would be so grateful if you would pick up a copy for your beach bag!”

I hope you all love it! 💗🧡 https://t.co/jM5HYfkq3Q

— Emily Giffin (@emilygiffin) March 15, 2021

Look through our gallery below to get your hands on these hot summer romance reads, plus others including releases from Nora Roberts, Danielle Steel, Sunny Hostin and more!

Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this gallery, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Also, get your free daily soap-opera fix for all of the daytime dramas — delivered straight to your email inbox — by signing up for Soaps.com’s newsletter.

1/10

Left with devastating injuries from Afghanistan, and after inheriting his grandfather’s cabin, Trevor Benson moves to New Bern, North Carolina to regroup. He’s soon drawn to deputy sheriff Natalie Masterson, who seems to reciprocate his feelings, but remains distant. Trevor’s also preoccupied with the mysterious circumstances of his grandfather’s death, and when a crisis reveals a neighboring teenage girl’s past, the truth — and their connection —is more than he bargains for. Get swept away with the drama in <a href="https://WWW.AMAZON.COM/RETURN-NICHOLAS-SPARKS/DP/1538728575/?tag=soaps0f6-20" target="_blank">Nicholas Sparks’ new novel</a>.

2/10

Adrian Rizzo first met her father at the age of seven — and he almost killed her. After being saved by her mother, who sent Adrian to her grandparents’ for the summer, a decade later, she follows her mother’s footsteps and creates a line of yoga and workout videos. However, Adrian begins to receive death threats, year after year, from different locations and returns to her grandparents’ town where she and her childhood crush reconnect — that’s when the murders begin and things start to spiral. Don’t miss <a href="https://WWW.AMAZON.COM/LEGACY-NOVEL-NORA-ROBERTS/DP/1250272939/?tag=soaps0f6-20" target="_blank">Nora Roberts’ latest romantic suspense</a>.

3/10

Multi-published author and mother, Vivian Howe, is killed in a hit-and-run accident while jogging on Nantucket. From beyond the grave, Vivi is allowed to watch the summer’s events unfold and is granted three nudges to change various outcomes. However, with three children, facing very different dilemmas, Vivi will have to think hard on how to use them. Read along on her journey by grabbing a copy of <a href="https://WWW.AMAZON.COM/GOLDEN-GIRL-ELIN-HILDERBRAND/DP/0316420085/?tag=soaps0f6-20" target="_blank">Elin Hilderbrand’s book</a>.

4/10

At nine, Mary Margaret was faced with grief when her father, a daredevil Air Force pilot, died and she witnessed her mother’s struggle to put their lives back together. Taking her mother’s advice to avoid daredevil men, Maggie turned away from her wild high school boyfriend and married a dependable man and found happiness with their son in a suburban life. But when tragedy strikes again, Maggie sets off on an adventure to face her fears and reconnects with the high school sweetheart she walked away from. Follow the adventure in <a href="https://WWW.AMAZON.COM/NINE-LIVES-NOVEL-DANIELLE-STEEL/DP/1984821431/?tag=soaps0f6-20" target="_blank">Danielle Steel’s novel</a>.

5/10

Alone at a New York East Village bar, 28-year-old Cecily Gardner feels homesick for the Midwest and begins doubting her career as a reporter —and wonders if it was a mistake breaking up with her boyfriend. When she moves to call him, a stranger, Grant, warns against it — and she listens. After a one-night stand, they agree to go their separate ways, since Grant is moving overseas, yet they can’t say goodbye. Then, amid the chaos of 9/11, Grant appears on a missing poster, which leads Cecily to realize she’s not the only one looking for him. Get a front row seat to the suspense with a copy of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lies-That-Bind-Novel/dp/0399178953/?tag=soaps0f6-20" target="_blank">Emily Giffin’s book</a>.

6/10

Six years after her husband’s affair, and a divorce involving two daughters, Julia Jones sells her home, moves into a condo and aims for a fresh start. Though her new life is fulfilling, with no need for a man, she’s drawn to another divorced tenant and soon love blossoms. With love comes challenges, which leaves Julia and Heath faced with a dramatic revelation that threatens their happiness. Treat yourself to <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Its-Better-This-Way-Novel/dp/1984818783/?tag=soaps0f6-20" target="_blank">Debbie Macomber’s emotional novel</a>.

The Summer of No Attachments by Lori Foster

7/10

Veterinarian Ivey Anders ends a stale relationship and plans a dating-free summer. Yet, when she meets Corbin Meyer and his troubled young son, Ivey has a hard time staying the course — and so does her friend Hope, who’s tried to swear off love but ends up letting down her emotional walls for Corbin’s brother Lang. This summer will prove that love has a way of sneaking back in. Read how it all unfolds by getting <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Summer-No-Attachments-Lori-Foster/dp/1335503188/?tag=soaps0f6-20" target="_blank">Lori Foster’s book</a>.

8/10

Pediatrician Natasha Gray, a divorced, bankrupt, single mom, is set on rebuilding her life. However, her plan to start over in Silver Springs didn’t include Mack Amos, a man who previously broke her heart — twice. Though Mack wants to support her, Natasha’s heart isn’t the only thing keeping him at bay. In fact, the more time he spends with her son could lead to a revelation neither is ready to face. Go along for the ride in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/When-Found-You-Silver-Springs/dp/0778331946/?tag=soaps0f6-20" target="_blank">Brenda Novak’s romance</a>.

9/10

Amelia Vaux Tanner and her husband built Chateau Laveau 30 years ago in Oak Bluffs, the country’s most exclusive black beach community. Though Ama hosted numerous socialites, her three gifted goddaughters — from different backgrounds — have always been her favorite guests. Now adults, the goddaughters reconnect each summer with Ama at Chateau Laveau, but this year could be their last, as Ama, almost 71, plans a move to France — and she’s leaving the chateau to one of her girls. Each with something to hide, including Ama, the girls have their own reasons for desperately wanting the property, which is only a small part of what their godmother plans to give them. Watch the secrets unfold in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Bluffs-Novel-Oak/dp/0062994174/?tag=soaps0f6-20" target="_blank">Sunny Hostin’s book</a>.

10/10

Sparks fly when widow Anna Campbell meets divorced professor Ryan Robertson on a singles cruise and the two make plans for their families to meet. After their daughters hit it off, with the hope that Ryan’s son will warm up to them as well, a marriage proposal follows and Anna accepts. However, Anna becomes filled with doubt when actions reveal Ryan and his children may not be who they seem. Get a front row seat to the mystery by purchasing <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1432886614?tag=soaps0f6-20" target="_blank">Fern Michaels’ novel</a>.

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