These five recommendations come with a sweetness (and maybe like a poblano pepper level of spice) guarantee. Ones that not only will you love, but can feel confident recommending to your mother, too!
Summer isn’t over yet- at least not in Texas. We are still well within our stretch of 100+ degree days and there’s currently no end in sight.
If you’re looking for a light, lovey book to help take your mind off of these hot days, keep reading!
I present to you five romance books I’ve read and loved in 2022:
Now, I’m not one to typically reach for the spiciest reads and definitely not someone who’s interested in dark romance. No shade to those that are, but I prefer love stories with a little more sweetness than spice.
Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
I’m a huge fan of Abby Jimenez. No surprise here, I loved her latest novel Part of Your World. It’s spectacular. It’s sweet. It’s funny. It gave my heart a hug. She has such a talent for crafting stories that are full of humor and fun, yet still carefully carry heavy life topics.
Pick this one up and prepare to laugh and feel a twinge in your heart. You can’t go wrong with any of her titles, so while you’re adding this one to your cart go ahead and grab another like The Friend Zone or The Happily Ever After Playlist. There will be no regrets.
The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
Hannah is an Executive Protection Agent (a bodyguard) and she’s been hired to protect the household-name celebrity Jack Stapleton. The best way to protect “the principle” in this scenario? To act as his girlfriend. The more time they spend together, the harder it is to keep professional boundaries…
…and the harder it was for me to pace my reading because I couldn’t put this story down! It was a full sprint! I was sad when it ended because that meant I couldn’t keep living in this world with Hannah and Jack.
No shame, I fangirled so much over this book. I made an embroidery of the cover art and then gifted it to Center when she came to town on The Bodyguard tour. It was fantastic and she’s truly a gem of a human!
Center’s books are auto-reads for me and this one is no exception. I absolutely loved it! Along with Jimenez, you can’t read just one of Center’s books. So while you’re picking up this one, go ahead and grab some of her others like How to Walk Away or What You Wish For.
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Posten
This one took me by surprise! Posten was a new author to me and when I read the synopsis of The Dead Romantics, it immediately reminded me of the 2005 movie Just Like Heaven, starring Reese Witherspoon. I knew I needed to read this ghostly love story!
Florence Day is a ghostwriter for one of the most well-known romance writers of our time. But, after a terrible breakup, she no longer believes in love and is having an all but impossible time writing to meet her upcoming deadline.
Oh yeah, and she can see ghosts. Just like her dad.
She travels home after her dad has passed away to find the ghost of her editor. Both are confused as to why and how he’s died. Not only that, but there is some unfinished business that has her second guessing everything she knows about love.
This story was so refreshing and creative! It’s a fast, summer read that will leave you feeling hopeful!
Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon
This was a case of star change! After initially reading this book, I gave it four stars. I completely enjoyed it! My opinion grew even stronger after I had the opportunity to discuss the book with our book club!
After discussing the intricacies of the plot and characters, I realized that I loved this book so much more. It’s light. It’s fun. It’s parent-trappy, but there are other complexities within it that make it so full. While other romantic comedies center on sexy, strapping men, Solomon was very intentional about creating a story around normal people with normal bodies and normal struggles.
During our book club chat, she expressed that although this is a romance, she didn’t quite agree with the ‘romcom’ label it was getting. This is a precious, light, and fun story, but it’s presented with such refreshing normalcy!
You can check out my review here!
While you’re adding to cart, go ahead and grab The Ex Talk too! It’s equally amazing!
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Emily Henry is such a skilled storyteller. She has an incredible talent for building sweet love stories that make you swoon. I love that when summer comes around, I can count on a romance story that will give me little flutters in my heart.
Such was the case for Book Lovers! Nora is a literary agent- a fantastic one to boot. Charlie is a sharp editor with little room for admiration. While on a sister trip to small town Sunshine Falls, Nora keeps running into- of all people- Charlie! Their past encounters have them at odds, but as they get to know each other in a new light, they may be rewriting their story.
Henry’s stories are essential summer reading. If you haven’t read my favorite of hers, People We Meet on Vacation, go ahead and add to cart! You’ll be happy you did!
So, there you have it!
My top five romance recommendations- of the summer, of 2022, in general. You won’t regret any of these sweet reads!
Have you read any? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think!
What would you add to this list?!
For more recommendations, check out my list of Five-Star Reads in 2022!
