With the hot weather finally hitting most of the US, many are planning a trip to the beach. Whether it's a quick weekend trip or a week-long stint, it's all about relaxing and getting in the sun. What better way to relax than reading a romance book?
No matter how long you're planning to be at the beach, you can't go wrong in adding a book or your Kindle to your beach bag. If anything, the beach is the perfect excuse to sit and relax while enjoying the nice weather outside.
Whether you're planning to get the water or just want to sit in the sun or shade, having a book with you will make the time go by faster. As someone who burns easily in the sun, having a book to help me cool off is great. Then again, sometimes a good romance book can tend to ensure you're feeling hotter than ever.
Hopefully, these books will end up on your beach bag or on your Kindle before you start heading out to get some sun and some sand. Obviously, I'm only including books that are currently out so as long as it's currently out, then it's going to end up on our list.
These 10 romance books are perfect beach reads.
1. Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood
Would this list be complete without Problematic Summer Romance? It's doubtful but considering I've been thinking about this book for months, it's on my list. While I have yet to read it, most of us know that it's an age-gap romance between Conor and Maya. If you read Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood, then you know why this is such a juicy yet fun pairing. This one is bound to be on many lists so I'm putting it first and then moving on to the next.
2. Love in Focus by Lyla Lee
The next book is Love in Focus by Lyla Lee. You might recognize this author from her YA titles, including I'll Be the One and Flip the Script. However, Love in Focus is her debut adult romance and it's sapphic. If that isn't the incentive you need to read this during Pride Month, I don't know what else you need.
Love in Focus follows a romance between Gemma who is reeling after a breakup and as a relationship advice columnist, it's not great. Of course, she ends up getting paired with her ex, Celeste on a project. As you might guess, the two didn't end on the best of terms and it's bringing up old feelings which isn't ideal. Even so, I adore Lyla Lee and this one is already on my TBR.
3. The Relationship Mechanic by Karmen Lee
If you're looking for a Pride Month read, then look no further than The Relationship Mechanic by Karmen Lee. This is the second book in Lee's Peach Blossom series with the first one being The 7-10 Split. This is a small-town romance that was published in January 2025 and honestly, made its way to my TBR as soon as it was released.
The Relationship Mechanic is a sapphic romance between Jessica who is visiting Peach Blossom and Vini, the town's mechanic. These two are attracted to each other from the start but a romance seems impossible. However, I have no doubt that Karmen Lee will pull it off as her romances are truly unmatched.
4. Audre & Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams
Most of my romance book lists don't feature YA romances but if Tia Williams is writing it, it's going on my list. Tia Williams has written so many books but has recently gotten incredibly popular and took the romance world by storm with Seven Days in June. If you read and loved that book, then this title probably stands out to you.
Audre is Eva's daughter from Seven Days in June but now, she's a teenager who is looking to have some fun during her summer vacation. At first, it seems like her plans are set but she ends up hiring Bash to help her become more fun. Honestly, this concept sounds so cute and fun, making it the perfect beach read. Plus the cover is so cute so why not pick it up?
5. Not Safe for Work by Nisha J. Tuli
As someone who doesn't have a beach trip planned this year, I can confidently say that if I did, Not Safe for Work would be in my beach bag. Not only does the cover scream summer but it just looks so sexy. This is a book I knew I wasn't going to be able to squeeze into my May reading schedule but since Forever has been publishing so many good books lately, this one was an easy pick.
Not Safe for Work follows Trisha who is working hard and trying to get a promotion which is rudely interrupted by the boss' son, Rafe. The two end up in the honeymoon suite together and that's all I need to know. If the cover is any indication, this book is bound to be super fun and spicy.
6. No Ordinary Love by Myah Ariel
For the most part, I'm talking about books I haven't read, but I wanted to include one I've reviewed but needs more love. No Ordinary Love by Myah Ariel was released in April 2025 and, despite being an incredible romance, has just over 1,300 ratings on Goodreads. With that being said, you can find my review here.
However if you're just looking to pick up this book, you're in for a real treat. It follows Ella who is a singer who is going through a divorce and isn't feeling the greatest. In comes Miles Westbrook, an MLB player also looking for a fresh start. Due to that, the two agree to fake date and real feelings get invovled very quickly. This one packs a punch while also being incredibly sexy and fun.
7. Ms. V's Hot Girl Summer by A.H. Cunningham
How could I not put Ms. V's Hot Girl Summer on this list? It's a list all about books to read during the summer and this one has summer in the title. I don't know about you, but that's enough to make me want to read it along with its stunning cover. However, I know that not everyone is influenced so easily, so let's get into the book.
Ms. V's Hot Girl Summer is about Trinidad, who has worked her entire life to provide for her kids and ensure things are taken care of. Even so, her kids end up doing the unthinkable and trick her into going on a Caribbean Carnival cruise which results in her meeting a younger man and having her very own hot girl summer. Sounds like the perfect read for a hot and sunny beach day.
8. The Girl Most Likely To by Julie Tieu
If there's one author I can urge you to read from this list, it has to be Julie Tieu. While she got so much hype around her debut, The Donut Trap, her books haven't gotten as much love since, and I'm here to change that. Released in February 2025, The Girl Most Likely To only has just over 800 ratings and is criminally underrated so I'm here to let you know that it's such a fun beach read.
The romance is between Rachel and Danny who first met on an AIM chat room. The two end up becoming friends although they don't realize that they know each other in person. They meet and things don't go the way either expects before they graduate. The two meet again at their 20-year reunion and it ends up being a night full of fun, shenanigans and plenty of unforgettable kisses.
9. One in a Million by Beverley Kendall
When searching for romances to add to my list, I noticed this cover and knew it would be perfect to add to my list. I've personally never read anything by Beverley Kendall before so I'm excited that I've discovered a new author. This one feels like it's going to appeal to a lot of people as it's a celebrity romance which a lot of people love.
One in a Million follows Whitney aka Sahara who is having a great year and looking for an even more sucessful career. However, things take a turn when she gets the call from a fertility clinic that her eggs were used and she's now a mother. Basically, she didn't end up carrying the child but biologically, the baby is hers. In comes the baby's father and from there, it's a romance made in the stars.
10. Dream On, Ramona Riley by Ashley Herring Blake
Last but not least, I had to finish off this list with a romance perfect for Pride Month and that's Dream On, Ramona Riley by Ashley Herring Blake. If you've been around for a while, you know that we at Culturess love Ashley Herring Blake. Her books are always sapphic and incredibly fun yet hard-hitting romances.
This is a romance between Ramona and Dylan who met at kids and are meeting again as adults. It's clear from the synopsis that these two have a lot of time to make up for and is truly seems like the perfect blend of sweet and spicy. Honestly, I couldn't think of a more appropriate romance to end the list with than Dream On, Ramona Riley.