11 Spicy Summer Romance Books That’ll Leave You Sweating

Spice Level: 2/5

Maya Killgore is 23 and still in the process of figuring out her life. Conor Harkness is 38. Any relationship between them would be problematic in too many ways to count. When Maya’s brother decides to get married in Taormina, she and Conor end up stuck together in a romantic Sicilian villa for over a week. And as the destination wedding begins to erupt out of control, she decides that a summer fling might be just what she needs—even if it’s a problematic one.

Spice Level: 2/5

Avery Jensen is almost 30, fresh off a breakup, and she’s tired of always being so uptight and well-behaved. She wants to get a hobby, date around (especially women), and flirt with everyone she sees. One problem: Avery doesn’t know where to start. Enter Taylor Cameron, Napa Valley’s biggest flirt and champion heartbreaker, who offers to give Avery flirting lessons. Their attraction becomes impossible to ignore, despite them both insisting to themselves and everyone else that it isn’t serious.

Spice Level: 2/5

Good things happen at the lake. That’s what Alice’s grandmother says, and it’s true. Alice spent just one summer there at a cottage with Nan when she was 17—it’s where she took that photo, the one of three grinning teenagers in a yellow speedboat, the image that changed her life. When Nan falls and breaks her hip, Alice comes up with a plan for them both: another summer in that magical place, Barry’s Bay. But as soon as they settle in, their peace is disrupted by the roar of a familiar yellow boat and the gorgeous man driving it.

Spice Level: 2/5

Wren and Ellis Byrd fell in love as kids and had their son Sam when they were only teenagers. They were made for one another… until they fell apart. Now divorced and in their 30s, they live separate lives. When Ellis and Wren move Sam into college, Ellis convinces Wren to take an extended road trip to see if they can give their relationship one last chance. But can the past truly be left behind?

Spice Level: 3/5

When Camille Ashwood’s groom doesn’t show up to the wedding, her life is turned upside down. She no longer even has a place to live. That is until she finds the perfect house to rent. There’s only one problem: the neighbor. Dusty Tucker has spent nearly all of his adult life running from Cam Ashwood. But ever since he returned home last year, the girl who was his everything is determined to keep him at arm’s length. Nearly 10 years after they first met, Dusty and Cam begin to wonder if their first love can also be their last.

Spice Level: 3/5

Anna Green thought she was marrying Liam “West” Weston for access to subsidized family housing while at UCLA. She also thought she’d signed divorce papers when the graduation caps were tossed. Three years later, Anna is a starving artist living paycheck to paycheck, and West is about to inherit $100 million. There’s just one catch. Liam won’t see a penny until he’s been married for five years. Now, Liam has no choice but to introduce his unpolished, not-so-ex-wife to his one-percenter parents. After learning that Anna is surprisingly grounded and loyal, he has to ask himself if the price tag on his flimsy cover story is worth losing true love.

Spice Level: 3/5

Hendrix Barry has phenomenal friends, a loving family, and a thriving business that places her in the entertainment industry’s rarefied air. She’s also facing her toughest challenge yet: caring for an aging parent. She hasn’t met the man who can keep up with her. Until… him. Tech mogul Maverick Bell may be the first to make her feel this seen and desired, but he’s the last one she can have. But when Maverick gives chase—pursuing her, spoiling her, understanding her—is it time to let herself have something more?

Spice Level: 4/5

When New York City’s fashion it-girl, Lola’s career comes to a screeching halt after a very public snafu, everything she has worked for starts to go up in flames. And when notorious culture critic Aly Ray Carter lights the final match by writing a scathing exposé, it feels as if Lola has lost it all. When Lola flees to the Hamptons to escape her mistakes, she looks over the trimmed hedges to see none other than her rival and newest neighbor: Aly Ray Carter. As summer blazes on, Lola is swept into an intoxicating situation with the woman who ruined her life.

Spice Level: 4/5

Boston Bearcats rookie Robbie Corrigan is living the dream. He’s made it to the NHL, and the women of Boston love him. But Skylar Paige, division 1 softball pitcher, is the one member of the opposite sex immune to his charms. Before Robbie knows it, he’s agreed to be Skylar’s fake boyfriend at an upcoming family wilderness competition where her crush will be in attendance. Robbie and Skylar grow closer until their fake relationship starts to feel like the realest thing they’ve ever known, and the sizzling lessons burn out of control.

Spice Level: 4/5

After hiring his business partner’s younger sister, Sloane, Hudson Hopper very quickly finds out that she is a massive distraction. When Sloane is told to fill in as a bridesmaid for one of Hudson’s business partners, she comes up with an idea. She’ll be a part of the regency wedding if Hudson marries her in return. He needs her, and she needs his wedding ring to get her into a high-society club that will further her career. When she convinces him that no one will find out, including her brother, too… Well, Hudson might just find himself saying, “I do.”

Spice Level: 4/5

When Elsie Hoffman discovers her fiancé already planned their wedding and honeymoon as a surprise, she breaks things off. A week later she’s on a plane to the Caribbean for her non-refundable honeymoon with her best friend Ginny instead. Ginny thinks it’s high time Elsie learned how to speak up for herself. So, they make a deal. For the next week, Elsie can have whatever she wants, wherever, however, and whenever she wants it, as long as she asks.