Into the Blue By Emma Brodie
Read: 7/21/26
Into the Blue is a story about first love, growing up, and the ways life changes the people we once were. It follows two people whose connection begins in the simplicity of youth, when dreams feel limitless. But as adulthood brings new ambitions, unexpected challenges, and different life paths, they must learn how to build lives apart from the one they once pictured together.
What drew me to this story is the way it looks beyond the romance itself. At its core, Into the Blue is about time, identity, and the question of whether two people can find their way back to each other after life has shaped them into different versions of themselves. It’s a reminder that sometimes the hardest part of love isn’t finding someone—it’s recognizing who they have become, and who you have become along the way.
I also thought that this recipe would be a great book club drink !
The Unhoneymooners and The Honeymoon Crashers by Christina Lauren
Read 7/17/2026
I was looking for a tropical getaway and The Unhoneymooners and The Honeymoon Crashers deliver all the sunshine, romance, and playful chaos of a dream beach getaway. These books are the kind of reads that pair perfectly with a lounge chair, a warm breeze, and a little escape from reality.
What I loved most was the warmth at the center of these stories—not just the romance, but the unforgettable family dynamics. The banter, loyalty, teasing, and genuine care between characters bring so much heart and make the story feel like more than just a love story. The family relationships add humor and depth, creating those moments that make you smile, laugh, and feel like you’re part of the group.
With beautiful settings, charming chemistry, and plenty of fun twists, these books are the ultimate feel-good vacation reads. They’re lighthearted, romantic, and full of the kind of messy, lovable characters that make you want to stay a little longer in their world.
These were some songs I listened to that has similar vibes to the story line ;)
Fever Dream by Elsie Silver
Read: 7/10/2026
Fever Dream is the perfect blend of witty banter, undeniable chemistry, and reality TV chaos. Elsie Silver delivers a romance that’s as entertaining as it is swoony, with sharp dialogue, playful tension, and characters who know exactly how to push each other’s buttons.
The reality TV backdrop adds such a fun twist, bringing plenty of unexpected moments, humor, and behind-the-scenes drama that kept the story feeling fresh. I loved the way the banter carried the romance—it’s the kind of back-and-forth that makes you grin one minute and melt the next. I had past seasons of the bachelor running through my mind.
A charming, feel-good read with
big personalities, big emotions, and just the right amount of delicious chaos. Fever Dream is a reminder that sometimes the best love stories come with a little mess, a lot of laughter, and a camera rolling. Also bonus points because it is set in Canada.
No Matter What
By Cara Bastone
Some authors tell stories. Cara Bastone makes me feel them.
No Matter What wrapped itself around my heart in the quietest, gentlest way. It reminded me that love isn't always grand gestures—sometimes it's choosing someone, showing up, staying, and believing they're worthy even when they can't believe it themselves.
That's what I love most about Cara's books. They never shy away from the hard things, but they always leave me with hope. Every character feels so deeply human that by the last page, it feels like I'm saying goodbye to people I actually know.
She writes about loneliness so realistically and the anguish of what loving someone with PTSD is like.
This is why she'll always be one of my favorite authors. Her stories don't just give me butterflies—they remind me that kindness matters, healing is possible, art can help transcend fear, and love can exist in the middle of brokenness. I'm already missing these characters. This was such a good read!
The Night We Met by Abby Jiminez absolutely shattered me—in the best possible way.
This isn't a love story that's easy to root for, but it's impossible not to. It's messy, forbidden, and overflowing with longing. Every stolen moment, every lingering look, and every impossible choice had my heart in a vice. The yearning between these characters is written so beautifully that I caught myself clutching my chest more than once.
The best friend's girlfriend trope doesn't always work for me, but this author made me feel every ounce of their conflict. The chemistry is undeniable, the guilt is palpable, and the emotional push and pull is relentless. I knew I shouldn't be rooting for them, yet I couldn't help myself because their love felt so authentic and inevitable.
