READ THIS NEXT
with Emily Darlow
There’s something about summer that makes romance novels feel even more delicious. The heat slows us down, the afternoons stretch a little longer, and suddenly we have permission to sink into stories that are warm, escapist and gloriously indulgent. Whether you’re tucked under the air-con with a cold drink, curled up on the verandah while the cicadas hum, or stealing pages at the beach while someone else takes their turn watching the grandkids summer is the perfect time to reach for a love story.
This month’s romance roundup offers a mix of emotional depth, cosy charm, sweeping nostalgia and Australian outback grit. These aren’t just light diversions, they’re immersive reads with heart, history and plenty to say about life, love and second chances. Here’s what deserves a place in your summer stack.
Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
If you’re in the mood for a full-throttle emotional ride, Ugly Love is designed for it. Hoover throws you straight into the intensity of Tate and Miles – a nurse in the middle of reshaping her life, and a pilot with a past wound so deep he can barely function beyond the basics. Their chemistry is explosive, but their arrangement is strictly physical, a rule that becomes increasingly impossible to maintain as their connection grows.
One of the strengths of this novel is its structure: Hoover alternates between Tate’s present-day narration and flashbacks revealing the trauma that shaped Miles.
The effect is gripping, you understand him long before Tate does, and you feel the emotional weight of his reluctance even as their relationship barrels forward. It’s the kind of storytelling that keeps you hooked late into the night.
This is the perfect summer pick if you want something gripping and dramatic. A book that invites you to devour it in one sitting and leaves you thinking about how love heals, hurts and transforms us. It’s emotional, addictive and tailor-made for readers who love a romance with real stakes.
The Colour of Hope by Danielle Steel
If you prefer your romance tender, reflective and beautifully scenic, Danielle Steel delivers exactly that in The Colour of Hope. At its heart is Sabrina, a woman rebuilding her life after the devastating loss of her husband. When she escapes to the south of France, she expects to withdraw from the world, but finds herself slowly awakened by the beauty around her, the food, the people, the ocean, and eventually, the possibility of love.
Steel writes grief with a gentleness that resonates deeply, especially for readers who know what it feels like to step into a new chapter after loss. Sabrina’s emotional journey isn’t rushed; it unfolds with quiet realism, making her eventual opening to love feel genuine and well-earned. It’s a story that understands both the heaviness of the past and the lightness of a future you never planned for.
This is a gorgeous choice for summer if you’re craving something soothing, scenic and hopeful. The kind of book that pairs beautifully with a shady spot and a cold drink, offering comfort without ever becoming saccharine.
All Together for Christmas by Sarah Morgan
Sarah Morgan is the queen of warm-hearted, feel-good romance, and All Together for Christmas is one of her most charming offerings. When Becky finds herself stranded at an airport, her only option for getting home is a lift with Will, her brother’s best friend and a man she’s never quite understood. Their impromptu road trip kickstarts a series of events that unravel family tensions, long-held secrets and unexpected sparks.
Morgan’s strength is in creating characters who feel real. Becky’s longing for connection, Will’s guardedness and the messy, loving dynamics of the family they’re heading toward all weave together into a story that’s both cosy and emotionally layered. There’s humour, tension and moments of genuine vulnerability, all the ingredients that make Morgan’s holiday romances shine.
Even though it’s set at Christmas, this novel works brilliantly as a summer read. It has that comfort-watch movie quality heartwarming, sincere and full of gentle charm. If you’re looking for a feel-good romance to sink into during a warm afternoon, this is the one to reach for.
The Adventuress of Albany by Darry Fraser
If you love Australian historical fiction with grit, guts and a resilient heroine at the centre, Darry Fraser’s The Adventuress of Albany is an absolute treat. Set along Western Australia’s rugged coastline in 1881, the story follows a young woman thrust into danger, intrigue and a journey that reshapes her future in ways she never expected.
Fraser paints the setting with real authenticity the dusty roads, the wild rivers, the uneasy tension of frontier life. Her characters are equally vivid: courageous women trying to carve out lives of their own and men who must earn their trust rather than simply be granted it. The slow-burn romance that develops feels organic, grounded in survival as much as desire.
This one is perfect for readers who enjoy love stories rooted in adventure, history and independence. It’s rich, atmospheric and distinctly Australian – ideal for losing yourself on a hot afternoon when you want to be transported somewhere completely different.
The Last Love Song by Lucinda Riley
For something sweeping, nostalgic and beautifully written, Lucinda Riley’s The Last Love Song is the standout. Set between rural Ireland and the glimmering music scene of 1960s London, the novel follows Sorcha O’Donovan, a rising singer whose life collides with musician Con Daly in a love story full of longing, ambition and the kind of heartbreak that never fully fades.
Riley does what she always does best: she builds layered, emotionally resonant characters and places them in rich, evocative settings. The glamour of London, the quiet beauty of Ireland and the intensity of the music world all come together to create a novel that feels cinematic in scope. The love story at its centre is compelling and complicated, spanning years and reshaping both characters in profound ways.
This book is especially wonderful for long summer evenings when you want to fall deeply into a story. It’s immersive, emotional and beautifully crafted. A romance you’ll keep thinking about long after you’ve turned the last page.
Whether you want something raw and emotional, gentle and hopeful, festive and feel-good, ruggedly Australian or sweepingly nostalgic, this month’s romance picks offer a perfect summer escape. Pour yourself something cold, claim your comfiest chair and let these stories make the season even sweeter.
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