Anyone who works at the library can tell you: as soon as we tell someone we work in the library, their first response is often “So you must love to read!” It is true that many of us love to read (though if we’re being honest: there’s simply no time to read as much as you think we do!). To share our love of reading, we have collected our staff members’ favorite romance novels–perfect for your summer reading list.
Our list has something for all types of readers, from heart ache to heart flutters. Many of our recommendations fall within the Grumpy x Sunshine, LGBTQIA+, or athletic tropes. From food adventures and ghosts to athletes and fantasy, we hope this booklist sweeps you off your feet. If you’re unsure whether a book fits your vibe, some of our recommendations include song accompaniments that our pseudonymous readers think match the tone of the book.
We have developed a spice rating for each title, ranging from sweet, adorable romance stories to scorching hot.
Spice Rating
1: Adorable, warm, and fuzzy, but nothing too explicit.
2: It might be getting a little hot in here as content contains some explicit material.
3: Do not recommend to your parent. There is explicit content.
Books are listed in order based on their spice level. These titles were recommended anonymously. We advise all readers to check the content warnings before getting cozy with a book. If we don’t have a copy in our library, we recommend you search LINK+ to request a copy from one of our partner libraries, or check out your local public library.
“A Cuban’s Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow” by Laura Taylor Namey
Spice Level: 🌶️️
What You’re Getting: Heart-warming and funny young adult novel following Lila Reyes on her food, family, and self-discovery journey. – Baby Kimchi
“The Mediator” by Meg Cabot
Spice Level: 🌶️️
What You’re Getting: In this series, Suze, a high school student, is dealing with the drama of high school and, of course, the ghost living in her room. Luckily, the ghost is more of a gentleman than all the men out there. – Uptown Girl and Read Hot Chili Pepper
Pair with: “Heartlines” by BROODS
“Twelfth Knight” by Alexene Farol Follmuth
Spice Level: 🌶️️
What You’re Getting: This young adult romcom follows Viola Reyes, a high school vice president who creates a male gaming alter-ego, “Cesario,” to find a safe haven for herself, only to find an unlikely love interest! – Baby Kimchi
“Sylvester” by Georgette Heyer
Spice Level: 🌶️️
What You’re Getting: Contemporary Regency romance authors try to emulate or build off Georgette Heyer, but she did it first. She created the genre’s vocabulary and tropes and the fun conventions — and then she breaks them. Almost any Heyer title of is a terrific read. This one, Sylvester, showcases a perfectly unbeautiful, unrefined everyday heroine with hilarious tendencies toward brave and adventurous mishaps — and who may remind readers a little bit of the much-later-created Lady Whistledown. So much fun. – Unapologetic Janeite
Pair with: “Take It on the Run” by REO Speedwagon
“Alchemised” by SenLinYu
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️
What You’re Getting: Helena awakes from a medically-induced stasis, the single survivor of the resistance, to become a fascination of her captors. However, her memories appear to have disappeared. Yes, the book is 1,029 pages. However, not a single page is wasted. SenLinYu builds a gothic, war‑torn atmosphere in which the reader goes through an emotional rollercoaster that highlights how records and the lack of records control the narrative and shape collective memory. – Read Hot Chili Pepper
Pair with: “Say You’ll Be There” by Shaefri
“Female Fantasy” by Iman Hariri-Kia
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️
What You’re Getting: When Joonie discovers that the main character of her favorite romantasy novel is based on a friend of the author, she embarks on a road trip to New York in hopes of finally finding her happily ever after. The only issue? Her brother’s annoying (and annoyingly hot best friend), Nico, insists on tagging along. – Damsel in the Stacks
Pair with: “Falling” by Harry Styles
“Love on the Brain” by Ali Hazelwood
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️
What You’re Getting: Bee Königswasser, a neuroscientist, is forced to work on a NASA project with her academic rival, Levi Ward, sparking an enemies-to-lovers story full of witty banter, workplace tension, and a touch of mystery. It’s a standalone novel with a slow-burn “grumpy meets sunshine” dynamic, while also touching on real issues like sexism in STEM. – Lesbrarian
Pair with: “She Blinded Me With Science” by Thomas Dolby
“You Should Be So Lucky” by Cat Sebastian
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️
What You’re Getting: This is a slow burn, 1960s LGBTQIA+ romance between a baseball player and a reporter. Cat Sebastian is a pro at yearning and knocks this out of the park. – Anonymous
“Welcome to Temptation” by Jennifer Crusie
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️
What You’re Getting: Sophie Dempsey wants to help her sister film a video and then get out of Temptation, Ohio. Mayor Phin Tucker wants to play pool with the police chief and keep things peaceful. Gossip, blackmail, adultery, murder, vehicular abuse of a corpse, and slightly perverse but excellent sex: all hell breaks loose in Temptation as Sophie and Phin fall deeper and deeper in trouble and in love. – Zane
Pair with: “What’s It Gonna Be?!” by Busta Rhymes ft. Janet Jackson
“Hot Nights, Dark Desires” by Eden Bradley, Sydney Croft, and Stephanie Tyler
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
What You’re Getting: Inspired by the sultry heat and sensual ambiance of New Orleans, this steamy collection delves into the erotic underground of the Big Easy. – Zane
Pair with: “I Belong to You” by Lenny Kravitz
“Red, White and Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
What You’re Getting: The First Son of the United States and the Prince of Wales are forced into a fake friendship to end a public feud. Their rivalry unexpectedly turns into an intense and secret romance. – Lesbrarian
Pair with: “Your Song” by Elton John
“Time to Shine” by Rachel Reid
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
What You’re Getting: Rachel Reid’s “Heated Rivalry” may have gone viral. However, it’s “Time to Shine” that stands out in her repertoire. The two teammates—the superstar and the temporary back‑up goalie have one of the sweetest, slow‑burn relationships in which the foundation of their relationship is friendship, respect, and consent. You just want to hug both main characters as they find themselves and their place in the world. – Read Hot Chili Pepper
Pair with: “Beautiful Things” by Benson Boone