Sept. 22 is upon us, but it doesn’t mean that fall needs to take over just yet. The sun is still shining and the days on campus are still hot, so it’s time to soak in those last feelings of summer and sit outdoors in the sun with a good book (or two). Let’s slow down the seasons just a bit with four books to read before the days get shorter, and the mornings get colder.
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
Things can go very wrong when the maid of honor and the best man hate each other, especially when the entire wedding party gets food poisoning except for the two of them. Now, Olive must take the place of her twin sister at her nonrefundable honeymoon in Hawaii. The worst part? She’s stuck with the best man, Ethan, whom she despises. Forced together on the perfect honeymoon (with plans to stay far far away from each other), a lie to her future boss sets Olive and Ethan on a mission to prove they’re a happy newlywed couple. And they definitely won’t fall in love…right?
This book may just be the epitome of a perfect “summer romance.” It is sweet and carefree, but it also deals with sibling dynamics, and what it means for two sisters to always feel pitted against one another. With a Hawaiian setting, the characters discover that they don’t really know everything about each other, and that sometimes the best things in life are the ones we never would’ve expected.
Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood
Maya’s brother is getting married to the love of his life. Meanwhile, she has no idea what she’s going to do next week. So falling for her older brother’s best friend (who is 15 years her senior) is definitely out of the picture. But what if her brother’s wedding in Italy can be the setting for Maya to discover what she’s wanted all along? They can never be together, so what’s the harm in a little summer fling?
If you want to turn your mind completely off, this is the book for you. Two people who harbor feelings for each other being forced together in a small Sicilian villa? Imagine Mama Mia, but not in Greece, and with a totally different plot. The vibes are there, I promise. Be warned, it’s a bit on the spicier side. This seemingly problematic romance has everything you could ever want: a charming guy, the Italian coast and a 20-something who’s just figuring it out like the rest of us.
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
Justin thinks he is cursed because every girl breaks up with him and then finds the love of her life. So when he posts about it on Reddit (yes…Reddit…stick with me please) and it goes viral, Emma can’t help but realize the same thing happens to her, too. She’s a travelling nurse perpetually afraid of settling down, and their DMs come to life when Emma and Justin end up in the same city for the summer. So they strike a deal: date, break up, find their soulmates. But what if they don’t want the relationship to end once fall rolls around?
This book covers some much heavier topics than the other summer romances on this list. Jimenez isn’t one to shy away from real world problems. The two main characters come from dysfunctional homes and have trust issues galore, but that doesn’t mean they don’t get happy moments, too.
My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix
Abby and Gretchen have been best friends forever. But when high school starts and Gretchen begins to act differently, Abby is sure of one thing: Gretchen is possessed by the devil. Can Abby save her own best friend?
Everyone loves a good summer slasher and this horror novel is a great way to combine it with the feelings of fall. Spooky but somehow also lighthearted, this 80s inspired romp has all the Stranger Things vibes with all the problems of The Exorcist. So if you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be possessed your freshman year of high school, well, now you know. Summer is close to an end, but this gives all the fun of the sun while preparing you for the cold and haunting season of Halloween.
