SUMMER BOOKS:

Sunshine & Salty air

There is nothing better than spending a summer afternoon curled up with a romance novel, an iced coffee, and the sound of waves in the background.

Whether you're headed to the beach, relaxing by the pool, or enjoying a cozy evening on the porch, these books deserve a spot on your summer TBR.

Romance recs & reviews:

It Happened One Summer By: Tessa Bailey

X Small-Town Romance
X Opposites Attract
X Coastal Setting
X Grumpy × Sunshine
X Character Growth
X Summer Romance
**Coastal Cowgirl Rating: ★★★★**
**Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥**

It Happened One Summer is the kind of book that feels like the perfect summer escape. From the moment Piper Bellinger finds herself trading her glamorous Los Angeles lifestyle for a much quieter life in Westport, Washington, the story delivers that irresistible combination of small-town charm, romance, humor, and a little bit of chaos.

Piper and Brendan Taggart could not be more different, which is exactly what makes their relationship so much fun to watch unfold. Piper is confident, fashionable, and used to a very different lifestyle, while Brendan is a serious, hardworking sea captain who isn't exactly impressed by her Hollywood-girl reputation. Their opposite personalities create plenty of entertaining banter and undeniable chemistry.

One of my favorite parts of this book is the small-town atmosphere. Westport feels like a character of its own, with its cozy community, ocean views, local businesses, and the feeling that everyone knows everyone. I especially loved seeing Piper slowly discover that a meaningful life doesn't necessarily look like the one she originally imagined for herself.

The romance is definitely spicy, but there is also plenty of emotional depth underneath the chemistry. Piper's personal growth and her relationship with her sister add another layer to the story and make it more than just a steamy summer romance.

Tessa Bailey does a great job creating characters who are easy to root for while giving readers plenty of banter, tension, and swoony moments. I loved the contrast between Piper's glamorous past and Brendan's rugged coastal lifestyle, and watching those two worlds collide made this such a fun read.

Hook, Line & Sinker By: Tessa Bailey

X Friends to Lovers
X Small Coastal Town
X Slow-Burn Romance
X Emotional Growth
X Close-Knit Community
**Coastal Cowgirl Rating: ★★★★**
**Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥**

If It Happened One Summer brought you to Westport, Hook, Line & Sinker gives you another reason to stay. This time, the spotlight turns to Hannah Bellinger and Fox Thornton, and their story has a completely different feel while keeping all the small-town coastal charm that made the first book so much fun.

Hannah and Fox have an easy friendship that slowly begins to develop into something more. What I especially loved about their relationship is that it isn't just about instant attraction—their friendship gives the romance room to develop naturally. There is plenty of chemistry and tension, but underneath all of that is a story about vulnerability, self-worth, and allowing yourself to be truly known.

Fox is the kind of hero who may look confident and charming on the outside but carries much more insecurity underneath. Hannah, meanwhile, is determined to build a life around the things she genuinely loves rather than simply following someone else's expectations. Watching these two characters challenge each other and grow together made their relationship especially rewarding.

And, of course, Westport continues to be one of my favorite parts of the series. The oceanfront setting, quirky small-town community, cozy atmosphere, and fishing-town charm make this feel like the perfect book to read with an iced coffee somewhere near the water.

One of my favorite things about this book is the emotional side of the romance. Beneath the flirting, banter, and spice, Hannah and Fox both have insecurities they need to work through.

Their relationship feels like a reminder that sometimes the person who truly sees you can become the person who helps you see yourself differently, too.

I also enjoyed that the story doesn't rely entirely on physical chemistry. The friendship between Hannah and Fox gives the romance a softer foundation, making the eventual shift in their relationship feel meaningful.

Hook, Line & Sinker is a great choice if you're looking for a steamy summer romance with a cozy small-town setting and a friends-to-lovers storyline.

Tessa Bailey combines humor, emotional moments, romantic tension, and plenty of spice while bringing readers back to the charming coastal town of Westport. If you enjoyed It Happened One Summer, I'd definitely recommend continuing the Bellinger Sisters series with Hannah and Fox's story.

Every Summer After By: Carley Fortune

**Second-Chance**
**Childhood Friends-to-Lovers**
**Small-Town**
**Lakeside Setting**
**Summer Nostalgia**
**First Love**
**Slow-Burn**
**Reconnecting After Years Apart**
**Lost Love**
**Coming-of-Age**
**Angst & Heartbreak**
**Emotional Healing**
**Past & Present Timeline**
**The One That Got Away**
**Summer Memories**
**Coastal Cowgirl Rating: ★★★**
**Spice: 🔥🔥**

Every Summer After is the kind of book that makes you want to pack a bag, head to a lake house, and spend the summer doing absolutely nothing except reading.

This story completely captures that bittersweet feeling of summer nostalgia and first love—the kind of love that stays with you even after life takes you in a completely different direction.

I really enjoyed the way the story moves between the past and present, allowing us to experience the relationship as it develops while also slowly discovering what caused everything to fall apart. It made the story feel emotional and nostalgic without giving everything away at once.

Poppy and Sam's relationship was one of my favorite parts. Their friendship feels natural, and watching that friendship grow into something deeper gives the romance a wonderful sense of history. There's something so special about a story centered around people who knew each other before they became the adults they're trying to be.

And then there's the lake setting.

Carley Fortune absolutely knows how to create a summer atmosphere. The lake, the cottages, the long days, the late nights, and those golden summer memories practically come alive on the page. It made this book feel like a vacation.

But underneath all of those dreamy summer moments is a story about regret, grief, forgiveness, growing up, and finding your way back to yourself. It isn't just a fluffy summer romance, and I appreciated the emotional depth.

The romance has some steam, but the story focuses much more on the emotional connection, history, and relationship between the characters.

Every Summer After is a beautiful choice for anyone looking for a romance that feels nostalgic, emotional, and completely soaked in summer.

It reminded me that first love doesn't always disappear just because life changes—and sometimes the hardest part isn't falling in love, but figuring out whether you're brave enough to face the past.

Till Summer Do Us Part By: Meghan Quinn

X Summer Romance
X Romantic Comedy
X Slow-Burn Attraction
X Witty Banter
X Emotional Growth
X Vacation Vibes
**Coastal Cowgirl Rating: ★★★★★**
**Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥**

Till Summer Do Us Part is exactly the kind of fun, chaotic summer romance I want to pick up when I'm looking for something that will make me laugh, swoon, and completely escape reality for a little while.

Scottie Price is starting over after a divorce and trying to find her place at a new job. Unfortunately, one little lie about having a husband spirals into something much bigger when her boss expects her to attend marriage counseling. Enter Wilder, her best friend's brother, who agrees to step in and pretend to be her husband. What could possibly go wrong? 💍

I absolutely loved the ridiculousness of the setup. It's one of those romance plots where you have to suspend reality a little and simply enjoy the ride—and honestly, that's part of what makes it so entertaining.

The fake marriage and forced-proximity setup gives Scottie and Wilder plenty of opportunities for banter, awkward situations, tension, and chemistry. Their relationship develops while they're stuck navigating a couples retreat, and I really enjoyed watching the walls between them slowly come down.

Wilder was definitely one of my favorite parts of the book. He's charming, playful, supportive, and has that golden-retriever energy that makes him incredibly easy to root for. Scottie brings a different energy to the relationship, and I liked seeing her work through some of the emotional baggage from her past while figuring out what she actually wants for her future.

The relationship between Scottie and Wilder is what really makes this book work for me.

There is an instant spark, but their emotional connection takes time to develop. I enjoyed the slow-burn element, especially because Scottie's past makes it difficult for her to completely let her guard down.

Wilder's patience and willingness to show up for her made him such a lovable hero. Their banter keeps things light, while the more vulnerable moments give the story some heart underneath all the comedy.

There is definitely spice, particularly as the story progresses, but the book also puts a lot of emphasis on the relationship, humor, and emotional development.

Till Summer Do Us Part is a lighthearted, spicy summer rom-com that's perfect when you want something entertaining and easy to get lost in.

Meghan Quinn brings her signature humor and banter while putting her own chaotic spin on the fake-marriage trope. Scottie and Wilder's journey is filled with ridiculous situations, romantic tension, emotional moments, and plenty of laughs.

Part of Your World By: Abby Jimenez

**Small-Town**
**City Girl**
**Opposites Attract**
**Slow-Burn**
**Forbidden/Complicated**
**Emotional Healing**
**Finding Home**
**Choosing Your Own Path**
**Found Family**
**Personal Growth**
**Love Against the Odds**
**Leaving Your Comfort Zone**
**Coastal Cowgirl Rating: ★★★★**
**Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥**

Part of Your World is one of those romances that looks like a lighthearted love story on the surface but ends up carrying so much more emotional depth underneath.

Alexis Montgomery is an accomplished ER doctor who comes from an incredibly wealthy and influential family. She has spent much of her life trying to live up to expectations that were placed on her, even when those expectations don't necessarily align with what she truly wants.

Then she meets Daniel Grant.

Daniel is a small-town carpenter and mayor who is ten years younger than Alexis, and he couldn't be more different from the world she comes from. Their chemistry is immediate, but what really makes their relationship special is the way Daniel encourages Alexis to slow down and discover what actually makes her happy.

One of my favorite parts of this book is the small-town atmosphere. The community feels warm, welcoming, and full of personality, creating the perfect contrast to Alexis's high-pressure life.

I also loved the theme of choosing your own life instead of living the life other people expect from you. Alexis has to confront some incredibly difficult decisions about her career, family, relationships, and happiness.

Daniel was such a bright spot throughout the story. He's supportive, caring, funny, and completely comfortable being himself. His relationship with Alexis feels like a reminder that love should make you feel more like yourself—not less.

And Abby Jimenez does what she does best: she mixes humor with heavier emotional moments. There were moments that made me smile and moments that genuinely tugged at my heart.

Alexis and Daniel's relationship is definitely an opposites-attract romance.

She's a successful city doctor with a demanding career and a complicated family history. He's a laid-back small-town carpenter who is deeply connected to his community.

The age difference and class difference create real obstacles, which gives the romance more depth than a simple meet-cute story. Their biggest challenge isn't whether they have chemistry—it's figuring out whether two people from completely different worlds can build a life that works for both of them.

There is definitely romance and open-door intimacy, but the emotional relationship and character development are just as important as the physical chemistry.

For me, one of the strongest themes in Part of Your World is the idea that your life doesn't have to look the way someone else planned it for you.

Alexis is constantly being pulled between the life her family wants for her and the life that actually makes her feel fulfilled. Watching her begin to recognize what she wants—and what she deserves—is one of the most meaningful parts of the story.

It's a beautiful reminder that sometimes finding happiness requires being brave enough to disappoint the people who have expectations for you.

Part of Your World is more than just a cute small-town romance. It's a story about love, family, expectations, self-discovery, and having the courage to choose happiness.

Abby Jimenez balances humor and heart beautifully, giving readers a romance that can make you laugh one minute and reach for the tissues the next. Daniel and Alexis have an undeniable connection, but it's their emotional growth that makes their story memorable.

Yours Truly By: Abby Jimenez

**Pen Pals / Letters**
**Doctor × Doctor**
**Friends-to-Lovers**
**Slow-Burn**
**Workplace**
**He Falls First**
**Mutual Pining**
**Fake Dating**
**Opposites Attract**
**Hospital Setting**
**Found Family**
**Emotional Healing**
**Learning to Trust Again**
**Love After Heartbreak**
**Coastal Cowgirl Rating: ★★★★**
**Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥**

Yours Truly is one of those books that sneaks up on you. At first, it feels like a sweet, funny workplace romance, but the deeper I got into the story, the more emotionally invested I became in Briana and Jacob.

Briana Ortiz is a doctor who is dealing with a lot personally while also navigating a difficult transition at work. Then Jacob Maddox arrives—and their first interaction doesn't exactly go according to plan.

Jacob is awkward, anxious, and incredibly misunderstood. But when he writes Briana a heartfelt letter, something unexpected begins to develop between them. Their connection through letters becomes one of my favorite parts of the story because it gives them the opportunity to be completely honest with each other in a way that feels difficult face-to-face.

The letters were absolutely one of my favorite elements.

There's something so special about getting to know someone through their thoughts and words before everything becomes complicated in person. Briana and Jacob's correspondence allows their relationship to grow naturally, and I loved watching their friendship turn into something deeper.

Jacob is also such a memorable hero. He's not the stereotypical confident, smooth romance hero—and that's exactly why I loved him. His anxiety and insecurities make him feel incredibly human, while his kindness and thoughtfulness make him impossible not to root for.

Briana is equally compelling. She's strong, independent, and protective of the people she loves, but she's also carrying emotional wounds of her own.

Their relationship becomes a beautiful example of two imperfect people learning how to communicate, trust, and show up for each other.

The romance is definitely a slow burn, and I think that works perfectly for this story.

Briana and Jacob's connection develops through friendship, letters, vulnerability, and emotional intimacy before becoming something more. There is plenty of romantic tension, but the emotional connection is really what drives their relationship.

I especially appreciated that the story explores how important it is to feel seen and understood by the person you're with.

Abby Jimenez is very good at mixing humor with heavier emotional themes, and Yours Truly definitely delivers on both.

There were moments when I was laughing at the characters and their situations, followed by moments where I wanted to reach through the pages and give them both a hug.

This isn't just a story about falling in love. It's also about learning that vulnerability isn't weakness and that asking for help doesn't make you less strong.

The romance has open-door intimate moments, but the emotional connection between Briana and Jacob remains the heart of the story.

Yours Truly completely stole my heart.

Briana and Jacob's relationship feels tender, awkward, funny, complicated, and incredibly genuine. I loved that their love story wasn't built around two perfect people—it was built around two people who were struggling in their own ways and slowly learned that they didn't have to face everything alone.

Abby Jimenez once again delivers a romance that can make you laugh, swoon, and cry within the same chapter.

Just For the Summer By: Abby Jimenez

Strangers to Lovers
Summer Romance
Fake Dating (with unexpected feelings)
Forced Proximity
Emotional Healing
Witty Banter
Personal Growth
Found Family
Fresh Starts
Slow-Building
**Coastal Cowgirl Rating: ★★★★★**
**Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥**

Just for the Summer is one of those books that looks like the perfect lighthearted summer romance from the outside—but once you start reading, you realize there is so much more underneath the surface.

I went into this expecting a fun, flirty summer romance, and while I definitely got that, Abby Jimenez also delivered the emotional depth and complicated characters that make her books so memorable. Justin and Emma have such an adorable connection, and I loved watching their relationship develop while they tried to figure out whether their little summer arrangement could actually turn into something real.

One of my favorite things about this book was the found-family element. The relationships outside of the romance added so much heart to the story. There are moments that made me laugh, moments that made me want to cry, and plenty of moments where I just wanted to reach through the pages and hug these characters.

Emma especially stole my heart. She's imperfect, guarded, and carrying more than people realize. Watching her slowly let people in made her journey feel incredibly real. Justin was also such a lovable character, and the way he showed up for Emma was one of my favorite parts of their relationship.

And, of course, Abby Jimenez knows how to balance humor and heartbreak. Just when I thought I was settling into a cute, easy summer romance, the story would hit me with something deeper.

There is definitely romance and spice, but the emotional connection and character development are much more central to the story than the steam.

Just for the Summer reminded me that sometimes the best romances aren't simply about finding your person—they're about finding people who make you feel safe enough to become yourself.

CURRENT READS & TBR:

Current Read: Just For the Cameras By: Meghan Quinn

Fake dating • Celebrity romance • Opposites attract • Forced proximity • Slow burn • Romantic comedy • He falls first • Witty banter

💭 My Thoughts at Page 500

Reading Progress: Page 500 📖
Status: Still reading… and definitely invested!

There’s something about the combination of attraction, tension, and those little moments between them that makes their relationship so much fun to read. Even when they’re trying to keep things under control, you can feel that tension building.

And let's just say… Meghan Quinn knows how to keep the romance interesting. 👀🔥

The banter has definitely been one of my favorite parts so far.

I love a romance that can make me laugh while also giving me those swoony moments, and this book has delivered plenty of both.

Some of the interactions have had me smiling at my book like an absolute fool. 😂

Those moments have made me want to keep reading because I’m curious to see how everything unfolds.

Chemistry: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Banter: 😂😂😂😂😂
Romance: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Entertainment: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My Investment: VERY HIGH 😂

I’m not giving this book my final rating just yet because I still have more pages to read!

But at page 500, I can definitely say that Just for the Cameras has kept me entertained and invested. It has that perfect combination of romance, humor, tension, and a little bit of chaos that makes it hard to put down.

And now that I’m this far into the story…

There is absolutely NO way I’m stopping now.

So, back to reading I go!

I’ll be back with my final thoughts, favorite moments, tropes, spice rating, and final ⭐️ rating once I finish.

Until then…

Happy reading, Y’all!

— Paige
Coastal Cowgirl – Rooted in Faith