Clean and Cozy Beach Reads

Librarian and romance writer Katie Fitzgerald recommends some gentle romance reads for summer reading. 

As I did last summer, I’ve compiled a new list of fun, sweet romance novels that keep it clean so you can enjoy a beach read without blushing.   

Sweet Summer Reading Suggestions   

The Perfect Rom-com by Melissa Ferguson  

When Bryony Page seeks representation for her book at a publishing conference, her proposal is rejected, and in a last-ditch effort to impress agent Jack Sterling, she makes some comments criticizing another author’s manuscript. Jack realizes Bryony’s instincts are spot-on, and he makes her a deal. She will ghostwrite for Amelia Benedict, and in exchange, he will submit her manuscript to publishers. Bryony does so well as a ghostwriter that the job becomes long-term, and though she and Jack grow closer all the time, it seems like nothing ever happens with her own book. Will Bryony ever be able to step out of the shadow of Amelia Benedict and come into her own? And if she walks away from her job, will she still get to keep Jack?  

This romance from Christian publisher Thomas Nelson has lots of clever banter, and it explores themes of honesty, humility, fame, and confidence. Bryony and Jack are believable, multi-faceted characters, and I rooted for them all the way to the end.    

Sons of Scandal trilogy by Becky Wade 

This Christian series focuses on three brothers whose father made some poor decisions, including committing adultery, that brought scandal onto the family. Each book is a romance in which one of the brothers finds love, and each story also furthers the overarching plot of the family overcoming its past and healing from its wounds. The three books are Memory Lane, involving a mysterious stranger washed up on the shore of a Maine island with amnesia, Rocky Road, in which an FBI agent and a perfumer who are pretending to date accidentally fall in love for real, and Uneasy Street, in which former friends and business partners reconnect for a fresh start while also helping a young girl find her birth family.

All three books are beautifully written, and they have deep storylines beyond just the romances.  

So Into You by Melissa Fuller  

Britt, an artist with an instructional YouTube channel has been living at home in a holding pattern, but when her best friend gets engaged, she decides it’s time to work on managing her social anxiety so she can strike out on her own. Hunter, the black sheep of a prominent family, has never been that into art, but he finds Britt’s channel soothing. He reaches out to her, and they strike a bargain. Hunter will help Britt overcome her anxiety in exchange for art lessons. The only problem is, neither of them is completely honest with the other, and the secrets they keep threaten to ruin their budding connection.

This book has lots of interesting family connections woven into it, and themes of healing are redemption are a main focus.   

Love in Tandem by Becca Kinzer  

Charlotte is content in her job as a music teacher, and she is devastated when it is threatened by budget cuts. Determined to save the music program, she does something very out of character and enters a tandem bike ride competition that has a large monetary prize attached. Unfortunately, Charlotte finds herself paired with Zach, the brother of her former fiancé. Sparks fly, and at first it seems like their enmity might be their biggest stumbling block, but as they cover miles on the bike, they begin to see each other in a new light.

There are some Christian elements in this story, in addition to the unique adventure of riding a tandem bike 500 miles.  

Wherever you’re headed this summer, take along a couple of these titles, and you’ll be sure to enjoy your time reading and relaxing in the sun.  

What are you reading this summer?

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Copyright 2025 Katie Fitzgerald
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