A page turning playlist of Summer Romance Reads

 Despite the ups and downs of the weather this spring(experiencing quite the cold snap at the moment!), summer is not too far off and considering the financial state of the world these days, a good book is still the best staycation, if you ask me.

In highlighting this trio of upcoming romance reads, I decided to pair each one with what I consider to be the best song for their potential soundtrack in case of potential adaptations. Even if these particular titles remain page only pleasures, a little playlist fun only adds to the love factor there.

Let’s start with Romantic Hero by Kirsty Greenwood, due out in June, where a broken hearted writer finds quite the muse on and off the literary ranch series she’s created.

Gertie Bickerstaff has a two week deadline to deliver the last entry in her cowboy romance novel series but her recent breakup is stalling her writing skills big time.

While having a good crying session in her bathtub, Gertie is interrupted by one of her own fictional characters, River Oakley, the main villain of that world. He’s just as surprised to see Gertie (plus, not as bad of a guy as she’s made him out to be) and eager to return home.

In order to set things right, River offers to help Gertie get her exe back by pretending to be her new boyfriend and making said former lover jealous enough to make up with her. As time goes on, however, Gertie starts to wonder if she really needs to be back in that relationship or is this the start of something truly new and better with River?

I did throughly enjoy Greenwood’s prior book(The Love of my Afterlife) and this sounds like as much good quirky yet sincerely compelling storytelling here. As for my song choice, it’s a bit obvious but hey, worth holding out for:

Set for a July release is the latest from Christina Lauren, The Romantic Revival, a light and lively take on a classic sci-fi trope.

Dr. Emory Martin is as devoted to her work as a biomedical scientist as she is to her beloved husband Luca yet those two passions become one and the same most unexpectedly.

When Luca dies in a tragic accident, she uses her experimental project to hopefully bring him back to life. It does work, with the catch being that he has no memory of their life together.

In rebuilding what was lost, Emery decides to become the perfect partner that she felt that she wasn’t before. Yet, isn’t the best love not meant to be perfect?

Lauren’s work has dipped its toes in scientifically themed waters before and this sounds more about romantic chemistry rather than laboratory lore. That’s perfectly fine with me as this sort of reminds me of the oddly engaging 1987 romcom Making Mr. Right, where a quirky PR woman and an android she is supposed to teach to act more human have quite the interstellar romance.

The main love song from that film is extremely suitable for this offbeat tale of renewed love in my opinion (also, if you can find Making Mr. Right on streaming, definitely check it out):

Also due in July is Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst, the third in her cozy fantasy SpellShop series.

We met Marin, who has been a sea faring supply runner for some time now, with a crew consisting of a friendly sea serpent and a sentient shrub.

Upon arriving at the capital city of Alyssium, Marin quickly realizes that there’s a fiery revolution going on and that her good friend Dax is in need of escape from the angry mob.

Rescuing Dax and giving him cover as a member of her crew comes with a price as Marin is in need of a fake boyfriend for the annual End of  Harvest Festival back in her home town. The deal is made yet Marin begins to wonder who is actually getting the true benefit of this bargain indeed.

SBD has blossomed into quite the cozy fantasy/romance sensation with her charming characters and graceful writing that does cast a storytelling spell on its readers. Speaking of spellcasting, this magical cover of “Somebody to Love” from  the 2004 adaptation of Ella Enchanted just feels so right for this one:

It may be extremely difficult to look forward to anything good right now but letting our spirits be permanently sunk low isn’t going to make things better.

Allowing ourselves moments of joy is important and celebrating the arts in all forms is vital to keeping our collective home fires burning, so to speak.Yes, romance novels are a part of that grand tradition and shouldn’t be scorned on that account.

I will be highlighting some more upcoming releases from other genres as summer grows near and like I said, books offer some reasonably priced vacation relief (especially when you calculate transportation costs alone!) there.

That doesn’t mean you have to constantly stay at home; for my birthday this weekend, I’m going to a special showing of a classic romcom that promises to be fun and audience participation friendly, just the kind of pop culture party many of us need right now.

Romance is a time honored genre with well known tropes that can still surprise and delight you when creatively written and presented. I have high hopes for this particular trio of love lorn stories that, much like a great song, can put a much needed spring in your step despite the season you’re currently in: