Lounge #07: A Summer of Stories: Your July Reading Guide
A gentle mid-year reset for your reading life
Welcome to The Lounge: Your monthly reading guide to tropes, TBR additions, and bookish plans. A cozy space to discover new releases, and dive into seasonal tropes that’ll make your reading life even better. Grab a cup of coffee (or tea) and settle in, we’ve got a lot to explore!
Lounge #07: A Summer of Stories: Your July Reading Guide
Let’s set the scene.
You’re on a lounge chair, or maybe curled up by a fan, book in one hand, cold drink in the other. The sun’s hitting just right (or trying to fry you alive). You’ve promised yourself you’d use this summer to slow down, read more, and maybe get lost in a few fictional romances or mysteries that have been lingering on your TBR for a long time.
Same.
That’s why I pulled together everything you need for July, from new releases I’m personally obsessed with to your next book club read and the settings that are perfect for the season. Let’s map out your reading month like it’s a mini vacation. Passport not required, but we are making a stop in Italy.
What are your favorite reading destinations for the summer?
Chapter One: Beach Reads We Can’t Stop Talking About
Let me set the scene. You’re flipping pages under an umbrella when your friend leans over and says, “You have to read this one next.” Well this week, Victoria from
joined me on the podcast to be that friend, dropping five romance recommendations that are basically sunshine in book form, and the perfect romance beach read.Hit play, or scroll for your TBR update.
Victoria’s Romance Beach Read Recs:
Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood
Age gap, brother’s best friend, and a dreamy Sicilian coast. Some are calling it controversial. We call it your next read.It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan
A former child star turned film producer. Her dream script. Her teen crush. All set against a summer festival backdrop.Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthews
She’s a Victorian lady by day, vigilante by night. He’s a working-class rebel with secrets. Expect sparks and slow burn.Along Came Amor by Alexis Daria
A hotel mogul. A freshly divorced teacher. A wedding they can’t escape. Tropes? Banter? Wedding chaos? Check, check, check.Fan Favorite by Adrienne Gunn
A reality TV fangirl joins the show, then falls for the showrunner. Pop culture easter eggs and behind-the-scenes drama galore.
📌 Let me know in the comments: Which one are you reaching for first?
PS: This month we’re also doing something a little special behind the scenes… Paid members will get exclusive access to our Summer Reading Reset Guide. A seasonal slow-down tool with rituals, reflection prompts, a printable tracker and more. Grab your copy at the end of this email!
Chapter Two: This Month’s Book Club Pick Is...
Every summer needs a little chaos, right?
This month, the League of Lusty Ladies Book Club is going dark and sexy with Loving a Vampire Is Total Chaos by Aura Hayes. It’s fated mates meets murdery vigilante vibes. We’re talking:
🕵️♀️ Human detective on her first big case
🧛♂️ 300-year-old vampire cleaning up the streets of Chicago
💀 And yes, he might just be the suspect she’s after
Vote below to help us pick August’s genre!
ICYMI - this week we posted 3 must read romance books by Caribbean authors that are summer in book form.
Chapter Three: My Most Anticipated July Releases
I talked about all 8 of my most-anticipated releases on YouTube this week, but if you're only grabbing a few, these three need to be in your beach bag:
The Woman in Suite 11 by Ruth Ware
If you loved The Woman in Cabin 10, this is a must. Luxury hotel, high-stakes mystery, and Lo Blacklock back on our shelves.Overruled by Lana Ferguson
She’s a ruthless divorce attorney. He’s her courtroom rival (and hookup). A spicy, enemies-with-benefits slow burn that delivers.Soulgazer by Maggie Rapier
Explosive magic. Pirate hero. Cursed heroine. Forced marriage. It’s the romantasy your July deserves.
Watch the full list of my most anticipated July releases here
Looking for even more July releases?
The Book Vault: Filter and search through our calendar of releases and backlist books by trope and genre (for paid members). We just updated the vault with new and upcoming titles.
Chapter Four: Summer Settings We’re Escaping Into
Every book is its own little escape, and this month’s featured settings are giving summer daydream in the best possible way. Here’s where we’re headed:
Lakeside
Think: cozy cabins, morning swims, and second-chance romances that unfold by the water. Whether it’s a small-town or a spontaneous summer fling, these lakeside romance books bring emotional depth with a peaceful, nostalgic setting. If you prefer a mystery, then check out these lake house thrillers.
Camping
From tent hookups to hiking mishaps, these camping romance books deliver wilderness tension and close-quarters intimacy. Expect forced proximity, nature chaos, and the kind of slow burns that feel earned. You can also go back to your younger years for a YA summer camp thriller.
Armchair Travel to Italy
Italy is the perfect setting for the month, and not just for romance. I swear I don’t just say this because I’m Italian. Whether you're craving romantic gestures in Rome, soul-searching in Tuscany, or solving crimes in sun-drenched villages, we’ve got a list for that.
Want more summer tropes? Check out last week’s Insider with a fresh batch of tropes and book recommendations that are perfect for the summer.
Chapter Five: Reviews Worth Reading
If you’ve been curious about any of these titles, we’ve got full reviews live on the blog. These spill the real tea on tropes, tension, and whether the spicy payoff actually delivers.
Overruled by Lana Ferguson
Rivals-with-benefits meets courtroom drama. A sharp heroine, golden-retriever hero, and all the steam. Ezra has main book boyfriend energy.
Crash Test by Amy James
Romantic fiction with a rugged protector. A bit more grief and heartbreak journey than romance.
Caught Up by Navessa Allen
Second-chance romance with some spicy kink. Character-driven and fun but maybe not quite live up to Lights Out.
Before You Go...
Need a softer way to read this summer?
Paid members this month get the full Summer Reading Reset Guide, including:
✅ Weekly reading ritual log & seasonal bucket list
✅ Tips for a gentle digital detox
✅ Soulful journal prompts to realign your reading energy this season
✅ July’s Cosmic Reset calendar
✅ Bonus: A seasonal iced tea recipe to romanticize your next reading session
→ Keep reading and unlock everything.