This month, romance is in the air [1] in a major way. The 12 best romance books of July are ready to transport you from small towns full of personality to a New Zealand getaway and everywhere in between. Along the way, you can expect meet-cutes, Hollywood drama, and even a rock-star dalliance. Basically, it's a very good month to be a fan of romance reads, so prepare to stack your TBR with all the swoony stories you can handle. Need even more romance in your life? Check out the best romance books of June [2] for even more inspiration — because there's no such thing as too many rom-coms.
Have We Met? by Camille Baker
Have We Met? [4] by Camille Baker is as much a story about the lasting power of friendship as it is a charming rom-com. In the wake of her best friend's death, Corinne discovers a mysterious dating app called Met on her phone. The app claims she has already met her soulmate, which sends her on a journey through her past that might just lead to a new beginning.
Out July 1
The Mixtape by Brittainy Cherry
Brittainy Cherry's The Mixtape [5] is a rock-star romance with a whole lot of heart. At the centre of the story are two lost souls: a struggling single mother named Emery, and a famous musician named Oliver who is trying to grieve the death of his twin in private. When the unlikely duo cross paths in the bar where Emery works, they quickly realise they're in a unique position to help one another.
Out July 1
Incense and Sensibility by Sonali Dev
Sonali Dev's Jane Austen-inspired series continues with Incense and Sensibility [6]. This time around, the story focuses on Canada's first ever Indian American gubernatorial candidate, Yash Raje, who needs help centreing himself after a hate crime at one of his rallies. Enter India Dashwood, his sister's best friend and the best stress-management coach in the state — and the woman Yash spent one perfect night with a decade ago.
Out July 6
Out of Character by Annabeth Albert
Nerd culture, a charity event for kids, and a whole lot of messy history bring former friends Jasper Quigley and Milo Lionetti together again in Annabeth Albert's swoony rom-com Out of Character [7]. When Milo turns to Jasper for help with a charity event, Jasper is initially reluctant, but as they work together to create a magical night for the kids, their true feelings for one another come bubbling to the surface.
Out July 6
How Sweet It Is by Dylan Newton (13)
A horror novelist and a cheerful party planner have the weirdest meet-cute ever in How Sweet It Is [8] by Dylan Newton. While Kate is known for planning ultraromantic weddings, she can't say no when her best friend asks her to put together a famous horror writer's book-launch party. But what she doesn't expect is to catch feelings for the so-called "Knight of Nightmares."
Out July 13
It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
Schitt's Creek [9] fans, this is the romance read for you. It Happened One Summer [10] by Tessa Bailey follows a Hollywood darling who is cut off from the family fortune and exiled to a small town in hopes that she'll finally learn some responsibility. However, at least one sexy local is ready to send her back to Hollywood as soon as possible.
Out July 13
The Lost and Found Necklace by Louisa Leaman
The search for a family heirloom is at the centre of this gem of a rom-com. In The Lost and Found Necklace [11] by Louisa Leaman, a woman named Jess is ready to settle down with her boring but sweet boyfriend when she's drawn into the hunt for a necklace that's been passed down from woman to woman throughout her family's history — and into the orbit of the man who's not quite ready to give the heirloom back to its rightful owners.
Out July 13
While We Were Dating by Jasmine Guillory
A Hollywood romance blossoms in Jasmine Guillory's steamy and swoon-worthy While We Were Dating [12]. At first, ad man Ben and movie star Anna's flirtation is just meant to be a bit of fun. But when a family emergency makes them realise their feelings are real, they'll have to decide if they're ready to let the rest of the world see that they're falling for one another.
Out July 13
Isn't It Bromantic? by Lyssa Kay Adams
Lyssa Kay Adams's Bromance Book Club series continues with Isn't It Bromantic? [13]. This time around, it's Vlad's (better known as the Russian) turn to find his happily ever after, and for him, that means wooing his wife and defying expectations by writing his very own romance novel.
Out July 20
Heartbreak for Hire by Sonia Hartl
At the centre of Heartbreak for Hire [14] by Sonia Hartl is an organisation that specialises in taking entitled men down a few notches. Brinkley Saunders is one of the company's employees, and she has no regrets about the work she does . . . at least not until one of her former targets becomes the first male heartbreaker in the office.
Out July 27
Love Next Door by Helena Hunting
Love Next Door [15] by Helena Hunting is a perfect beach read (or front-porch-swing read). The story follows Dillon, who returns to her small hometown to join the family business and ends up falling for the infuriatingly handsome man who lives in the cottage next door.
Out July 27
The Man Ban by Nicola Marsh
Swearing off men is easier said than done in The Man Ban [16] by Nicola Marsh. Food stylist Harper has spent the last 12 months focusing on herself, but when sparks fly between her and a frustratingly arrogant doctor, she decides a meaningless hookup isn't breaking the rules (although developing feelings for said hookup most definitely is).
Out July 27