What You Wish For by Katherine Centre
In What You Wish For by Katherine Centre ($14, originally $28), Samantha is a quirky librarian who takes finding joy very seriously. So when Duncan, the new school principal (and Sam's former fun-loving colleague and love interest), shows up and is intent on sucking the joy out of everything Sam loves, she's determined to figure him out. Why has he changed? And more importantly, can he — and they — find their way to happiness?
Thematically, I would say this book is the most similar to Beach Read out of the ones I've read. There are two characters who knew each other before and who reconnect after some time apart. They're both different now, having dealt with traumatic experiences, but the connection and chemistry are still there. Similar to Beach Read, there's also the plot element of a bet/challenge that forces the characters to spend time together. I did feel like this book touched on themes that were a little more serious, but that just made the romance between Sam and Duncan all the sweeter, in my opinion.