7 Uplifting Books as Refreshing as Being Out of Quarantine

What happens when a quirky romance novelist and a guarded literary writer swap genres for a summer? The answer is BEACH READ, a too-delightful rom-com set in neighboring beach houses on the shores of Michigan lakes. I especially appreciated Emily’s spot-on critiques of the concept of “women’s fiction,” and how female writers are less respected than their male counterparts. BEACH READ is smart, sexy, and, true to its name, the perfect beach read.

THIS. BOOK. As effortlessly light and delicious as a soufflé, but don’t mistake it for being easy to make: underneath Greer’s playful prose beats a big brain and bigger heart. You’ll fall in love with the Arthur Less’s round-the-world romp (he’s avoiding an ex’s wedding), all observed with a generous and inventive eye. Every page bristles with wonderful description and brilliant insight. Plus, it won a Pulitzer.

Chloe Brown is determined to get a life and stop being boring. To help her achieve all the things on her bucket list—ride a motorcycle, go camping, have casual sex—she enlists her tatted-up local handyman, Red. Sparks fly—and then some. I listened to the audiobook, complete with accents (it’s set in the UK). This is the first in Talia’s Brown Sisters trilogy, and while they’re all smart, steamy, and inclusive, this is my fave.

The author of the wildly successful RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE is back with another queer rom-com that’s sure to be absolutely everywhere this summer. Cynical 23-year-old August has a crush on a woman who seems to always be on her Q train commute. Well, she is: punk-rock Jane is lost in time, displaced from the ’70s, unable to leave the subway. Expect a magical, big-hearted queer love story in Casey’s trademark snark that’ll be worth missing your stop for when it releases June 1.

For 28 years, Mallory Blessing and Jake McCloud have been each other’s “same time next year”—every Labor Day weekend, they meet on Nantucket for a weekend of passion before Jake returns to his unsatisfying marriage, and Mallory begins the year-long wait to see him again. As always, Elin sets the bar for intelligent, grounded romance, excelling at creating characters who are so real you feel like you know them. Keep the tissues close by: this one is a heartbreaker.

Suffering from a Bridgerton-shaped hole in your life? TO LOVE AND TO LOATHE is here to help. The sharp-tongued Diana, Lady Templeton and the roguish Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham make two wagers: first, that Jeremy will marry within the year or Diana will pay him one hundred pounds, and second, that Diana will critique Jeremy’s bedroom skills in order for him to please his future bride. Sexy Regency-era high jinks ensue.

Have you ever wanted to date Harry Styles? Then THE IDEA OF YOU is for you. This elegant romance takes place between Solène Marchand, the 39-year-old owner of an LA art gallery, and Hayes Campbell, the lead singer of world-famous boy band August Moon. Handsome Hayes is a flirty, disarmingly sincere posh boy. He’s also 20. Robinne Lee’s assured debut rom-dram takes place over years, playing out the premise in a hot but grounded way until the surprising-yet-inevitable conclusion. J’adore.

Georgia Clark is the author of the new romantic comedy IT HAD TO BE YOU, out now!

For the past twenty years, Liv and Eliot Goldenhorn have run In Love in New York, Brooklyn’s beloved wedding-planning business. When Eliot dies unexpectedly, he even more unexpectedly leaves half of the business to his younger, blonder girlfriend, Savannah. Liv and Savannah are not a match made in heaven, to say the least. But what starts as a personal and professional nightmare transforms into something even savvy, cynical Liv Goldenhorn couldn’t begin to imagine. IT HAD TO BE YOU cleverly unites Liv, Savannah, and couples as diverse and unique as New York City itself, in a joyous Love-Actually-style braided narrative —perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Casey McQuiston.

Watch Georgia discuss the importance of exploring different kinds of love!