12 Light and Fun Romances To Read By The Pool

Edited by Ezvid Wiki Editorial on 14 May 2019

Whether you're lounging by the pool or sitting on your couch, relaxing is always better when you have a good book on hand. Romance novels are easy to get lost in and can make your problems seem further and further away with every page. So be sure to grab one of the great books listed here before your next big trip or stay-cation. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

Delightful Romance Novels: Our 12 Picks

Title Author
1. Chemistry Lessons Meredith Goldstein
2. Miss Invisible Laura Jensen Walker
3. Who Wants to Marry a Doctor? Abigail Sharpe
4. One Night in Paris Juliette Sobanet
5. The Unfinished Symphony of You and Me Lucy Robinson
6. Letters from Lighthouse Cottage Ali McNamara
7. Here Comes The Bridesmaid Avril Tremayne
8. Wynn in Doubt Emily Hemmer
9. The Manny Holly Peterson
10. Love and Other Man-Made Disasters Nicola Doherty
11. Your Big Break Johanna Edwards
12. Mating Rituals of the North American Wasp Lauren Lipton

Fun Date Ideas For Your Real-Life Romance

History of the Romance Novel

Love stories can be traced all the way back to Ancient Greece, and some of the works from that time are still around, though most have been lost to history. The romance novel as we know it today was largely influenced by Jane Austen, who is still hailed as a master of the genre. Historical romance was made popular by Sir Walter Scott, who wrote many works of historical fiction in the early 19th century. British publishers Mills and Boon started releasing romance novels as hardback books in the 1930s, and by the 70s, the genre had become incredibly popular throughout Great Britain. Trying to accomplish the same success in North America, the publisher's parent company, Harlequin, started focusing on their marketing strategies in the US and Canada. They targeted women as their main audience, and tried selling their product in chain stores, monthly subscription services, and even supermarkets.

8 Cute Romantic Movies

If you enjoy reading about love, you probably have a good time watching it on the big screen as well. Check out these eight romantic movies (if you haven't already):

  1. 27 Dresses (2008)
  2. Love Actually (2003)
  3. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
  4. 50 First Dates (2004)
  5. A Walk to Remember (2002)
  6. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
  7. Amélie (2001)
  8. Never Been Kissed (1999)

Things To Bring on Your Next Vacation

  • A good book
  • Travel size toiletries that won't take up too much space
  • Keep your dirty clothes separate from the clean ones with a laundry bag
  • A money belt for easy access to cash & cards
  • If you're traveling with kids, you might want to bring along some games
  • Depending on your preference, either a backpack or some nice luggage
  • Cozy pillows can improve any long flight or car trip
  • If you're going to a country where you don't know the language, a translator can be a big help
  • A travel mug for your coffee or tea

Why Do We Love?

In Depth

Everyone needs a break from reality now and then, and getting lost in a book is a great way to leave your stress behind. Whether you're heading to the beach, lounging by a pool, or simply relaxing in your own backyard, a fun romance novel can help you unwind. In no particular order, here are some light and breezy love stories that can brighten up your day.

In the #1 spot is the young adult novel "Chemistry Lessons" by Meredith Goldstein. About to enter her freshman year at MIT, seventeen-year-old Maya thinks she has it all. Then her long-term boyfriend, Whit, dumps her out of the blue. Miserable and desperate for answers, Maya takes on a research project that her late scientist mother didn't finish. Can manipulating pheromones win back Whit, or will Maya's experiment create more chaos in her life?

At #2 is the Christian romance "Miss Invisible" by Laura Jensen Walker. Professional baker Freddie Heinz is convinced that her larger size is holding her back. Everything changes when a new friend helps coax her out of her shell. Freddie meets cute veterinarian Hal and decides to throw caution to the wind as she breaks every "big girl" rule in the book. In the process, Miss Invisible discovers that life is exciting and hilarious at any size.

Professional baker Freddie Heinz is convinced that her larger size is holding her back.

For #3 we have "Who Wants to Marry a Doctor?" by Abigail Sharpe. Sabrina Bankhead, a single mom and pediatrician, reluctantly participates in a reality dating show to raise money for the local children's hospital. Hired to cover the show, Quinn is an investigative journalist recovering from a dangerous assignment in Afghanistan. Quinn has no plans to settle down and is eager to finish his overseas assignment. That all changes when he falls in love with Sabrina. But he's not sure if he's ready to let go of his bachelor lifestyle just yet.

Coming in at #4 is "One Night in Paris" by Juliette Sobanet. While visiting her dying grandmother in Paris, Manhattan attorney Ella Carlyle magically time-travels to the Jazz Age. It's the year 1927 and Ella finds her self in a lively club full of captivating strangers. Can she rewrite the past and change her destiny before her time in the city of lights runs out?

For #5 we have "The Unfinished Symphony of You and Me" by Lucy Robinson. Sally has been an incredible singer with a passion for opera since she was a little girl. However, due to an extreme fear of performing, she only sings in her wardrobe where no one can hear. After a wild summer of love and loss in New York, Sally returns home to London with a promise she must keep: to share her voice. Just as she is about to start her new life, a handsome man turns up at her doorstep with a mysterious hand-written message.

Just as she is about to start her new life, a handsome man turns up at her doorstep with a mysterious hand-written message.

#6 is "Letters from Lighthouse Cottage" by Ali McNamara. Grace grows up in the quaint seaside town of Sandybridge, but she dreams of escaping to a bigger world, even though it means leaving her best friend, Charlie, behind. After traveling the world, falling in love, and starting a family, Grace returns to the tiny town she left and reconnects with Charlie. Perhaps everything she wanted was right under her nose all along.

At #7 is "Here Comes The Bridesmaid" by Avril Tremayne. Quirky shoe designer Sunshine Smart has only two months to plan her friend's wedding. Sparks fly when she meets the grouchy, opinionated, yet strikingly handsome best man and top chef Leo Quartermaine. The two must work together to plan the wedding despite their conflicting personalities. Is this a recipe for disaster or the start of a great romance?

For #8 we have "Wynn in Doubt" by Emily Hemmer. Wynn Jeffries is less than thrilled with her life working at a dive bar and living by herself in a tiny apartment. Enter Oliver Reeves, Wynn's high school crush and a reminder of how she used to be. After discovering an old newspaper article about her great grandmother, Oliver persuades her to uncover the truth about a well-kept family secret.

After discovering an old newspaper article about her great grandmother, Oliver persuades her to uncover the truth about a well-kept family secret.

Coming in at #9 is "The Manny" by Holly Peterson. Jamie Whitfield lives with her three children and mostly absent husband in an exclusive area of Manhattan's Upper East Side known as "the grid." She hires a man named Peter to help around the house and act as a father figure for her struggling nine-year-old son, Dylan. Handsome, cool, and down-to-earth, Peter helps Jamie uncover a simpler version of herself underneath all the high society glitz and glamour.

At #10 is the young adult novel "Love and Other Man-Made Disasters" by Nicola Doherty. Seventeen-year-old Juno is a worrier at heart with a long list of fears. She is more than a little scared during a ski vacation with her mom, daredevil stepdad, and troublemaker stepbrothers. After meeting a boy on the trip, Juno discovers that her biggest fear of all might be falling in love.

For #11 we have "Your Big Break" by Johanna Edwards. Dani Myers breaks hearts for a living as a "communications specialist" for a company called Your Big Break. She does the dirty work for disgruntled lovers wanting to end their relationships. Ignoring company policy, Dani plays matchmaker to her dumpees and even falls for one herself. Things get even more complicated when she discovers that a new client is her father's mistress.

She does the dirty work for disgruntled lovers wanting to end their relationships.

Finally, at #12 is "Mating Rituals of the North American Wasp" by Lauren Lipton. After a wild night in Vegas at a friend's bachelorette party, Peggy Adams wakes up next to a stranger. Soon after returning to New York, Peggy learns that she actually married Luke, the mystery man. Instead of annulling the marriage, they strike a deal with Luke's great aunt. If they agree to stay married for one year, Luke can sell the family estate and split the profits with Peggy. Will this marriage of convenience turn into lasting love?