12 Romantic Novels Set In Exotic Locales

Exotic Romances: Our 12 Picks

Things To Bring on Your Next Vacation

• 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

8 Great 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. Casablanca (1942)
2. Love Actually (2003)
3. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
4. The Notebook (2004)
5. Dirty Dancing (1987)
6. The Fault in Our Stars (2014)
7. Amélie (2001)
8. Ghost (1990)

Fun Date Ideas For Your Real-Life Romance

• Cook dinner together
• Go for a hike or a bike ride
• Get together for a karaoke night
• Go bowling
• Have a picnic on a sunny day
• Play a boardgame or video game together
• Go to a roller rink
• Have a candlelit dinner
• Join a book club together

What is Love?

In Depth

There is nothing quite like curling up on a couch with a great romance novel. Add a pinch of wanderlust and a sprinkle of free spirit, and you have the ultimate combo for a great night in. Set in bustling metropolises, breezy tropical islands, and other intriguing locations, here, in no particular order, are twelve sizzling reads that are sure to leave you hot under the collar.

In the #1 spot is "Anywhere" by Jen Meyers. Along with her best friend Paige, Skye Whitcomb is planning the trip of a lifetime in Europe. Fresh out of college and looking for new adventures after a breakup, she's ready to step out of her comfort zone. But when Paige is forced to cut her trip short, Skye is left wondering if she can go it alone. That is, until she meets Asher Benedict on a train from Paris to Rome. Sweet and sexy, Asher is the perfect companion to bring the beauty of Europe to life.

Coming in at #2 is Vanessa Fewings' "Perfume Girl." Raquel Wren is the owner of a boutique perfume store. She has spent years crafting her masterpiece scent, which she believes will make her an instant success, only to have it stolen right out from under her nose. Raquel has her suspicions, and they ultimately lead her to the sun-soaked streets of South Beach, Miami and Astor Beauregard, the enigmatic and ultra-sexy owner of a multi-million-dollar cologne empire.

Raquel Wren is the owner of a boutique perfume store.

For #3, we have Rahul Deokar's "Quest for Kriya." This east-meets-west story starts with the tragic 1993 earthquake in Latur, India, which shatters Shakti's life. She manages to get back on track with the help of her sister Kriya, who disappears ten years later. Joined by Shiva, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, Shakti traverses through the underbelly of Mumbai and exotic Thai islands to track down her missing sister. With danger lurking in every shadow, Shiva and Shakti gradually grow closer and discover that love can find you when you least expect it.

Coming in at #4 is C. A. Belmond's "A Rather Lovely Inheritance." This romp across Europe, including South France and the hills of Italy, sees historical researcher Penny Nichols delve into the past of her recently deceased aunt. Jeremy, her cousin who also happens to be the lawyer handling her aunt's inheritance, helps her unravel the mystery of her family line. It is not long before sparks fly, and Penny discovers that Jeremy might not be as closely related to her as she believes.

For #5, we find A.L. Goulden's "Chasing Swells." Travel writer Azure Thomas knows virtually nothing about surfing. This changes when she is assigned an article about professional surfer Dean "DeBaz" Bazner. When she arrives on the sunny shores of Fiji, she is immediately pulled in by the aloof, yet captivating, Dean. Surfing has always been the number one priority in Dean's life, yet he can't help being attracted to Azure's sassiness and charm.

When she arrives on the sunny shores of Fiji, she is immediately pulled in by the aloof, yet captivating, Dean.

Coming in at #6 is Demi Alex's "26 Hours in Paris." When magazine writer Kathryn Taylor is asked to write a story about love, she knows exactly the place that can bring it to life. Soon after landing in Paris, Kathryn is contacted by Marko Renard, an old flame who is eager to become her personal tour guide. What starts as an innocent tour of the city of love, culminates in a steamy encounter that leaves Kathryn wanting more. But with only twenty-six hours before she heads back home, the seductive Frenchman has to pull out all the stops to win her heart.

#7 is "If Only for the Summer" by Alexandra Warren. Invited to spend the summer in a Miami condo, teachers Nova Grant and Guy Thompson had no idea that they would bunk together, let alone feel a connection. Throw Guy's cutie-pie son into the mix and you get a laugh-out-loud, and at times tear-jerking, love story. Whether the setup was orchestrated by the duo's friends or a coincidence, the chemistry between the two is undeniable. Is the attraction between Nova and Guy strong enough to transform from a summer fling into something more lasting?

At #8 is "Greek for Beginners" by Jackie Braun. Darcie Hayes arrives in Athens still reeling from having called off her wedding. Her trip gets off to a bad start when her guide stands her up at the airport. Luckily, it doesn't take her long to meet the sexy, ultra-confident Nick Costas, who comes to her rescue. Having been through failed relationships, both are initially guarded, but over time, their friendship develops into something deeper.

Having been through failed relationships, both are initially guarded, but over time, their friendship develops into something deeper.

For #9 we have Ellen Sussman's "French Lessons," a journey into the lives of three Americans, as they explore Paris with their French tutors. Josie, a high school teacher, traverses the boulevards of the city of lights with her tutor Nico, a sensitive poet who helps her come to terms with loss. Riley, a lonely expat wife, discovers a new perspective with Phillippe, a shameless flirt, while Jeremy, who is in the city with his actress wife on a film shoot, finds temptation in the beautiful Chantal. Through their travels, the three have very different experiences, but they all end up discovering new things about both their companions, and themselves.

At #10 is "The Florentine Bridge" by Vanessa Carnevale. Nineteen-year-old Mia Moretti's battle with cancer has taken its toll both physically and emotionally. Now in remission, she embarks on a trip to the picturesque Italian region of Tuscany in the hope that a change of scenery will help her regain perspective and enable her to start painting again. She ends up finding not only a fresh start and creative inspiration, but Luca, a handsome Italian mechanic whose easy-going charm sweeps her off her feet.

Coming in at #11 is Erika Kelly's "Mine for the Week." Ryan O'Donnell is about to start a major league baseball career. Sophie Valentine is involved in a battle for her family legacy. Both decide to escape their responsibilities at a singles resort on the Caribbean Isla de los Amantes, which translates to the island of lovers. They never imagined that they would meet each other; now all they need to do is throw caution to the wind.

They never imagined that they would meet each other; now all they need to do is throw caution to the wind.

Last but not least, at #12 is "Hidden Paradise" by A. M. Guilliams. The last thing Lilly wants is to go on vacation. A workaholic, she would much rather keep slaving away on her travel blog. After an argument with her boss, however, she is forced to take some time off. Lily ends up at a stunning resort where she meets Thorn, a mysterious man with dark eyes and a foreign accent. They only exchange first names, and agree to seven days of fun with no commitments. Unfortunately, this vacation fling is not consequence-free.