Taylor Jenkins Reid’s ‘ambitious’ new book voted top summer read for 2025

It’s no surprise that Taylor Jenkins Reid is on the list; the author has published hit novels including The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six, both of which tell fascinating stories of interesting people with complex lives.

 Her new book is set in the heady days of the 1980s space shuttle program, promising love, intrigue and adventure inside Houston’s Johnson Space Center.

“This book was everything I wanted and more,” one Goodreads user who had an early copy shared in their review, writing: “I was shocked by the depth of the love portrayed because it wasn’t even defined in the book’s description and I loved that. You just feel it building.”

Release date: June 3

V.E. Schwab (The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue) has become a key figure in the fantasy genre, and their new novel promises an interesting adventure that covers love, rage, immortality and hunger.

The storyline begins in 16th-century Spain, before taking readers to London circa 1827, and then modern-day Boston. Social criticism, existential angst, sapphic romance, and immortal vampires. 

“Her writing made me feel like I was there with the characters. I felt their rage their love, their grief, I felt it all,” wrote one user.

Release date: June 10

Debut author Morgan Ryan has come out of the gate with a compelling and genre-defying novel: In the middle of World War II, British witch Lydia Polk is tasked with retrieving a powerful magical grimoire before the Germans find it. 

Lydia never wanted to be the one to save the witches, but that is where she finds herself – alongside allies Rebecca Gagne and Henry Boudreaux, a handsome Haitian-American art historian. 

However, Lydia soon realizes that won’t have to defeat the Nazis for the books, but also the book itself.

One user wrote in their review: “The pacing was perfectly executed. The sense of urgency was injected into the book without it feeling like a countdown timer sitting in the background. Truly a case of “show, not tell” done so well.”

Release date: July 15

The Meant To Be Series has been a can’t miss new romance series offering modernized retellings of classic Disney stories.

Julie Murphy and Jasmine Guillory have both written for this series, and now Jesse Q. Sutanto (of the Vera Wong cozy mystery series) has taken a stab at this contemporary romance based on Mulan, set in the Bay Area among the finance world.

“While this is a modern spin on the movie you can definitely feel the essence of the movie and the message of the troubles women have working in male dominated industries. This book was so amazing and I can’t wait to read more books from this author,” read one review.

Release date: June 3

Ashley Poston (The Princess and the Fangirl) is back with a new romance novel that includes a sprinkling of magical realism.

Songwriter Joni Lark returns to her North Carolina hometown to get what’s left of her groove back after her writer’s block leaves her in LA. 

But when a sexy voice starts humming melodies in her head—a voice that appears to belong to a handsome but bitter local musician – the pair will do anything they can to shake the connection.

Release date: June 17

Julie Soto is moving into romantasy with her new novel, Rose in Chains, a classic enemies-to-lovers storyline.

The first in a new trilogy, it begins with the premise of princess Briony Rosewood imprisoned after her castle is overrun by the forces of darkness. 

Soon she discovers that she has been auctioned off to a rival house – and its disreputable scion Toven Hearst. 

However as Briony learns how to play her new role, hope arises in the most unlikely of places.

Release date: July 3

In A New York Minute author Kate Spencer is back with another witty and charming grumpy/sunshine love story. 

Bex Martin’s racquet club feels like a sinking ship but when Nikolaus Karras—a former tennis bad-boy with an ego as big as his serve—makes himself at home on her courts, they decide to take part in a high-stakes pickleball tournament and a fake a relationship as doubles partners.

Bex needs the money, and Niko needs to restore his reputation – but maybe they’ll get more than they expected? 

“The pickleball angle is so fun, the romance is steamy and the mental health rep added a lot to the story. This is a great summer read!” shared one reviewer.

Release date:  3 June

Lauren Parker is a widowed single mother living in her hometown of Montana, and never really caring what people thought of her.

Then she meets Ben Walsh, a gorgeous Hollywood star, working on the set of her brother’s new movie. Their instant chemistry is palpable – but small-town rumors, the complications of Ben’s fame, and her daughter’s unpredictable moods begin to make things complicated.

Totally and Completely Fine is a dual-timeline story, alternating between Lauren’s past with late husband Spencer and her present with Ben that offers a look into true loe and what it means to keep finding oneself.

“A heartfelt, thought-provoking novel that dives into the messy, beautiful, and often painful realities of grief, love, and starting over,” read one reviewer, adding: “It’s the kind of story that stays with you, not just because of its emotional depth, but because it feels so real and relatable.”

Release date: July 8