What to Read & What to Skip: My July 2026 Romance Reads
July ended up being one of those months where I never seemed to pick up a truly bad book. I read 14 romances, and while only a handful became instant recommendations, most of them left me happy I spent the time reading them.
I also noticed an unexpected theme throughout the month. Between paranormal romances, grief, trauma, second chances, and stories about healing, these books tackled some surprisingly heavy topics while still delivering satisfying love stories. If you’re looking for emotional romances with something meaningful to say, July had plenty to offer.
Looking for even more books releasing this summer? Browse my Upcoming Romance Releases page to see what’s hitting shelves next.
*Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
July Reading Snapshot
🏆 Top Read: Yes, Chef by Grace Reilly
❤️ Best for Trope Lovers: Fever Dream by Elsie Silver (Forbidden Romance + Reality TV)
😭 Most Emotional Read: The Muse by Jewel E. Ann
❌ Skip It: The Romance Revival by Christina Lauren
📚 Total Read: 14 books
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Romance Books Worth Reading This Month
Yes, Chef
by Grace Reilly
⭐ 5 stars
This completely lived up to the hype and quickly became one of my favorite romances of the year. The grumpy sunshine chemistry is pitch perfect, the found family delivers all the feels, and Jack’s cooking lessons had me swooning almost as much as the romance itself. If you loved The Bear or simply want a slow burn romance that’s heartfelt, funny, and utterly delicious, don’t miss this one.
Fever Dream
by Elsie Silver
⭐ 4.5 stars
Elsie Silver’s new reality dating show romance hooked me from chapter one. Between the forbidden chemistry, lovable family dynamics, and a playboy cowboy who’s secretly an absolute goner, this became one of my favorite summer romances so far.
The Muse
by Jewel E. Ann
⭐ 4.5 stars
Rereading our July Book Club pick only made me appreciate it more. Flynn is one of the most unique romance heroes I’ve read in years, and the banter between him and Rupert adds so much humor to an unforgettable love story that balances laughter with genuine emotional depth.
Read more + grab your copy
Read my full review
→ Looking for more emotional romances? Browse my Best Friends to Lovers Romance Books and Best Slow Burn Romance Books.
Good Romance Books (But Not Favorites)
Lost and Found
by Tarah DeWitt
⭐ 4 stars
Tarah DeWitt delivers another emotionally rich romance, but Bea’s grief journey takes center stage more than the romance itself. If you enjoy character-driven love stories with a beautifully yearning hero, this is well worth your time.
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Read my full review
Illegal Formation
by Kandi Steiner
⭐ 4 stars
The chemistry between Braden and Emily absolutely worked for me, especially with Braden’s devotion to both his family and Emily. What kept it from becoming a favorite was that Emily sometimes felt a little too cavalier about the risks their relationship posed to Braden’s career, making it harder for me to fully buy into some of their decisions.
Read more + grab your copy
Read my full review
→ If sports romance is your thing, don’t miss my Best Sports Romance Books recommendations.
Falling Into You
by Jill Shalvis
⭐ 4 stars
A satisfying second chance romance with childhood sweethearts, found family, and plenty of emotional payoff. A comforting small town romance even if it didn’t completely steal my heart.
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Read my full review
Prey for Me
by Allie Oleander
⭐ 4 stars
I had incredibly high expectations for Prey for Me after Willing Prey became one of my favorite romances last year, and while Caine easily became one of my favorite heroes of the year, some of my personal reading preferences kept this from becoming another favorite. If you enjoy horror romance, high-consent kink exploration, and an obsessed hero who’s all in from the very beginning, I still think this one is well worth checking out.
Let’s Kiss and Tell
by Joss Richard
⭐ 4 stars
I loved watching Marshall and Lucy gradually become their authentic selves with each other despite the fake relationship, but the romance occasionally hit pauses that made the relationship progression feel less natural. Add in a few moments that felt more preachy than conversational, and this one ultimately landed in the “good but not favorite” category for me.
Doomsdate
by Laura Piper Lee
⭐ 3.5 stars
A zombie apocalypse romcom somehow manages to be funny, quirky, and surprisingly sweet. The final third lost some momentum, but it’s a refreshingly different paranormal romance.
Love Wells Kept
by Bailey Hannah
⭐ 3.5 stars
One of the most unique marriage-in-crisis romances I’ve read thanks to its realistic portrayal of traumatic brain injury. I did think the physical reconciliation happened too quickly, but I never stopped rooting for Kate and Jackson.
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Read my full review
Unbound
by Ali Hazelwood
⭐ 3 stars
Roman completely carried this novella for me. His unwavering devotion kept me listening, but I think this works best for readers who’ve already fallen in love with the paranormal world introduced in Bound.
Trick Shot
by Kayla Grosse
⭐ 3 stars
A fun Christmas-in-July palate cleanser with an airport meet cute, forced proximity, and plenty of steam. Perfect when you’re in the mood for a quick holiday novella.
Didn’t Live Up to Expectations
The Romance Revival
by Christina Lauren
⭐ 2 stars
Christina Lauren took a very different direction here, but the sci-fi premise, conspiracy, and romance never fully came together for me. Fans looking for the emotional chemistry they’re known for may leave disappointed.
Books That Didn’t Work for Me
Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It
by Brooke Averick
I loved the premise, but Phoebe never felt believable as someone approaching 30. Instead of rooting for her, I found myself growing increasingly frustrated with the choices she continued to make, so this ultimately became a DNF.
My Full Reviews From This Month
Looking for more detailed thoughts? Check out my full reviews for:
- Yes, Chef by Grace Reilly
- The Muse by Jewel E. Ann
- Fever Dream by Elsie Silver
- Lost and Found by Tarah DeWitt
- Prey for Me by Allie Oleander
- Doomsdate by Laura Piper Lee
- Love Wells Kept by Bailey Hannah
- Illegal Formation by Kandi Steiner
- Let’s Kiss and Tell by Joss Richard
- Falling Into You by Jill Shalivs
What to Read Next
If you’re looking for even more romance recommendations, start here:
Discover more → Browse all July 2026 Romance Book Releases
Start here → Best Romance Books of 2026
Don’t miss → Upcoming Romance Releases
Find your next trope → Best Grumpy Sunshine Books
Or browse → Best Forced Proximity Romance Books
📩 Get My Weekly Romance Picks
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