I've always loved the childhood friends-to-lovers romance cliché. So when I picked up Every Summer After in May, I finished it in one day! I adored the characters and the idyllic lakeside scene. As soon as I finished, I realized I needed more. So I set out to compile a list of novels with comparable feelings. Some of them I have read and enjoyed, while others are new to me. If you, like me, need more after completing Every Summer After, this list is for you!
What to Read Every Summer After
Summer isn’t just a time to relax, but also a perfect opportunity to dive into new books. Here are some must-reads books like every summer after to enjoy every summer, offering not just relaxation but also inspiration and new perspectives.
Swear On This Life
Renee Carlino
Renee Carlino's Emiline is eager to put her horrible upbringing behind, but finds her narrative played out in a best-selling novel by enigmatic author, J. Colby. The author can only be Jase, her closest friend and first love, with whom she has lost touch over the years. She sets out to locate him after he published a one-sided account. But she is unprepared to face the truth about what occurred all those years ago.
Up in the Treehouse
K.K. Allen
Four years after a horrific catastrophe destroyed their romance, Chloe and Gavin are reintroduced into one other's lives. They were close friends until Chloe began dating Gavin's identical brother, Devon. If they wish to maintain any form of a relationship in the future, they must confront all that occurred years ago in their childhood treehouse.
Song of the fireflies
Song of the Fireflies
J. A. Redmerski
Elias and Brayelle have been inseparable since they were children. Bray moves to South Carolina, and the two are separated for the first time. When she returns to Georgia, the two reunite, until one night and a tragic accident. Desperate to avoid incarceration, the two flee. But as they flee, their history threatens to destroy everything they've made together.
It Ends with Us
Colleen Hoover
Lily fled a terrible life in Maine to establish her own business in Boston. There, she meets Ryle, a successful neurosurgeon who seems almost too wonderful to be true. But Lily can't stop thinking about Atlas, her first love from a past she vowed to leave behind. However, when Atlas comes into her life, Lily must choose between her new life with Ryle and her shared history with Atlas.
Love, Rosie
Celia Ahern
Alex and Rosie have been great friends since childhood. When Alex's family relocates to Boston from Dublin, Rosie decides to join him for college. However, when Rosie becomes pregnant, her life changes dramatically, and all of her goals are thrown out the window. Rosie and Alex keep in touch over the years via letters and email. And just when they believe they've lost everything, life brings them back together.
More Than Words
Mia Sheridan
When Jessica met Callen at the age of eleven, she felt she'd found her prince. They were a safe haven for each other until Callen vanished one day. Callen is now a well-known artist who is dealing with his own personal troubles. He escapes to France, where he is unexpectedly reunited with Jessica.
The History of Us
Jennifer Bardsley
Andrea lives a humble life in Washington. She spends the most of her time visiting her father at a memory care center. He is in the last stages of Alzheimer's, but he appreciates it when Andrea gives him coins from his vast collection. One day, her home is broken into, and the coins are taken. Devastated, she goes to Dustin, her high school sweetheart. Years ago, they destroyed each other's hearts, but now they must band together to recover the coins and, maybe, a path back together.
Love, and Other Words
Cristina Laure
Macy is very content with her life till she bumps with her childhood best friend and first love, Elliot. Years ago, Macy spent every weekend and summer in a vacation house close to Eliot. During their adolescent years, the two became acquaintances and then lovers. But one night shattered their love forever. But now they have a second chance to make things right once and for all.
Someone I Used to Know
Paige Too
Leah, George, and Theo were closest friends in high school. They assumed they'd always be together, but life got in the way. Leah has returned to her hometown with her infant daughter, Emilie, but Theo, the baby's father, has not joined them. Is this the chance for Leah and George to make amends for their previous mistakes?
A Lot Like Adios
Alexis Daria
Gabe and Michelle grew up next door to each other. They were best friends until the day Gabe left for college without saying goodbye. Now years later, fate reunites Michelle and Gabe in the Bronx. Their relationship is more complicated than ever, but can they resolve past issues so they can be together?
For more heartwarming and feel-good recommendations, check out our article on Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros Review: Is It Worth the Hype?. Discover a list of must-watch films that will leave you smiling and uplifted!
What To Watch Every Summer After
Summer is the perfect time to relax and unwind with some great movies and shows. Here’s a list of must-watch picks to make your summer even more enjoyable!
Outer Banks
Strangely enough, after reading Every Summer After, I just wanted to watch Outer Banks on Netflix. I believe it has to do with being near water. Outer Banks takes place entirely on the Carolinas' low country coast! While some of the fundamentals of the stories are the same – being by the water, summer events, a similar group of kids (I saw every character from Every Summer After in the Outer Banks cast!) and those coastal, nostalgic, feel-good vibes – this story's main plot is a high-stakes, epic, and nonstop treasure hunt filled with mysterious riddles and historic clues hidden throughout the kids' lives. It provided me great consolation as I was wishing to return to the world of Every Summer After for the first time.
The Notebook
You may also read this! The Notebook is an achingly beautiful tale of second-chance romance that tugs at the heartstrings. Set in a quaint, picturesque town, it evokes the essence of carefree summer days, complete with warm sunshine, lakeside strolls, and shared moments over ice cream. The story’s deep emotional pull, combined with its serene yet evocative setting, captures the timeless struggle between love and life's realities. Every scene brims with raw, heartfelt emotion, making it impossible not to shed tears. No matter how many times you watch it, its profound message about enduring love resonates, leaving a lasting impression.
Your Place Or Mine
If you’re in the mood for something uplifting and heartwarming, Your Place or Mine on Netflix is the perfect pick! This feel-good romantic comedy skips the heavy emotions and delivers pure joy from start to finish. It’s a charming tale of second chances, where friendship seamlessly blossoms into love. The story beautifully weaves the complexities of a single mom navigating life and love, with plenty of relatable moments that tug at your heart. Filled with nostalgic vibes, it evokes the warmth of coming home, where every scene feels cozy and familiar. It’s the kind of movie that leaves you smiling, proving that love can be found in the most unexpected places.
What To Add To Your TBR After Every Summer?
As the summer season winds down, it's the perfect time to refresh your reading list. Here are some captivating books like love and other words to add to your TBR (To Be Read) list, ensuring that your literary journey continues long after the sun sets on summer.
The Infinity Between Us by N.S. Perkins.
I recently added this one to my TBR (to be read) list after it was recommended to me on TikTok after I said how much I like Every Summer After. I was informed it had a very similar vibe to Sam and Percy's story, and after reading the blurb, I can tell. I want to read it. ASAP! To add it to Goodreads, hit the cover.
Meet Me At The Lake by Carley Fortune.
Include the best summer romance books on your list as soon as feasible. It is Carley's next book!!! Coming in only two months, on May 2nd! A fortuitous encounter. A lakeside resort. An unmistakable bond. A broken agreement. A decade apart.
I'm so thrilled to meet Will and Fern!
Conclusion
Summer offers a unique blend of relaxation and adventure, and there’s no better way to soak it all in than with a good book or movie. Whether you’re looking for lighthearted reads or captivating shows, knowing what to read and watch every summer after will help keep the spirit of the season alive long after the warm days fade. The key is to find stories that inspire, entertain, and transport you to different worlds—perfect companions for any summer. Don’t forget to add fresh titles to your list and keep your summer vibe going all year round!
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