Weekly Reads: September 14 to 20, 2026 (contemporary romance, historical romance)

Love Felt Like This by Julia Olivia (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Loved this book so much. Definitely warm and cozy and an absolute delight. So Beverly is trying to revive her children’s puppet show, but is having a rough go of it. She meets rock star Griffin by chance at a late night variety show. And he’s also struggling with writing his next album after becoming full-time Dad to 2-year-old Ava. Basically, they’re both in a bad place, but somehow decide to team up so that Griffin can help write songs for Beverly’s show. But see, the setup is just the beginning. Because their chemistry is insane and Griffin is such a great grumpy dad, and his kid is super sweet, and we get to go back to Beverly’s small mountain town for awhile. Ugh, words cannot describe, you just have to read it.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

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Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan (2023)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Beach town second chance romance here. Sam is back at her parents’ beach house with her new fiance to check out a wedding venue, but her ex-boyfriend Wyatt from a decade ago is staying at the house next door and distracting her. We get a bunch of time jumps here as we learn how those two got together and fell apart and how it plays into Sam’s life in the present. And how her city personality with her fiance is very different from her personality as a kid and teen and at the beach with her free-spirited parents. It’s messy and emotional and I really enjoyed it.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Thank You for Remembering by Emily Harding (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Amnesia romance. Marnie wakes up in the hospital after having hit her head and has no memory of the past year. Turns out her boyfriend is her ex-boyfriend and she lives in a new apartment that she doesn’t recognize at all. Helpful neighbor Ben helps her find her way around the city and revisit some landmarks from where she’s got some mementos. But like, we can totally see where this story is going right? Neighbor Ben definitely means more the Marnie than she realizes, but the stress of not knowing for sure is still lingering. I enjoyed all the wandering around Boston, since I went to college there, and now I want a lobster tail.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

How the Scoundrel Seduces by Sabrina Jeffries (2014)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 3 of the Duke’s Men series. Ooh, I love a mystery here. So Lady Zoe has a family mystery to solve and hires an investigator to solve it. Except Tristan is being annoying combative and prickly, probably because he’s attracted to Zoe while hating the aristocracy. There’s fighting and flirting and kissing and loads of drama here. Especially because they’ve got a big question of inheritance on the line. Loved this addition to the series.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Dorinda and the Doctor by Sabrina Jeffries (2014)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 3.5 of the Duke’s Men series. Super short novella. The duchess is playing matchmaker with widowed Dorinda and the local doctor Percy. Lucky for them, they’ve had a crush on each other the whole time. But Dorinda is struggling to get close to a man because her late husband sucked and she feels totally insecure for being barren. But you know, Percy is perfect, so they get together pretty quickly.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.