Best Beach Reads For Summer: Temecula Bookstore Owner Shares Faves

TEMECULA, CA?The weather is heating up in SoCal, and soon, we'll be heading to pools, lakes, and area beaches. When you're not water watching for the kiddos, we've found a great way for locals to unwind and unplug: with some hot summer beach reads, including a few by a home-grown Temecula author.

Katie Mullin, owner of In Bloom Bookery, Temecula Valley's favorite romance bookstore, spoke with Patch about some of her favorite books for the summer of 2025.

(See below for a special book deal from In Bloom Bookery, when you mention Patch at checkout on these titles).

The books she selected are tried and true summer staples, while others are hot off the presses and released only this week!

Each author brings varying degrees of romance, from closed bedroom doors to full-on habanero spice levels and many in between.

"If you're not sure if the book you've selected has the level of romance you're looking for, you can always ask a bookseller," Mullin suggests. She and her staff know all the titles on their shelves and how to point readers in a comfy reading direction based on the type of books you're interested in.

So what book's in your beach bag?

Mullin suggests that beach bags be filled with poolside paperbacks, sunscreen, a Bluetooth speaker, and, of course, a book-themed Stanley mug. For paperbacks, you'll also need a bookmark, and possibly highlighter pens and post-it notes for notetaking for your book club, all available among the giftable items at her bookstore.

We both agreed that the books for this summer should help us escape. The romantic-comedy genre is playing big this year, matched with a tale that tugs at the heartstrings. Regardless of which book you choose, she suggests looking for a summer read that is fun, engaging, and sweeps the reader away with the splash of waves.

Here are the In Bloom Bookery top recommended titles for this summer:

1. Beach Read, by Emily Henry:

"I love Emily Henry, and this is one of her classic ones. It has a good amount of spice and is perfect to take anywhere," Mullin said. This story of a romance writer who doesn't believe in love tantalizes with the question of happily ever afters. Mid-level spice for your romance palate.

2. Not Safe For Work, by Nisha J. Tuli

"A new release for summer, this one is a girl in competition with the CEO's son for a promotion, who goes on vacation, highly recommend," Mullin said. This one is a bit spicier, with some explicit open-door situations. The author is beloved on TikTok, and will carry you away under the summer sun.

3. Hotter in the Hamptons, by Tinx

"Expect glamorous escapism, scandal and sexual tension with this read, as well as a summer fling." Set on the coast of the Hamptons, this one is for a spicier side, according to Mullin. Tinx is a New York Times bestselling author, bringing "romance for a new generation," according to Chelsea Handler.

4. Can't Get Enough, by Kennedy Ryan
"Kennedy Ryan brings a blend of laughter and tears, with this new mid-level spice release," Mullin said. The book balances "brutal emotions, whip-smart humor and delicious spice," according to Talia Hibbert's blurb. Expect open door, mid-level spice with this contemporary summer read.

5. The Rom-Commers, by Katherine Center

"This story about writers is for people who like to keep the bedroom door shut," she said. "This is a great rom-com. I love that there's a blurb by Emily Giffin, a classic gateway romance author. 'Big hit of dopamine, a feel good, cry, with many laughs!'" Light spice, this one hits all the right notes for summer.

6. Vacation Wars, by Meghan Quinn

"Meghan Quinn knows comedy! There's a 'good amount' of spice here, and we love that she's a local Temecula-based author," she said. "This is about a vacation wedding in Santorini, and will have you laughing out loud. This is a beach bag must." Inside, you'll find "open door, mid-to-heated spice, in this book described by USA Today reviewers as a "sexy story about family dynamics that can stand in the way of rekindling romance."

As for younger romance readers...

With so many romance books out there, is the book your child is reading "age-appropriate?"

Mullin says the website romance.io can help parents of tweens and teens ensure they're not dipping toes into too hot a story. You can see the romance ratings, from "glimpses and kisses" to "closed bedroom doors."

Parents of tweens and teens looking for light and fun to cleanse the end-of-school-year palate should consider these for the beach.

Mullin suggests:

"The Summer I Turned Pretty," by Jenny Han, which is also a streaming series, for teens.

Another suggestion is:

"Betting on You," and "Better than the Movies," by Lynn Painter.

"Painter's stories are in the vein of 'She's All That,' and '10 Things I Hate About You,' following teenagers in swoon-worthy rom-com situations," according to reviewers.

Mullin's daughter loves "The Hunger Games," which will be the book club selection for the new teen and tween book club at the bookstore starting June 13. More on that to follow!

Patch and In Bloom Bookery invite you to take a tad off your romance book purchase.

"All books we mentioned in this piece will be on sale for a 10% discount until June 1, if you mention Patch at the register!" Mullin said.

So happy reading! And have a wonderful holiday weekend.

Read also:

11 California Bookstores Worth A Visit: Pilgrimage Through The Pages

Temecula's New Bookstore Romances Readers: Meet In Bloom Bookery