6 Beach Reads That Are a Perfect Match for Summer

Calling all romance booklovers—we may be halfway through summer, but there’s still plenty of time to curl up under the sun with a cozy beach read in hand.

If you’re on the hunt for your next favourite book, we’ve got you covered. We sat down with Amy Pelletier, owner of Perfect Match Bookshop—Vancouver’s newest and first romance-focused bookstore.

Pelletier, a former naturopathic doctor, has always been in love with the genre, from grandma’s Harlequins to contemporary romance. Inspired by similar shops in other cities, she often wondered when Vancouver would get its own romance bookstore. “And then I thought, ‘well, I could just open one in Vancouver,’” she says. And so she did, launching Perfect Match’s online store in April this year.

Now with a new physical storefront in Mount Pleasant, Pelletier hopes to create more than just a retail space. “I didn’t want to ever just be online, because for me, so much of this is [about] the community,” says Pelletier, “being able to have a space where people can meet, whether that’s for book clubs or craft clubs, but also to have a space where people can meet in store while shopping and chat.”

The new 1,000-square-foot store includes pink shelves stocked with bright covers, apparel and other bookish merchandise. A central area offers flexibility for hosting events like monthly book club meetings, while a small sitting area with plush yellow chairs creates an intimate zone for page-turning and casual mingling. There is also a colourful floor-to-ceiling mural by local artist Renske Werner.

Romance fans can visit the new space at the grand opening this Saturday, August 16. The event will feature free advanced reader copies with eligible purchases, discounted branded tote bags, double Match points (“so you get free books a lot faster”), a raffle prize and giveaways from local businesses like Rumble Boxing Studio, Catoro Cafe and Spin Society. “The neighbourhood is so kind and welcoming,” she adds, “I think it’s going to be a very fun day.”

The grand opening takes place from noon to 6 p.m at 545 East Broadway, Vancouver. It’s free to attend with an RSVP on the events page. Ahead of the big day, here are Pelletier’s top picks to heat up your summer.

6 Summer Romance Reads

1. Wild Love by Elsie Silver

A surprise 12-year-old daughter and a desperate job plea bring an unlikely pair together in the first book in a series of standalone romances set in B.C. and Alberta. “You get a bunch of the fun romance tropes all together,” says Pelletier—think: single dad, billionaire, small-town charm and a touch of Western flair. This one’s a classic summer romance with a Canadian twist and has just enough drama to keep you turning the page.

2. Love is a War Song by Danica Nava

 

A Muscogee pop star, eager to escape bad press, crosses paths with a grumpy cowboy—and he’s not a fan. Indigenous author Danica Nava blends enemies-to-lovers banter with small-town slow burn in this summer standout. Expect fish-out-of-water antics, saving-the-ranch drama and all the rom com energy you could want.

3. All’s Fair in Love and Pickleball by Kate Spencer

 

Pickleball’s probably not the game you pictured for a summer sports romance, but it works. “He’s a former bad boy of tennis, she needs to save her business, and he needs to improve his reputation,” says Pelletier, adding that fake dating is her favourite trope. Competitive banter and plenty of on- and off-court chemistry make this “another fun, silly summer romp.”

4. One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

 

Carley Fortune (“our Canadian rom com queen”) takes her readers back to the world of Every Summer After in what Pelletier calls “a quintessential Canadian summer read.” Set against the familiar lake backdrop, this standalone explores bucket lists, teenage nostalgia, forced proximity and family themes. “I think [it’s] such a treat. It’s such a homegoing feeling for the summer, especially if you’re reading it at your summer cabin or lakeside,” says Pelletier. Expect a flirty, confident male lead and a story that pairs swimmingly with reading by the water.

5. Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland

 

More of a summer adventure than a classic beach read, this fast-paced heist novel might help you break out of a reading slump. “For those chilly nights at the cabin or if you want a bit more of a page-turner that isn’t a thriller,” says Pelletier. “You don’t often see fantasy or romantasy in your summer reading list.” Set in a magical universe that kicks off a trilogy, Five Broken Blades weaves multiple points of view and romantic pairings into a high-stakes plot, making it an unexpected treat to shake up your summer TBR.

6. Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

If you’re in the mood for sharp British humour, laugh-out-loud banter and slow-burn chemistry, this queer fake dating romance is one of Pelletier’s all-time favourites. It’s grumpy-meets-sunshine with a lively cast of side characters, tabloid troubles, awkward photo ops and just the right mix of messy, silly and emotional.