August is finally upon us, and after summer and traveling were cancelled last year, I, for one, am looking forward to spending time on the beach and safely traveling this summer. Of course lazy days spent on the beach and plane rides are not complete without a fun book aka a cute rom-com to enjoy. I’ve already started working my way through my summer reading list, and thought I’d share my top three so far. Be sure you grab a Bookedbag protector to keep these books safe whether you are on the beach, in the sky, or just lounging in your backyard this August.
Accidentally Engaged by Farah Heron (2021) - I loved, loved, loved this book! I mean what's not to love about a rom-com that involves a fake engagement and a cooking competition? Reena Manji, is stuck in a rut and dislikes most of what her life has become. However, there is one thing she loves, baking bread, and one place she loves being, her kitchen. Her kitchen is her escape from everything: her job, her lack of a love life, and especially her overbearing parents. When her father’s newest and very handsome employee, Nadmi, moves in across the hall from her, Reena, quickly discovers his presence is nothing more than her parents' latest ploy to set her up. Although Reena is determined not to fall in love with Nadim that does not mean she cannot be friends with him, and it definitely does not mean she cannot be fake engaged to him for the sake of a cooking competition… right? Everything is going well, until they are not. Things quickly begin to unravel, secrets are revealed, and Reena has to make some important decisions about the direction of her life before time runs out.
You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria (2020) - This book has been on my reading list for the last few months, and I must say… I am glad I waited until my schedule cleared up a little; so I could really enjoy this book. This book was everything I wanted and more, and for fans of Jane the Virgin, this is your book! After she finds out that her musician boyfriend has broken up with her via the tabloids, soap opera star Jasmine Lin returns back to her hometown of New York City to escape from Hollywood and to star as the lead in a new Latinx romantic comedy. While in NYC, she reconnects with family and develops a “Leading Lady Plan” with cousins to get her through her breakup and back on track to become the Hollywood success she aspires to be. However, when telenovela heartthrob, Ashton Suarez, is casted last minute as her on screen love interest... well things get very interesting. Secret romances, secret lives, and a whole lot of laugh out loud moments make this book a must-read this summer!
The Trouble with Hating You by Sajni Patel (2020) - As the saying goes, “first impressions can be deceiving,” and this book is the perfect example of that. Liya is a successful biochemical engineer, happily single, and fiercely independent woman. Liya's parents, on the other hand, are determined to find her a husband to settle down with; which is something that Liya is very much not on board with. When her parents set up a meeting with a new suitor, Jay, and they lure Liya to their home to meet him, Liya quickly escapes her parents house, but not before she collides with her suitor during her mad dash from her parents house. A week later, Liya and Jay are surprised to find that they have to work together when Jay is hired as the lawyer tasked with saving Liya’s company. Through office banter and late night talks, Liya and Jay develop a friendship, and it is not long before they are falling for each other. Although, if they are both unable to come to terms with their painful pasts, their pasts threaten to destroy their one chance at having the real love they both deserve.
