I’ve really missed doing Friday Favorites, and since no one was currently hosting it, Cait @ Functionally Fictional decided to jump into the gap. Each week, she provides a prompt, and I get to talk about my favorite books that fit the topic. Feel free to join in – the more the merrier!

Who doesn’t adore a good summer read? I’m definitely a mood reader, and wile I tend towards darker, moodier reads in the winter, my summer reads trend towards romance and cozy mysteries. Light-hearted reads seem to rule my summer months, and here’s some of my recent favorites for the summer:

1. Murder at the Blueberry Festival by Darci Hannah. This cozy mystery takes place at a summer festival in Beacon Harbor, Michigan, and what starts with pranks ends with a murder, and resident baker Lindsey Bakewell and crew are on the case!
2. Nothing But the Truth by Holly James. This empowering, uplifting story is a wonderful cross between Liar, Liar and screw the patriarchy, and I can’t even express how much I loved it!
3. The Dark King by Gina L. Maxwell. This romantic, spicy fantasy was so good I couldn’t put it down, and now that I’ve finished it, I can’t stop thinking about it, and have been raving about it to everyone! It’s not out until September, but it’s on NetGalley.
4. As Seen on TV by Meredith Schorr. This sweet and funny romance has plenty of references to Hallmark movies and shows, and while a lot of them went over my head, I found this immensely enjoyable and satisfying. I’ve seen nothing but great reviews about this, and it’s the perfect summer read.
5. Home Field Advantage by Dahlia Adler. A YA queer romance featuring a high school cheerleader and a female quarterback? I’ve never liked sports romance before, but apparently all I needed was for the authors to make it sapphic!
6. Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater. This adorable Regency romance is the perfect combination of romance and fantasy, stealing my entire heart. I fell in love with the story and the characters, and everything about this book.
7. A Sprinkle in Time by Dana Mentink. While this is the second book in the Shake Shop Mystery series, I absolutely adored it. Pint of No Return is the first book, but this book offers enough of a wrap up to get you situated with the quirky setting of Upper Sprocket, Oregon and the adorable characters. It doesn’t hurt that Trinidad Jones has an ice cream shop, making it the perfect summer read.
8. Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon. I’m such a sucker for a sweet romance, and this one features amazing Jewish, mental health, and plus-size rep, featuring a male love interest with a dad bod, and a main character with depression, and the most incredible connection between them.
9. Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman. Another sweet romance that I couldn’t resist, featuring great Jewish representation, as well as discussion about substance use, recovery, and how sexuality is perceived in Hollywood.
10. Book Lovers by Emily Henry. After falling in love with Beach Read, I was already primed to enjoy this one, and I definitely did. While I don’t have a pool, I could easily see myself sitting on a pool float and reading this one. Although now that I think about it, it’s probably a good thing that I don’t have a pool, because I’d probably forget where I was and sit out there way too long and not come inside until I was lobster-red and in need of a gallon of aloe.

What are some of your must-read summer reads this year?