I don’t know about you, but when I think of summer the color that pops into my head is orange. Maybe it’s because orange is a hot color. Like the sun. That is melting the sidewalks outside as we speak. So for your happy summer (hopefully indoor) reading, I offer you these hot, orange reads.

Man, I really loved this one. I started listening to the audio one day in my car and I couldn’t stop when I got home. Plus-sized lady, Everly, has just been selected as a make-over candidate for her favorite show, On the Plus Side. The cameraman, Logan, may be a big grump, but the hosts Jazzy and Stanton are everything she expected. This was a great read about letting your body be what it wants and the characters were great. This isn’t officially part of a series, but if you read other books by this author, she has lots of call backs, which is fun if you’ve partaken in full. Highly recommend this in either audio or print.

Ashley Poston is that author that I always think, “Oh yeah I like her.” But then I start the book and it gets kinda weird. When I read her first book, The Dead Romantics, I remember finishing it and thinking, “What did I just read?” along with “that was really good.” This one falls into the same two categories. My only advantage here was that I have seen The Lake House (with Keanu and Sandra), so I had some idea what to expect. Except here we are dealing with a magic apartment, not just a magic mailbox. Her aunt’s apartment keeps taking her back 7 years, when she’s sharing it with struggling chef Iwan. Normally, I hate time travel books and while I didn’t think this one was wholly satisfying (no one has ever explained time travel to my satisfaction - why seven years? - why this apartment?) it was still a good story. If you haven’t read Ashley Poston, you should. She’ll probably make you think a little

I have yet to read a book by this author that I didn’t not fully enjoy. There is always such a depth to her works. Yes, there is romance, but there is also real people with stories that the reader cares about outside the bedroom. Basic premise: a snarky mustard-marketer (who knew that was a job?) has a great date with a handsome vet right before she moves to take care of her mom. Then they spend the rest of book trying to do the long distance thing. It’s so cute that I read this in less than 24 hours. I couldn’t put it down once I started. I would caution to have a Kleenex because some parts of this get a little bumpy. But I think this would be an excellent summer read for your vacation. Head to your local branch today and see if you can catch a Lucky Day copy. That’s what I did.

I enjoy Emily Henry. I think I’ve been with her since her first book was published. Whenever I see she has a new book out, I always get my hold in right away - and this one was no exception. Budding biographer, Alice Scott, has tracked down one of the most reclusive celebs and is eager to get her story. Unfortunately, famed writer Hayden Anderson is sniffing around as well. Who will get the story of the century? So this book weaves two stories together - the great love affair between Margaret Ives and Cosmo Sinclair, and then of course, our two main characters. I actually enjoyed the Margaret and Cosmo story more than the other. This was maybe not my fave Emily Henry (I’m not the biggest fan of the enemies to lovers trope), but it was still a highly enjoyable read.

The premise of this is pretty basic - Presley is a city girl whose life is spinning out of control. Beckett is trying to help his brother get a vacation resort up to par in rural upper Michigan. They meet when Presley takes the vacation she had booked for her and her now-ex boyfriend. I really liked this one. I’m not a big fan of roughing it and hiking and you know, going outside and stuff, but this one has a lot of heart. It took me so long to get this one off my TBR pile, that now it has become an official series. Yay - more good stories to read! So jump in with this one, then follow it up with Get Lost in You, the sequel. It also looks like there will be a third book coming out next February, so you’ve got some time to get caught up. Don’t miss these. They are worth the time.

Ok friends. I hope your summer is going well. I know school is gonna be starting back soon, but you still have a little bit of time to get a last book or two in before the craziness hits. Any of these would be great end of summer picks. Stay cool out there.

Happy Oranging…
:) Amanda