TRAVEL READS THAT WILL SATISFY YOUR WANDERLUST
I'm a sucker for any book that takes me to somewhere new. From adorable and aesthetic romances set in Paris to thrillers on yachts and airport meet cutes, the books on this list will take you around the world and back! Whether you're looking for inspiration for your next trip or just want to escape into a book for a while, this list is for you.
The Lion's Den by Katherine St. John
Unexpected. Thrilling. Surprising. Sexy. This book was EVERYTHING. I've recommended it more than I've recommended any other book in recent memory, because it stunned me and transported me to the wealthy world of those who travel by super yacht. Belle's dream vacation and immersion into the ruthless world of the ultra rich is perfect until it's not. This book will have you dreaming of sunbathing on an open deck even as it has your heart pumping at the danger of being trapped on a boat with people who think they can get away with anything. I don't know how else to describe it without giving it all away-- just trust me and read this ASAP! And then read The Siren, St. John's follow up novel. So good.
Shipped by Angie Hockman
Workaholic Henley is up for a promotion at the travel company she works for, and the only thing standing in her way is Graeme, her nemesis. To determine who will win the new role, her company sends them both on a trip to the Galapagos to create new marketing campaigns. The best campaign wins, and Henley is not going down without a fight. This enemies-to-lovers story had me hooked from page one-- and not just because I briefly worked in travel marketing and could totally relate to Henley. Graeme and Henley's chemistry sparks from every page, and you'll love them both so much you won't know who to root for to get the promotion. The Galapagos jumped to the very top of my must-visit list after this one, it's a five-star read!
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
Have the tissues ready for this one--and also air fare for a trip to the Amalfi Coast. Trust me, you'll need it! I've wanted to go to Positano for ever, and this book took me there with every description of the crystal blue water, the Italian food, the charming locals, and the colourful buildings. Less of a romance than my usual reads and more of a literary fiction or woman's fiction pick, this book follows Katy after the death of her mother, on a trip they always planned to take together. It's a book about mothers and daughters, about the way we understand and relate to our parents, and about how one summer can change you forever. It's incredibly well done and unlike anything I'd read before.
On Location by Sarah Echavarre Smith
Utah had never been on my must-visit list...until this book! Travel TV show producer Alia Dunn gets her big break producing a show about Utah's National Parks, and along the way we get a swoon-worthy romance alongside descriptions of the other-worldly Utah landscape that had me fascinated. I fell down the YouTube rabbit hole watching videos of the parks afterwards, so curious if the fantastical places she described really existed. I didn't always love the writing style, but it's honestly worth the read for the story and for the way that it transports you to a place you've maybe never been before. And if you're looking for another romance set in the wild west, check out Something Wilder by Christina Lauren.
Just Haven't Met You Yet by Sophie Cousens
When you're traveling while single and looking for love, everything feels like a possible meet cute. When Laura accidentally ends up with the suitcase of a handsome stranger, and that suitcase is filled with clues that he's the man of her dreams, she's convinced that this is it! Set in the UK's Channel Islands, this romantic comedy was a love letter to this remote area that I'd never heard of, and is the perfect book to read while travelling-- light, entertaining, and adorable.
The Paris Connection by Lorraine Brown
Travel isn't always glamorous, especially these days where delays, missed connections, and lost luggage abound! The Paris Connection makes a travel disaster-- the leading lady gets separated from her partner on a train and ends up in Paris by mistake-- and turns it into a one-day adventure with a stranger that changes Hannah's life forever. A romance that feels like a slow burn but is actually only a day long isn't something that I've ever come across before, but this one did it perfectly. As Leo shows her his Paris, you'll fall in love with both him and the city right alongside Hannah. It's magical.
The Layover by Lacie Waldon
If you've ever epically failed at your goal of catching flights, not feelings, or you've ever been curious about what it would be like to be a flight attendant, this is the book for you. Ava and Jack's turbulent love story is an enemies-to-lovers book set on a flight to Belize and a 24-hour layover in paradise. It's a fun escape, and is written by a flight attendant, which adds a layer of authenticity to all the descriptions of life in the skies. Not a lot of spice to this one, but there is great chemistry between the main characters and it'll definitely have you looking forward to your next beach vacation!
