7 Romantic Beach Novels That Truly Take Place by the Sea

Romantic beach novels aren’t as easy to find as the bookstore shelves would have you believe. Walk into Barnes & Noble and you’ll see a wall of pastel covers screaming “beach read.” But let’s be real: half of those books don’t even have a beach in them. Coffee shops? Yes. Suburban neighborhoods? Absolutely. But the ocean? The sand? The smell of salt water clinging to the pages? Nowhere to be found. And honestly, that bugs me. If you call it a beach read, I want actual waves in the background, not lattes. I want characters with sand stuck to their sunscreen, trying (and failing) not to kiss someone under a beach umbrella.

So, after far too many hours of “research” (yes, I’m calling binge-reading romance novels research), I pulled together a list of gems that actually deliver. These seven books are set where they claim to be—by the water. Grab your sunscreen and that floppy hat you bought but never wear, because we’re diving in.

Why Setting Matters in Romance

Here’s the thing: the ocean changes people. You can’t cling to your office persona when you’re barefoot, trying not to get knocked over by waves. The beach strips away walls. It forces vulnerability. And let’s be honest—who hasn’t secretly swooned at the idea of someone emerging from the water like some kind of mythic sea god? Exactly.

That’s why romantic beach novels hit different. The beach isn’t just a backdrop—it’s the pressure cooker where romance simmers.

1. My Best Friend’s Honeymoon by Meryl Wilsner

When Elsie’s engagement crashes and burns, she’s left with a fully paid Caribbean honeymoon. Enter Ginny—her best friend turned travel buddy… who maybe should have been more than that all along.

Why it works: turquoise water, endless sun, and that “will they, won’t they” tension you know is going to explode into something more. Bonus: piña coladas.

Steam level? Let’s just say, don’t read this one in public if you blush easily. This is one of those romantic beach novels that leans into tropical heat in every sense.

2. Grumpy Fake Boyfriend by Jackie Lau

Will is an introverted sci-fi writer who’d rather die than attend a beach party. Naomi, his best friend’s sister, needs a fake boyfriend for a group beach trip. You see where this is going.

The fun: Watching a grouchy introvert try (and fail) to resist summer games, stolen glances, and way too much sun. It’s grumpy/sunshine fake-dating gold—a reminder that romantic beach novels aren’t always about perfect people, but about messy feelings in the perfect setting.

3. Like Lovers Do by Tracey Livesay

Nicole, a surgeon with career drama, agrees to fake-date her neighbor Ben during his family’s Martha’s Vineyard vacation. Think networking, high society drama, and a beach setting dripping with old money vibes.

The Vineyard practically becomes its own character—beautiful, exclusive, and full of rules waiting to be broken. That’s exactly why so many romantic beach novels lean on location to heighten the drama and the tension.

4. The Heiress Hunt by Joanna Shupe

Romantic beach novels aren’t just modern—this historical gem takes us to Gilded Age Newport. Maddie Webster, a professional tennis player (scandalous in the 1890s), has to choose between marrying a duke or rekindling things with Harrison, her childhood love.

Newport’s oceanfront glamour is a perfect setting for forbidden love and social scandal. And honestly, there’s something ridiculously romantic about seaside tennis matches in corsets. This proves that readers have been craving romantic beach novels for centuries.

5. These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean

Alice heads to her father’s private Rhode Island island for his funeral, only to run into Jack—her one-night stand—who also happens to be her father’s business partner. Oh, and they’re competing for an inheritance.

The isolated island setting makes this one extra juicy. Family secrets + grief + a storm rolling in = the perfect messy cocktail. It’s moody, messy, and everything we secretly hope for when we pick up romantic beach novels set on stormy islands.

6. One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

This one nails the nostalgia. A photographer returns to her family’s lakeside house and bumps into a childhood friend. Cue the sunsets, secret feelings, and “oh no, they got hot” vibes.

It’s lakeside instead of ocean, but it still works—the water feels intimate, safe, and full of memory. Think warm nights and barefoot walks to the dock. For readers who love romantic beach novels with a hint of nostalgia, this one delivers.

7. The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas

Catalina needs a fake boyfriend for her sister’s wedding in Spain. Enter Aaron, her colleague-slash-reluctant knight in shining armor. Together, they dive into Mediterranean backdrops, awkward family dinners, and a whole lot of sexual tension.

It’s chunky (seriously, this book is long), but worth every page. The Spanish coast is lush and intoxicating, and the destination wedding setup adds delicious pressure.

What Makes These Stand Out

These novels don’t just slap a “beach read” label on and call it a day. The setting actually matters—it shapes the story. Whether it’s Martha’s Vineyard privilege, a Rhode Island island full of secrets, or the sun-soaked chaos of Spain, the water is always part of the romance.

If you’re building your summer TBR, Magpie’s 2025 beach reads guide is another great resource for ocean-side picks, alongside these romantic beach novels that truly earn the name.

Your Next Beach Read Awaits

So next time someone hands you a so-called “beach read” set in a random city apartment, hand them one of these instead. Life’s too short for landlocked love stories when you could be swooning over sun, salt air, and seaside kisses.

Now excuse me while I add another dozen books to my TBR. For… research purposes, of course.