Too Hot to Handle: Steamy Romance Books for Your Summer TBR

The temperature is rising, and so is the romance stack. In the Season 3 finale of Book Lounge by Libby, romance novel matchmaker, experienced bookseller, and bookish creator Destinee (@yourromancedestinee) joins the lounge to share the steamy romance books that deserve a spot on your summer TBR.

From slow burns that leave readers desperate for more, to romances packed with chemistry, banter, longing, and unforgettable love stories, Joe & Destinee share recommendations for every kind of romance reader. The conversation dives into what makes a great romance novel, why the genre continues to captivate millions of readers, and how finding the perfect romance book is all about matching the right story to the right reader.

Season 3 may be coming to a close, but Book Lounge by Libby isn’t going anywhere! After this episode, the podcast will move to a monthly rhythm of three episodes per month through the end of September when Season 4 launches with even more author conversations, reading recommendations and behind-the-scenes book world discussions.

Whether searching for spicy romance books, summer romance reads, or a brand-new favorite love story, this episode is the perfect way to heat up a reading list.

Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel!

Link to our full book list:
Find all the books mentioned in Season 3 on Libby Life!
Here’s a recap of our Monthly Book Picks (Jan-May 2026) and June – October 2026!

Book recommendations:

Destinee’s picks:

• Never Seduce a Scot – Maya Banks

• High Seas Heat – Sarah Blue

• Die for Me – Shirlene Obuobi

• By the Bootstraps – Alexa Martin

• Rebel Heiress – Amalie Howard

• Just a Highland Fling – Naina Kumar

• Psy-Changeling Series (Book 1: Slave to Sensation) - Nalini Singh

Joe’s picks:

• Extracurricular – Rachel Lynn Solomon

• Goliaths of Wrestling Series (Book 4: False Comeback) - Lily Mayne

• Jacksonville Rays Series (Book 4: Pucking Strong) - Emily Rath

• Shoutout: Puckboys Series (Book 1: Egotistical Puckboy) – Eden Finley & Saxon James

• Night at the Vampire Castle – Hari Conner

• The Hades Calculus – Maria Ying

• Time and Time Again – Chatham Greenfield

• Lost Boys series (Book 1: The Skeptic) – Kelly Fox

Who’s in this episode:

Destinee (yourromancedestinee) - Links

Time stamps:
00:00:00 Title
00:00:23 Intro
00:01:16 Welcome to Destinee
00:02:15 Get to know Destinee and what got her into romance!
00:04:30 The change of the romance reader landscape
00:07:33 What are your favorite/least favorite tropes?
00:11:24 What are your favorite questions to be asked as a bookseller?
00:15:30 Romance Recommendations!
00:54:05 Thank you and outro

Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can add these titles to their digital collections for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. Check out our Cumulative List for the whole season, or this list for today’s episode!

Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog!

We hope you enjoy this episode of Book Lounge by Libby. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the Libby App YouTube channel. Keep up with us on social media by following the Libby App on Instagram!

Want to reach out? Send an email to [email protected]. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: http://plotthreadsshop.com/booklounge!

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