Interesting Novels to Read this Summer

A book on the beach with Christian blog post title overlayed: Interesting Novels to Read this Summer at KristiWoods.net
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Looking for interesting novels to read this summer?

A book that keeps you flipping pages? If so, grab these titles for your reading list. Many are new releases, others are less recent, but more than excellent.

Perfect for the TBR pile (to be read), staycation, or beach time this summer. Happy reading!

Christian Romance

If you’re in the market for clean entertainment or a romance with a message, check out these Christian romances from a variety of genres.

Historical Christian Romance

Christian historical romance novel cover of A Secret Heart by Lacy Williams and Wendy Klopfenstein

A Secret Heart by Lacy Williams & Wendy Klopfenstein (Book 3 of 6 in the Wind River Mail-Order Brides Series. Yay! That means there’s more to read.)

It’s a fantastic Christian historical romance about brothers, the unexpected, and love.

Wendy’s an AMAZING writer. You won’t be disappointed.

Contemporary Christian Romance – Series

Author Lori DeJong

Christian novel cover for Love's True Measure by Lori DeJong

Love’s True Measure by Lori DeJong

Who doesn’t love a good love story, especially when the Lord’s at the center of it?

Releasing June 10, 2025, this is the third and final book in Lori’s debut series. It’s well worth the time to read Love’s True Calling (Book 1) and Love’s True Home (Book 2) as well. Yay! Another stellar series.

If you like Karen Kingsbury, you might like Lori’s award-winning, page-turning work, too.

Author Nancy Lavo

This is the first book in a series from Nancy Lavo. It’s a feel-good romance reuniting high-school sweethearts.

096358: The Place Where You Belong, Lone Star Loves Series #1 The Place Where You Belong, Lone Star Loves Series #1
By Nancy Lavo / Iron Stream Fiction
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Nicole Deese

Where to start? Nicole writes a stand-out novel. This series is one of my favorites. They are listed in order, but reading these Christian novels in that manner is not required.

Book Cover for Novel by Nicole Deese: The Words We Lost

The Words We Lost

241196: The Roads We Follow, Softcover The Roads We Follow, Softcover
By Nicole Deese / Bethany House
241201: The Voice We Find The Voice We Find
By Nicole Deese / Bethany House

Short Novel

Love Inspired, Author Lisa Jordan

Lisa Jordan writes a sweet story, which matches her personality. I love that this one highlights military veterans. Readers will enjoy her recent release from Love Inspired: Earning the Veteran’s Trust.

937202: Earning the Veteran"s Trust Earning the Veteran’s Trust
By Lisa Jordan / Love Inspired

Love Inspired, Author Meghann Whistler

Meghann Whistler’s stories pace well. They’re clean and offer an enjoyable, faith-centered story, too. Check out this Love Inspired favorite: Their Unlikely Protector.

936684: Their Unlikely Protector Their Unlikely Protector
By Meghann Whistler / Love Inspired

Love Inspired Author Chris Maday Schmidt

The pre-order price is great. Check out this July 1, 2025 release of The Fire Chief’s Surprise.

937351: The Fire Chief"s Surprise The Fire Chief’s Surprise
By Chris Maday Schmidt / Love Inspired

Love Inspired Author Jennifer Slattery

Another July 1, 2025 release, you’ll enjoy this inspirational read. It’s the perfect size for the beach bag, too. Check out The Rancher’s Secret Daughter by Jennifer Slattery.

937343: The Rancher"s Secret Daughter The Rancher’s Secret Daughter
By Jennifer Slattery / Love Inspired

Southern Fiction

Drawing of woman with long blond hair covering most of her face with magnolias above - book cover for Under the Magnolias by TI Lowe

T.I. Lowe’s southern flair engulfs readers, and how she intertwines serious life issues, mental health in this case, with her stellar storytelling skills is a true gift.

Several fantastic titles make up her backlist, but Under the Magnolias happens to be my favorite.

Maybe you’ll love reading this novel this summer, too.

453618: Under the Magnolias, Softover Under the Magnolias, Softover
By T.I. Lowe

Barely a teenager when her mother died, Austin was left to care for six siblings—and a father who retreated into his own darkness. Growing up on their farm was tough. Just when she glimpses a possible future with Vance Cumberland, Austin’s father reveals an explosive family secret. Will she finally find freedom in the truth? 384 pages, softcover from Tyndale.

Christmas in July

Who wants a little jingle bells amid the blistering summer heat? If so, here’s a solid pick-up from Jennifer Slattery called Christmas on the Ranch. Enjoy!

936936: Christmas on the Ranch Christmas on the Ranch
By Jennifer Slattery / Love Inspired

Books on the Beach

I just finished reading this recent release, Love, Unscripted, from Denise Hunter, and it, straight away, barged onto my top 10 favorites list. What a fun, sweet story! Check it out and see if you find yourself wrapped up in Chloe and Liam’s story, too.

Stairs leading to a beach with the ocean and sky in the background, Christian book cover for Love, Unscripted by Denise Hunter
716656: Love, Unscripted Love, Unscripted
By Denise Hunter / Thomas Nelson Fiction

When Chloe can’t find her perfect man, she writes a book to create him and receives a movie contract! Notorious Hollywood playboy Liam gets the lead, but he comes with a twist: Chloe must save his reputation by pretending to be his real-life girlfriend. Will this bargain prove to be more trouble than either could imagine?

Here’s another beach read from Denise Hunter to enjoy, too. FYI most of her contemporary Christian romances carry a very light faith thread, leaning more heavily toward “sweet romance” or “clean romance”, in my opinion.

716596: A Novel Proposal A Novel Proposal
By Denise Hunter / Thomas Nelson

Contemporary Christian Romance
Free Flash Fiction

Soldier and woman hugging with Christian flash fiction title, A Perfect Match by Kristi Woods overlayed.

If you like flash fiction, especially free stories, take a look at this line-up of military-themed clean and/or Christian romances on Spark Flash Fiction.

“A Perfect Match”, a Christian romance I penned, won the reader’s choice poll. You can go directly to the story here.

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