Sunshine & Swoon: Reading Through the English Heatwave

I’m not sure what spell has been cast over the UK lately, but the weather? Unbelievably dreamy. We’ve officially entered open-window season — the kind where the air smells like suncream and strawberries, and the sun lingers like it’s got a crush on us.

And for me? This is prime reading time.

There’s something so deliciously indulgent about curling up (or stretching out) with a good romantasy book when it’s hot outside. Whether I’m lying on a picnic blanket in the garden, toes in the grass, or hiding in the shade with a cold drink and a slow-burn love story, it just hits differently.

It’s the kind of heat that makes everything feel a little hazy and golden — like you’re living inside a soft-focus summer novel. Every breeze is a plot twist. Every ice cube is a minor miracle. And every emotionally devastating page somehow feels more intense when you’re already warm and flushed.

Lately, I’ve been carrying a book everywhere. Tucked into my tote for spontaneous park reads. Balanced on my lap at golden hour. Left open on the kitchen counter next to the fan. These stories are keeping me grounded and giddy all at once — a perfect pairing for this unexpected stretch of English summer magic.

If you're in your reading in the sun until the pages curl era, consider this your sign to romanticize it. Grab your current read (or check out our [Shoppable Library] if you're in need of a new obsession), fill a glass with something icy, and give yourself permission to slow down.

Books and heatwaves? A match made in swoon heaven.

Stay shady, stay soft, and happy reading,
– Emily