Top 11 Budget-Friendly Summer Books to Feel Like You’re in Italy – Without the Expensive Trip
I can already imagine it: sipping a refreshing Hugo Spritz, wearing a light linen outfit, and gazing at the beautiful Italian coastline. That’s the dream scene I picture whenever I long for a European getaway. As summer approaches, a luxury trip to Europe might not fit my travel budget this year (I’m saving for it!), but enjoying a top-rated summer book is a perfect and affordable escape. I love reading beach books in summer, but there’s something extra exciting about stories set in Europe. A romantic European vacation, filled with adventure and passion, makes any summer read even hotter.
These books are so amazing, you’ll feel like you’re living your dream European summer right alongside the characters. From charming streets to stunning beaches, these stories take you straight to Europe—without the expensive airfare. So, grab your stylish sunglasses, find a cozy spot outdoors, and open one of these top-rated summer reads. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a luxury travel vibe, no passport or international flight needed.
1. One Italian Summer
After Katy’s mother, Carol, passes away, she decides to go on their dream trip to Positano, Italy—alone. This magical Amalfi Coast vacation was something they had always planned together. It’s the same stunning place where Carol spent a life-changing summer before meeting Katy’s dad. But when Katy arrives, something unbelievable happens—she sees her mother, alive, glowing, and 30 years old. Katy doesn’t know how it’s possible, but she’s given the rare chance to connect with her mom as a young woman. This emotional beach read is perfect for anyone who loves heartwarming stories, Italian getaways, and unforgettable mother-daughter travel bonds.
2. Problematic Summer Romance
Maya can’t stop thinking about Conor. It sounds like a classic love story: the older guy, her brother’s best friend, and the girl he never noticed—until now. When Maya’s brother plans his wedding in the beautiful town of Taormina, Sicily, she and Conor are stuck together in a dreamy Italian villa for more than a week. Surrounded by romance and sunshine, Maya starts to believe that a summer fling might be exactly what she needs—even if it breaks a few rules. This steamy and unforgettable summer romance novel is perfect for fans of forbidden love and romantic Sicily vacations.
3. Conversations with Friends
One night at a local poetry reading, best friends Frances and Bobbi meet a famous photographer. Slowly, they get pulled into her elegant, creative world. Frances is quietly fascinated by the woman’s stylish home—and by her charming, handsome husband, Nick. What starts as light flirtation between Frances and Nick soon turns into a deep and complicated connection. This modern romance novel explores emotional relationships, attraction, and the pull of a sophisticated lifestyle, making it a must-read for fans of literary fiction and slow-burning drama.
4. Sunstruck
It’s summer in the beautiful South of France, and a young man arrives at a luxurious mansion owned by the famous Blake family. He’s welcomed into a world of fame and mystery, where Annie—a world-renowned singer—rules the home, alongside her quiet husband David and their intriguing children: Dot, rebellious and distant; Lily, his carefree college friend; and Felix, the older brother who is both magnetic and mysterious. As tension and attraction grow between the young man and Felix, their secret bond deepens. But as emotions run high and the family’s glamorous life begins to unravel, their relationship faces the ultimate test. This psychological fiction and LGBTQ summer romance dives into desire, identity, and the price of love in a world of celebrity and luxury.
5. Summer Romance
Ali Morris is a professional organizer—but her own life feels completely out of control. Recently separated and adjusting to life as a single mom, she’s shocked when the first time she removes her wedding ring, she meets someone new. Ethan sees her in a way no one has in years—like she’s younger, bolder, and full of life. Ali knows the last thing she needs right now is more chaos, but maybe a light summer romance could be just what she needs to feel alive again. This feel-good women’s fiction novel is perfect for readers who enjoy heartwarming stories about love, healing, and new beginnings after divorce.
6. The Greek Holiday
Four old college friends reunite for a special trip to the same romantic Greek island where they once vacationed in their youth. But this isn’t just a getaway—it’s a much-needed escape for each of them as they face personal struggles in their careers, families, and relationships. As they soak in the beauty of the island and reconnect with each other, they begin to heal in unexpected ways. Most importantly, they rediscover the powerful bond of female friendship. This emotional travel fiction is perfect for readers who love uplifting women’s stories, Greek island vacations, and journeys of self-discovery in midlife.
7. The Villa
When Chess invites Emily on a girls trip to Italy, Emily sees it as the perfect chance to reconnect with her longtime best friend. They head to the mysterious Villa Rosato, a stunning estate with a dark past. In the summer of 1974, the villa was rented by a famous rock star—leading to a legendary horror novel, a platinum-selling album, and a shocking murder. As Emily digs deeper into the villa’s secrets, strange things begin to surface—not just from the past, but also in her friendship with Chess. With rising tension and hidden truths, it seems the villa may claim another victim before summer is over. This gripping mystery thriller is ideal for fans of suspenseful vacation novels, dark history, and best friend drama set in beautiful Italy.
8. Bonjour Tristesse
Escaping the strict rules of boarding school, young and self-centered Cécile joins her father for a relaxing two-month summer vacation at a gorgeous villa near Paris. He’s there with his latest girlfriend, and at first, life feels carefree and full of pleasure. But when her late mother’s best friend arrives, everything begins to change. As an unexpected romance grows between the adults, Cécile and her own lover scheme to stop it—leading to a heartbreaking and tragic outcome. This French Riviera summer novel is a beautifully written coming-of-age story, filled with emotional twists, family drama, and the darker side of youthful rebellion in classic European literature.
9. Our Last Days in Barcelona
In 1964, Isabel’s sister suddenly disappears in Barcelona. Determined to find her, Isabel travels to Spain and is quickly pulled into a dangerous world of espionage and hidden agendas. Teaming up with an unexpected ally, she begins to uncover secrets that not only threaten her safety but also reveal shocking truths about her own family’s past. As the story unfolds across generations, a mother and daughter must choose between honoring family expectations or following their hearts. This gripping historical fiction thriller blends mystery, romance, and deep family secrets—perfect for fans of emotional, suspenseful stories set in beautiful but shadowy corners of Europe.
10. The Gentleman from Peru
A group of college friends end up stranded at a luxurious hotel along Italy’s stunning Amalfi Coast while they wait for their boat to be repaired. During their stay, they become curious about a mysterious guest who follows a quiet, elegant routine. When they finally invite him to join them for lunch, they have no idea how deeply this encounter will affect their lives. What begins as a casual conversation turns into a powerful, life-changing experience—especially for one friend in the group. This uplifting spiritual fiction and Italy vacation story is perfect for readers who enjoy meaningful journeys, emotional awakenings, and wisdom-filled travel novels.
11. The Italian Marriage
Matthew D’Adamo is a workaholic lawyer who needs a wife—fast. To save his family’s estate and fix things with his father, marriage is the only way to meet the terms of an inheritance clause. Sarah Browne, living with the painful effects of endometriosis, is desperate for a fresh start. With a strict prenuptial agreement in place, the two strangers agree to move to beautiful Florence, Italy, and pretend to be the perfect couple. But things aren’t that simple. They’ve never met before—and there’s another surprise: a second heir also competing for the estate. This marriage of convenience romance blends emotional healing, inheritance drama, and a rich Florence Italy love story into one unforgettable read.
12. One Grand Summer
Sixteen-year-old Frieder’s summer takes a turn when he fails two subjects at school. Instead of enjoying a family vacation, he’s sent to his grandparents’ house to study. But there’s a silver lining—he gets to spend time with his caring grandmother, his sister, and his best friend. Then he meets Beate, the mysterious girl in the green swimsuit. Over the next few weeks, Frieder experiences deep friendship, fear, and first love. This unforgettable coming-of-age summer novel shows how one unexpected summer can shape a teenager’s entire life. Perfect for fans of emotional YA fiction and heartwarming teen love stories.
13. Evenings & Weekends
It’s June 2019 in London, and everyone is reveling in the collective joys of being alive. Everyone but Maggie. She’s 30, pregnant, and broke. Ed, meanwhile, is trying to run from his past with Maggie’s best friend Phil and harboring secret dreams of his own. Phil hates his office job and is living for the weekend, while falling for his housemate, Keith. But there’s a problem: Keith has a boyfriend and there might not be room for three people in the relationship. As Saturday night approaches, all their lives are set to change forever.
14. Love & Olives
Liv doesn’t have many happy memories of her father—he left for Greece when she was just eight years old. But one thing they always shared was a love for Greek mythology and the mystery of Atlantis. So when Liv gets a surprise postcard from him, inviting her to help film a National Geographic documentary about his latest Atlantis theory, she says yes. It’s a chance to reconnect and discover the truth. But once she arrives on the stunning Greek island, Liv realizes things aren’t as perfect as they seem. This Greek island adventure blends a touching father-daughter reunion story with the thrilling search for lost treasure in this Atlantis mystery novel.
15. Paris is Always a Good Idea
Seven years ago, Chelsea Martin took the trip of a lifetime—a yearlong European adventure right after college. But after her mother’s death, everything in her life came to a standstill. Now, as her father prepares to remarry, Chelsea realizes she hasn’t truly felt happy or in love since that journey. Ready for a fresh start, she decides to retrace her old travel route and reconnect with the places—and people—that once made her feel alive. With hope that one of her past flings might hold the key to her future, this second chance romance is a heartfelt story of grief, self-discovery, and the magic of falling in love again across beautiful European cities.
