11 Affordable Euro Summer Reads for When a Trip to Italy Is Outside Your Budget

      June 18, 2025

      

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      I can envision it now: A Hugo Spritz in my grasp, dressed in a light linen outfit, with a picturesque Italian coastline in the backdrop. This is the scene that plays in my mind when I yearn for a trip to Europe. As summer approaches, it seems that a European vacation may not be feasible for me this year (I'm saving up for it, though), but a great summer read is definitely attainable. I enjoy any type of beach book in the summer, but there's something magical about being whisked away to another country filled with a sultry European escape that really enhances the warmth of the season.

      These books are so captivating that you'll feel as though you're living the European summer you've always dreamed of alongside the characters. So, without further ado, don your most stylish sunglasses, find a table outdoors, and delve into these summer reads that whisk you away to the European coast—no need for international travel.

      

       Rebecca Serle

      Katy is left to embark on the mother-daughter trip to Positano alone after her mother, Carol, passes away. This enchanting town is where Carol had spent a summer shortly before meeting Katy’s father. However, when Katy arrives on the Amalfi Coast, Carol appears to her, looking vibrant, sun-kissed, and thirty years old. Confused by what is happening, Katy can only focus on the fact that she has somehow reunited with her mother, allowing her to discover Carol not as her mother, but as the young woman she once was.

       Ali Hazelwood

      Maya can’t stop thinking about Conor. It’s such a cliché: an older man and a younger woman; her brother’s best friend who never knew she existed. However, when her brother decides to marry in Taormina, Maya finds herself stuck in a romantic Sicilian villa with Conor for over a week. There, Maya realizes that a summer romance might be exactly what she needs—even if it is complicated.

       Sally Rooney

      At a local poetry reading, Frances and Bobbi meet a famous photographer, and as they slowly become part of her world, Frances is surprisingly taken by the older woman's elegant home and attractive husband, Nick. While their flirtation appears amusing at first, it gradually evolves into a peculiar intimacy.

       William Rayfet Hunter

      During the summer, a young man walks through the gates of a lavish mansion in the south of France. The Blakes are waiting for Annie, the matriarch and renowned singer, along with her enigmatic husband David and their children—Dot, rebellious and distant; Lily, the carefree college friend; and their mysterious elder brother Felix. A restless attraction arises between the young man and Felix. As chaos ensues, their relationship will not only be tested but could also be torn apart.

       Annabel Monaghan

      Ali Morris is a professional organizer whose personal life is chaotic. Surprisingly, when she first removes her wedding ring, she meets Ethan, who looks at her as if he admires her youthful bravery. Newly single and a mother, Ali is hesitant to complicate her life further, but a little summer romance might not hurt. Would it?

       Maeve Haran

      Four former university friends come together to revisit their first trip to a stunning, romantic Greek island. However, it isn't just about reliving their youth. Each is seeking something to help them through challenging times in their lives—be it career pressures, family matters, or relationship issues. Ultimately, they learn one of the most significant lessons of all: the true value of female friendship.

       Rachel Hawkins

      When Chess proposes a girls’ trip to Italy, Emily eagerly seizes the opportunity to reconnect with her best friend. In 1974, Villa Rosato was occupied for a summer by a notorious rock star, igniting a series of events that would lead to a legendary horror novel, a platinum album, and a murder. As Emily uncovers the villa’s complex history, tensions rise between her and Chess. With secrets emerging from the past, it seems the villa may claim another victim before summer concludes.

       Françoise Sagan

      Cécile, a self-centered young woman, is liberated from the strictures of boarding school and accompanies her father on a carefree two-month summer holiday at a beautiful villa near Paris with his latest lover. The arrival of her late mother’s best friend disrupts her enjoyment. As a romance develops between the adults, Cécile and her lover concoct a plan to keep them apart… resulting in tragic and unforeseen consequences.

       Chanel Cleeton

      After Isabel’s sister goes missing in Barcelona in 1964, Isabel travels to Spain in pursuit of her.