There’s nothing like a summer romance—it’s fun, flirty, and almost always sizzling. Now, imagine watching one of the best romance shows in the summer. You experience the butterflies and adrenaline of the hate-to-love arcs coming to life, or the intensity of the grumpy/sunshine tropes. No matter what the trope, summer romances are perfect for binge-watching while enjoying your favorite guilty pleasure snacks.
From summer romance TV shows like Hart of Dixie, to niche picks like Our Girl, set in a war zone, or a period drama like Sanditon, here is a list of five shows with romance, perfect for the upcoming season!
Sanditon (2019)
The PBS Masterpiece show Sanditon has my heart, and I don’t want it back.
Adapted from Jane Austen’s classic novel, the show follows Charlotte Haywood (Rose Williams) as she explores the seaside town of Sanditon in England in the late 1800s.
There, she meets a seemingly not-so-gentleman named Sidney Parker, played by Theo James. Their relationship in season one is one of the most intentional, slow-burning hate-to-love, grumpy/sunshine arcs I have ever watched.
Episode after episode advances their story; it’s the perfect summer binge, with the cool seaside setting and the harsh truths Charlotte learns about life and men. Their relationship is an emotional roller coaster, but it’s worth watching.
The chemistry between the two characters is off the charts, from their first dance in episode one. They truly own the grumpy/sunshine, hate-to-love trope.
If you want a show full of sizzling chemistry, deep emotional lessons, and Theo James (my Divergent heart loves him forever), then this show is for you!
Where to Watch
Hart of Dixie (2011)
Hart of Dixie is possibly the most summery romance TV show to date.
The show follows a New York doctor, Zoe Hart (Rachel Bilson), who moves to Alabama in the hot summer to pursue a job offer and practice medicine alongside a stranger.
Upon her arrival, she learns that the stranger she was meant to practice with has died and left her, in his will, half of his practice.
Surprised and alone, Zoe encounters two men with polar-opposite personalities, Wade (Wilson Bethel) and George (Scott Porter). Wade and Zoe have immediate chemistry, though Zoe would never admit that.
He’s a flirt, easy-going, and a bit of a daredevil, while Zoe is somewhat stiff, avoidant, and the one who plays it safe. They are opposites that attract in the best way.
George and Zoe are more aligned in their views and nature; he’s also a bit stiff and plays it safe. However, a big issue between them is that he has a fiancée. Her feelings for both men complicate her life majorly. It’s a love triangle of sorts, and while I hate love triangles, this one is done right, and I’m proud to say the man I was rooting for, she ends up with!
If you love southern charm and sweet and sassy romance, this show is for you!
Where to Watch
Our Girl (2013)
Our Girl (season 1) follows the life of Molly Dawes (Lacey Turner), who is a British Army medic.
Her journey from a rebel girl in the slums of London to a brave British medic is already engaging enough; now add the relationship between her and her captain, Captain James (Ben Aldridge), and the show becomes an easy binge-watch.
The romance between Molly and Captain James is a slow-burning forbidden love story. Captain James is tough and demanding, even of Molly, but his gentle side comes out more and more throughout the show, as Molly is considered.
Soon, he goes from seeing her as just another recruit to someone he wants to protect and care for. It’s swoonworthy in the most intense environment: war.
This show is for you if you love action alongside your romance and tough-as-nails heroines.
Where to Watch
Jane the Virgin (2014)
Jane the Virgin is an American telenovela, full of comedy, passionate romance, and emotional storylines.
The first season takes place in the summer, so the romance feels free, sizzling, and lighthearted to start.
The show follows Jane (Gina Rodriguez), a virgin girl who is accidentally impregnated with the sperm of Rafael Solano, played by Justin Baldoni, who becomes a love interest for the rest of the show. Alongside Michael Cordero Jr. (Brett Dier), who is also a love interest.
Yes, another love triangle.
Though in this case, I chose the right man again. Her relationship with Rafael is like choosing the guy opposite of everything you planned for, yet matches every part of you that you actually are. Rafeal is a businessman who is nothing like her current boyfriend, Michael, who aligns with the side of Jane, which is safe and uninterested in taking risks.
However, throughout the show, Jane’s need to pick the guy she loves becomes more prominent. As someone who is not the biggest fan of love triangles, her indecision is one of the hardest things to watch, yet somewhat hard to turn away from, when the hope is that she chooses the guy you’re rooting for.
Watch this show if you can handle love triangles, love telanovellas, and passionate romance!
Where to Watch
Outer Banks (2020)
The Netflix drama, Outer Banks, is the perfect teen/young adult drama.
The show revolves around a group of friends who go on an adventure that involves searching for treasure and investigating the disappearance of one of the teens’ fathers, John B (Chase Stokes).
In this show, the romance is ever-changing and ever-growing. It is the truest depiction of young summer love.
There are main love stories throughout the show that have viewers completely invested, and some romantic arcs people are hoping still happen. This show is one of those shows where it’s better not to directly call out who is with whom, because it kind of spoils the show.
What I can say, however, is that the show explores forbidden love, friends-to-lovers, opposites-attract, and more.
Outer Banks takes young love and makes it real and worth holding onto, despite the odds and factors working against it.
This show is for you if you like young adult stories, adventure, and romance.
Where to Watch
Honorable Mentions
The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022)
Okay, so I haven’t actually watched this show yet.
Why not, you ask?
I haven’t watched it because I know it’s a love triangle (but what about the other shows with love triangles you mentioned?).
I did not know those were love triangles before I watched them, and I got sucked in!
I typically try to avoid love triangles at all costs.
I still wanted to mention it because this show is widely loved. It’s another teen/young adult show full of romance and drama.
This show follows a girl named Belly (Lola Tung) as she spends a summer with her heart caught between two brothers, Conrad Fisher (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalegno). The show follows their love triangle.
I’m recommending this show to you and myself for the summer!
Where to Watch
Poldark (2015)
Another show that I think is worth mentioning, but could be somewhat debatable as to how much of a summer show it is, is Poldark.
It’s another period piece drama based on the series by Winston Graham, with romance that is achingly beautiful.
The show follows a man, Ross Poldark (Aidan Turner), who returns from war, thinking he’s to marry the love of his life and run his estate, only to learn she’s married now.
Ross is the definition of grumpy; his nature tends towards it, so he is the perfect candidate to fall in love with someone who is a ray of sunshine.
He encounters a young lady, Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson), who changes his idea of true love and friendship through her bright, lively demeanor.
The chemistry between Ross and Demelza comes unexpectedly, but with a force upon its arrival.
I enjoyed the period piece aspect of the show; it hits on the struggles of the working class vs the rich, the struggles women face during this era, and the hardships of war and PTSD.
It is such a beautifully written, well-rounded show that shows the ups and downs of relationships, even with love between the characters. I personally enjoyed this show one summer and am so grateful to have clicked play one random summer night.
If you love period piece romance, wartime, rich vs poor class depictions, and a grumpy male lead!
Where to Watch
Coming Soon (Spoilers Ahead for: OUTER BANKS)
Outer Banks season five is coming soon! It will either be released this summer or fall; my bet is in the fall. With the death of fan favorite JJ, viewers are curious about what season five will look like.
As someone who loved JJ and Kie, I am wondering if they will give Kiera another romance for the final season or if she will be alone.
Some fans even want her with Rafe (insert eyeball emoji here).
Regardless, I am excited to see such a fun show come to an end and see whether the writers do it justice.
