Books like Summer In December by Essie Summers

Twenty‑five year‑old Belly Conklin returns to the family summer home on the coast, where a cancer diagnosis forces her to confront love, loss, and growing up amid the familiar rhythm of beach life.

An English governess arrives in New Zealand to work for a widowed uncle, only to be mistrusted as a gold digger by his earnest grandson.

A mountain‑climber and a sheep‑station owner in New Zealand’s Southern Alps fall for each other, but secrets from Juliana’s past threaten to undo their newfound love.

When Thomasina wins a trip to New Zealand, she brings her young half‑brother and sister for a family holiday and a chance to meet her father’s friend, Uncle Eb.

The ex-cop and librarian meet in Hawaii as they investigate a murder with rogue sensitives and para-hunters, discovering more danger than they bargained for.

Seventeen‑year‑old Jessie on Nantucket in 1969 faces family secrets as the Levin siblings navigate civil‑rights protests, a Vietnam‑deployed brother, a pregnant sister in Boston, and a historic summer that mirrors the nation’s turmoil.

Alex, a coroner, investigates supernatural activity in Hughes County, Texas, where paranormal phenomena abound and the local police force is not up to the task. Her new colleagues, including a techmage named Jack, are also paranormal, and they encourage her to use her ability to communicate with the dead to solve crimes. When her first case goes missing, Alex is transferred to a mysterious precinct where she meets Jack, who turns out to be her long-lost sister. Together, they must unravel the mystery and clear Hughes County of the supernatural threats that plague it.

Spring in September follows Susannah Carew as she returns to New Zealand, where tangled relationships with Morgan Blair and John test her loyalties.

Maria travels to New Zealand as a nursing companion, hoping to find her estranged father and build a new life, but love with Struan Mandeville at Heronshaw threatens to keep her from that goal.

A teenage girl, Eilen, struggles with her growing feelings for Michael, fearing danger yet drawn to him. In this 1990s romance, she wrestles with her heart and safety as her attraction to Michael grows.

When the beloved glassblower Claire Danner Crispin agrees to co‑chair Nantucket’s Children Summer Gala, she must juggle fundraising, a rekindled romance with ex‑high‑school sweetheart Max West and a passionate affair with the event’s Executive Director, Lockhart Dixon, all while keeping her family and business afloat.

Essie Summers’ autobiographical account reveals how her vivid New Zealand settings captivated readers worldwide, sparking fascination with both her life and the country she portrays.

Children's writer Brodie Nicol returns to her native New Zealand to visit her old friend Una Isbister. While driving out to Una's home Brodie finds herself in the middle of a snowstorm and seeks refuge at a nearby farmhouse - only to discover that the farm and its owner's children are being looked after by Guthrie Chisholm - her ex-fiance. Furthermore, Brodie discovers that she will not be able to leave immediately the snowstorm abates - because the farm is in quarantine. Clearly Una had known that Guthrie was staying nearby, and had planned a little matchmaking in inviting Brodie to stay. And it would appear that nature had helped her endeavours along immeasurably. But what Una doesn't know - and what no one except Brodie knows - is the true reason she had suddenly ended her engagement to Guthrie two years ago. In fact, even Guthrie does not know that two years ago, Brodie had overheard the conversation which took place in a pretty little English church, between himself and a woman called Anne.

The Little Brooklyn Bakery is a contemporary romance novel by Julie Caplin set in Brooklyn's baking scene, following the challenges and joys of running a local bakery while weaving romance, community, and culinary creativity into a heartwarming narrative.

The Awakening of Ivy Leavold is a historical romance novel by Sierra Simone that explores love and personal growth against a period backdrop.