Books Like Love Island: Steamy Hookups, Island Drama, and Emotional Chaos

If your idea of the perfect binge involves gorgeous people falling in love (or lust) under the sun with cameras watching and feelings getting messy, you’re going to love these reads. These books like Love Island bring all the heat, the tension, the tropical forced proximity—and most importantly, satisfying romance arcs reality TV rarely delivers.Some are literally set on reality shows. Others just nail the Love Island energy: beautiful settings, chaotic dynamics, and swoony connections that feel inevitable.

This post contains affiliate links. That means we receive a small commission at no cost to you from any purchases you make through these links.

What Are the Best Books Like Love Island?

Here are five standout romance reads that capture that same addictive, high-stakes summer energy.

Hot Summer by Elle Everhart

A sapphic Love Island-inspired romance with strategy, self-doubt, and unexpected softness.

Cas agrees to appear on Hot Summer for one reason: to get a promotion. She’s here to be iconic, not emotional. But then she meets Ada, who seems to actually be here for love. One is playing the game, the other is playing for keeps—and things get complicated.

Tropes: Queer romance, reality dating show, enemies to lovers.

Grab Hot Summer on Amazon

Facing Reality by Sienna Atwell

A forbidden romance on a dating competition where feelings aren’t supposed to happen.

She joins the show to help her dad financially—not to find love. But the moment she meets Ethan, the man she’s not supposed to fall for, the tension is instant. With millions watching and a fake romance playing out on-screen, she has to decide: love or the plan?

Tropes: Forbidden love, forced proximity, reality show angst.

Grab Facing Reality on Amazon

Wicked Games by Jessica Clare

Enemies on a survival-style dating show. Tropical heat. Zero chill.

Abby and Dean are paired up on Endurance Island, a reality show that pushes contestants to the edge. She thinks he’s arrogant. He thinks she’s soft. But forced to rely on each other—and sleep under the stars—things turn from tense to steamy fast.

Tropes: Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, fake-to-real connection.

Grab Wicked Games on Amazon

Desire and the Deep Blue Sea by Olivia Dade

A low-drama, high-heart romance with fake dating on a tropical island TV show.

Callie needs a fake boyfriend. Thomas, her awkward and sweet coworker, agrees to play the part on Island Match. What starts as a performance quickly turns into something more—tender, unexpected, and deeply romantic. It’s grumpy/sunshine, but make it nerdy.

Tropes: Fake dating, sunshine/grump, vacation romance.

Grab Desire and the Deep Blue Sea on Amazon

Surviving Demon Island by Jaci Burton

A survival reality show with a supernatural twist—and major sexual tension.

Gina signs on to a new survival-style show to prove she can handle action stunts and tough challenges. Derek is there to work—not to get distracted by a sexy movie star. But when their fake setup becomes real danger, the sparks between them become impossible to ignore.

Tropes: Forced proximity, survival show, paranormal suspense.

Grab Surviving Demon Island on Amazon

Looking for More Reality Show Romance?

• Reality TV Dating Romance Books – Bachelor-style chaos, viral moments, and fated matchups.
• Romance Books with Cooking Competitions – High stakes in the kitchen with heat on and off the burners.
• Romance Books About Going Viral or Becoming Famous – From social media stunts to celebrity PR relationships.

Final Thoughts

These books bring all the Love Island vibes—tension, temptation, tropics, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting. Whether you’re into fake dating or forbidden chemistry, there’s something here to satisfy every reality romance craving.

Pin It for Later