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Between Loves and Goodbyes: Contemporary Romance Stories Perfect for Summer Beach Reading
Escape into 15 unforgettable contemporary romance stories that will transport you from Thailand's hidden beaches to Germany's medieval towns, from Portugal's sun-drenched cliffs to Vietnam's bustling streets.
Perfect for summer reading, this steamy collection follows passionate encounters, forbidden affairs, and heart-stopping connections that burn bright across continents. Each interconnected story delivers the emotional intensity you crave with the wanderlust you dream about — think Colleen Hoover meets Emily Henry with a passport and no rules. Whether you're lounging by the beach or curled up at home, these tales of love, lust, and goodbyes will keep you turning pages long into the night.
Meet Alexa, the "Fire Girl" whose copper hair catches flames on Thai shores. Follow Matthias as he discovers tantric secrets in mountain hideaways. Watch Christina navigate polyamory under starlit skies. Each story stands alone, yet weaves into a larger tapestry of passion, wanderlust, and the loves that shape us — even when they're temporary.
This isn't just romance, it's emotional geography. How we connect across dating apps and time zones. How some people become seasons in our lives rather than lifetimes. How love leaves its mark, whether it lasts three days or three decades.
"Some nights are built for adventure. Some for desire. And some... are built to break your heart beautifully."
Perfect for summer reading, this steamy collection follows passionate encounters, forbidden affairs, and heart-stopping connections that burn bright across continents. Each interconnected story delivers the emotional intensity you crave with the wanderlust you dream about — think Colleen Hoover meets Emily Henry with a passport and no rules. Whether you're lounging by the beach or curled up at home, these tales of love, lust, and goodbyes will keep you turning pages long into the night.
Meet Alexa, the "Fire Girl" whose copper hair catches flames on Thai shores. Follow Matthias as he discovers tantric secrets in mountain hideaways. Watch Christina navigate polyamory under starlit skies. Each story stands alone, yet weaves into a larger tapestry of passion, wanderlust, and the loves that shape us — even when they're temporary.
This isn't just romance, it's emotional geography. How we connect across dating apps and time zones. How some people become seasons in our lives rather than lifetimes. How love leaves its mark, whether it lasts three days or three decades.
"Some nights are built for adventure. Some for desire. And some... are built to break your heart beautifully."
310 pages, Hardcover
Published July 23, 2025
1 person is currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Bruno Clozel
14 books6 followersBruno has never been one to follow the expected path. A storyteller at heart, he thrives on capturing unforgettable moments, turning them into words, and bringing stories to life, whether on the page or on stage. With an insatiable curiosity for the world and the people in it, he is always chasing new adventures, new conversations, and the kind of encounters that leave a mark.
When not writing, overthinking, or getting lost in the beauty of an untold story, Bruno can be found by the beach, in the mountains, or diving into a new sport — because movement, like storytelling, is where he finds his inspiration.
When not writing, overthinking, or getting lost in the beauty of an untold story, Bruno can be found by the beach, in the mountains, or diving into a new sport — because movement, like storytelling, is where he finds his inspiration.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 13, 2025
Reading Between Loves and Goodbyes felt like taking a journey through the heart one that spans countries, cultures, and the quiet moments between passion and loss. Bruno Clozel has created something truly special here. This isn’t just a collection of romance stories it’s an exploration of how love connects us, transforms us, and sometimes leaves us just as it found us, but somehow more alive.
Each story carries its own pulse. From the golden beaches of Thailand to the cobbled streets of Germany, every setting feels vividly real, almost cinematic. You can smell the sea air, hear the hum of distant nightlife, feel the weight of those fleeting, electric connections. The writing is intimate and sensual, but never gratuitous it’s the kind of storytelling that lingers, drawing you into the emotional landscape of each character.
I especially loved how the stories, though separate, seem to speak to one another. There’s a rhythm to the book like songs on a playlist that capture different moods of love: infatuation, heartbreak, healing, and the bittersweet beauty of goodbye. Characters like Alexa, Matthias, and Christina each reveal different shades of vulnerability and desire, reminding us that love wears many faces, and not all are meant to last forever.
What really stayed with me was Clozel’s honesty. He doesn’t romanticize love; he portrays it in all its messy, imperfect reality. These are stories of passion that burns fast, of connections made under foreign skies, and of the quiet ache that follows when two souls part ways. There’s poetry in the way he describes those in-between moments the silence after a confession, the final glance before walking away.
Between Loves and Goodbyes is more than just romance it’s about the geography of the human heart, how every encounter leaves an imprint, and how love, even when it fades, teaches us something about who we are. I found myself pausing after each story, just to breathe it in, to let the emotions settle.
If you’ve ever fallen in love far from home, or said goodbye knowing it was the right thing but still wished it weren’t, this book will resonate deeply. It’s beautiful, raw, and deeply human a love letter to the fleeting connections that make life unforgettable.
Each story carries its own pulse. From the golden beaches of Thailand to the cobbled streets of Germany, every setting feels vividly real, almost cinematic. You can smell the sea air, hear the hum of distant nightlife, feel the weight of those fleeting, electric connections. The writing is intimate and sensual, but never gratuitous it’s the kind of storytelling that lingers, drawing you into the emotional landscape of each character.
I especially loved how the stories, though separate, seem to speak to one another. There’s a rhythm to the book like songs on a playlist that capture different moods of love: infatuation, heartbreak, healing, and the bittersweet beauty of goodbye. Characters like Alexa, Matthias, and Christina each reveal different shades of vulnerability and desire, reminding us that love wears many faces, and not all are meant to last forever.
What really stayed with me was Clozel’s honesty. He doesn’t romanticize love; he portrays it in all its messy, imperfect reality. These are stories of passion that burns fast, of connections made under foreign skies, and of the quiet ache that follows when two souls part ways. There’s poetry in the way he describes those in-between moments the silence after a confession, the final glance before walking away.
Between Loves and Goodbyes is more than just romance it’s about the geography of the human heart, how every encounter leaves an imprint, and how love, even when it fades, teaches us something about who we are. I found myself pausing after each story, just to breathe it in, to let the emotions settle.
If you’ve ever fallen in love far from home, or said goodbye knowing it was the right thing but still wished it weren’t, this book will resonate deeply. It’s beautiful, raw, and deeply human a love letter to the fleeting connections that make life unforgettable.
August 31, 2025
Between Loves and Goodbyes is a collection of fifteen short stories that explore the themes of love, loss, and human connection, set against a backdrop that stretches across Europe and South-East Asia. The author shares in the closing notes that many of these stories grew out of overheard conversations, places he has visited, and his own lived experiences. This sense of authenticity runs throughout, with each piece feeling grounded, relatable, and, in its own way, very real.
The stories are atmospheric and often romantic, sometimes raw, and always tinged with the fragility of fleeting moments. Each narrative follows characters on their personal journey to find meaningful relationships. Modern dating culture plays a strong role, with texting, dating apps, banter, and brief but intense encounters shaping many of the storylines. Coincidental meetings often spark profound connections at focal points of the characters’ lives, highlighting the way chance can alter the course of love.
The author captures both the art of seduction and the unpredictability of desire with evocative atmospheric language. Shifting perspectives, sometimes male, sometimes female, keep the collection dynamic, while the varied locations add a richness of atmosphere. Stories set in Thailand in particular carry a hedonistic energy, blending romance, travel, and self-discovery.
Despite exploring themes of loss, the collection avoids heavy melodrama. Even in moments of goodbye, there is a sense of growth and acceptance rather than devastation.
The inclusion of stories touching on the pandemic feels timely and relevant, especially those that capture the tentative steps of reconnecting after isolation and the renewed hunger for human contact.
This is an ideal book for anyone who enjoys contemporary romance fiction that is thought-provoking yet easy to dip in and out of. Each story stands alone, making it perfect for reading in short bursts or quiet moments of reflection. I found the collection a refreshing departure from my usual reading choices, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a beautifully written reminder of love’s fleeting nature, travel’s transformative power, and the memories of loves once held close.
Many thanks to Reedsy Discovery and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The stories are atmospheric and often romantic, sometimes raw, and always tinged with the fragility of fleeting moments. Each narrative follows characters on their personal journey to find meaningful relationships. Modern dating culture plays a strong role, with texting, dating apps, banter, and brief but intense encounters shaping many of the storylines. Coincidental meetings often spark profound connections at focal points of the characters’ lives, highlighting the way chance can alter the course of love.
The author captures both the art of seduction and the unpredictability of desire with evocative atmospheric language. Shifting perspectives, sometimes male, sometimes female, keep the collection dynamic, while the varied locations add a richness of atmosphere. Stories set in Thailand in particular carry a hedonistic energy, blending romance, travel, and self-discovery.
Despite exploring themes of loss, the collection avoids heavy melodrama. Even in moments of goodbye, there is a sense of growth and acceptance rather than devastation.
The inclusion of stories touching on the pandemic feels timely and relevant, especially those that capture the tentative steps of reconnecting after isolation and the renewed hunger for human contact.
This is an ideal book for anyone who enjoys contemporary romance fiction that is thought-provoking yet easy to dip in and out of. Each story stands alone, making it perfect for reading in short bursts or quiet moments of reflection. I found the collection a refreshing departure from my usual reading choices, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a beautifully written reminder of love’s fleeting nature, travel’s transformative power, and the memories of loves once held close.
Many thanks to Reedsy Discovery and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 26, 2025
Romance with a View
This collection is like a passport full of passionate layovers — each story drops you into a new country, a new connection, and a new kind of emotional spark. I really enjoyed the sense of wanderlust and the diversity of characters and experiences. Some stories definitely stood out more than others, but overall, it’s a fun, steamy read perfect for vacation mode or a cozy weekend in.
If you like your romance with a dose of introspection and a splash of jet lag, this might be your vibe. Just be ready for a few emotional detours along the way.
This collection is like a passport full of passionate layovers — each story drops you into a new country, a new connection, and a new kind of emotional spark. I really enjoyed the sense of wanderlust and the diversity of characters and experiences. Some stories definitely stood out more than others, but overall, it’s a fun, steamy read perfect for vacation mode or a cozy weekend in.
If you like your romance with a dose of introspection and a splash of jet lag, this might be your vibe. Just be ready for a few emotional detours along the way.
July 31, 2025
Este livro surpreendeu me muito pela positiva, como vocês sabem leio muito pouco em inglês mas este livro levou me a querer ler mais é a conhecer mais histórias escritas em inglês, além de ser uma coletânea poética e sensível que mergulha no coração, nos momentos que antecedem o amor, nos que o consomem em silêncio, e, sobretudo, nos que permanecem depois do adeus.
Os contos capturam encontros breves, intensos e muitas vezes inacabados, em que personagens se cruzam em lugares distantes uma ilha na Tailândia, um aeroporto vazio, uma cidade coberta de neve e vivem paixões tão intensas quanto passageiras. Não há exagero dramático: há uma delicadeza quase cinematográfica na forma como o autor retrata o desejo, a conexão emocional e a dor sutil da perda.
Cada história parece um fragmento de memória às vezes agridoce, às vezes melancólica, mas sempre real.
Este não é um livro para quem procura finais felizes ou romances tradicionais. É um livro para quem já se despediu de alguém com o coração cheio, para quem acredita que certos amores não precisam durar para serem inesquecíveis.
Os contos capturam encontros breves, intensos e muitas vezes inacabados, em que personagens se cruzam em lugares distantes uma ilha na Tailândia, um aeroporto vazio, uma cidade coberta de neve e vivem paixões tão intensas quanto passageiras. Não há exagero dramático: há uma delicadeza quase cinematográfica na forma como o autor retrata o desejo, a conexão emocional e a dor sutil da perda.
Cada história parece um fragmento de memória às vezes agridoce, às vezes melancólica, mas sempre real.
Este não é um livro para quem procura finais felizes ou romances tradicionais. É um livro para quem já se despediu de alguém com o coração cheio, para quem acredita que certos amores não precisam durar para serem inesquecíveis.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews