The Monthly Swoon Report
Issue No. 2 · September 2026
Winter's had its run, and today marks the first day of spring — so this issue is our last look back at everything that kept us cosy through the final stretch of it. New shows, movies, books, podcasts and music worth swooning over — let's get into it.
Shows We're Obsessed With
the line-up that got us through the last of winter
From Megan Park and Margot Robbie's LuckyChap, this coming-of-age drama follows 17-year-old Annie after she inherits a mysterious island in Canada — new friends, budding romance and a family's worth of buried secrets included.
An ambitious prosecutor loses her memory after a mysterious accident and wakes up in a taffy-making village with a boxing coach claiming to be her boyfriend. Sweet, sticky and exactly as swoony as it sounds.
Set in 1900s rural Australia, headstrong Sybylla dreams of a life as a writer while her family pushes her toward marriage — until she falls for a man who makes the choice between love and ambition a lot harder than she'd like.
Movies to Swoon Over
mark the calendar, clear the schedule
Laurelyn Prescott is back — this time chasing the music career she gave up love for, until her past (and Jack Henry) comes looking for her. Samantha Allsop and Jackson Gallagher return for round two of the Beauty Trilogy.
In a world where premarital sex is legal on just one night a year, recently dumped Owen and hopeful romantic Allie keep almost-missing each other across New York City. Callum Turner and Monica Barbaro have the kind of easy chemistry that makes the whole silly premise work.
A tightly-wound New York travel journalist has her carefully controlled life upended by her laid-back Australian tour guide during an assignment in Melbourne. Unexpected connections, gorgeous detours, and all the slow-burn tension you'd hope for.
Plot Twists & Casting News
screenshot this and send it to the group chat
♥ Better Than the Movies: Cast Revealed
BookTok, rejoice — Beatrice Kitsos and David Iacono have officially landed Liz and Wes in Netflix's adaptation of Lynn Painter's beloved rom-com novel. Filming begins this September in Chicago.
Emily Henry's Beach Read has officially wrapped production, with Phoebe Dynevor and Patrick Schwarzenegger leading as January and Gus. It won't hit theatres until May 2027, but we'll take any excuse to start counting down.
Page Turners of the Month
clear your evening, you won't be putting these down
♥ Lost and Found — Tarah DeWitt
The emotional close to the Spunes series. Bea loses her best friend and gains an impossible decision — and a firefighter named Silas who's loved her quietly for years. Bring tissues.
♥ I've Got a Crush on You — Lauren Blakely
Grumpy landlord, sunshine dog trainer, one unforgettable night that turns into a very awkward workplace situation. Darling Springs' second standalone delivers exactly the fun, spicy rom-com energy you'd expect.
♥ Yes, Chef — Grace Reilly
A disgraced chef and a bubbly influencer team up to save a beloved restaurant in this grumpy x sunshine kitchen romance. Think The Bear meets It Happened One Summer — steamy, funny and full of heart.
♥ The Fall Affair — Vi Keeland
A Tuscan estate, an inheritance clause with a catch, and one infuriating neighbour. Vi Keeland's newest standalone is giving us all the autumn-in-Italy feelings early.
Your Next Listen: Podcast Edition
your commute just got a lot more romantic
The Soundtrack
add this straight to the playlist
Sam Smith's fifth studio album is a love letter to New York and to falling — genuinely, unguardedly — in love. Twelve tracks of warmth, vulnerability and the kind of romance that doesn't need to hide from the world.
Her eighth studio album and first since Eternal Sunshine, Petal is full of warmth and heart — twelve tracks that feel like her most personal yet. Lead single "Hate That I Made You Love Me" already gave us our instant heartbreak anthem.
Got Romance News of Your Own?
Found your new favourite book, show, or song? We want to hear it — tell us your romance news and you could be featured in next month's issue.
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