Summer is the perfect time to get swept away in a good book. Whether you're lounging by the pool, curled up in a hammock, or enjoying the quiet of a late evening breeze, there’s something magical about reading during the summer months. If you love stories with historical settings, fairy-tale twists, and just the right amount of clean romance, add these historical fairy tale novels to your summer reading list.

In this blog post, I’m sharing three historical fairy tale books that are perfect for summer reading. Each one blends history, romance, and fairy tale magic—and they’re all set during the summertime. So grab your iced tea, find a shady spot, and fall into a world where old stories take on new life.

 

👠 Cinderella’s Shoes: A 1940s Summer in Post-WWII Europe

If you loved Cinderella’s Dress, the adventure continues in Cinderella’s Shoes, set in the summer of 1947. Kate is back, and this time she’s traveling to post-war Europe to recover a pair of magical shoes—yes, the glass slippers. The journey takes her through war-torn Poland and picturesque Italy, just as the world is trying to piece itself back together after World War II.

This book is perfect for summer reading if you enjoy:

• Post-war historical fiction
• Coming-of-age journeys
• Family secrets and magical heirlooms
• Light romance with a fairytale twist

✨ Cinderella’s Shoes brings together the nostalgia of classic fairy tales with a realistic portrayal of post-war recovery. It’s ideal for readers who love historical YA, fairy-tale retellings, and female-led adventures across Europe. (It is book 2 in the series, so you'll want to start with Cinderella's Dress if you haven't read that one yet.)

Summer Vibes: Travel, adventure, summer romance, and hopeful new beginnings.

 

🌹 Beauty’s Rose: A Magical Summer in a Medieval Town (1980s France)

Transport yourself to a walled medieval village in 1980s France, where Margot is spending her summer reconnecting with family history and uncovering more than she ever expected. Beauty’s Rose is inspired by the original 1756 version of Beauty and the Beast and reimagines it for a new generation—while still keeping that old-world fairy tale charm.

Margot is staying with her aunt above a bookshop, exploring the old town of Chapais, and getting caught up in a curse that spans generations. Three fairies, a cursed teen boy, and one summer to break the curse.

This novel is a must-read for fans of:

• 1980s nostalgia
• Summer romance with a fairy tale twist
• French settings full of charm and secrets
• Fairy tale retellings with depth and drama

✨ Beauty’s Rose is the perfect combination of beach read and fairy tale revival, offering magic, heart, and a hint of danger.

Summer Vibes: Family reunions, tourist town, enchanted castles, and fairy tale romance.

 

🪞 Snow White’s Mirror: A Western Treasure Hunt with Edwardian Flair

Set in the early 1900s, Snow White’s Mirror takes readers to a small mining town in Arizona, where high-society girl Billie gets more than she bargained for on a summer adventure. Her uncle is chasing legends about their family—including a magic mirror—and Billie can’t resist the thrill of the mystery.

With a Wild West meets Edwardian aesthetic, this story is packed with summer heat, adventure, a hint of romance, and the timeless pull of fairy tale danger.

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy:

• Historical fantasy set in the American West
• Edwardian fashion and manners
• Mystery and family legacies
• A touch of magic in the desert sun

✨ Snow White’s Mirror is a sun-drenched tale of secrets, curses, and the kind of truth that only reveals itself when you stop chasing treasure and start chasing answers.

Summer Vibes: Dusty roads, monsoon rains, boomtown life, and summer romance.

 

🌞 Why Historical Fairy Tales Make the Best Summer Reads

Summer reading should feel like a vacation—even if you never leave home. That’s why historical fairy tale fiction is the perfect genre. It offers the escapism of fantasy with the grounded richness of history. You get the best of both worlds: nostalgic settings, romantic adventure, magical objects, and characters facing real challenges.

Books like Cinderella’s Shoes, Beauty’s Rose, and Snow White’s Mirror let you:

• Travel through time
• Experience different cultures
• Feel the thrill of young love
• Uncover ancient secrets
• Believe in magic again

And best of all? They’re clean, sweet, and suitable for teens and adults alike. Whether you’re reading for fun, for self-care, or for a bit of fairy tale wonder, these novels are excellent choices for your summer reading stack.

📚 Add These to Your Summer TBR List

Looking for fairy tale retellings with historical backdrops? Want stories that feel fresh but timeless? Add these titles to your “To Be Read” list in paperback, ebook, and audiobook:

Cinderella’s Shoes – WWII Europe, magical legacy, coming-of-age (It's a sequel, so start with Cinderella' Dress, which is also set partially in summer!)

Beauty’s Rose – 1980s France, romantic curse-breaking, summer magic

Snow White’s Mirror – Edwardian Arizona, wild west mystery, family drama

You can find all these books in the Fairy-tale Inheritance Series, written by historical fantasy author Shonna Slayton.

🧳 Ready for Your Summer Reading Escape?

Whether you’re heading to the beach or staying close to home, make your summer unforgettable with stories that whisk you away to magical places and different eras. With clean romance, rich historical detail, and fairy tale inspiration, this reading list will keep your imagination sparkling all summer long.

➡️ Shop now and bring home a bit of magic today: