The Best Beach Reads for Summer
If you like to curl up with a good beach read during the summer or listen to something gripping while you garden, then this, the Best Beach Reads for Summer post, is for you. Whether you’re a book-in-hand kind of person or prefer Audible, this list has something for everyone, from low heat to some decent steam. Most of these are considered Women’s Fiction, Romantic Comedy, or Contemporary Romance with elements of friendship, family life, and some small town that beckons you to visit.
Since getting vertigo really bad back in November, I have been all about audiobooks. Since January, I’ve consumed 56 in all. On this list, I’ve listened to four, but all are on my list for the summer. These are all new releases and are some of my favorite tropes, like grumpy sunshine, forced proximity, fake marriage, found family, and secrets.
Annable Monaghan is one of my favorites. Her first book, Nora Goes off Script, is one of my comps for my current book, going on submission soon. So, hopefully, if you like her, then chances are you’ll like my book (trying to stay positive) when it comes out.
This is a witty and charming account of a recently divorced professional organizer who can’t get her life together but, with the help of someone from her past, gets a summer to remember.
Seven Summers by Paige Toon is a coming-of-age, heartfelt summer read. The jacket cover says, “Six summers to fall in love, one summer to change it all.” This has all the makings for a great summer read.
This is an emotional account of Liv and Finn, who are bound by an inextricable tragedy. For six years, they have spent the summers together on the Cornish Coastline, but this summer, number seven, will be different. She crosses paths with a mysterious Tom from her hometown and quickly falls, but nothing is what it seems.
Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews is a summer escape with mystery and romance. If you like stories set in the South with good plot twists, then you’ll like this book.
Traci Edding, once an outsider to the renowned St. Cecelia hotel, is now its widowed new owner, determined to bring it back to life. When old mysteries come to life and threaten the hotel’s standing, she’ll have to make a choice.
Bridesmaid for Hire by Meghan Quinn is a romantic comedy with amazing chemistry and tension between the MCs. It’s a fake dating situation set on an island resort. What could be better?
After years of tension and a kiss that ended horribly, Maggie Mitchell and Brody McFadden find themselves on the same island, one for relaxation and one for a wedding. They decide to fake date in order to further their careers but quickly realize real feelings are involved. When everything implodes, Brody may be to blame.
The Rule Book by Sarah Adams is a feel-good sports romance with witty banter and comedic elements. This is a cute enemy to lovers, a second-chance romance with elements of revenge.
Nora McKenzie, a new sports agent, puts her career in the hands of Derek Pender, her ex, who is also an NFL tight end. But Derek has only one thing on his mind: revenge. When Nora catches on, the two decide to play, but one crazy night in Vegas leads to a mistaken marriage. Will this lapse in judgment help or hinder their careers?
Crossroads by Devney Perry is a second-chance, small-town romance about love and loss set in Montana. If you like well-written Westerns with developed characters and some spice, then you’ll love this book. Devney is one of my favorites, and she has so many to binge on too.
Indya returns as the owner of the Montana ranch she once visited as a child. Her first love, West Haven, isn’t happy about the news that his ranch has been sold, and tensions rise. This is a dual POV and timeline. Think Yellowstone meets HGTV.
Love Unwritten by Laura Asher, is a contemporary island romance with tropes such as grumpy sunshine, a single dad, and second chances. It is also a slow burn with ample spice!
Ellie Sinclair is an unemployed songwriter, and Rafael is a tortured billionaire who hires her to be his son’s nanny. When they travel together for the summer, old feelings from high school return. When lines blur, they face a new dilemma. It’s anyone’s guess if they will get their happy ending or if it will just be another heartbreak to write about.
Look on the Bright Side by Kristan Higgins is a heartfelt, romantic comedy about the rewards of life’s little detours.
Lark Smith, an oncologist, thought she had it all figured out until she’s fired for being a “weeper.” A glimpse of a plan B comes in the form of a foul-tempered surgeon, Loenzo Santni. She agrees to be his wedding date to his sister’s wedding and instantly falls for his family, including his brother. She quickly learns that sometimes, the best things in life are unplanned.
The Paradise Problem By Christina Lauren is a heartfelt romantic comedy with great banter. I loved the twist on the fake marriage; it was done in such a unique way. I would rate this as 2 chilis for spice, so it’s steamy and then some!
Anna Green, a broke, struggling artist, is reunited with her ex-husband, Liam Weston, whom they married for subsidized housing at UCLA years ago. Only he’s not an ex; they are actually still married, and he’s about to inherit a fortune if he can prove to his family that he and Anna are the real deal when they attend a wedding in paradise.
One Last Shot by Betty Cayouette is a witty contemporary romance set in Italy. It is also a debut, so let’s give this author some love.
Supermodel Emerson and photographer Theo are about to meet again at a photoshoot in Italy after making a marriage pact ten years earlier. They embark on a four-day trip that tests them emotionally and physically. It’s anyone’s guess what they’ll do after it is over.
Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand is, I believe, her last book; boo hoo! And this one looks GOOD! “When rich strangers move to the island, social mayhem and a possible murder that follows.” This is a Nantucket based with elements of mystery, friendship, and family life.
City of Books by Nicole Meier is a friendship-driven women’s fiction novel with hints of romance. When her boss and bookstore owner, Mr. Bruebaker, has a stroke, Jo Waterstone has one thing on her mind: saving the store at all costs. She decides to barricade herself in the store in an effort to hold off and buy her some time before the inevitable closing. As outside voices get louder, she’ll have to figure out what is worth saving.
The Seaside Sisters by Pamela Kelley is a lighthearted family life, sibling summer story with elements of romance that will delight and charm. Best-selling author Hannah and her sister Sara, a stuck housewife, embark on a summer of firsts together at their aunt’s oceanfront Chatam house opening them up to the magic of books and the beach.
Funny Story by Emily Henry is a heartfelt contemporary rom-com with a wee bit of spice. If you like, opposites attract, and friends-to-lovers read with great banter, then this is for you.
Stranded in the beautiful seaside town, Daphne is starting over without friends and family. But she does have her dream job to keep her company; too bad being a children’s librarian didn’t pay more. When she’s forced to take a roommate, her ex’s girlfriend’s ex seems like the unlikely choice, yet it makes perfect sense.
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez has a captivating storyline, emotional depth, heartwarming story, and witty dialogue.
Justin and Emma are tied together by the same curse. It’s that the person that dates them finds their forever person right after them. Emma, a traveling nurse, decides to surprise Justin by taking a job in Minnesota near him on Lake Minnetonka. When family drama ensues for both of them, they find comfort in one another. But all that changes when Emma’s past takes hold of her future.
Birding With Benefits by Sara T. Dubb is a refreshingly sweet contemporary romance for people in their 40s.
Newly divorced Celeste partners with John and pretends to be his girlfriend for a bird-watching contest. If he wants to launch his own guide business, he needs this win. But Celeste can’t tell a sparrow from a swallow. As they spend more time together, they notice more than just the birds in the Arizona wilderness. But as their time as a couple ticks away, they must decide to part ways or give it a go.
A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey comes out on June 25. If you like Southern fiction centered around friendship and family. This is a dual POV and timeline. One old house, two women bound by family and secrets.
Savor It by Tara DeWitt is a spicy summer rom-com full of small-town fun.
Sage Bryd lives in the small coastal town of Spunes, Oregon. She has had some bad luck lately, so she decided to enter The Festival of Spunes. The only caveat is that she needs a partner, which comes in the form of hotshot, arrogant New York City Chef Fisher Lange. A deal is struck for her to improve his town’s image by collaborating. But when feelings get real, and there is a timeline looming, it’s anyone’s guess if they’ll get their happily ever after.
You can check out last year’s summer reading list HERE.
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Have a happy day, friend! And happy reading!