Are you searching for books that make the perfect vacation or beach reads? We have just what you need! Keep scrolling to discover some fantastic summer reads that are engaging yet easy to follow, ideal for a quick escape or a lazy Sunday afternoon. Pick one of these selections, and soon you’ll feel like you’re lounging by the pool or on a tropical beach.
Favorite Beach Reads Published So Far In 2025:
Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand
The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers
Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict
My Friends by Fredrik Backman
The Love Haters by Katherine Center
Rom-Com Beach Reads
The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Post
The Seven-Year Slip is a charming, emotional read with a fun twist: time travel. When Clementine moves into her late aunt’s apartment, she’s not expecting to meet a man from seven years in the past. As their lives overlap, the story explores love and second chances. It’s heartfelt and perfect for a summer escape.
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
A New York Public Library Best Book of 2023
“A gorgeous love story from one of the finest romance writers out there.”- Carley Fortune, New York Times bestselling author of Every Summer After
The Love Haters By Katherine Center
The Love Haters is a smart, funny story about a young journalist trying to get back on her feet after a rough breakup, only to be assigned the task of writing a piece on Hutch, a coast guard rescue swimmer who doesn’t believe in love. What follows is sharp, entertaining, and full of heart. If you love witty banter, unexpected chemistry, and feel-good endings, this one’s for you.
Amazon Editor’s Pick- Best Books of 2025 So Far
It’s a thin line between love and love-hating in the newest laugh out loud, all the feels rom-com by New York Times bestselling author Katherine Center.
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Book Lovers is a smart, funny romance about a cutthroat literary agent and a grumpy editor who keep bumping into each other in the last place they expect- a small town in North Carolina. Full of sharp banter, bookish charm, and real emotion, this is a story about love, family, and rewriting your own story. If you enjoy witty dialogue and characters with depth, this one’s a must-read.
Amazon Editor’s Pick – Best Romance
Instant #1 New York Times bestseller from the author of Funny Story.
The People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
This is a fun and heartfelt story about two best friends, Poppy and Alex, who take a vacation together every year, until something goes wrong. Two years later, they reunite for one last trip to fix what’s broken. With sharp dialogue, emotional depth, and slow-burn chemistry, The People We Meet on Vacation is a feel-good read that’s perfect for travel lovers and fans of friends-to-lovers romance.
Amazon Editor’s Pick – Best Romance
“Henry’s biggest strength is in the sparkling, often laugh-out-loud-funny dialogue, particularly the banter-filled conversations between Poppy and Alex. The end result is a story that pays homage to classic romantic comedies while having a point of view all its own. A warm and winning When Harry Met Sally update that hits all the perfect notes.”—Kirkus Reviews
Contemporary Fiction Beach Reads
Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand
In “Swan Song,” Elin Hilderbrand returns to Nantucket for one final adventure. Staying true to her signature style, she explores the complexities of relationships and friendships, blending romance with lots of family dynamics. There’s tension between generations, clashes between new money and old money, and insights into the dynamics of social climbing. When a mysterious billionaire rents a grand house on the island, it sparks curiosity among the locals. It sets the stage for an intriguing and surprising story. If you like engaging beach reads with heart, this book is a must-read.
“Hilderbrand closes out her long run of Nantucket novels with an engrossing story of three mysterious newcomers…Strong characterizations and delicious moments of tension make this a worthy note to end on. Readers will be riveted.”―Publishers Weekly
“A stranger comes to town, and a beloved storyteller plays this creative-writing standby for all it’s worth.”―Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Malibu Rising is another solid read by Taylor Jenkins Reid. The entire book takes place on one crazy day in 1983, when the Riva siblings are hosting their annual party in Malibu. What I loved most was how Reid managed to pack so much family drama and backstory into just 24 hours. The four siblings each have their own problems – plus, there’s all this tension around their famous surfer dad, who basically abandoned them. It’s messier and more raw than The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, but in a good way.
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The Washington Post, Time, Marie Claire, PopSugar, Parade, Teen Vogue,Self
Behind Every Good Man by Sara Goodman Confino
“Behind Every Good Man” by Sara Goodman Confino pleasantly surprised me. It takes the typical marriage-in-crisis story and adds an intriguing twist. When Beverly discovers her husband’s affair, she seeks revenge by becoming the ideal political wife for his opponent. I enjoyed her change from being passive to taking charge, and it felt believable. Set in the 1960s political scene, the story builds tension as Beverly confidently stands up for herself. I cheered for her at times and wanted to shake her at others. It’s funny, clever, and empowering without being overbearing. I loved it. It’s everything you want in a beach read.
Good Reads Choice Award Nominee
“[A] delightful cast of well-rounded secondary characters and sprinkled with a dash of romance, the novel shows the power of blazing one’s own trail, even against frightening odds. Readers who love strong female leads won’t want to miss this one. Highly recommended.” ―Historical Novels Review, Editors’ Choice
All The Days of Summer by Nancy Thayer
If you’re looking for a beach read with real depth, “All The Days of Summer” is perfect. Nancy Thayer beautifully captures Nantucket and tells the story of Heather, who is trying to start anew after leaving her husband. Complications arise when her son, Ross, brings his girlfriend, Kailee, creating tension between the two women. I appreciated that neither is portrayed as a villain; both have valid feelings. The island setting is lovely without being overly romanticized, and it explores the challenges of starting over in your forties while being a mom. I read it in one sitting, feeling satisfied yet nostalgic for the summers of my youth. Perfect beach read for fans of Elin Hilderbrand and anyone who enjoys an easy-flowing story.
New York Times bestselling author
“Break out the sunscreen, kick off your flip-flops and settle in for a beautiful, hope-filled, heartwarming story about new beginnings and second chances. Nancy Thayer sees straight into the heart.”—RaeAnne Thayne, New York Times bestselling author of The Cafe at Beach End
My Friends by Fredrik Backman
My Friends tells the emotional story of four teenagers who meet at an old pier and how their friendship impacts their lives years later. Backman skillfully makes you laugh and cry while showing how art and friendship can change everything. The connection between their past and present is impressive. If you enjoy stories about how people influence each other’s lives, you’ll really like this book.
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
A Most Anticipated Book of 2025: Goodreads •USA TODAY • Marie Claire • BookPage • Literary Lifestyle •Book Riot •Sunset Magazine • Totally Booked with Zibby Owens
#1 New York Times bestselling author Fredrik Backman returns with an unforgettably funny, deeply moving tale of four teenagers whose friendship creates a bond so powerful that it changes a complete stranger’s life twenty-five years later.
Mystery Beach Reads
The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict
The Queens of Crime brings together Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers in a clever, imagined story about two of the most iconic women in the mystery fiction genre. As they cross paths in a world of secrets, scandals, and suspense, this novel explores what it meant to be a female writer in a male-dominated world-and the risks they took to tell the truth. A delightful read and perfect for fans of historical fiction and classic crime.
INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER AND INDIE BESTSELLER!
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Mystery of Mrs. Christie―a thrilling story of the five greatest women writers of the Golden Age of Mystery and their bid to solve a real-life murder.
The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose
Molly the maid is back in this charming follow-up to The Maid. Once again, she finds herself at the center of a murder investigation at the Regency Grand Hotel. With her unique perspective and quiet determination, Molly uncovers secrets hidden in plain sight. The Mystery Guest is a cozy mystery with heart, perfect for readers who love character-driven whodunits with a touch of warmth and wit. Great beach read!
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A new mess. A new mystery. It’s up to Molly the maid to uncover the truth, no matter how dirty, in this standalone novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Maid, a Good Morning AmericaBook Club pick.
“Lives up to the hype . . . both a delightful whodunit and a pointed social commentary.”—The Washington Post
NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW EDITORS’ CHOICE • A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: PopSugar, Harper’s Bazaar, Chicago Public Library, CrimeReads, Bookreporter
The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers
Ashley Flowers, the author of “The Missing Half,” has written a gripping psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the end. This story is not just about a person going missing; it also delves into the secrets families keep and the lingering questions that can haunt them for years. If you’re looking for a suspenseful read that delves into identity and the strong connections to the past, this book is for you.
Amazon Editor’s Pick – Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Two women haunted by their sisters’ unsolved disappearances band together in this captivating mystery from the author of All Good People Here and host of the #1 true crime podcast Crime Junkie.
“Sharp, slick, and chilling, with a whiplash ending you’ll never see coming.”—Jeneva Rose, author of Home Is Where the Bodies Are
Need More Great Beach Reads?
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One benefit of Summer was that each day we had more light to read by.”— Jeannette Walls, The Glass Castle
Happy Reading,
Linda
