Between the rolling sound of the sea, soft sand and warm sunshine, the beach provides unmatched serenity and, for readers, a picture-perfect backdrop for getting lost in a great book. Year after year, “beach reads” are among the most sought after summer books thanks to their their breezy, fast-paced blend of seasonal settings, blossoming romance and sometimes a dash of mystery or suspense. But with countless options to choose from, narrowing down the best summer books is no easy feat.
To the rescue: We rounded up a fun variety of captivating beach reads — both newer and older releases — that are guaranteed to provide a summer escape no matter where you are. If you’re in the mood to stroll the shores of Cape Cod and walk the aisles of a quaint bookshop, pick up Jamie Brenner’s A Novel Summer. Would you rather jet off to France? Then dive into A Perfect Vintage by Chelsea Fagan which promises sizzling love affairs and drama galore.
Keep scrolling to discover some of our favorite summer books — from romance to historical fiction and more — that are certain to be excellent company. Happy reading!
Bestselling author Sunny Hostin is back with another beach read, and it’s the third installment of her Summer Beach series. Olivia Jones’ history is very intertwined with the coastal community of Highland Beach. And right now there’s a lot on her plate, from secrets surrounding her late aunt to a controlling family member. Olivia must finally decide if she wants to stay in Highland Beach or return to her life — and love — in Sag Harbor.
What readers are saying: “Sunny does such a phenomenal job describing the beautiful town of Highland Beach. Not to mention, it has a lot of great history alongside a juicy storyline. I read it in a weekend and it definitely put me in the mood for summer!”
Emotion and heartfelt charm abound in this novel by Kristan Higgins. The story stars medical resident Lark Smith, who is struggling in many areas of life. So when her co-worker, the foul-tempered surgeon Lorenzo Santini, needs a date for a wedding, Lark agrees to go in exchange for career help. What she doesn’t expect is to fall in love with his big family—and his estranged brother. Readers will love this story about the unexpected joy of life’s detours.
What readers are saying: “As soon as I saw Kristan Higgins released a new book, I was thrilled! She writes rich, compelling stories with strong female characters — and this one was no different,” says Patty Bontekoe, FIRST Executive Editor. “This story was surprisingly complex, exploring family drama, grief and self-love, and the dreamy Cape Cod setting was a bonus!”
Stunning beach settings, relatable characters, small-town drama…this novel has it all! The story follows author Shelby Archer, who found inspiration for her first novel on the coast of Provincetown in Cape Cod. But when she returns to celebrate her new bestseller, she’s greeted by neighbors who feel betrayed by her. As Shelby works to gain the town’s trust, she helps at the local bookshop. Can she find success and second chances?
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If you’re looking for a breezy beach read featuring memorable characters, shore settings and an intriguing mystery, Feels Like Summer by Wendy Francis fits the bill. Set in a small coastal town, this story centers on three sisters — Kate, Shelby and Bree — who are getting ready to kick off summer and spend time together. But things go awry when an eerie boating accident occurs near their seaside town, igniting questions about how well the sisters know their neighbors — and one another. As gossip spreads and secrets are unearthed, the sisters also grapple with their own problems in life and love. Will this summer bring them together again or push them further apart?
What readers are saying: “This book is really everything you want out of a beach read. It had that summer atmosphere, three sisters reuniting for what should be a relaxing weekend, a mystery laced with secrets and more. Also, I liked finding out what each sister was going through personally in their romantic lives and situations. A little romance, deep family bonds and a big mystery…I loved it!”
Bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand — known as the reigning “queen of beach reads” — is beloved for her captivating sagas set in beach towns and her latest novel features beautiful Nantucket. Hollis Shaw’s life falls apart after she loses her husband. So when she hears about something called a “Five-Star Weekend,” she hosts her own on Nantucket. What follows is a dramatic yet healing weekend with best friends from all the different phases of her life.
What readers are saying: “Elin Hilderbrand never disappoints, but this book was one of my favorite,” says Patty Bontekoe, FIRST Executive Editor. “It had me wondering who I’d invite to my own five-star weekend, and it reminded me of the lasting power of old friendships. Now, I’m looking forward to my reunion more!”
Filled with romantic drama and idyllic settings, this debut novel, which offers up a perfect blend of women’s fiction and romance, stars Lea Mortimer. Lea specializes in turning French estates into hotels. One summer, she takes her friend and cousin Stephanie Bryce and her daughter to France. But soon, Stephanie complicates Lea’s hotel launch and Lea somehow finds herself falling for her boss’ son. As affairs and family drama spike, Lea attempts to navigate it all.
What readers are saying: “Compelling, deeply sensual, the ultimate beach read! It breathes permission to the feminine to allow herself to like what she likes and lean into what warms her soul.”
Brimming with heart-fluttering moments, hilarious banter and lovable characters, this sweet rom-com stars romance author January Andrews who is in a funk. Disillusioned by love and family, she escapes to a lake house for a reset, but instead, finds her nemesis, author Augustus Everett, living next door in a rut of his own. What follows is one big bet, a few adventures and undeniable chemistry.
What readers are saying: “I very much enjoyed reading this on the plane and by the pool on my most recent vacation. It was light, some great steamy romance, yet also some poignant moments about grief, love, and life.”
From bestselling author Paige Toon comes a new swoon-worthy summertime love story. After meeting one night at a bar, Liv and Finn fall instantly in love. The only problem? They live on different continents. So they make a deal: They will meet up every summer if the two of them are still single. But on the seventh summer, Liv meets Tom and is finally forced to decide where her heart belongs.
What readers are saying: “I am always on the hunt for a good beach read that’s full of romantic charm and escapism,” admits Carissa Mosness, FIRST Assistant Digital Editor. “And this one delivered on all fronts. It is sweet, emotional, and had just the right amount of laughs.”
This timeless, sweeping story by bestselling author Beatriz Williams is told in dual timelines and first takes readers to the shores of New England in 2022. After a harrowing incident at summer camp three years ago, single mom Mallory Dunne went in search of a donor kidney for her son, Sam. During this search, Mallory comes face to face with two secrets from her past: her mom’s adoption and her own summer romance 14 years earlier with Monk Adams — who is now a world-famous singer-songwriter. In 1951 Cairo, Hannah Ainsworth, a Hungarian refugee, has found a way to build a life for herself. She’s married to a British diplomat and living in glamorous Cairo. But a run-in with the manager of a hotel filled with spies leads Hannah down a shocking path of secrets…and passionate love. An unforgettable journey of two women connected through time and an exotic family heirloom.
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The bestselling author duo known as Christina Lauren writes chemistry-filled, unputdownable romance — and their new novel delivers! Artist Anna Green married Liam “West” Weston four years ago for access to housing while at UCLA — and she thought she signed divorce papers after they graduated. Now, West is set to receive an inheritance…but only if he’s been married for five years. Can they both act the part without catching real feelings?
What readers are saying: “It’s a good day when there’s a new release by the author duo Christina Lauren — and I couldn’t wait to escape into this one,” says Melissa D’Agnese, FIRST Senior Editor. “Between the tropical setting, the fun premise and the mutual pining between Anna and West, I adored this story from start to finish.”
Sparkling with beautiful prose and sensuality, Seven Days in June by Tia Williams is sure to enchant readers from page one. Eva Mercy is a single mom and top-selling erotica writer. Shane Hall is a reclusive, award-winning novelist. When they see one another at a literary event sparks fly. But no one knows that Eva and Shane were once madly in love. As teenagers, their whirlwind romance ended quickly for devastating reasons. The pair try to pretend they’ve never met, but their chemistry says otherwise. Can they heal from their past and see if fate will give them a second chance?
What readers are saying: “Honestly, outstanding. Just outstanding on every level. This is a heavy book in terms of content for sure, but it speaks to Williams’ extraordinary talent as an author that I was engaged while having my heart utterly ripped out and trampled on before tenderly fixed and put back in its proper place. Shane and Eva have the kind of epic and intense love that begins when they’re teenagers and never seems to abate even when they spin out of each other’s orbit and back again.”
This charming, laugh-out-loud love story stars fashion influencer Melanie Karlsen, who finds herself in a rural fishing village in Canada as a last-ditch effort to save her brand. She meets grumpy, bearded fisherman Evan Whaler, who has a boating accident that lands him in the hospital. Then, Mel is mistaken for his fiancée and they strike up a deal that may just help them both.
What readers are saying: “This book is a delightful story filled with mistaken identities, quirky family dynamics, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. As Melanie and Evan navigate their fake engagement, they discover unexpected connections and undeniable chemistry that slowly blossoms into something real.”
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