beach reads perfect for summer
One thing about me is that I live for the beach. Since I only live about an hour from the Jersey Shore, my summers are spent on the sand, lathering myself in sunscreen, diving into the waves, snacking on fruit, and – you guessed it – reading. There’s very little that I love more than a cozy, on-theme romance novel, and fortunately for us romance readers, there are PLENTY of beach-themed books to accompany you to the beach this summer (or to make you feel as though you’re there)!
The UnHoneymooners by Christina Lauren
Get your wedding fix with this novel that masterfully combines forced proximity, enemies to lovers, fake dating, and a beautiful Maui getaway. When Olive’s twin sister Ami’s wedding leads to a whole lot of food poisoning, Olive and Ethan, the Best Man, are the only two unaffected by the ruinous seafood. Olive doesn’t want to spend a moment in Ethan’s presence, let alone a ten day vacation pretending to be his newly-wedded wife, but she sure as hell doesn’t want to let him enjoy paradise if she doesn’t get to. Things aren’t always what they seem in this fantastic story by romance powerhouses Christina Lauren.
Good Girl Complex by Elle Kennedy
Head back to college with the Avalon Bay series by Elle Kennedy. Mackenzie “Mac” Cabot is already doing well for herself, with her internet business, her prep school diploma, and her wealthy parents, but they refuse to let her dive headfirst into working without a college degree. Mac finds herself at Garnet College in Avalon Bay, where Cooper Hartley despises the obnoxious rich kids who try to stomp all over him during their college semesters, leaving him to pick up the pieces on school breaks. Cooper tests Mac’s self-control, and she tests his assumptions of her and what she stands for.
The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther
Walther is the queen of YA in my book, and The Summer of Broken Rules is no exception. Meredith Fox has felt at a standstill in her life since the passing of her sister Claire. Her family’s vacation to Martha’s Vineyard for a big wedding and the Fox Family game of Assassin are her way back to herself. Unexpectedly dateless, Meredith teams up with Wit, a cute groomsman, who catches her eye – but will he help her win the game, and her life back?
Beach Read by Emily Henry
Emily Henry is practically a household name at this point, but any beach read recommendations list would be unreliable without Beach Read, which, ironically enough, is not set at the ocean. January Andrews is in a writing rut, and finds herself neighboring with Augustus Everett for the summer. Gus writes literary fiction, and turns his nose up at January’s happily-ever-afters and steamy scenes. When they both find themselves with writers block, a challenge is issued: January will write the next Great American novel, while Augustus will write something positive and happy. The summer will end, and they’ll go their separate ways with a finished novel each, their writer’s block cured, and themselves content to move on. Or will they?
It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
Looking for a west coast, moody beach vibe? Follow Piper Bellinger to Westport, Washington, where she is sent by her stepfather to fix up and take over her late father’s dive bar after yet another alcohol-fueled party that confirms her party-girl character ends with her in jail. Piper is determined to prove her stepfather – and hot, capable, and grumpy Brendan, a local sea captain unhappy about Piper’s appearance – wrong. This masterclass in grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, and small-town romance will have you wondering what is really important and finding yourself right alongside Piper.
Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan
When Sam’s family encourages her to tour a wedding venue on Long Island, hoping that she’ll host her wedding in the town she spent her summers growing up instead of stuffy Manhattan, she thinks her fiancé Jack will disagree. He encourages her, much to her surprise, since he’s so set in his ways and prefers black, white, and gray over beach neutrals. Unfortunately for Sam, her trip to Long Island lands her face-to-face with her high school love, Wyatt. Sam is forced to confront what she really wants, and who she wants to be, before it’s too late to change her mind.
If you’ve read any of these (or choose to!) I’d love to hear your thoughts. Happy summer, and happy reading!!!
This article was written by @tessajane_books on Instagram. You can follow her here — https://www.instagram.com/tessajane_books/ — for more bookish content!