Want some interesting summer books for your collection? Here is a list of the 21 best summer reads to stuff your beach bag with this season.
Looking for the perfect book to keep you company while soaking up the sun?
Well, you’re in luck because I’ve put together a list of the best summer books, from heart-racing thrillers to swoon-worthy romances that’ll keep you turning pages long after sunset.
Summer is the perfect time to catch up on reading, if you ask me. There’s something magical about flipping pages with sand between your toes.
I’ve rounded up 21 amazing summer reads that are perfect companions for lazy days by the pool, long plane rides to vacation spots, or quiet evenings on the porch with a cold drink.
The Best Summer Books of All Time
Summer is interesting, and this reading list will make it even more fun for you. These books have something for everyone, whether you’re into family drama, steamy romance, or mind-bending suspense.
1. Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This page-turner is the perfect summer read with its beachy setting, family drama, and a night that changes everything. You’ll feel the ocean spray and taste the salt air with every page!
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Malibu Rising takes you to the sun-soaked beaches of California in the summer of 1983.
Four famous siblings throw their annual end-of-summer party—a legendary affair that, by morning, will leave their mansion in flames and reveal family secrets.
As the night unfolds, tensions rise, secrets spill, and you won’t be able to look away from the mess that follows.
2. Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
This charming romance perfectly captures summer love that feels both impossible and meant to be. It’s one of those summer reads that will leave you smiling long after you’ve finished the last page.
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When ER doctor Alexis accidentally drives her car into a ditch in small-town Minnesota, she’s rescued by Daniel, a younger, small-town carpenter who’s everything she’s not.
She comes from a prestigious family legacy, while he’s happily rooted in his tight-knit community, but they can’t deny their chemistry.
Can a relationship between them work when they belong to such different worlds?
3. Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The hazy, sun-drenched vibes of 1970s California make this the perfect summer book to get lost in while lounging by the pool. You’ll almost hear the music playing as you read.
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Daisy Jones & The Six isn’t just a summer read. It’s an experience. Written as an oral history, this novel chronicles the rise and fall of a fictional ’70s rock band.
Daisy is a wild, beautiful singer making her way in the LA music scene. When she joins The Six, led by troubled Billy Dunne, their chemistry creates legendary music—and equally legendary drama.
But at the height of their fame, they suddenly break up. This book finally reveals why.
4. Beach Read by Emily Henry
A book literally called “Beach Read” absolutely deserves a spot on your summer reads list. With the perfect balance of depth and humor, this summer book is aptly named—it truly is the ideal beach read.
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This novel follows January Andrews, a romance writer who no longer believes in love, and Augustus Everett, a literary fiction author with writer’s block.
When these polar opposites become neighbors for the summer in beach houses, they strike a deal: he’ll write something happy, and she’ll tackle the “serious literature” he’s known for.
As they challenge each other through the summer months, unexpected feelings develop.
5. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
This twisty thriller is perfect for those summer days when you want something gripping to distract you from the heat. Just be warned—you might get so absorbed that you forget to reapply sunscreen!
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Not all summer reads need to be light and fluffy! The Silent Patient is a psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your beach chair.
Alicia Berenson had a perfect life until she shot her husband five times in the face and then never spoke another word.
Criminal psychotherapist Theo Faber is determined to get her to talk and uncover the truth behind the shocking crime.
6. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This glitzy, emotional page-turner is one of those summer reads that will transport you to old Hollywood while keeping you guessing until the final pages.
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Movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. When she selects unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more surprised than Monique herself.
As Evelyn recounts her rise to fame in the 1950s and her seven marriages, she reveals her ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and forbidden love. But as Monique listens, she discovers a devastating connection between them.
7. Funny Story by Emily Henry
With its perfect mix of humor, heart, and lakeside summer setting, this is one of those summer books you won’t want to put down—even when it’s time to flip over on your towel!
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Daphne and Miles find themselves in an awkward situation: their exes are now dating each other. Even worse? They’re all trapped together at the same summer lake house for a mutual friend’s wedding weekend.
To survive the weekend with their pride intact, Daphne and Miles pretend to be a couple. But what starts as a fake relationship begins to feel surprisingly real as summer unfolds around them.
8. Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
This thoughtful, atmospheric novel is the kind of summer read that makes you appreciate lazy afternoons spent sharing stories with loved ones.
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During a summer at their family orchard, three daughters convince their mother to tell the story of her past as an actress and her romance with a famous movie star before she met their father.
As they pick cherries in the Michigan summer heat, the story unfolds, revealing how their mother’s past shaped who she became and exploring the nature of memory, love, and family bonds.
9. The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren
With its tropical setting and second-chance romance, this is exactly the kind of escapist summer read that pairs perfectly with a fruity drink and ocean views.
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Amelia Rose has built her travel influencer career on gorgeous photos and perfect vacations.
But her next assignment—a luxury resort in Hawaii—becomes complicated when her ex-boyfriend Jackson is there too, working as the resort’s activities director.
As they’re forced to spend time together in paradise, old feelings resurface, and Amelia must decide what’s more important: the perfect social media presence or a second chance at love.
10. The Accidental Dating Experiment by Lauren Blakely
This fun, light-hearted romance is the perfect summer read for when you want something that will make you laugh out loud.
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Eight years after a secret summer fling, Monroe and Juliet find themselves co-hosting a popular dating podcast.
When a grateful listener gifts them a quirky coastal cottage in Monroe’s hometown, old feelings resurface.
Juliet, eager to improve her dating life, asks Monroe to be her dating coach. Unwilling to see her with other men, Monroe proposes a twist: he’ll take her on three practice dates himself.
As their faux dates progress, the line between coaching and genuine affection blurs.
11. Bad Summer People by Emma Rosenblum
This deliciously entertaining novel about wealthy people behaving badly makes for a captivating summer read that you won’t be able to put down. It’s the perfect book to devour during those long summer days.
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Fire Island during summer is supposed to be an escape for the wealthy weekenders who flee there from Manhattan.
But this season, the usual drama of who’s sleeping with whom and petty neighbor rivalries escalates to something much darker.
When someone turns up dead on the beach, the close-knit summer community begins to unravel as secrets come to light.
12. Happy Place by Emily Henry
This emotional, witty novel is a summer read that perfectly captures the nostalgia and complexity of relationships against the backdrop of sunny days and starlit nights.
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Harriet and Wyn were the perfect couple—until they weren’t.
Now broken up for months, they’ve kept their split secret from their best friends. When they find themselves sharing a bedroom at their annual summer getaway in Maine, they have no choice but to pretend they’re still madly in love.
As the week unfolds in their coastal “happy place,” the line between pretending and reality begins to blur.
13. Verity by Colleen Hoover
This is one of my favorite Colleen Hoover books. This spine-tingling thriller adds the perfect chill to hot days, making it one of the best summer reads for those who like their beach books with a side of suspense.
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Struggling writer Lowen accepts a job to complete the unfinished book of a best-selling author, Verity.
But, she never expects to find the author’s unfinished autobiography. The one that reveals chilling confessions and unforgivable secrets about her family.
As Lowen stays at the author’s home, she becomes increasingly drawn to the author’s husband while uncovering disturbing truths that were never meant to be found.
14. A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams
The beachside setting and summery historical atmosphere make this one of those immersive summer reads that pairs perfectly with the sound of crashing waves.
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Set in 1938, this novel follows Lily Dane as she returns to the exclusive coastal community of Seaview, Rhode Island, for another summer season. Her peaceful retreat is shattered when her former best friend and her ex-fiancé arrive, newly married to each other.
As a hurricane approaches the coast, buried secrets and long-held resentments surface, threatening to destroy more than just summer friendships.
15. Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason
This is a summer read with depth—the kind that makes you think while you soak up the sun.
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Martha Friel has been dealing with an undiagnosed mental illness for decades. When her marriage falls apart just before her 40th birthday, she returns to her childhood home to figure out what went wrong and whether she can find a way forward.
Despite its serious subject matter, this novel is filled with dark humor and profound insights, all set against the backdrop of a sweltering London summer that mirrors Martha’s emotional journey.
16. People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
This charming friends-to-lovers story captures the magic of summer travel and makes for one of those perfect summer reads that will have you planning your own vacation.
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Poppy and Alex have been best friends since college, taking one week of vacation together every summer for a decade—until two years ago, when everything went terribly wrong. Now Poppy has convinced Alex to take one more trip to fix their friendship.
With just one week to make everything right, Poppy must decide if she’s willing to risk their friendship for a chance at something more.
17. Joyland by Stephen King
This is a coming-of-age tale wrapped in a murder mystery, laced with nostalgia, heartache, and just the right touch of the supernatural, which is a standout among this year’s best summer reads.
College student Devin Jones takes a summer job at Joyland, a small-town North Carolina amusement park with a vintage charm—and a chilling secret.
As he learns the ropes of carny life, Devin becomes intrigued by the park’s unsolved murder: a young woman was killed in the haunted house ride years ago, and her ghost may still linger.
What starts as a summer of heartbreak and healing turns into a haunting mystery. But some secrets are darker than any ghost story—and more dangerous, too.
18. Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
The sun-drenched Italian coastal setting makes this the ultimate escapist summer read, transporting you to rocky coves and blue Mediterranean waters with every page. It’s a story about love that lingers, ambition that twists, and the hope that beauty can still rise from ruin.
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In 1962, an Italian innkeeper named Pasquale dreams of transforming his tiny coastal village into a glamorous destination.
One day, a mysterious American actress arrives at his inn—ill, secretive, and unforgettable. That brief encounter sets off a ripple effect that stretches across decades and continents.
From the sun-drenched cliffs of Italy to modern-day Hollywood, Beautiful Ruins weaves together lost dreams, second chances, and the strange, beautiful mess of human connection.
19. Summer Sisters by Judy Blume
This beloved novel perfectly captures the intensity of female friendship and the magic of summer on the island, making it a timeless addition to any summer reading list.
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In this classic summer read, Vix and Caitlin become “summer sisters,” spending every summer together on Martha’s Vineyard from adolescence into adulthood. Their friendship shapes them both in profound ways, even as their paths diverge dramatically.
When Caitlin does something unforgivable, their bond is tested in ways neither could have imagined.
20. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
This isn’t your typical light summer read, but its beautiful prose and profound questions make it perfect for those thoughtful summer afternoons when you want something deeper.
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Klara is an Artificial Friend designed to prevent loneliness.
From her place in the store, she watches the world outside, observing customers and absorbing the summer sunlight she believes gives her energy and life.
When she’s finally chosen by a family, Klara must navigate human emotions and relationships while trying to understand her purpose and the nature of love.
21. One of the Girls by Lucy Clarke
The Mediterranean setting and mounting tension make this thriller one of the best summer reads for those who like their beach books with a side of suspense.
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When six women arrive on a stunning Greek island for a bachelorette party. They’re ready for a perfect summer getaway filled with beaches, cocktails, and celebration.
But each woman is hiding something, and as the holiday unfolds, their secrets begin to surface.
By the end of the trip, someone will be dead—but who, and why?
In Summary: Best Summer Books You Won’t Be Able to Put Down
These best summer reads offer something for everyone—from light-hearted romances and family dramas to nail-biting thrillers and thought-provoking literary fiction.
These books are about experiencing new worlds, perspectives, and emotions while creating your own summer memories. So grab one (or several) of these books, find a sunny spot, and dive in. Your perfect summer read is waiting for you!
Add these summer reads to your book collection!
— xoxo, Sally
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