Classic Beach Reads

Ah, The Beach Read. Something that is fast, fun, and page-turning. At least, that’s what I think makes a beach read. But after living in the city for so long and not having easy access to a beach, beach reads took on a new meaning. Something atmospheric that makes me feel like I’m at the beach. A book that captures that summertime feeling of long days, hot and sticky temperatures, and joy. These have been some of favorites!

This Might Get Awkward by Kara McDowell

An adorable and relatable YA set in Arizona. The heat is definitely captured in this one! But I will warn you, the awkward part is definitely achieved. There is a depiction of social anxiety that I found so relatable and wish I’d read as a teenager. I had such a hard time being myself. But the second hand embarrassment is REAL!

The Roughest Draft by Emily Wibberly and Austin Sigmund-Brokka

Set in Florida, this is about two co-writers and how they’ve broken up their professional relationship due to some attraction in their personal relationship. It’s definitely a much more emotional romance than a RomCom beach read, but the setting just feels like summer.

Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

I adored this book last summer. It really captures the feeling of summer in the city and the characters, also writers, is intoxicating.

Well Met by Jen DeLuca

If you love Gilmore Girls, this book is for you. It’s about a small town’s summer Renaissance Faire and it’s just delightful. I’ve been thinking about rereading it, honestly. It’s the first in a series and I love this one and the third one!

The Royals Next Door by Karina Halle

This book is just summertime fun for all my royal watchers. I remember feeling like I could really feel the hot sun on my cheeks while reading this in the AC on a rainy day. It’s a little bit inspired by Harry and Meghan’s story, but they’re not the main characters. It’s a small town teacher and bodyguard romance! SO fun.

The Charm Offensive by Allison Cochrun

A delicious, hilarious summer romance for all fans of The Bachelor out there! But if The Bachelor was actually inclusive in the love stories they portray. It’s wonderful and not set at the beach but captures the fun, breezy, sweet vibes of a popsicle on a hot summer day.

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

If you haven’t read this yet and love an open door Romance, you can’t go wrong with Tessa Bailey’s Schitt’s Creek inspired Rom Com. It’s pure fun, with emotional depth as an LA socialite is sent to her biological father’s hometown to learn where she came from, following his death when she was a baby.

Kisses and Croissants by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau

I read this book last April (2021) and it totally captures the feeling of young love and Paris in July. It’s about a young ballerina who travels to the Paris Opera Ballet for their summer intensive. It will make you hungry and grin from ear to ear as first loves in the City of Love are discovered.

Shipped by Angie Hockman

I can’t say I’ve read a lot of books set in the Galapagos Islands, but this is one I have! It’s a closed door rivals to lovers romance. It’s compared to The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren a lot, but I didn’t find too many similarities.

A Lot Like Adios by Alexis Daria

Hate a slow burn? Good cause this isn’t one. Alexis Daria leaves nothing to the imagination in this summery friends to enemies to lovers romance.

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

Oh my gosh, this book. It’s is so emotional, I remember sobbing by the pool while reading it, but also loving every moment of this lakeside YA. It does deal with cancer and loss of a parent, so do be aware before diving in, but it’s so wonderfully done.

Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner

Visit Cape Cod and NYC in the summer in this book that combines all aspects of the Beach Read: romance, a dreamy location, drama, and a murder mystery. Feels like there’s something for everyone in this book!

The Islanders by Meg Mitchell Moore

This has been one of my top summery recommendations since 2019. It’s set on Block Island and like Big Summer, has something for everyone: mistaken identities, family lies and drama, and a big storm.

The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen

For much of my life, Sarah Dessen meant summer. This is the story of a girl named Saylor who returns to the lakeside town where she was born but left after her mother’s death. She rediscovers sides of herself she didn’t know anything about, all in the beautiful lake town.

Montauk by Nicola Harrison

For all my fans of historical fiction, this is a delicious 1930’s depiction of Montauk in the Hamptons. My godfather has been going to Montauk his entire life and calls this time period “the good old days” before it became a popular weekend destination for Finance Bros. It takes place at famous hotel for the generationally wealthy and follows one young wife as she discovers she wants more from her existence.