Beach weekends and summer getaways can only mean one thing. It’s summer reading time again! Your beach bag and carry-on are never complete without a good book, of course. But a beach read isn’t just for the shoreline, it’s a state of mind. So, if you’re looking for a light and fun summer-themed read, no matter where you’re reading, you’ve come to the right blog. I’m sharing seven of my all-time favorite beach reads, which coincidentally highlight most of my favorite authors!
People We Meet on Vacation (Emily Henry)
Vibe Check: Travel Romance, Friends-to-Lovers, Witty Banter, Heartfelt
The movie adaptation will hit the big screen soon, so you’re going to want to read the original ASAP. We all know that Emily Henry is a masterclass in character development, and People We Meet on Vacation is no exception. The main characters, Poppy and Alex, have incredible chemistry as foils. It’s funny, it’s heartfelt, and a real page turner. This is a great beach read, or the read to satisfy your travel cravings.
Summer in the City (Alex Aster)
Vibe Check: NYC Romance, Rom-Com Vibes, Forced Proximity, City Adventure
Alex Aster managed to write what might be the perfect New York City romance. The characters are quite well developed, and the plot stands even without the New York City setting. Still, Aster manages to balance the very movie-esque rom-com setting with a (mostly accurate) tour of the five boroughs. You might think it could be a little cheesy, but the main female character’s work requires it! This is easily my favorite release of the year.
The Unhoneymooners (Christina Lauren)
Vibe Check: Enemies-to-Lovers, Tropical Escape, Hilarious, Fake Dating
The Unhoneymooners remains one of my all-time favorite books; I literally could not put it down. The plot delicately balances pure fiction with relatable reality for a world that feels like a dream summer trip. It’s an easy enemies-to-lovers read set in a tropical paradise, and one I highly recommend as a starting point if you’re trying to get out of a reading slump. The ideal pick if you’re looking for an afternoon read on the beach!
The Guncle (Steven Rowley)
Vibe Check: Found Family, Witty Humor, Heartwarming, Palm Springs Glam
If you watched and loved Mid-Century Modern on Hulu, you will love The Guncle. In fact, I’m convinced that the Hulu series took a lot of inspiration from Rowley’s book! It’s laugh-out-loud funny, remarkably witty, and full of heart and soul. The dialogue is the shining star in this one, but you’ll still be thinking about how much the characters have grown once you hit the back cover. The Guncle is an especially great choice if you’re dreaming of a Palm Springs getaway.
Just for the Summer (Abby Jimenez)
Vibe Check: Contemporary Romance, Feel-Good, Emotionally Resonant, Yearning Summer Love
Just for the Summer is the least summer-y on the list, but I couldn’t include a beach reads round-up without including Abby Jimenez’s newest release. The magic of Abby Jimenez’s books is how rooted in reality they are, while still being delightful fiction. In this case, Sam and Xavier’s chemistry is beyond dreamy (they meet and fall in love over the summer!), but the struggles they face and resulting emotions are extremely relatable. You’ll always feel good after an Abby Jimenez read!
The Summer of Broken Rules (K.L. Walther)
Vibe Check: YA Summer Romance, Family Story, Wholesome Fun, Bittersweet
Hoping for a slightly more wholesome summer romance? The Summer of Broken Rules is a great young-adult-friendly choice. It shares some of the summer escape and family reunion energy with The Summer I Turned Pretty, but the characters are a little older, the contextual conflict is a little heavier, and the romance is a highlight without being the sole star of the show. Bonus points if you love water gun assassin games!
The Paradise Problem (Christina Lauren)
Vibe Check: Steamy Romance, Tropical Getaway, Fake Relationship, Luxurious Escape
Christina Lauren made this list twice for a reason. If you’re looking for a steamier version of The Unhoneymooners, look no further than The Paradise Problem. This may actually be Christina Lauren’s steamiest read yet. Besides the spicy tension between the main characters, this is another great choice with a tropical getaway setting and fabulous, over-the-top accommodations.
I am always on the lookout for a new beach read, so if one of your favorites didn’t make the list, be sure to let me know so I can add it to my TBR! Which of these books are you adding to your beach bag first?
