I love reading year-round but there is something about reading in the summer that is my all-time favorite. Perhaps it’s because feeling the sun on my face as I flip through pages of a suspenseful novel feels somehow relaxing and rejuvenating at the same time. Or maybe it’s because summer feels like the perfect season to dive into that light and breezy beach read? Whatever it is, summer and reading go hand-in-hand for me and today I wanted to share 10 books I have on my personal summer reading list!
If you are looking my previous book recommendations, you can always check out my Books page which is constantly updated with books I’ve read and loved and last year’s Summer Reading List blog post features 10 of my favorite reads as well!
The summary below each book is from Amazon, though I’ve provided a little insight into why I selected each book above the summary in the “My Notes” section.
Happy reading!
10 Books to Read This Summer
- The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
My note: This book was highly recommended by a number of you guys on a previous Things I’m Loving Friday blog post! My mom also recently finished this one and said it was intense so it’s definitely on my radar.
Anne and Marco Conti seem to have it all—a loving relationship, a wonderful home, and their beautiful baby, Cora. But one night when they are at a dinner party next door, a terrible crime is committed. Suspicion immediately focuses on the parents. But the truth is a much more complicated story. Inside the curtained house, an unsettling account of what actually happened unfolds. Detective Rasbach knows that the panicked couple is hiding something. Both Anne and Marco soon discover that the other is keeping secrets, secrets they’ve kept for years. What follows is the nerve-racking unraveling of a family—a chilling tale of deception, duplicity, and unfaithfulness that will keep you breathless until the final shocking twist.
- Three Wishes by Liane Moriarty
My note: I am such a big fan of Liane Moriarty’s novels (The Husband’s Secret and Big Little Lies were two of of my all-time favs) and cannot wait to dive into her latest novel. I love the way her books are always incredibly intriguing but light enough to make them the perfect beach read.
Lyn, Cat, and Gemma Kettle, beautiful thirty-three-year-old triplets, seem to attract attention everywhere they go. Together, laughter, drama, and mayhem seem to follow them. But apart, each is dealing with her own share of ups and downs. Lyn has organized her life into one big checklist, Cat has just learned a startling secret about her marriage, and Gemma, who bolts every time a relationship hits the six-month mark, holds out hope for lasting love. In this wise, witty, and hilarious novel, we follow the Kettle sisters through their tumultuous thirty-third year as they deal with sibling rivalry and secrets, revelations and relationships, unfaithful husbands and unthinkable decisions, and the fabulous, frustrating life of forever being part of a trio.
- What She Knew by Gilly MacMillian
My note: I already have this one downloaded on my Kindle! With 1,400+ reviews and the majority of them 5-star reviews on Amazon, I have high hopes for this book!
Rachel Jenner is walking in a Bristol park with her eight-year-old son, Ben, when he asks if he can run ahead. It’s an ordinary request on an ordinary Sunday afternoon, and Rachel has no reason to worry—until Ben vanishes. Police are called, search parties go out, and Rachel, already insecure after her recent divorce, feels herself coming undone. As hours and then days pass without a sign of Ben, everyone who knew him is called into question, from Rachel’s newly married ex-husband to her mother-of-the-year sister. Inevitably, media attention focuses on Rachel too, and the public’s attitude toward her begins to shift from sympathy to suspicion.
As she desperately pieces together the threadbare clues, Rachel realizes that nothing is quite as she imagined it to be, not even her own judgment. And the greatest dangers may lie not in the anonymous strangers of every parent’s nightmares, but behind the familiar smiles of those she trusts the most.
- The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle
My note: This book popped up as a recommended read for me on Amazon and the description has me all kinds of intrigued!
Iris and Will have been married for seven years, and life is as close to perfect as it can be. But on the morning Will flies out for a business trip to Florida, Iris’s happy world comes to an abrupt halt: another plane headed for Seattle has crashed into a field, killing everyone on board and, according to the airline, Will was one of the passengers.
Grief stricken and confused, Iris is convinced it all must be a huge misunderstanding. Why did Will lie about where he was going? And what else has he lied about? As Iris sets off on a desperate quest to uncover what her husband was keeping from her, the answers she finds shock her to her very core.
- My (Not So) Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella
My note: I just started reading this book because I was looking for a light, easy read and love the humor in Sophie Kinsella’s writing!
Everywhere Katie Brenner looks, someone else is living the life she longs for, particularly her boss, Demeter Farlowe. Demeter is brilliant and creative, lives with her perfect family in a posh townhouse, and wears the coolest clothes. Katie’s life, meanwhile, is a daily struggle—from her dismal rental to her oddball flatmates to the tense office politics she’s trying to negotiate. No wonder Katie takes refuge in not-quite-true Instagram posts, especially as she’s desperate to make her dad proud.
Then, just as she’s finding her feet—not to mention a possible new romance—the worst happens. Demeter fires Katie. Shattered but determined to stay positive, Katie retreats to her family’s farm in Somerset to help them set up a vacation business. London has never seemed so far away—until Demeter unexpectedly turns up as a guest. Secrets are spilled and relationships rejiggered, and as the stakes for Katie’s future get higher, she must question her own assumptions about what makes for a truly meaningful life.
- A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams
My note: This book sounds like the definition of a great summer read. Beachy scenery, romance, suspense. Sign me up!
Lily Dane has returned to Seaview, Rhode Island, where her family has summered for generations. It’s an escape not only from New York’s social scene but from a heartbreak that still haunts her. Here, among the seaside community that has embraced her since childhood, she finds comfort in the familiar rituals of summer. But this summer is different. Budgie and Nick Greenwald—Lily’s former best friend and former fiancé—have arrived, too, and Seaview’s elite are abuzz. Under Budgie’s glamorous influence, Lily is seduced into a complicated web of renewed friendship and dangerous longing. As a cataclysmic hurricane churns north through the Atlantic, and uneasy secrets slowly reveal themselves, Lily and Nick must confront an emotional storm that will change their worlds forever…
- Forever Is the Worst Long Time by Camille Pagan
My note: I trust Ashley Spivey’s book recommendations – yes the former Bachelor show contestant! – because she’s always sharing great novels to check out! She messaged me about this one on Instagram after I finished reading The Kind Worth Killing and so it immediately found a place on my must-read list!
When struggling novelist James Hernandez meets poet Louisa “Lou” Bell, he’s sure he’s just found the love of his life. There’s just one problem: she’s engaged to his oldest friend, Rob. So James toasts their union and swallows his desire.
As the years pass, James’s dreams always seem just out of reach—he can’t finish that novel, can’t mend his relationship with his father, can’t fully commit to a romantic relationship. He just can’t move on. But after betrayal fractures Lou’s once-solid marriage, she turns to James for comfort.
When Lou and James act on their long-standing mutual attraction, the consequences are more heartbreaking—and miraculous—than either of them could have ever anticipated. Then life throws James one more curveball, and he, Rob, and Lou are forced to come to terms with the unexpected ways in which love and loss are intertwined.
- The Escape Artist by Diane Chamberlain
My note: One of my girlfriends and I regularly share book recommendations and she raved about this one, calling it one of the best books she’s read in a long time.
Susanna Miller loses custody of her eleven-month-old son, Tyler, but rather than turning the little boy over to her ex-husband and his new wife, she goes on the run. She dyes her hair, changes her name and escapes from Boulder, Colorado, leaving behind everyone she knows including Linc Sebastian, the man who has been her best friend since childhood and who knows her better than anyone. Susanna lands in Annapolis, Maryland, alone, frightened, and always looking over her shoulder for someone who might recognize her. Just as she’s beginning to feel safe in her new surroundings, she stumbles across information that could save the lives of many people . . . if she’s willing to take it to the police. But going to the authorities means revealing her identity, admitting her guilt, and worst of all, losing her son.
- One Lavender Ribbon by Heather Burch
My note: I already downloaded this one on my Kindle when it was a free download and it has tons of positive reviews (5,000+!).
Reeling from a bitter divorce, Adrienne Carter abandons Chicago and retreats to the sun, sand, and beauty of Southern Florida, throwing herself into the restoration of a dilapidated old Victorian beach house. Early into the renovations, she discovers a tin box hidden away in the attic that reveals the emotional letters from a WWII paratrooper to a young woman who lived in the house more than a half-century earlier.
The old letters—incredibly poetic and romantic—transcend time, and they arouse in Adrienne a curiosity that leads her to track down the writer of the letters. William “Pops” Bryant is now an old man living in a nearby town with his handsome but overprotective grandson, Will. As Adrienne begins to unravel the secrets of the letters (and the Bryants), she finds herself not yet willing to give up entirely on love.
- The Look of Love by Sarah Jio
My note: Sarah Jio is one of my all-time favorite authors and this is the only remaining book she’s written that I have yet to read!
Born during a Christmas blizzard, Jane Williams receives a rare gift: the ability to see true love. Jane has emerged from an ailing childhood a lonely, hopeless romantic when, on her twenty-ninth birthday, a mysterious greeting card arrives, specifying that Jane must identify the six types of love before the full moon following her thirtieth birthday, or face grave consequences. When Jane falls for a science writer who doesn’t believe in love, she fears that her fate is sealed.
Question of the Day
What was the last book you read that you thought was worthy of recommending?
What is the next book you have on your reading list?
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So many of my favorite authors are included here! I’m almost on summer break and ready to read a book a week!
Saving this! I love so many of those authors – how convenient they have new books for the summer 🙂 I’ve read What She Knew and it was really really good. I’ve been mixing in self-development books: Big Magic – Creative Living Beyond Fear is next up!
Yay, I always love your book recommendations! I’ve never read anything by Sarah Jio, do you have a favorite of hers?
I’ve loved almost all of her books but Violets of March is probably my favorite!
Thanks so much!
I’ve heard Crazy Rich Asians is a great summer read. I think it is going to be my next read. I just finished Wired To Eat. I really enjoyed it but need a liter read this go around.
OH man, I loved The Couple Next Door! I hope you like it too – if you do, you should also read Into The Water (another thriller!). The last book I read was Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City…and while it was kind of a heavy eye opening read, I really enjoyed it.
I adored A Hundred Summers…I read it a couple years ago and it’s still my #1 go-to beach read recommendation! Hope you enjoy it!
So glad to hear you liked it!!
If you like suspenseful books I recommend “In a Dark, Dark Wood”by Ruth Ware and “The Good Girl” by Mary Kubica! I recently read them and finished both of them in less than 24 hours they were that good.
https://maureengetsreal.wordpress.com/
What She Knew was excellent. I found it on this list: http://modernmrsdarcy.com/unputdownable/ lots of good reads here.
A book I just read is the True Story of Hansel and Gretel. Excellent read. It was about two Jewish children who change their name to Hansel and Gretel as to escape the Nazis.
Books I have on my to read list are
The Bright Hour by Nina Riggs. 4.71 stars out of 5 on Goodreads
A Million Junes by Emily Henry
The Last Place You Look by Kristen Lepionka
I havent read any of these! Always looking for new books!
I’ve read most of these, and the Marriage Lie was by far the best! I think you would also like The Light We Lost and The Futures. The Possessions was also very good, on the creepy and suspenseful side with a very unique story!
For a summer read I love anything by Elin Hilderbrand, but The Island was my favorite. There’s Cake in My Future by Kim Gruenfelder is also a fun read! I am intrigued by the description for A Marriage Lie….will have to check it out!
The Couple Next Door sounds right up my alley! And I’ve been wanting to read A Hundred Summers!
Hi! Perfect timing, I rarely or maybe I’ve never commented, but I just searched your blog looking for book recs on Sat. I’ve liked your past recommendations like Defending Jacob and Reconstructing Amelia.
I wish you had a books tab or it was easier to find a list of all your book recs, past and present.
Oh i just saw your books link in the post, but I couldn’t find it while at the library on Sat by searching your blog for book recs
Sophia Kinsella is the best for light hearted, fun reads. I have read most of her books and they are great Summer books. I just finished my not so perfect life, and as usual, it did not disappoint.
This is a solid list, Julie! Im doing some travelingthis summer, so will take a look at this again when I pick up traveling books!
Thank you for this post! You got me hooked on liane moriarty. Can’t wait to check out some of these others 🙂
YES I love this list. We have similar taste in books, so I’m psyched to start in on these this summer! I think the Marriage Lie is first on my list from the description! Thanks for these!! 🙂
The Couple Next Door sounds intense! I might pick that up for a trip I have next month. I also love Sarah Jio. I am finishing up the last Game of Thrones book. They are good, but a serious time investment.
I just read One Hundred Summers and I couldn’t put it down! I loved that it was set in the 1930’s and even though it definitely comes off as a beach read, it is also written wonderfully so you can dive right into it.
I would also recommend reading Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave. I just read it as well and it was a great summer read!!
Thank you for the recommendation!
I also love following Ashley Spivey for her book recommendations! Two I recently finished and really liked – The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo, and Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris.
Thanks for the list!
These all look super interesting, especially The Marriage Lie and My Not So Perfect Life. Thanks for sharing!
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Literally just got a flutter of excitement. #nerdalert
Also just checked out the Kind Worth Killing. Can’t wait to read!
Liane Moriarty is also a favorite author of mine. I actually bought Big Little Lies not too long ago and I’m super excited about starting it soon.
I’ve added a few of your books to my list of ones that I want to read. Thanks for sharing!
Some great recommendations! I’m going to download a couple of these for my trip to Nicaragua next week!
Yay for this Summer reading list. I just ordered three books from last years Summers list from the library. If I Stay, The Hand that Feeds You, and The Husband’s Secret. Which should I read poolside first?!?
I was rarely a fan of the summer reading lists from high school. This one…I can get on board with!
These all look super interesting! One of my goals this summer is to read more. I used to be a big time reader and now, I struggle to make time to read. Thank you for the list, I am hoping to read at least a couple books within the next, few months!
Loving how these sound! So excited that my new Kindle comes today! <3
This is a great list. I’ve already got a stack of 10 books I’ve borrowed from the library as well as other friends. And about 20 downloaded on my Kindle.
Right now, I’m working my way through the alphabet series by Sue Grafton. I’m currently reading V is for Vengeance. Y will be released in August, so I’m on a race to finish. I am a slow reader. After those books is One Perfect Lie by Lisa Scottoline. I met her at a book signing at Barnes and Noble and she is the funniest and kindest person ever.
Also, if you are an Amazon Prime member, check out the Kindle First picks. Each month, you can choose one book to download for free, before it is released to the public the following month. There are usually six or seven different genres to choose from. Happy reading!
A Hundred Summers is SO good!
I just finished reading The Lilac Girls; a historical fiction based on three women from WWII. I highly recommend it!
I LOVE Sophie Kinesella’s books! I’ve read most of the Shopaholic books, they’re the perfect summer read!
I LOVE this post!! I already had a few of the books on my “to read” list but I am def adding all the others! Thank you for this!
I loved all of these recs! I have a very similar taste in books, so if you recommend a book I usually go pick it up at our local library. I am going to check out all of these. Thank you!!
Thank you for all these suggestions!! I have What She Knew on my Kindle but I’ve been afraid to read it because I don’t want to live the emotions of a mom who loses her child!! I got a few of the others you recommended too!
Hi there. I would highly recommend Tana French, especially Broken Harbour. Very well written thrillers. Thanks for the list, I have added a few to my kindle wish list
These look great – love book suggestion posts! Adding a few to my list for the summer.
I recently read The Woman in Cabin 10 and thought it was pretty good. Not amazing, but solid.
I would, however, recommend The Women in the Castle. From Barnes & Noble: “Three women, haunted by the past and the secrets they hold Set at the end of World War II, in a crumbling Bavarian castle that once played host to all of German high society, a powerful and propulsive story of three widows whose lives and fates become intertwined—an affecting, shocking, and ultimately redemptive novel from the author of the New York Times Notable Book The Hazards of Good Breeding.”
Great list, thanks! I will say that although I usually love Liane Moriarty, Three Wishes was not my favorite.
The Couple Next Door was REALLY good! And I can’t wait to read the rest!
Love these posts! What she knew is so good!
I’ve read a few Sarah Jim books after you recommended them and they are so good.
I just finished reading Before he Kills by Blake Pierce and it’s a mystery book series. He’s a great writer.
Though the book that stuck with me is called the Orphan Keeper by Cameron Wright. It’s about a Indian boy who is kidnapped and sent to an orphanage where he is adopted by an American family. It’s an amazing book.
Currently reading A Man Called Ove….such a good book! I just finished You Before Me and You After Me….I loved them both!
Love reading lists! I am always so interested in what type of books people read 🙂 I just read The Nest and I feel like you would like it based on your picks(if you haven’t read it already!). I’m reading the Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley right now and am really enjoying it – it’s a bit more intense than what you may like but highly recommended. I have The Zookeeper’s Wife on hold so hoping to read that one next!
I have read 2 of these – The Look of Love was great!! And A Hundred Summers is one of my all time favs. I highly recommend all of Beatriz Williams’ novels, especially the rest of this series.
Great list! I always seem to enjoy many of the books you recommend – especially the ones from the Book Club days!
Just an FYI though, Three Wishes is not new — it was published in the early ’00s. I actually think it was Liane Moriarty’s first book and, as someone mentioned earlier, it definitely reads like it. Wasn’t my favorite and the storylines were a little over-the-top for me, but def a good beach read!
These recommendations couldn’t come at a better time! I’m in need of a good read after far too many ‘toddler’ parenting books, currently reading 1, 2, 3 magic to help tame my monster…lol.
I’ve added a few to my order list and saving the rest! Can’t wait to jump in!
Thank you !
A Hundred Summers and My Not So Perfect Life are both SO good! I just finished Little Beach Street Bakery and it was good. One True Loves is also great if you haven’t read it yet. I would also recommend Cancel the Wedding by Carolyn Dingman, I loved that book!
YES. My library even has half of these. I am always on the hunt for new books. Right now I have 4 from the library to get through before the 4th and then I will move on to these. Thank you!
this list is amazing!! i’m going on vaca soon and want to unplug as much as possible, so i’m going to be getting some good old-fashioned paperbacks to bring with me! dying to read the new sophie kinsella & liane moriarty books, and a hundred summers!
Great list!! I added each one to my request list at the public library. I just finished “My Not So Pefect Life” and loved it so I know you will too. I also just started Once and For All- the newest book from YA author Sarah Dessen, one of my favorites for years. I also picked up The Kind Worth Killing (per your recommendation!) and can’t wait to start. Thanks for sharing!!
So excited to see this list – I’ve yet to read anything except Work, Pump, Repeat since having my son 14 months ago and I have been on the hunt for a good Summer read. I was surprised to read two of the recaps and see that they both included a child vanishing or a “terrible crime.” How do you separate this from real life? Since having my son, I can barely watch the news or a video on Facebook when it involves a child suffering at any level. I’ve always been sensitive to children, but since becoming a mom it’s nearly debilitating. Maybe it’s just my anxiety and me, but I was wondering how you handle this as a mom…Also, I hope I didn’t just ruin those books for you! Also, What Alice Forgot is my fave Lianne M. book!