I, for one, adore syncing up my TBR to the current season. The month or two before we transition into a new season, I start to look up the perfect books to read. They have to fit the vibe of the season (ex: thrillers/spooky books for fall, or cozy holiday books in the winter.) Not only that, but the books have to actually be enjoyable too… I’ve read enough cheesy/terrible rom-com books that “fit the season” but you can barely get a chapter in without dozing off. So let me do the research for you to find the perfect summer books that you’ll genuinely love!
7 Summer Books to Read This Year
If you’re anything like me and love reading seasonally, this list of summer books is for you! It’s full of different genres (contemporary fiction, fantasy, thriller, mystery, romance, literary fiction, etc.) so you won’t get bored.
All of these books I’ve either already read and loved, or have read extensive reviews on and can’t wait to read this summer.
These books will put you in the summer spirit right away. So prepare to stock up your TBR with these books and read along with me over the next few months.
Whether you’re looking for beach reads, pool day novels, or just summer-themed books to read in the cool air-conditioned indoors, you’ll find what you’re searching for here.
Let’s get into the list!
The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
I swear I recommend this book in every reading list, but it’s just that good. My mindset for recommending it in a summer reading list is that it’s set on an island. Island = summer, am I right?? Sure, let’s go with that. 😉
The Wishing Game is about our protagonist, Lucy, who was an avid reader as a kid to compensate for her loneliness and absent parents. One of her favorite childhood authors, Jack Masterson, is running a contest at his home on Clock Island, where the victor will win the only copy of his new book (after years of not releasing anything.)
Lucy is a teacher’s aide and has a soft spot for one of the students, Christopher, whose parents tragically passed away when he was young.
Lucy’s main goal is to adopt Christopher so he can live in a loving home — a life better than what she experienced as a kid. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have the money or resources to do that.
By winning Jack Masterson’s contest, she might have the chance to adopt Christopher and drastically improve both of their lives.
Core Feeling: heartwarming
The Wishing Game is one of the most heartwarming books I’ve read. I was baffled to find out that it’s Meg Shaffer’s debut novel, since her writing is so skillful.
Shark Heart by Emily Habeck
You guys… I never expected to love a romance where the husband turns into a… shark… SO much.
This novel is a deeply moving story about marriage, true love, sacrifice, grief, and moving on in life even when it feels impossible.
Emily Habeck’s writing style in Shark Heart is non-traditional, bouncing between typical chapters, dialogue, “screenplays” of the couple’s lives, flashbacks, and more. It’s easy to follow, and you will never feel bored. Every time I finish a short chapter, I can’t imagine putting the book down before reading the next one.
Our main characters, Lewis and Wren, are polar opposites. Lewis is artistic and emotional, while Wren is logical and pragmatic. Somehow, they balance each other out and fit together perfectly. The lovebirds just got married when Lewis found out he has a rare condition where he turns into a great white shark.
Throughout the book, we dig deeper into Lewis and Wren’s lives (present, together, and past, growing up and in young adult years.) We learn about what makes both characters themselves and how they became who they are today. We read about how they fell in love and their relationship together, before and during Lewis’s difficult diagnosis.
Wren becomes Lewis’s caretaker, and we see the struggles during the transformation and the grief after it’s complete.
If you want to have a sad girl summer (at least for a few days) and cry your eyes out, while also feeling deeply connected to these characters, and relating to them in ways you’d never expect, Shark Heart is for you.
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
Of course, I had to start things off with a book from one of the best romance authors I’ve come across, Abby Jimenez. Last year I discovered her when I stumbled upon her book, Part of Your World, and I was floored.
I find a lot of romance/rom-com books to be cheesy and cringey and don’t typically feel pulled to that genre. But, boy, was my mind changed when I read this book.
The characters are beautifully written, and you find yourself rooting for all of them. It’s got the classic “will they, won’t they” romance trope, but with other deeper themes of class, abuse, the courage to move forward, and more.
After reading Part of Your World, I immediately devoured the second book in the series, Yours Truly.
P.S. If you haven’t already read this series, I’d highly recommend it on your Summer TBR as well!
These books are both beautifully written, so when I saw that Abby was coming out with another book (Just for the Summer) this year, I added it to my “Want to Read” right away.
Luckily, Book of the Month came in clutch last month and had it as an April selection, so I was able to get the hardcover.
I’m waiting until the beginning of summer to dive into this book and am ecstatic to start reading it. If it’s anything like Jimenez’s other works, it’s going to be incredible.
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reed
Taylor Jenkins Reed is one of my absolute favorite authors. Ever since reading The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six — both of which would also make excellent summer books — I’ve been hooked.
I read Malibu Rising a couple of years ago, and it’s the perfect lighthearted summer read.
This novel is about the Rivas, a famous family living in Malibu, daughters and sons of the singer, Mick Riva.
Throughout the book, Nina and her brothers are preparing for their yearly summer’s end party. The blowout bash is full of family secrets that come to the surface after being buried for years.
Taylor Jenkins Reed is spectacular at writing about the rich and famous, and Malibu Rising is no different.
Every Last Secret by A.R. Torre
Thrillers aren’t just for fall, they’re perfect for summer too! In this psychological thriller, we meet married couple, William and Cat Winthorpe. They live in a beautiful home in a luxurious neighborhood and from the outside, everything seems perfect.
But when you dig a little deeper, you’ll see that this seemingly perfect couple has some dark secrets.
One being that their recently moved in neighbor, Neena, is obsessed with William. Neena and Cat have one thing in common, they both want the perfect life, and will do whatever it takes to get it.
If you’re in the mood for a can’t-put-down domestic thriller this summer, Every Last Secret won’t disappoint.
The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry
When a woman discovers a rare book with connections to her past, long-held secrets about her missing sister and their childhood in the English countryside during World War II are revealed in this “beguiling blend of hope, mystery, and true familial love”.
Sadeqa Johnson, New York Times bestselling author
The Secret Book of Flora Lea is set in 1939 wartime London. Teenage Hazel creates a game for her little sister, Flora, about escaping to a magical land (to escape the difficulties in real life.)
Tragedy strikes when, one day, Flora disappears while playing the fairy tale game created by her sister.
Hazel blames herself for her sister’s disappearance for the rest of her childhood and young adulthood. But years later, when Hazel is an adult living in London, she receives a package with a book that may contain information about her sister’s disappearance.
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
Wrapping things up with a summer themed debut novel by Carley Fortune. Every Summer After is about our main character, Persephone, who made a huge mistake years ago.
When she returns from the city to Barry’s Bay, she runs into Sam, and their connection is as unquestionable as ever.
I haven’t read this book yet but can’t wait to dive into it this summer.
Grab your summer books and let’s dive in!
I hope this summer reading list gave you some inspiration for books to read this season.
Let me know in the comments your favorite summer books and what’s on your TBR for the upcoming months!
Unfortunately, I had to disable open comments due to a ton of spam comments coming in, so comments will only be open for one month after a post goes live now. If you’re unable to comment but want to get in contact, feel free to email me. I’d love to hear from you! 🙂
If you enjoyed this blog, you’ll also like:
- (Last Year’s) Summer Books
- 2024 Spring Reading List
- 8 EASY healthy habits to make this your BEST year yet
Thanks for reading! 💛
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