Best Books to Read This Summer

Are you a fan of The Bachelorette? If so, then this is the PERFECT beach book for you!

One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London takes the premise of everyone’s favorite matchmaking reality show and adds a new, modern twist. The main character, Bea, is a plus-sized fashion blogger. When she’s selected as the lead on a Bachelorette-inspired TV show, she becomes the first ever plus-sized Bachelorette. It’s romance, sure – but there’s a strong element of body positivity and juicy gossip.

Happy and You Know it, by Laura Hankin, was one of my absolute FAVORITE books to read last year. I devoured this book – I’m talking, up-to-two-in-the-morning-reading devoured. (So, fair warning – don’t pick this one up unless you’re OK with being sleep-deprived for a few nights.)

The book follows a group of wealthy moms in New York City and the young musician they hire for their playgroup. I’m all for books about rich people behaving badly and this one delivers.

Laura Hankin’s new book really proves (at least in my opinion) that she’s going to be one of the best new author’s of this generation.

A Special Place for Women is about a group of wealthy New York women who operate a secret society. On the surface, Nevertheless is just a social club, albeit a very exclusive and mysterious one filled with only the most elite of members. But it’s rumored to be much more than that.

To find out what the fuss is all about, and to save her failing journalism career, Jillian Beckley decides to infiltrate the club to get the inside scoop.

It’s definitely an addictive read – I couldn’t put it down and finished it over the course of a weekend.

The latest novel from Taylor Jenkins Reid, Malibu Rising follows a group of famous siblings over the course of one night in Malibu that will inevitably change their lives forever.

I just finished this book a few days ago and I have a serious book hangover now.

Anything by Taylor Jenkins Reid is worth picking up this summer, but I’d highly recommend either Daisy Jones and the Six or The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid was the book I recommended the most to people in 2020. It’s not exactly a “beach read,” but I’d still tell you to pick it up for your next vacation.

It follows a young, black nanny who’s accused of kidnapping the white child she babysits and everything that happens in the aftermath. A thoroughly engrossing novel exploring privilege and race, you’ll finish it in less than week (even if you are on vacation).

The Mother-In-Law by Sally Hepworth is a domestic drama with a thriller/mystery element to it.

When Lucy’s mother-in-law, Diana, dies unexpectedly, the police suspect foul-play. Given Lucy’s tumultuous relationship with her husband’s icy mother, she’s immediately a suspect.

It’s full of twists and turns, but has a surprisingly tender heart.

Oh my god. When I finished reading The Push by Ashley Audrain earlier this month, that was my reaction. For like, a full week!

I can’t even give a proper synopsis of this book, but I’ll tell you that it’s definitely the darkest one on this list. If you’re into domestic or psychological thrillers, though, then run – don’t walk – to buy this book.

By far one of my favorite books to read this year without a doubt.

No summer reading list would be complete without the queen of beach-reads herself: Elin Hilderbrand. I’m not even a huge fan of books that are classified as “beach-reads,” but I’ve read (and loved) every single one of Ms. Hilderbrand’s novels.

Along with her most recent book, 28 Summers, I included a few of my past favorites too. (And yes – The Sixth Wedding technically hasn’t been released yet, but that’s how confident I am in her writing!)

With her debut novel, Red, White, and Royal Blue, Casey McQuiston became an instant New York Times Bestseller.

An LGBTQ romance between the First Son of the United States (FSOTUS, I guess?) and a member of the British Royal Family, this is one of the cutest books to read.

For anyone who loves light, breezy summer reads, this one should be on your list.

After Eat Pray Love, Elizabeth Gilbert made a return to fiction with City of Girls and boy did she deliver.

The novel, set in the 1940’s, follows protagonist Vivian Morris as she explores Manhattan along with her own budding sexuality. At age 19, Vivian is kicked out of college and her wealthy parents decide to send her to New York City to live with her aunt. There, she meets a cast of interesting people and discovers a whole new side of herself.

This book was so engrossing – I absolutely loved it and it’s definitely one to consider packing on your next vacay.

If you haven’t already made the switch to an e-reader, trust me, I get it. There’s nothing like the feel of a good book, but I’d still suggest getting a Kindle.

This is the one I have; it’s waterproof and light-weight and I use it when I travel and when I’m out at a pool. I even use it when I take a bath (I can’t risk getting the pages of a real book wet!)

Check Price Here