30 Trending Summer Books To Read

Summer and books go together like beach towels and sunscreen. There’s something magical about flipping through pages under the sun, whether you’re lounging poolside, camping under stars, or escaping the heat indoors. Summer books aren’t just entertainment—they’re the ticket to distant lands, gripping mysteries, heartfelt romances, or laugh-out-loud adventures. Reading in the summer keeps our minds engaged, boosts relaxation, reduces screen time, and offers the perfect way to unwind.

So whether you’re packing for vacation or staying local, here’s a curated list of 50 perfect summer reads. From bestselling fiction to inspiring memoirs and page-turning thrillers, these books are sun-approved.

1. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

This tender and nostalgic coming-of-age tale follows Belly Conklin as she returns to Cousins Beach, a place full of childhood memories and emotional awakenings. Over the course of one transformative summer, Belly finds herself caught between two brothers she’s grown up with, and must navigate love, friendship, and the bittersweetness of change. Perfect for anyone who remembers the intensity of first love and the magic of long, sun-drenched days.
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2. Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Set in a glittering, rebellious version of 1980s Malibu, this novel dives into the glamorous yet fractured lives of the Riva siblings, the children of a legendary singer. As they prepare for their annual end-of-summer bash, secrets come to light that will change their lives forever. Jenkins Reid crafts a story full of emotional depth, exploring family dynamics, fame, and resilience—all wrapped in a seductive coastal setting.
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3. People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

Poppy and Alex are polar opposites and the best of friends, bonded by annual summer trips—until something went wrong two years ago. Now, they’re taking one last vacation to mend their friendship and maybe confront the unspoken feelings that have always simmered beneath the surface. A heartwarming exploration of love, timing, and connection, this witty and emotionally rich novel is like a summer rom-com with real soul.
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4. Beach Read by Emily Henry

January, a hopeless romantic and successful author, finds herself in a writing slump after heartbreak. When she moves into her late father’s beach house, she discovers her college rival, Gus, living next door. Both authors challenge each other to switch genres—he’ll write romance, and she’ll tackle literary fiction. What follows is a summer of creative breakthroughs, emotional healing, and unexpected love. A refreshing blend of comedy, heartache, and hope.
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5. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

This hauntingly beautiful story follows Kya Clark, the mysterious “Marsh Girl,” who grows up isolated in the wilds of North Carolina. As she matures into a self-taught naturalist, her quiet world is shattered by love, betrayal, and a shocking murder investigation. Part courtroom drama, part nature ode, this novel blends lyrical prose with gripping suspense and a deep empathy for outsiders and survivors.
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6. One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle

After the devastating loss of her mother, Katy takes the trip to Positano they had planned together. There, in the dazzling Mediterranean setting, she unexpectedly meets her mother—not as the woman she knew, but as her 30-year-old self. As past and present blur, Katy must confront grief, destiny, and identity in this magical, deeply moving exploration of mother-daughter bonds and second chances.
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7. Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Nora is a tough-as-nails literary agent who finds herself stuck in a small town with Charlie, a brooding editor she’s always clashed with professionally. As the two are forced to work—and vacation—together, Nora begins to question her assumptions about life, love, and happily-ever-afters. A clever, bookish romance that subverts small-town tropes while delivering big emotional payoffs and laugh-out-loud moments.
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8. The Guncle by Steven Rowley

Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP, for short) is a former sitcom star suddenly thrust into guardianship of his niece and nephew after a family tragedy. As they spend a summer together in Palm Springs, Patrick navigates grief, humor, and unexpected personal growth while helping the kids heal. This heartwarming and hilarious tale is filled with campy wit, big emotions, and unforgettable life lessons.
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9. The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

Olive and Ethan have nothing in common—except their mutual dislike and the fact that they’re the only two people not poisoned at a wedding. When they reluctantly go on the couple’s honeymoon trip to Hawaii, sparks fly in the most chaotic and romantic way. Packed with witty banter, tropical vibes, and hilarious situations, this enemies-to-lovers rom-com is the ultimate vacation escape.
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10. Happy Place by Emily Henry

Harriet and Wyn were the perfect couple—until they broke up, and didn’t tell their friends. Forced to spend one last week in their favorite cottage before it’s sold, they fake happiness for the sake of their group. But as old feelings resurface, Harriet must face truths about her choices and desires. Tender, introspective, and set against a coastal Maine backdrop, this story is about love, identity, and the people who truly know us.
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11. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Hollywood legend Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell her life story—but only to an unknown magazine reporter. As she recounts her glamorous, scandal-filled life and the truth behind her seven husbands, a shocking connection emerges. With a strong LGBTQ+ narrative, cinematic flair, and emotional depth, this book explores fame, love, and the cost of reinvention.
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12. Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes

Evvie is a recent widow hiding the truth about her unhappy marriage. When she rents out her garage to a former baseball player struggling with a career-ending slump, an unexpected friendship—and romance—develops. Set in a charming Maine town, this story of second chances, healing, and personal growth is both cozy and empowering.
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13. Something Wilder by Christina Lauren

Lily Wilder, daughter of a famous treasure hunter, leads adventure tours using fake treasure maps. But when her ex-boyfriend shows up on one of her trips, things go hilariously and dangerously off course. Equal parts rom-com and Indiana Jones-style escapade, this book is an action-packed love story about risk, forgiveness, and finding your true treasure.
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14. Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

Persephone Fraser returns to the lakeside cottage where she once spent summers with Sam Florek. A love story woven through six years of youthful memories and one weekend of reunion, this emotional tale captures the ache of first love, regret, and forgiveness in a gorgeously nostalgic setting.
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15. It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

Piper Bellinger is a party-loving influencer who’s cut off and sent to a small Washington fishing town to learn responsibility. There, she meets Brendan, a rugged fisherman who’s her opposite in every way. Sparks fly in this steamy, opposites-attract rom-com with big Schitt’s Creek vibes.
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16. The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand

A newly renovated historic hotel, a ghost who won’t check out, and a staff with secrets create the perfect storm for drama and heart in this quintessential beach read. Hilderbrand’s mastery of ensemble casts shines as love, ambition, and redemption play out on the sunny shores of Nantucket.
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17. The Layover by Lacie Waldon

Flight attendant Ava Greene is about to retire from the skies and settle down. But her final trip pairs her with Jack, a cocky pilot she can’t stand. A layover in Belize leads to soul-searching, romantic tension, and spontaneous adventure in this tropical rom-com about finding love when you least expect it.
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18. The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles

Based on a true story, this novel connects Odile, a librarian in 1940s Paris resisting Nazi oppression, with Lily, a lonely teenager in 1980s Montana. Their bond over books uncovers hidden wounds and shared strength. A powerful ode to literature, friendship, and resistance.
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19. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

Don Tillman, a brilliant but socially awkward professor, sets out to find a wife through a rigid scientific questionnaire. But when the unpredictable Rosie walks into his life, his logical world is delightfully upended. Quirky, heartwarming, and refreshingly original, it’s a laugh-out-loud love story with depth.
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20. Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes

This sun-drenched memoir chronicles Mayes’ journey renovating a villa in the Tuscan countryside. It’s a love letter to Italy, slow living, and starting over. Full of recipes, reflections, and rich imagery, it’s the perfect armchair escape for summer travelers and dreamers.
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21. The Island by Elin Hilderbrand

Four women flee to remote Tuckernuck Island—each grappling with personal turmoil. Over a stormy summer, they confront secrets, heartbreaks, and their tangled relationships. A layered tale of female bonds, self-discovery, and the healing power of nature.
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22. Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner

Daphne Berg, an Instagram influencer, is invited to be the maid of honor at her ex–best friend’s posh Cape Cod wedding. When things take a deadly turn, the story becomes part murder mystery, part social commentary. A smart, juicy beach read with twists.
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23. The Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand

Adrienne lands a job at Nantucket’s most exclusive restaurant. As she falls for the enigmatic owner and gets entangled in the kitchen’s secrets, she finds herself torn between love and letting go. Foodies and romantics alike will savor every page.
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24. The Jetsetters by Amanda Eyre Ward

Charlotte Perkins wins a Mediterranean cruise and takes her estranged adult children along. As they sail from Rome to Barcelona, years of secrets, resentments, and unspoken grief surface. A sharp and emotional family drama about reconnection and second chances.
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25. Float Plan by Trish Doller

After losing her fiancé, Anna sets sail solo on the Caribbean voyage they planned together. A reluctant companion soon joins her, and their shared journey leads to healing, self-discovery, and new beginnings. Heartbreaking and hopeful, this is a romance with emotional depth.
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26. Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

Macy and Elliot were childhood friends and first loves—until something tore them apart. A decade later, their lives intersect again. Told in alternating timelines, this emotionally intense story of second chances and love lost is perfect for tearful summer nights.
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27. Summer of ’69 by Elin Hilderbrand

The Levin family experiences a summer of upheaval during one of America’s most turbulent years. Through letters, secrets, and shifting perspectives, this sweeping novel captures the personal side of historical change and family evolution.
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28. The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

Before vanishing, Owen leaves a cryptic note for his wife: “Protect her.” As she uncovers his hidden past and races to keep his daughter safe, a web of lies unravels. A suspenseful, emotional story perfect for readers who love thrillers with heart.
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29. Shipped by Angie Hockman

Henley and Graeme are workplace rivals fighting for a promotion. Sent on a Galápagos cruise together, they clash—and connect—under the sun. It’s an enemies-to-lovers rom-com full of wanderlust, laughter, and sweet chemistry.
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30. The Matchmaker by Elin Hilderbrand

Dabney Kimball Beech has a talent for bringing couples together—29 happy marriages to her name. But her own love life is a tangled mess. When an old flame returns, she faces tough choices in this touching story about love, timing, and fate.

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📖 Final Chapter: Share the Summer Reading Vibes

Whether you’re a fan of whirlwind romances, family sagas, mysteries, or Mediterranean getaways, this list has something for every reader. These books are the perfect companions for your hammock, beach chair, or lazy Sunday afternoon.

So grab your favorite drink, open a book, and let summer stories take you somewhere unforgettable. And don’t forget to share this list with fellow bookworms and sunshine lovers—because good books, like good friends, deserve to be shared. 🌞📚💬