Beach Reads Summer 2022

Beach Read

“What do you get when you cross a disillusioned romance author with a Hemingway wannabe? A compulsively readable book where you kind of hope for your train to be delayed so you can spend a few more minutes with January and Gus. These two, saddled with writer’s block, make a pact to write the other’s genre. Literary snobbery is (rightfully) called out, and the two begin to navigate a friendship outside of writing as they explore the other’s process. Reader, I loved it.”

Audrey, Belmont Books

The “reigning romance queens” (PopSugar) and New York Times bestselling authors of The Soulmate Equation and The Unhoneymooners present a charming and laugh-out-loud funny novel filled with adventure, treasure, and, of course, love.

Growing up the daughter of notorious treasure hunter and absentee father Duke Wilder left Lily without much... Read more »

“The queen of beach reads” (New York Magazine) and #1 New York Times ​bestselling author delivers an immensely satisfying page-turner in this tale about a summer of scandal at a storied Nantucket hotel.

Fresh off a bad breakup with a longtime boyfriend, Nantucket sweetheart Lizbet Keaton is desperately seeking a second act. When she’s named the... Read more »

If you enjoyed Daisy Jones & The Six (TV Tie-in Edition), then you’ll love The Unsinkable Greta James.

“For readers of Taylor J. Reid. This is a story of overcoming grief and past struggles. Rock star Greta and her father are reluctant companions on an Alaskan cruise. Joined by friends and a charming college historian they navigate their fragile relationship and steer towards a new tomorrow. Warm and funny at times, this is a journey to healing.”

Karin, Bookworm of Edwards

Malibu Rising

“This ode to Malibu in the 1980s is the perfect beach read. Four famous siblings throw a star-studded party and over the course of 24 hours find their lives changed forever. It’s enthralling and layered and so vivid it could be a memory. Perfectly paced and suspenseful from page one!”

Meagan Dallner, Books are Awesome

Klara and the Sun

“Klara and the Sun is a parable, a warning, a neatly-crafted story that fits into an Artificial Friend-sized box, which—make no mistake—is not to say that it’s ordinary. Ishiguro explores the ethics of creating artificial intelligence that’s indistinguishable from humans, at least ideally. But Klara and her owner, Josie, are kindred spirits with vastly different fates. Is love still love when its object is replaceable, nay, disposable? Are some people more valuable than others; can grief ever be inappropriate? This seamless story examines our increasingly automated world, our obsession with usability, and the things that get left behind.”

Mary, Raven Book Store

The Last Thing He Told Me

“I adore Laura Dave and absolutely loved The Last Thing He Told Me. Wonderful characters, amazing writing, and a twisty plot kept me turning the pages as fast as I could. Truly unputdownable and a thoroughly enjoyable read!”

Kaitlin Smith, Copperfield's Books Healdsburg

Two exes reach a new level of awkward when forced to take a road trip together in this endearing and humorous novel by the author of the international bestseller The Flatshare.

What if the end of the road is just the beginning?

Four years ago, Dylan and Addie fell in love under the Provence sun. Wealthy Oxford student Dylan was staying at his... Read more »

"Sutanto brilliantly infuses comedy and culture into the unpredictable rom-com/murder mystery mashup as Meddy navigates familial duty, possible arrest and a groomzilla. I laughed out loud and you will too.”—USA Today (four-star review)

“A hilarious, heartfelt romp of a novel about—what else?—accidental murder and the bond of family. This book had... Read more »

Summer begins with Mary Kay Andrews, in this delightful summer read about flipping houses, and finding true love.

"Narrator Kathleen McInerney exudes beach-read energy in this entertaining audiobook....Listeners will be swept up in the complicated plot and enjoy the entire wild ride." -AudioFile on The Homewreckers

Hattie Kavanaugh went to work... Read more »

If you enjoyed The Wife Upstairs, then you’ll love Reckless Girls.

“From the author of the equally un-put-downable The Wife Upstairs, this whodunnit is a thrilling page-turner that will have you guessing who’s who until the very end.”

Genevieve, A Great Good Place for Books

One Italian Summer

“This book was the perfect read that I finished with happy tears streaming down my face. Rebecca Serle’s writing is beautiful and gripping, and I will now read everything she writes. One Italian Summer has a hint of magical realism with time-travel in the premise. Katy and Adam are both so relatable I found myself wishing I was friends with both of them. This book is a love letter to motherhood, overcoming grief, and rekindling lost love. This book also helped feed my wanderlust and made me want to revisit Italy as soon as possible. Serle paints a pictures of Italy so beautifully that I could see it for myself and it felt as though I was transported for a day. This story will make you crave to learn more about your parents’ past and will allow you to look at every relationship with fresh eyes. ”

Abby, The Snail on the Wall

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of That Summer comes another “fun, feisty” (The Washington Post) novel of family, secrets, and the ties that bind.

When her twenty-two-year-old stepdaughter announces her engagement to her pandemic boyfriend, Sarah Danhauser is shocked. But the wheels are in motion. Headstrong Ruby has already set a... Read more »

Get a Life, Chloe Brown

“I am so here for this book! Chloe Brown is now one of my favorite heroines in a romance. It was incredibly refreshing to have a main character with a chronic illness. I have a chronic illness that is invisible as well and felt truly represented by this book. The love story and love interest Red was super swoon-worthy. These are complex characters and I loved Chloe's sisters - I can't wait for the next book in the series! Also - the audiobook for this is AMAZING! The narrator Adjoa Andoh is officially one of my favorite narrators now.”

Christine, BookBar

The Boardwalk Bookshop

“The Boardwalk Bookshop is is not your typical love story. Instead it intertwines the different loves in the characters’ lives: the family they were born into, the family they choose, and the love that being said then all together. If you are looking for a great read while unwinding on vacation, The Boardwalk Bookshop read should be in your bag.”

Gretchen, Fiction Addiction

People We Meet on Vacation

“What fun! This delightful book should be in every beach bag this summer. A hilariously comedic rom-com with memorable characters, set in varied vacation spots in various years. I enjoyed the changing timeline and seeing the relationship as it grew through the years.”

Shelley Lowe, Monkey and Dog Books

Where the Crawdads Sing

“This first novel by nature writer Delia Owens has something for everyone. Fans of poetry, natural history, murder mysteries, southern food, and romance will be caught up in the deeply moving prose and memorable characters. Plus, the narrator adds in the North Carolina accents, too!”

Amy, Inklings Bookshop

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Big Summer and “undisputed boss of the beach read” (The New York Times) comes another timely and deliciously twisty novel of intrigue, secrets, and the transformative power of female friendship.

Daisy Shoemaker can’t sleep. With a thriving cooking business, full schedule of volunteer work, and a... Read more »