I’ve enjoyed a LOT of good books this year but the best “summer” books? Well, to me, summer reads and perfect books to take on vacation typically have their own specific qualities to qualify. My perfect beach/poolside/vacay read — or books you love to indulge in when the days are longest — are typically 1. novels; 2. not too serious; 3. are addicting and hard to put down; 4. not too long; 5. have a gripping story; 6. have twists if they’re thrillers or well developed characters you love if they’re in the romance genre; and 7. provide entertainment. When I’m reading on vacation or while I’m relaxing, I don’t necessarily want to be educated, get into heavier literature, or for it to feel like work. I should be excited to pick up the book, either to find out what happens or to re-enter the fictitious world I’m falling in love with. All that to say, today, I’m sharing my favorite beach reads and 12 books to take on vacation this summer — all of which are fairly recent releases.
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Kindle | Striped Beach Towel | Sunglasses | Waterproof Speaker | Towel Bands | Tinted Face Sunscreen | Slide Sandals | Thermal Phone Case
To see my recommendations last summer, you can visit the two book recommendation posts below…
For all the books I’m reading and loving, and giving 4+ stars, check out my list here…
For all the books I’m reading in real time, along with ratings and reviews, check out my GoodReads account here…
Top Beach Reads of 2025
Below are my top summer book recs from recent reads of new(ish) releases — composed entirely and exclusively from my own personal reading — in random order…
NUMBER 1
Say You’ll Remember Me
by Abby Jimenez
*Personal Reading Method: e-book
For an author whose full catalog I’ve read and whose books I’ve rated no less than 5 stars, this one *may* be my new favorite. There’s real life, real struggles, real tragedy, and so much that we can relate to in some of the darkest parts of our own lives, and yet Abby does what she does and makes it such a brilliant, bright, hopeful, and endearing journey between characters you immediately and forever love. The FMC is the literal definition of “if he wanted to, he would” and our FMC is strong, practical, and relatable. I’m guessing this will be my top book of the year.
NUMBER 2
The Perfect Divorce
by Jeneva Rose
*Personal Reading Method: audiobook
If you liked The Perfect Marriage, you’ll LOVE this next installment (be sure to read Book 1 first!) We pick up 11 years after the first book with even more murder mystery, and the twists, turns, and new manipulations are totally unhinged!
NUMBER 3
The Missing Half
by Ashley Flowers
*Personal Reading Method: audiobook
An addictive mystery thriller that follows two women, in search for the truth, who believe their sisters’ disappearances are connected. I loved the investigative journey and the twists along the way. It’s bingeable and quick — especially in audio format!
NUMBER 4
The Wedding People
by Alison Espach
*Personal Reading Method: audiobook
After a series of life-altering events, Phoebe books herself at an Inn in Newport with extreme plans. When she’s mistaken as one of the guests of the wedding — which the hotel is booked to exclusively — she connects with the bride and embarks on an unexpected, endearing friendship. This book is honest and sincere and the if you enjoy a GOOD audiobook, this one is a fantastic one to listen to. *Deals with serious topics and contains several potential trigger warnings.
NUMBER 5
Promise Me Sunshine
by Cara Bastone
*Personal Reading Method: e-book
What a gorgeous journey of walking through grief, real depictions of the physical tolls of depression, friend love and heartbreak, and learning how to live again. This love story was so rich with characters you just totally fall for. Somehow, through the serious themes, the moments of personality and humor made me literally LOL because the dry playful sarcasm could have been born from my own thoughts and conversations. If you’re tired of silly contemporary romances or want something that feels more mature, this delivers in a big way. One of my coziest reads ever that I have a feeling will be one of my top books of 2025.
NUMBER 6
Beg, Borrow, or Steal
by Sarah Adams
*Personal Reading Method: e-book
Book 3 of the When In Rome series and I don’t know what I’m going to do when the fourth and final book concludes this addictively sweet small town romance series. The latest book with the eldest Walker sister at the forefront may just be my favorite in the series thus far. Even though her books feel like enjoyable, light rom-coms, they are filled with meaning, goodness, and the most addicting, well-executed tropes (in this case, rivals to… you know 😉 ).
NUMBER 7
The Favorites
by Layne Fargo
*Personal Reading Method: audiobook
Carrie Soto meets The Cutting Edge, this novel has officially earned its way into one of my favorite sports romantic dramas ever. Also, the audiobook was top tier!
NUMBER 8
The Ghostwriter
by Julie Clark
*Personal Reading Method: e-book
Absolutely devoured this easy-to-binge-and-get-lost-in mystery thriller. This was my introduction to Julie Clark and I can’t wait to check out her other work. Multiple timelines and POVs take you through a journey of unveiling the tragedy, who did it, and the motives behind it all. High school flashbacks are perfectly served, along with complicated family and moral dynamics. I have a feeling this will be one of my top thriller recommendations of the year.
NUMBER 9
Wild Side
by Elsie Silver
*Personal Reading Method: audiobook
Book 3 in the Rose Hill series gives us misunderstood main characters, enemies to lovers, and a marriage of convenience… and it’s one of my favorite Elsie Silver books in any series she’s written. You can’t help but feel the heart behind this one with a story that’s motivated and driven by the power of love… when dealing with child custody… sibling tragedy… and new family.
UPDATE: Just before launching this post, Elsie announced that Amazon is developing the Rose Hill books into a TV series!
NUMBER 10
The Love Haters
by Katherine Center
*Personal Reading Method: e-book
Absolutely adored the latest from Katherine Center and it is 100% de-licious for summer 2025! All the eccentricity and vibrancy from the colorful Keys (with the most charming cast of characters), mixed with a swoon-worthy Air Force rescuer and his huge scared-of-thunder rescue pup, and a relatable FMC that you want to root for — I absolutely ate this one up. Perfect if you love substance and real life with real background tragedies in your romance — with humor, of course (my favorite kind).
NUMBER 11
Nine Pines
by Kiersten Modglin
*Personal Reading Method: e-book
If you like the easily-digested and bingeable qualities of a twisty Frieda McFadden thriller, you’ll love Kiersten Modglin. Think small town, on a quest to uncover secrets, betrayal, disappearances, and constantly guessing the truth and how all the stories and players are connected.
NUMBER 12
The Tenant
by Freida McFadden
*Personal Reading Method: e-book
And speaking of Freida McFadden — an auto-read for me as her thrillers pretty much guarantee excellent and easy escapism — her latest was a quick and satisfying recent read and is perfect to lose yourself in a twisty WTF world while lounging poolside. To set up the story, a couple ultimately decides to find a roommate to share their apartment after a series of misfortunes, then… things start to happen.
Still On My Summer TBR
While I’ve read a lot of books that are perfect to pack for vacation, (I love to read as many as possible as early as possible and in advance so I can be prepared to share my top recs with you all!), there are plenty I haven’t been able to dig into just yet that I’m excited to read this summer. Several have already been released, but those that haven’t been launched just yet have been marked with a release date.
Atmosphere
by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Released: June 3, 2025
Kill Your Darlings
by Peter Swanson
Upcoming Release Date: June 10, 2025
One Golden Summer
by Carley Fortune
Released: May 6, 2025
Problematic Summer Romance
by Ali Hazelwood
Released: May 27, 2025
Broken Country
by Ali Hazelwood
Released: March 4, 2025
Wild and Wrangled
by Lyla Sage
Released: April 15, 2025
Maid for Each Other
by Lynn Painter
Upcoming Release Date: July 15, 2025
Favorite Book Accessories & Reading Essentials
I don’t read a ton of physical paper books as I prefer Kindle, when I can, but when I do, you can catch me using one of my favorite bookmarks — THESE Taylor Swift book stack bookmarks of song titles, by album. You can purchase them individually or as a full set (which is what I did 😉 ).
I also have THIS Taylor Swift bookmark on the way — featuring all the albums on one bookmark.
Below are more my personal favorites that I have, use, and swear by…
- Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (waterproof and no glare, perfect for reading in the outdoor sun — unlike regular screens)
- Tablet/E-Reader Holder (MY MVP! If you have a Kindle, YOU NEED THIS!)
- Rechargeable Reading Light (multiple light settings & dimmable)
- Remote Control Page Turner for Kindle (or tablets/phones) (lasts on a single charge FOREVER and I love using it on the treadmill, while I’m eating, and when I want to stay under the covers)
- Book Seat (love this for physical books for hands-free holding)
- Pastel No-Bleed Highlighters (especially great for highlighting thin pages in the Bible)
- Custom Book Spine Mug (you send 16 book names and the shop owner creates a custom mug with illustrations of the book spines!)
- Foldable Stand (great for phones but I use it for my Kindle, especially next to the pool and on my desk. Folds flat for easy drawer storage.)
Floor Lamp | Area Rug | Boucle Storage Ottoman | Record Player Storage Cabinet | Record Player | Speakers | Acrylic Vinyl Shelf | Bird Art I | Bird Art II
If you have any top beach reads for the summer — or one you’re most looking forward to — let us know in the comments below!
These books are great to read in the summer. I love Taylor Swift, and purchased those bookmarks right away! Wishing Eliza a happy 6th birthday!
Thank you for your well wishes, Lily. Eliza had such fun on her birthday! I believe that several of these books are my favorite books ever. I’m so happy to know that you liked the bookmarks, too!