27 Best Beach Reads for Your Summer TBR
One of the best feelings is getting swept away in a book while lounging by the water and these best beach reads are here to make your summer vacation even better. Whether you’re reading with your toes in the sand or curled up on your back porch with a fan going (because who doesn’t love a good staycation!), the right book can make your vacation even better.
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These books are light, bingeable and vacation-friendly. Thinks books that you would want to throw in your beach bag. These are books that are begging to be read by the water with a drink in your hand. So grab your sunglasses, your drink and get ready to load up your suitcase. This list of the best beach reads has something for every vibe this summer.
Best Beach Reads for Your Summer TBR
Rom-Coms & Contemporary Escapes
Beach Read by Emily Henry
A writer’s retreat, enemies-to-lovers, and summer romance? Instant beach classic. This wouldn’t be a best beach reads list without Beach Read!
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
Enemies forced to share a honeymoon trip = hilarious chaos. The Hawaiian setting makes this the perfect read for a day beside the water.
The Summer of Broken Rules by K. L. Walther
A Martha’s Vineyard setting, a family wedding, and secret games. A beachy contemporary romance that you do not want to miss!
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
A swoony, emotional second-chance romance with summer nostalgia. This book is filled with the romance and magic of summer and is perfect for a weekend trip to the lake.
The Layover by Lacie Waldon
A flight attendant’s unexpected detour brings a romance she didn’t see coming. If you’re looking for a beach read that’s tropical, flirty and fun, add this one to your beach bag!
Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan
A witty, heartfelt story of second chances set against the backdrop of lazy summer days and unexpected reunions. It’s perfect for readers who crave love, laughter, and warm-weather charm.
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
Feel-good and nostalgic with major second-chance vibes. A perfect pool-side rom-com.
Mysteries, Thrillers and Page-Turners
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
A wedding on a remote Irish island turns deadly. Think Agatha Christie meets coastal vibes.
The Last Mrs. Parrish by Live Constantine
Perfect for readers who love stories of ambition, deception, and deliciously shocking twists. The cliffhanger chapters make this read impossible to put down.
One of the Girls by Lucy Clarke
A bachelorette party in Greece…but not everyone makes it home. This book is full of sun, suspense and secrets. It’s ideal for readers who love thrillers with a tropical twist.
The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager
Creepy, addictive and set by a lake. If you’re into voyeuristic suspense with an eerie atmosphere, this one will keep you flipping pages under your beach umbrella. An addictive beach read that you can finish in one sitting.
The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley
A luxury wellness retreat turns sinister in true Lucy Foley fashion. It’s moody, mysterious and full of secrets, making it perfect for fans of dark vacation drama.
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Secrets, scandals and sharp social satire make this coastal-set mystery a compulsive read. It’s ideal for beachgoers who like their fiction with a side of suspense.
Escapist Fiction & Feel-Good Stories
The Guncle by Steven Rowley
Heartfelt, funny and sun-soaked in Palm Springs. This one blends grief, humor and family with summer charm. It’s like a warm hug in book form!
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
A celebrity summer party gone wild set in 1980s Malibu. This nostalgic, drama-filled escape if full of surf, sun and sibling drama.
Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner
Social media drama, summer weddings and a twisty mystery. It’s a breezy beach read with depth and just the right amount of scandal.
Something Wilder by Christina Lauren
Adventure and romance in the Utah wilderness. This one is perfect for readers who want swoon-worthy moments mixed with treasure-hunt energy all in the perfect summery setting.
The Secret to Southern Charm by Kristy Woodson Harvey
Southern summer vibes and heartfelt family stories. It’s warm, emotional and full of charm. This book is ideal for slow, sun-soaked afternoons.
A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams
A beautifully layered historical novel about lost love and seaside summers in 1930s Rhode Island. Williams perfectly blends nostalgia and secrets with sweeping romance.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Glamorous, dramatic and unforgettable. An Old Hollywood tale of ambition, identity and love reads like sunshine in novel form.
2025 Picks for Best Beach Reads
One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
Carley Fortune’s books always make the best summer reads and this is her latest one! This novel follows a photographer revisting a life-changing summer at a lakeside cottage. Expect nostalgia, romance and sun-soaked emotions.
What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon
After losing her job, Dani moves to Amsterdam and unexpectedly reunites with her ex. A charming marriage of convenience and second-chance romance set against the picturesque canals.
Pugs and Kisses by Farrah Rochon
A delightful second-chance romance between two dog lovers. Veterinarian Evie Williams’s life takes an unexpected turn when she reunites with her college crush, Bryson Mitchell, to save a local animal shelter. Perfect for fans of Abby Jimenez and Jasmine Guillory. Publishing July 5, 2025.
Back After This by Linda Holmes
From the author of Evvie Drake Starts Over, this novel follows a podcast producer forced into the spotlight as the host of a new dating show, one that will force Cecily into the dating world with the advice of an influencer and relationship coach. A hilarious and heartwarming tale of self-discovery.
The Favorites by Lynn Fargo
A sharp, stylish novel about influence, envy, and the lengths people will go to protect their curated lives. It’s a perfect pick for fans of juicy, smart summer drama.
The Martha’s Vineyard Book and Beach Club by Sarah Morgan
A heartwarming, summery escape about friendship, forgiveness, and fresh starts. This one is a love letter to book clubs, beach days, and second chances.
Count My Lies by Sophie Stava
A twisty, binge-worthy thriller about deception, privilege, and dangerous secrets. Ideal for beach readers who can’t resist a page-turner with bite. If you’ve already read and loved The Last Mrs. Parrish, this should be your 2025 pick.
These best beach reads offer a story for everyone whether you love a fun summer romance, a bingeable page-turn or an escapist story. These books really make for the best vacation reading or for just escaping from everyday life.
Which of these best beach reads will you pick up this summer? If I missed any of your favorites, share them with me in the comments!
You can find other seasonal recommendations here to plan your TBR all year.
