Perfect Beach Reads
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Time to read 5 min
Looking for the perfect beach read?
We're curated the perfect list for you
With summer slowly slipping through our fingers, there's still just enough time to squeeze in one more page-turner—or five. Whether you’re lounging by the pool, soaking up golden hour on your balcony, or hiding inside with the fan on full blast, now’s the perfect moment to dive into stories that capture the essence of the season.
We’ve rounded up the perfect end-of-summer reads: from sun-drenched romances that feel like a holiday fling, to twisty thrillers that keep you guessing long after the sun goes down. You’ll find heartfelt tales of self-discovery, mysteries with bite, and stories that wrap you up like a warm breeze and won’t let go.
So grab your favorite drink, find a cosy spot, and let these books carry you through the final days of summer—because there’s no better time to get lost in a great story.
The End of Summer
by Charlotte Philby
When journalists show up on her doorstep with shocking accusations, Francesca is forced to question everything she thought she knew about her mother, Judy McVee. But Judy has vanished—leaving behind only whispers of a carefully guarded past.
From the quiet hills of the South of France to the sparkling shores of Cape Cod, and from the bustling streets of London to New York City, this suspenseful novel unravels a decades-old deception and the daughter’s desperate search for the truth.
With its rich, atmospheric settings and deeply emotional story, The End of Summer is the kind of page-turner you’ll want to lose yourself in during those long, sunny afternoons and peaceful summer nights.
Summer Reading
by Jenn McKinlay
Sam planned to spend the summer reviving her career as a chef, but instead, she’s stuck chaperoning her half-brother to a robotics competition at the local library. As if that wasn’t enough, the library’s interim director, Ben, turns out to be the Hot Reader Guy—the very person whose book Sam accidentally ruined on the ferry to the island.
Sam isn’t much for reading, and Ben isn’t interested in romance. But when Ben encourages Sam to finally create the cookbook she’s dreamed of, they start to realize the chemistry between them might be more than just creative.
Will this summer end in disaster… or a delicious new love story?
Malibu Rising
by Taylor Jenkins Reid
It’s August 1983, and the infamous Riva end-of-summer party is about to begin. Nina Riva, a glamorous surfer and reluctant supermodel, is hosting one last blowout in her Malibu mansion. Her brothers—pro surfer Jay and quiet photographer Hud—are bracing for drama, while their younger sister Kit is ready to stir things up.
But by midnight, the party spirals out of control. And by morning, the house will be in flames.
Set over the course of one unforgettable night, Malibu Rising is a dazzling, sun-soaked story of fame, family, and the secrets that burn beneath the surface.
It’s the perfect summer read—fast-paced, emotionally rich, and dripping with coastal glamour and slow-building tension that makes it impossible to put down.
The View from Lake Como
by Adriana Trigiani
Freshly divorced and helping her uncle with the family business in Lake Como, New Jersey, Jess feels stuck—until a sudden loss unearths long-buried family secrets.
Seeking clarity, she escapes to Italy and the real Lake Como, where she meets Angelo, a brooding, passionate artist. As her bond with Italy grows, so does the pull of her complicated past. When hidden truths come to light, Jess must choose between returning to the life she knew—or finally embracing her own path.
With emotional twists and a touch of romance, this is the perfect summer read for lovers of family drama and anyone dreaming of a new beginning under the Italian sun.
Death on the Nile
by Agatha Christie
A glamorous young woman with everything—wealth, beauty, status—winds up dead with a bullet in her head. And the killer? Likely still aboard.
What begins as a luxurious cruise along the Nile quickly unravels into a deadly game of jealousy, betrayal, and revenge. As the sun beats down on ancient temples and glittering waters, tensions simmer among the passengers. Trapped together in paradise, everyone has a motive—and one world-famous detective, Hercule Poirot, must untangle the lies before the killer strikes again.
Elegant, atmospheric, and utterly absorbing, Death on the Nile is the perfect summer read for fans of mystery, exotic escapes, and the thrill of a classic whodunnit.
Beach Read
by Emily Henry
January is a hopeless romantic who believes in happy endings. Gus is a brooding literary novelist who definitely doesn’t. The only thing they seem to have in common? They're both stuck—creatively, emotionally, and very inconveniently—living in neighboring beach houses for the summer.
When a playful bet leads them to swap genres—Gus will try writing a romcom, and January will dive into literary fiction—neither expects it to work. But as they dig into each other’s worlds, their connection deepens, and the line between fiction and reality starts to blur.
Witty, heartfelt, and brimming with chemistry, Beach Read is the ultimate feel-good novel. It’s the perfect summer read: smart, swoony, and sunshine-soaked, ideal for lazy afternoons and long, warm nights.
Problematic Summer Romance
by Ali Hazelwood
Maya Killgore is 23, still figuring out life, and completely obsessed with Conor Harkness—her brother’s best friend, a brilliant biotech exec, and 15 years her senior. He’s made it clear nothing can happen between them… but when they’re stuck together at a wedding in a romantic Sicilian villa, lines start to blur.
As the chaos of the destination wedding unfolds, so do secrets Conor has been keeping—and Maya starts to wonder if a summer fling is really such a bad idea after all.
With sun-soaked tension, sizzling chemistry, and stunning Italian backdrops, this is the perfect summer read for anyone craving a smart, emotional slow burn.
Just for the Summer
by Abby Jimenez
Justin is convinced he’s cursed—every woman he dates meets her soulmate right after they break up. When Emma, a traveling nurse with the exact same problem, slides into his DMs, they hatch a wild plan: date each other, break up, and let fate work its magic.
It’s supposed to be a short, strategic summer fling. But on a dreamy private island in Lake Minnetonka—complete with a cosy cottage, complicated families, and undeniable chemistry—feelings begin to get real.
With heart, humor, and just the right dose of chaos, this romantic comedy is the perfect summer read for fans of fate, fake dating, and falling for the one person you never expected.
The Cruise Club
by Caroline James
Carmen Cunningham, a cosy crime writer with a looming deadline and a serious case of writer’s block, is desperate for inspiration. So she books a Mediterranean cruise—complete with literary workshops hosted by her idol, the gruff but intriguing Ruskin Reeve. It’s the perfect escape... until her meddling mother Betty insists on coming along.
As the Diamond Star sails from port to picturesque port, Carmen finds herself swept into new friendships, the occasional flirtation, and a growing mystery onboard involving stolen items and a secret club no one can quite pin down.
Will this unexpected voyage help Carmen find her voice again—or just land her in deeper water?
