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    Home » Blog » Book Recommendations

    Best Beach Reads for Summer

    Published: May 21, 2020 · Modified: Jun 1, 2022 by Tiffany Dahle · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    This is the best list of beach reads for busy moms this summer. Read them on your own or pick one and be the hit of your next book club party.

    A collage of fun beach reads for summer.

    One of my favorite things about the Peanut Blossom Book Club for Recovering Readers is that our members are always sharing new titles they've loved with the group.

    My to-read list just keeps growing!

    I asked the ladies what kind of books they enjoy reading during the summer or what they considered a "beach book." Their answers made me smile, they are so my kind of people.

    What is a "Beach Read"?

    According to our book club members, a good beach read meets the following criteria: :

    • light and breezy plotline
    • doesn't make you think too hard
    • holds your attention and is a bit of a page-turner

    Skip the term "beach books," that describes exactly the kind of book we love to read all year long!

    I rounded up some of our book club members' favorite recommendations and added a few of my own.

    I hope you find your next perfect beach read here! Did I miss your favorite? Leave me a note in the comments!

    Why Beach Reads Matter

    They are chick lit in all its amazing glory--a term I have never minded, and one I hope doesn't offend you either.

    In fact, one of my favorite authors, Jennifer Weiner, recently wrote an incredible piece over on GoodReads you have to check out.

    "Pleasure is something. Pleasure matters. Pleasure is more than enough. And the idea that a book is just entertaining, that it’s merely escapism, that it’s easy reading or a page-turner or a romp, the idea that any of that is pejorative, at this moment in time seems crazy. If ever there was a time for the unapologetic embrace of books that “just” bring us pleasure, that time, she is now."
    -- Jennifer Weiner, author of Good in Bed

    Read Jennifer's entire love letter to beach reads right here.

    Waterproof Your Beach Book

    Summer reading is often done in and around water. Whether you take your book to the pool, the beach, relax in a hot tub, or just want to escape to a bubble bath, don't miss my tips for how to waterproof books for adults.

    • How to Waterproof Books for Summer Reading

    Best Beach Reads for Summer

    Are you looking for something FUN to read in the coming months? These women's fiction titles are fun, breezy books that will have you dreaming of romance and beachy destinations.

    Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner

    Six years after the fight that ended their friendship, Daphne Berg is shocked when Drue Cavanaugh walks back into her life, looking as lovely and successful as ever, with a massive favor to ask. Daphne hasn’t spoken one word to Drue in all this time—she doesn’t even hate-follow her ex-best friend on social media—so when Drue asks if she will be her maid-of-honor at the society wedding of the summer, Daphne is rightfully speechless.

    Hello, Summer

    It’s a new season...

    Conley Hawkins left her family’s small town newspaper, The Silver Bay Beacon, in the rearview mirror years ago. Now a star reporter for a big-city paper, Conley is exactly where she wants to be and is about to take a fancy new position in Washington, D.C. Or so she thinks.

    The Hating Game

    Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman hate each other. Not dislike. Not begrudgingly tolerate. Hate.

    And they have no problem displaying their feelings through a series of ritualistic passive aggressive maneuvers as they sit across from each other, executive assistants to co-CEOs of a publishing company.

    Lucy can’t understand Joshua’s joyless, uptight, meticulous approach to his job.

    Joshua is clearly baffled by Lucy’s overly bright clothes, quirkiness, and Pollyanna attitude.

    Be sure to check out the book club discussion guide from when we chose this for book club.

    The Identicals

    Nantucket is only eleven miles away from Martha's Vineyard. But they may as well be worlds apart for estranged twin sisters Harper and Tabitha Frost.

    After not speaking for more than a decade, Harper and Tabitha switch islands-and lives-to save what's left of their splintered family.

    But the twins quickly discover that the secrets, lies, and gossip they thought they'd outrun can travel between islands just as easily as they can.

    Will Harper and Tabitha be able to bury the hatchet and end their sibling rivalry once and for all?

    Summer Sisters

    In the summer of 1977, Victoria Leonard’s world changes forever when Caitlin Somers chooses her as a friend.

    Dazzling, reckless Caitlin welcomes Vix into the heart of her sprawling, eccentric family, opening doors to a world of unimaginable privilege, sweeping her away to vacations on Martha’s Vineyard, an enchanting place where the two friends become “summer sisters.”

    Now, years later, Vix is working in New York City. Caitlin is getting married on the Vineyard.

    And the early magic of their long, complicated friendship has faded. But Caitlin begs Vix to come to her wedding, to be her maid of honor.

    And Vix knows that she will go—because she wants to understand what happened during that last shattering summer.

    And, after all these years, she needs to know why her best friend—her summer sister—still has the power to break her heart.

    The Beach House

    Caretta Rutledge thought she'd left her Southern roots and troubled family far behind. But an unusual request from her mother—coming just as her own life is spinning out of control—has Cara heading back to the scenic Lowcountry of her childhood summers.

    Before long, the rhythms of the island open her heart in wonderful ways as she repairs the family beach house, becomes a bona fide "turtle lady" and renews old acquaintances long thought lost.

    But it is in reconnecting with her mother that she will learn life's most precious lessons—true love involves sacrifice, family is forever and the mistakes of the past can be forgiven.

    Hello, Sunshine: A Novel

    Sunshine Mackenzie has it all…until her secrets come to light.

    Sunshine is living the dream—she’s a culinary star with millions of fans, a line of #1 bestselling cookbooks, and a devoted husband happy to support her every endeavor.

    Sunshine Mackenzie has it all…until she gets hacked.

    When Sunshine’s secrets are revealed, her fall from grace is catastrophic. She loses her husband, her show, the fans, and her apartment.

    She’s forced to return to the childhood home—and the estranged sister—she’s tried hard to forget.

    But what Sunshine does amid the ashes of her own destruction may well save her life.

    Sweet Tea and Sympathy

    Nestled on the shore of Lake Sackett, Georgia is the McCready Family Funeral Home and Bait Shop.

    Margot Cary has spent her life immersed in everything Lake Sackett is not.

    As an elite event planner, Margot’s rubbed elbows with the cream of Chicago society, and made elegance and glamour her business.

    She’s riding high until one event goes tragically, spectacularly wrong.

    Now she’s blackballed by the gala set and in dire need of a fresh start—and apparently the McCreadys are in need of an event planner with a tarnished reputation.

    More Great Beach Books

    • Book Club Book Ideas for Summer
    • Fantasy books that are great for reading during the summer.
      6 Magical Beach Reads for Summer
    • A copy of Malibu Rising sits on a table surrounded by books.
      Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
    • A copy of Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews sits on a table.
      Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews

    More Book Recommendations from Our Book Club

    • A photo collage shows historical fiction books about the royal family along with modern biographies of Prince Harry and Princess Diana.
      16 Books About the Royal Family Fans of The Crown will Love
    • A collage of 4 photos of books about Scotland that fans of Outlander will enjoy
      13 Books About Scotland Outlander Fans Will Love
    • A photo collage shows the covers of several daily devotionals.
      12 Joyful Devotionals for Moms
    • Photo collage of 9 books illustrates how to select a 3x3 challenge.
      3x3 Reading Challenge

    Reader Interactions

    Trackbacks

    1. Summer beach romance for book club: By Invitation Only by Dorothea Benton Frank says:
      June 7, 2020 at 10:06 am

      […] this particular title doesn’t float your boat, you may want to check out my best suggestions for beach reads this summer. Whatever you choose, I hope you enjoy your little reading break to kick off the […]

      Reply
    2. 6 magical page turners you will devour this summer says:
      May 22, 2020 at 11:12 am

      […] A light and breezy beach read that takes place near the ocean or a lake: Check out my list of light beach reads here. […]

      Reply

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    I believe a great family recipe is one that makes everyone at the table happy, not just the kids. I'm the author of two bestselling cookbooks for kids that are chock full of recipes everyone in your family will love. I'm also the hostess of the best online book club for moms.

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