If you’ve read my book recommendations before, then you know that there are few things I love more on this earth than sharing books. In fact, if you were my friend or my neighbor I’d happily fill your arms with new copies every time you came for a visit. But since you’re not, please use the list below and go on a shopping spree for Summer Beach Reads!
Bear in mind, to me a “beach read” by nature, is something light and fluffy. You won’t find War and Peace in the list, but you will find fun ideas to read poolside! ~Rachel
1.On the Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves – There is no reason on earth why a book about a teacher and a student getting stuck on an island and then falling in love after being there for five years should work. But goodness gracious does this ever! It’s beautiful and heartbreaking, but it has a great ending. Can’t recommend it enough!
2. The Girl’s Series by Rachel Hollis – Yes, I realize I’m suggesting my own books here but these books are quintessential beach reads. It’s a wedding planner, a pastry chef and a designer who are all navigating love and careers in Los Angeles.
3. Too Good to be True by Kristan Higgins – Honestly, you could read anything by Kristan Higgins and enjoy yourself but this is one of my favorites. It’s a love story about a woman falling for her bad boy neighbor (who of course, isn’t bad at all) but since she already has a fake boyfriend she can’t date the real guy. It’s a rom-com in book form and so much fun!
4. A Spear of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn – Did you like Out of Africa? Then you’ll love this book. This is sweeping, beautiful storytelling and a heroine you will go through every single emotion with. I absolutely adored the characters, so much so that I think about them often and wonder how they’re doing. A-must if you like historical fiction!
5. It Felt Like a Kiss by Sarra Manning – Sarra is one of my favorite British authors and this book was the hilarious, fun love story I’ve come to expect from her. In this book our heroine falls for her famous father’s lawyer who’s supposed to be keeping her in line. I love an enemies to lovers plotline… don’t you?
6. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers – You know I have to throw in at least one YA title… and a YA in a historical setting WITH magical elements?? Dream come true! The short summation of this book is this: Teenage Assassin Nuns set in Ancient Brittany. You’re welcome in advance
7. You Take it From Here by Pamela Ribon – Not always, but sometimes, you want/need to have a good ole cry and this is just the book to help you get there. It’s about two lifelong best friends, one of which is dying (grab the tissues) and she asks the other to take over her life after she’s gone. It’ll break your heart, then put all the pieces back together again.
8. Slammed by Colleen Hoover – I don’t even know how to choose a favorite Colleen Hoover book, but if you’ve never read her, then I would start with Slammed. This is the book I recommend to everyone and no matter who they are, they love it as much as I do.
9. The Flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesey – This is a retelling of Jane Eyre set in 1950’s Scotland. It’s so well done and such a refreshing take on one of my favorite classics. Also, even though it was a totally different adaptation, feel free to imagine Michael Fassbender in the role of Mr. Sinclair.
10. The Hating Game by Sally Thorne – I got an advanced copy of this so I like to believe I was one of the first people to love it. Talk about enemies to lovers, oh my gosh this one is SO good. These two co-workers HATE each other… which is why it’s so much more wonderful when they fall in love.
11. Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis – Yes, I’m recommending another one of my books BUT as your online BFF, this book will help you unpack the limiting mind-sets that destroy their self-confidence and keep you from moving forward.
