Books Worth Adding to Your Summer TBR

Ah summer. The time for lounging by the pool, heading to the beach, taking a road trip, and enjoying an ice cold snow cone. There’s just something about summer. No other season can compare to the freedom that is summer and while this time of year is so fleeting there are several books you can read that will give you all the summertime feels. 

In today’s post I’m sharing some of my favorite summer books that will transport you to the beach, a road trip, Paris in the summertime, and even a small town – no matter where you are. If you’ve been looking for some poolside-worthy beach reads just keep scrolling . . . 

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It’s Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han

If you’re a sucker for coming-of-age stories with a beach setting then this is the book (and book series) for you. I knew after I read the first book in this series that I had to include the second one on this list. It follows a girl named Belly as she navigates love, loss, and friendship for a second time at Cousins Beach with Conrad and Jeremiah, two brothers who she’s known her whole life. And while this book was slightly more sad than the first one (The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han), it was also very heartwarming and sweet. Perfect for anyone who wants a quick read that’s entertaining and will remind of your first crush. 

Also, it was just announced that season two of the series will be streaming on Amazon Prime starting today, Friday, July 14th. 

The Summer My Life Began by Shannon Greenland

This book is actually two books in one. Book one follows a girl named Elizabeth Margaret (Em for short) whose parents have her life completely mapped out for her – do an internship at her father’s law firm, get a law degree from Harvard, become a successful lawyer. But everything changes when she gets the chance to spend the summer with an aunt she never knew about on an island off the Outer Banks in North Carolina. While there she meets a carefree surfer boy who makes her realize that maybe the plans her parents have for her are different than the ones she has for herself. She also learns a family secret that will change her life forever. 

Book two follows Em’s sister, Gwenny, a party girl who’s made one too many mistakes. She wants to leave her past behind and start over this summer. But everything changes when an international music star named Levi strolls into town. Levi hasn’t written a note in a year and figures that spending some time on a secluded island will bring him inspiration – he just never expected his inspiration would come from a girl. Can these two make it work? You’ll just have to read and find out. 

The People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry 

Is it even summer without an Emily Henry book on your TBR? And this one is one of her best. Following two best friends – Poppy and Alex – who are polar opposites, the book takes place over the course of ten vacations. Everything is going great until things get ruined between them and they stop speaking. Two years go by and Poppy decides to break the ice and invite Alex on one more vacation to try and make things right between them. Amazingly, he agrees to come and now Poppy has one week to make amends and get her best friend back – and maybe even win his heart. This book will definitely get you in the vacation mode – from the first line to the last. 

Summer at Firefly Beach by Jenny Hale

This book is like taking a relaxing stroll on a North Carolina beach. It follows a woman named Hallie who loves spending every summer at her aunt’s beach house. Going there is a tradition but everything changes when her beloved aunt dies and leaves a bucket list for Hallie to complete. With the help of her childhood best friend, Ben, Hallie embarks on having the summer of a lifetime. And the more time she spends with Ben, the more she begins to realize that maybe her heart has always belonged to him. This story is the perfect beach read because it’s so uplifting and sweet – you’ll be hooked by the chemistry and history Hallie and Ben share.  

The Second Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares

It just wouldn’t be summer without Ann Brashares and the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. For my last book I want to recommend The Second Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares. I was sixteen years old when I read this book for the first time and I still remember how it made me feel. Following four best friends – Carmen, Tibby, Bridget, and Lena – the story takes place in a variety of destinations around the world as they share a pair of jeans that mysteriously fits them all perfectly. The girls spend the summer navigating love, loss, family, and friendship with some tears and laughs along the way. This book series spun-off two movies that are equally perfect to watch in the summer, but the books just have that special something that’ll keep you coming back for more. 

The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther

If you love Cape Cod, large families, summer romance, and Taylor Swift – this next book is for you. Set on Martha’s Vineyard it follows 18 year old Meredith Fox as she and her parents journey to her grandparents’ compound for a family wedding. Grieving the loss of her sister and a breakup, Meredith’s expectations for this summer aren’t very high, but everything changes when she meets Wit, one of the groomsmen, who just might show her that life is still worth living. I really enjoyed this book. I loved the family dynamics and the whole Assassin game everyone plays.

Summer by the Sea by Jenny Hale

The next book on the list follows two sisters – Faith and Casey – who have not spoken in years because Casey stole the boy of Faith’s dreams when they were teenagers. But at the request of their 90 year old grandmother, both sisters agree to a family vacation at their childhood beach house. Faith decides that she’s ready to finally forgive Casey and move forward but she never prepared herself for meeting Jake Buchanan – the owner of the beach house who not only forgets the past but gets her thinking of a future with him.

Royally Lost by Angie Stanton

This book centers around Becca, a girl who’s been dragged on a family vacation to Europe. Becca is miserable the entire trip. Her dad’s emotionally detached and distant, her stepmom is just plain annoying, and her brother only has European hotties on his mind. She just wants to go home and forget this trip ever happened . . . until she meets Nikolai. Prince Nikolai has everything he could want – except freedom. In an attempt to see the world, he flees his country, goes on his own European adventure, and meets Becca, who just might change his outlook on life. This little romantic comedy is perfect for road trip lovers. 

Kisses and Croissants by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau

This next book is for all my Paris lovers. It’s about a girl named Mia who’s always dreamed of becoming a professional ballerina. And while her parents think Mia’s goals are just dreams, Mia is determined to prove them wrong. When she gets accepted into a prestigious dance school in Paris, France, she quickly learns that the road to becoming a professional ballerina may be more challenging than she thought. For starters she has a rival who hates her guts and a ballet instructor who might hate them too. At least she has Louis – distractingly charming Louis who sweeps off her feet and shows her the real Paris. I mean, it’s called the City of Love for a reason, oui?

Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams

When I saw this book in Books-A-Million my little Hufflepuff, romcom, plant-loving heart leapt for joy. This book follows Annie Walker, a flower shop owner in Rome, Kentucky, who wants nothing more than to find the man of her dreams. But the dating pickings are getting slim in her hometown. Will she ever find Mr. Right? Que Will, the sexy, tattooed bodyguard of popstar Amelia Rose, who’s back in town. While he’s not looking for love or settling down, he just can’t seem to stay away from one local flower shop owner. Can these two make things work? You’ll just have to read it to find out. 

Until I Met You by Lara Van Hulzen

Ok, so this book actually doesn’t release until July 20, 2023, but I was lucky enough to receive an ARC (advance reading copy) from the author. I can honestly say, reading this book is like wrapping up in a comfy, cozy blanket – it’s that good. It follows Dominic Endicott who moves to the little town of Silver Bay, California when his dad’s health declines and is unable to keep the family business going. In an attempt to appease his mom, Dominic tries to keep the business afloat and is determined to keep his focus on work – that is, until he meets Rachel Anderson. Rachel is the local Chaplain who loves her small town and who suddenly finds herself forced to work with Dominic to raise money for the town’s community center. The closer they get the more sparks begin to fly, but can they leave their fears behind and follow their hearts? Pick it up on July 20th and find out. You won’t be sorry.

Summerland by Elin Hilderbrand

For my last summer book recommendation I had to include an Elin Hilderbrand book. I mean, is it even summer time if you’re not reading Elin Hilderbrand? Set in June in beautiful Nantucket, this book follows a group of seniors from Nantucket High who gather for a beach bonfire on graduation night. What starts out as a normal graduation night celebration quickly takes a horrible turn when a car crash leaves Penny Alistair dead and her twin brother in a coma. Only her boyfriend, Jake, and their friend Demeter survive the crash. As the summer unfolds questions begin to surface about what happened to lead up to the accident and some shocking truths are revealed about the survivors and their families. 

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For even more summer book recommendations check out my summer book recommendation list from last year – Books You Simply Must Read this Summer. 

Verse of the Day: For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time – 1 Timothy 2:5-6