Best Books for Summer Reading

Warm weather means bringing out all of the best books for summer reading. There’s something about this time of year that makes me want to read all of the cheery, funny, happily-ever-after books. As cathartic as a good cry on the beach may be, I’m generally not looking to be an emotional wreck on a casual beach day. I made that mistake once with The Fault in Our Stars on a family beach vacation. Never again.

I’ve since come to the conclusion that, when picking books for the beach, anything but drama is the way to go.

As we get ready to enter June, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite books for warm weather reading. Perfect for days spent lounging in the sun. A little bit of YA, a little bit of romance, and a lot of cheery vibes.

Save the Date by Morgan Matson

This cute YA novel follows Charlie Grant as she preps for her four older siblings to return home for her sister’s wedding. It’s supposed to be a weekend where Charlie can forget about the stress of being a senior in high school, and where she can simply enjoy time with her favorite people. Unfortunately for Charlie, her perfect weekend comes crumbling down with disastrous and comedic results.

I loved this YA book, and it made me wish for the organized chaos of having this many siblings! Matson has written well fleshed out characters with a fun plot that makes me feel nostalgic for the confusing, scary, exciting time that is graduating high school.

Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean

If you love the early aughts classic, “The Princess Diaries,” you will love Emiko Jean’s Tokyo Ever After. Izumi Tanaka discovers that she is the daughter of the Emperor of Japan and is suddenly thrust into royal life. It’s a coming of age tale with a royal twist, handsome bodyguard, and humor and heart throughout.

American Royals by Katharine McGee

American Royals tells the story of The United States as a nation with a monarchy and under the rule of the Washington family. The novel, told in alternating perspectives, follows the lives of Beatrice the heir, Samantha the spare, Nina the best friend, and Daphne the wanna-be princess. There is forbidden love, scheming, betrayal, and enough drama to keep you on the edge of your seat.

I binge-read this book and had to wait what felt like ages for the sequels. Luckily, all of the books are out now!

Isn’t it Bromantic? by Lyssa Kay Adams

Vlad Konnikov has his life together. He’s got a successful career in the NHL and an amazing community of friends and neighbors. The only thing that would make life perfect is if his wife loved him back. Elena Konnikova has struggled her whole life with feeling like a burden to the ones that she loves. There’s no one she loves more than Vlad, but she refuses to trap him in a pity marriage.

When personal issues and miscommunication get in the way, what once felt like a hopeful happily-ever-after is now headed for divorce. But Vlad believes that there could still be a chance for something more. Determined to woo his wife, he enlists help from the bromance book club. Maybe, just maybe, this marriage of convenience can turn into something real.

This is a sweet, marriage of convenience, second-chance romance. It’s part of the Bromance Bookclub series, but it reads just fine as a stand alone. Isn’t it Bromantic? is my favorite of the series! This one is Rated R.

Would You Rather by Allison Ashley

Mia and Noah are childhood best friends secretly harboring feelings for each other. When Mia suddenly gets a life changing opportunity, Noah suggests they get married. Purely for the health insurance benefits that will cover Mia’s kidney disease. Definitely not because he’s in love with her. This is a charming marriage of convenience romance where both characters must come to decide if their friendship is worth risking for the chance of something more.

This is a cute, if slightly predictable, marriage of convenience romance. I sped through this book and found it to be the perfect light-hearted romance for an afternoon in the sun!

Forget Me Not by Julie Soto

Ama Torres is a wedding planner looking for a big break to launch her into the industry. When she gets the opportunity to plan the celebrity wedding of the season, the career of her dreams feels within reach. Everything finally feels like it’s going to plan. That is, until her clients request the one florist Ama can’t stand. Elliot is grumpy, tattooed, and highly skilled at his craft. He’s also Ama’s ex. As the two are forced to work in close proximity, unresolved feelings come to light.

This sweet, light-hearted novel is perfect for fans of second chance romance, grumpy-sunshine, enemies to lovers, and the wedding industry. This book is Rated R.

Get a Life Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

Chronically ill Chloe Brown decides to make a list of tasks that will help her branch out and “get a life.” But making a list of life changing activities is difficult for comfort zone loving Chloe. Thankfully she has Red Morgan, her building’s super turned get-a-life spirit guide. Though Chloe and Red begrudgingly agree to tackle the list together, it isn’t long before they’re crossing off tasks and falling in love.

This is a delightfully funny, heartwarming, and romantic tale sure to bring you joy. This one is rated R, so please take note.

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

Persephone Fraser, for the first time in ten years, returns to the lake where she spent her childhood summers. What used to be her summer haven now holds the painful reminder of mistakes made and love lost. Percy returns to town for a funeral and reunites with her childhood best friend and first love, Sam Florek. Percy hasn’t seen or spoken to Sam in years. She’s suddenly forced to confront the decisions that led her away from Barry’s Bay and from true love.

If you loved Christina Lauren’s Love and Other Words, you will love this book! I found them to be pretty similar but equally entertaining. This one is also rated R, so please take note.

The Summer I Turned Pretty By Jenny Han

It wouldn’t be a summer reading list without Jenny Han. The Summer I Turned Pretty is the first in a trilogy that follows main character Belly as she experiences first love, heartbreak, and self discovery. This trilogy is told over the course of three summers, where Belly visits the beach house with her family and their closest family friends. As Belly comes into her own, she gets romantically caught between brothers Conrad and Jeremiah. Naturally, drama ensues.

This series is the DEFINITION of emotional rollercoaster and will keep you on your toes until the end of the last book. It’s also currently a TV show on Amazon Prime, but I recommend reading the books too!

Anything Written by Sarah Dessen

I am of the firm belief that Sarah Dessen is the queen of summer novels. Most of her books take place during the summer and occur in some sort of beach town. Although her books are not explicitly a series, they all exist in the same universe with characters and locations overlapping. Some of my favorite Sarah Dessen novels are, Along for the Ride, The Rest of the Story, and Once and For All, but you cannot go wrong with any of her books!

What are your favorite summer reads?

Xx, M