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The temperature is rising, and you know what that means: summer is here! Well, almost.
I am still waiting for a nice 80-degree sunny beach day, but that doesn’t mean I can’t start looking forward to this summer. Whether you’re at the beach, by the Charles River, or lying in the sun on your back porch, there’s something about summer that just calls for a good book. If you’re trying to romanticize your life a little this season, here are some solid reads to throw in your beach bag.
- Beach Read by Emily Henry
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Um, obviously, it’s in the name. Two writers with very different styles spend a summer as neighbors and challenge each other to write outside their comfort zones. This book was a great read, super quick and easy, and had me feeling every emotion under the sun (literally).
- Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
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One word to describe this book is “OMG.” Two doctors form an unexpected connection through letters and a fake dating arrangement. I don’t think there is a man as good as the one Jimenez has written about in this book.
- People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
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Another classic summer read. It follows the story of two friends over years of summer trips as they try to fix their relationship. A movie version just came out on Netflix, so you can look forward to that after picking this one up!
- It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
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A socialite is sent to a small coastal town where she meets a local who challenges her expectations.
- The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
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I mean, of course this was going to be on the list. With the show just ending, this summer is a great time to pick up the books (which are better than the show, of course). It’s a coming-of-age story centered on summers spent at a beach house and an interesting love triangle. #TeamConrad
Erika Doss/Prime Video - Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
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A second-chance romance that moves between a past relationship and a present-day reunion.
- Happy Place by Emily Henry
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Yet another Emily Henry novel! A couple pretends to still be together during a vacation with friends after quietly breaking up.
- Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter
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Such a cute book! A rom-com fan teams up with her neighbor to get the attention of her longtime crush. This one checked off all my boxes and was another easy read. Definitely recommend!
- Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
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Now, this series might be one of my favorites ever, and that says a lot coming from me. It’s a fantasy romance about a girl who makes a deal with a mysterious prince and the consequences that follow. This is a very slow burn, so get ready.
- Babel by R.F. Kuang
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Okay, so I know this isn’t a romance or really summer vibes at all, but you have to hear me out because it is my favorite book ever. It’s a dark academia novel focused on language, translation, and power within an alternate Oxford setting. This book is so worth it, and I think everyone in the world should be required to read this book.
If you liked The Hunger Games or Divergent, this is the book for you. Here is a quote: “’That’s just the way of the world,’ he said. ‘The strong take from the weak. It’s how things have always been.’” I mean, c’mon, it’s a must-read.
So whether you’re looking for something light and fun or a book that completely takes over your brain, this list has you covered. Grab a tote, throw in a towel and one of these books, and claim your spot in the sun. Trust me, there’s nothing better than getting lost in a good book with nowhere else to be.
Happy reading :)
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