Summer is almost here, and with it comes the promise of long, lazy days spent soaking up the sun and losing yourself in a great book. Whether you’re basking on the beach, lounging by the pool, or simply dreaming of warmer weather from the comfort of your couch, there’s nothing quite like a captivating summer read to whisk you away on a mental vacation.
Ah, the joy of summer reading! Whether you call them “beach reads,” “summer flings,” or simply “books that shine between May and September,” the best summer books of 2023 are sure to whisk you away on a mental getaway, no matter where you’re actually located.
While this year’s prime reading spot may be in the shallow end of the backyard pool, a breathtaking sandy beach or sprawled out on the couch with a fan blowing on your face, a great book has the power to transport you to another world, no matter how brief the escape.
And lucky for you, the best summer books of 2023 are arriving just in time to make your reading list sizzle. From heart-pumping thrillers to steamy romances, and everything in between, this year’s crop of summer reads promises to be as hot as the summer sun. So kick back, relax, and let us introduce you to the must-read books of the season.
“Late Bloomers” by Deepa Varadarajan
Deepa Varadarajan’s debut novel, Late Bloomers, is a witty and big-hearted story that follows an Indian American family as they navigate the aftermath of a divorce that ended their arranged marriage of thirty-six years.
Suresh and Lata Raman are starting over in their own ways. Suresh is trying his luck with online dating, but his attempts have been unsuccessful until he meets a mysterious and younger woman who seems to be interested in him. Lata, on the other hand, is enjoying her newfound freedom but is surprised when a professor starts flirting with her.
Their daughter, Priya, disapproves of her father’s online pursuits but is secretly having an affair of her own. Meanwhile, their son, Nikesh, appears to have a perfect marriage and family life, but he’s hiding a secret about his relationship with his law-firm colleague.
Over the course of three weeks in August, the family will confront each other’s secrets, navigate the limits of love and loyalty, and discover second chances.
Late Bloomers is a charming, funny, and moving novel that introduces a fresh and delightful voice in fiction. It tells the story of four individuals trying to find happiness in their own lives and as a family, and is a must-read for anyone who loves stories about second chances and family dynamics.
“Happy Place” by Emily Henry
Introducing “Happy Place” by Emily Henry – the latest novel from the beach-read master that will have you hooked from page one. People magazine says so, and they’re not alone. BuzzFeed, Paste Magazine, Elle, Southern Living, and many more have named it one of the most anticipated books of 2023. And for good reason.
This glittering and wise new novel follows Harriet and Wyn, the perfect couple who broke up months ago but pretend to still be together for their annual weeklong vacation with their best friends. Set against the backdrop of a Maine cottage that has been their friend group’s yearly getaway for the last decade, this is a story about love, friendship, and the lengths we’ll go to protect the ones we care about.
As Harriet and Wyn try to hide their true feelings for each other, they’ll have to navigate the ups and downs of their relationships with their closest friends, copious amounts of cheese, wine, and seafood, and the salty coastal air that brings them all back year after year. With Emily Henry’s signature wit, humor, and heart, “Happy Place” is the perfect summer read for anyone who’s ever wondered what it takes to keep love alive, even when it feels like everything else is falling apart.
” Summer Stage” by Meg Mitchell Moore
Get ready to be swept away by the glitz, glamour, and drama of the theater world with Meg Mitchell Moore’s Summer Stage. In this sizzling summer read, the spotlight is on a family of actors as they navigate fame, scandal, and ambition.
Amy Trevino, a former playwright and now a high school English teacher, takes on the role of production manager for her brother’s play in an effort to heal their fractured relationship. But when her daughter Sam, a former Disney child star turned TikTok influencer, returns home with secrets of her own, the family’s tensions rise to a boiling point. Meanwhile, Timothy, Amy’s successful and beloved actor brother, directs a summer production at a Block Island theater, where his famous ex-wife has the lead role.
As the family works together to make the production a success, they must confront their desires for recognition and fame and discover what truly matters to them. With its big heart and juicy plot, Summer Stage is the must-read book of the season.
Must Love Flowers by Debbie Macomber
Must Love Flowers by Debbie Macomber is a heartwarming novel that explores the power of friendship, family, and love to lift us up during difficult times. The story follows two women at different stages of life who find themselves on a journey of renewal after facing their own hardships.
Joan Sample is a widow and an empty-nester who has become something of a recluse. But with the support of her sister, she begins to take some long-awaited steps towards reengaging with the world. Meanwhile, Maggie Herbert is struggling to make ends meet while living with her alcoholic father. When she finds a room for rent in Joan’s home, she discovers a glimmer of hope for a better life.
As these two women confront difficult life choices, they draw strength from their newfound friendship in unexpected ways. With the help of a mysterious landscaper and a favorite customer at the coffee shop where Maggie works, they discover that sometimes “found family” is the very best kind.
Wise, warm, witty, and charmingly full of hope, this story celebrates the surprising and unexpected ways that family, friendship, and love can lift us up. So if you’re looking for a heartwarming read that will leave you feeling inspired, Must Love Flowers is the perfect choice.
Hula by Jasmin Iolani Hakes
Get ready to experience the beauty and magic of Hawai’i through the pages of Hula, a breathtaking debut novel by Jasmin Iolani Hakes. This captivating story takes us on a journey of tradition, culture, family, history, and connection, as we follow three generations of women in the town of Hilo.
Meet Hi’i, a proud member of the Naupaka family, who is determined to honor her family’s legacy in hula. But as fractures start to form in her community, Hi’i is faced with a difficult decision. To win the Miss Aloha Hula competition, she may have to turn her back on everything she’s been taught and risk losing the very thing she’s fighting for.
Told in part in the collective voice of a community fighting for its survival, Hula is a spellbinding tale that offers a rare glimpse into a forgotten kingdom that still exists in the heart of its people. This novel weaves together a coming-of-age story with a historical family epic, leaving you rooting for Hi’i and her family as they navigate the complexities of tradition, culture, and identity.
Drawing comparisons to award-winning books such as There, There and Sharks in the Time of Saviors, Hula is a must-read for anyone who wants to be swept away by the power of storytelling. This novel is more than just a story; it’s a full-throated chant for Hawai’i that will leave you feeling changed forever. Don’t miss out on this enchanting debut novel that will transport you to the heart of Hawai’i.
The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand
Prepare to be swept away by the captivating storytelling of Elin Hilderbrand in her latest novel, The Five-Star Weekend. Hollis Shaw appears to have a perfect life, with a successful food blog and a dreamy heart surgeon for a husband. But after a heated argument with her husband results in his untimely death, the cracks in Hollis’s life begin to show.
In an effort to rediscover herself and heal from her loss, Hollis organizes her own Five-Star Weekend on Nantucket, inviting a best friend from each phase of her life to join her. However, the weekend doesn’t go as planned. Tatum’s husband arranges for Hollis’s first love to join them, stirring up old feelings. Dru-Ann, Hollis’s best friend from college, is forced to play nice with Tatum, an abrasive and elitist woman. Brooke, Hollis’s friend from their thirties, just discovered that her husband is having an inappropriate relationship with a co-worker, and Gigi, a stranger who reached out to Hollis through her blog, holds many secrets.
As these women navigate their way through the complexities of friendship, love, and self-discovery, they will face unexpected challenges and find themselves questioning everything they thought they knew. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Nantucket, The Five-Star Weekend is a surprising and captivating story that will have you hooked from the first page. This novel is more than just a tale of friendship, it’s a powerful reminder that even in the darkest of times, we can find healing and joy in unexpected ways.
Welcome to Beach Town by Susan Wiggs
Welcome to Beach Town by Susan Wiggs invites readers to experience an idyllic California beach town where sunny skies and perfect surf belie the secrets that lurk beneath the surface. When the class valedictorian at the elite Thornton Academy veers off-script during her commencement address and reveals a shocking secret, the whole community is forced to reckon with the truth.
Nikki Graziola’s revelation shakes the foundation of Alara Cove, pitting her against the wealthy family who run the town. In the aftermath of her accusation, Nikki is exiled for years, finding fame overseas as a competition surfer until a personal tragedy brings her back to Alara Cove. But as Nikki struggles to rebuild her future, old rivalries, unexpected romance, and a community she’s never quite forgotten draw her back into the life of the beach town.
With themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the power of community, Welcome to Beach Town is a captivating summer read that will leave readers longing for sand, surf, and a second chance at life.
All the Days of Summer by Nancy Thayer
All the Days of Summer takes readers on a heartwarming journey of self-discovery and unexpected connections. When Heather Willette decides to start over on Nantucket, she never expected her plans to be complicated by her son’s sudden move to the island.
As she navigates the challenges of a new life, Heather finds herself confronting her past and forming an unexpected bond with her son’s girlfriend, Kailee Essex. But as their relationship grows, Heather and Kailee must face the realities of their complicated family dynamics and learn to overcome their differences. Set against the idyllic backdrop of Nantucket, All the Days of Summer is a story of resilience, forgiveness, and the power of second chances.
The Sister Effect by Susan Mallery
The Sister Effect by Susan Mallery is a poignant story of sisterhood, family, and forgiveness that will tug at your heartstrings. As Finley McGowan tries to provide a stable life for her niece, she must confront the ghosts of her past when her estranged sister Sloane returns, seeking a relationship with her daughter. But can Finley trust Sloane’s promises of change, or will their family history repeat itself?
With the help of a man who understands the complexity of family dynamics, Finley must learn to let go and open her heart to forgiveness. In this touching tale, Susan Mallery captures the power of female friendship and the resilience of the human spirit.
Don’t miss out on this heartwarming novel and also, be sure to check out The Happiness Plan, the newest release from this #1 New York Times bestselling author.
Someone Else’s Bucket List by Amy T. Matthews
What would you do if your dying sister’s final wish was for you to complete her bucket list and keep her millions of social media followers engaged? In Amy T. Matthews’ heartfelt new novel, Someone Else’s Bucket List, Jodie Boyd is thrown into the spotlight after her outgoing sister’s tragic death from leukemia.
With a corporate sponsor offering to pay off their staggering medical debt, Jodie is tasked with completing her sister’s adventurous bucket list, from flying over Antarctica to performing in a Broadway musical. As she navigates the challenges and risks of living out her sister’s dreams in the public eye, Jodie learns the power of sisterhood and discovers that falling in love might just be the easiest item on the list.
This poignant and uplifting story is perfect for fans of Josie Silver and Rebecca Serle, and will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the precious moments of life.
Whether you prefer romance, mystery, or adventure, there’s a beach read out there for everyone. So why not make your next trip to the beach even better by bringing along one of the best beach reads of 2023? From heartwarming stories of friendship and love to thrilling page-turners that will keep you on the edge of your seat, these books are sure to provide the perfect escape from the real world.
So, pack your beach bag, put on some sunscreen, and get ready to lose yourself in a great read. Whether you’re lounging on the sand or sitting by the pool, these beach reads are guaranteed to transport you to another world and leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. So, why wait? Start your summer off right by picking up one of the best beach reads of 2023 today!