If you’re looking for a book that practically begs to be read near the water, start here. This Summer Will Be Different takes readers to Prince Edward Island for a story filled with friendship, complicated feelings, secrets, and a romance that definitely isn’t supposed to happen. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to immediately book a vacation.

We’re apparently not the only ones who love a Carley Fortune summer. One Golden Summer follows Alice, a photographer who returns to the lake where she spent one unforgettable summer as a teenager. Add a handsome guy, old memories, and plenty of lake-house nostalgia, and you’ve got yourself a quintessential summer read.

If you haven’t read Every Summer After yet, what are you waiting for?! This one is packed with summer memories, first love, second chances, and the kind of nostalgia that makes you want to spend your entire summer at a lake. And if you’ve been watching Every Year After, definitely add the book to your TBR.

Okay, Carley Fortune really said summer reading is my thing. 😂

Our Perfect Storm follows longtime best friends Frankie and George, whose friendship gets complicated when Frankie finds herself suddenly single right before her wedding. A week in beautiful Tofino, British Columbia gives them a chance to repair their friendship—and maybe finally admit what’s been sitting underneath it all along. I DEVOURED this book. Full send. Anything Carley Fortune writes, I must read. Can you tell?

Looking for something light, romantic, and perfect for a lake-house weekend? This one checks all the boxes. Nikki heads home for the Fourth of July and discovers her brother is marrying the woman her ex-fiancé cheated with. Naturally, things get complicated when she teams up with the bride’s brother—and sparks start flying.

What happens when you decide to throw your normal life out the window for the summer? Isabel heads to Ibiza after her sister’s death with one mission: finish her sister’s bucket list. Surfing? Check. Tattoo? Check. Falling in love? Well…that wasn’t exactly part of the plan. This one has sunshine, travel, romance, grief, and a gorgeous Mediterranean setting. Basically, we’re packing our bags.

June Baby is a coming-of-age story wrapped up in a beautiful summer setting. Set on Block Island, it follows Ruth as she navigates love, loss, family, and the choices that shape the life she wants. It’s a little more emotional than your typical beach read, but that’s exactly why we think it belongs on this list.

Three generations of women. A cross-country road trip. Music festivals. And the summer of 1969.

When Eleanor disappears to chase a dream she’s put off for years, her daughter and granddaughter hit the road to find her. This one is perfect if you want your summer reading to include a little nostalgia, family drama, and adventure.

If you’re looking for a heartwarming, funny, and deeply emotional summer read, Road to Tender Hearts is a story about family, second chances, and the unexpected ways we find our way back to the people—and places—that matter most.

This was one of my absolute favorite books of 2026, and I’m still thinking about these characters.
Don’t sleep on this one <3 It will impact you! *add to cart*

Caroline arrives in a small Massachusetts coastal town and quickly becomes tangled up in a tight-knit social circle. Add an inconvenient pregnancy, old friendships, complicated marriages, and plenty of gossip, and you’ve got a summer read with a lot to talk about. It’s also a current Read With Jenna pick.

Seven Days in June follows Eva and Shane, two writers who reconnect after an intense relationship when they were teenagers. It’s romantic, emotional, funny, and much deeper than your average summer romance.

Imagine a reality TV show where contestants are trapped together at a remote desert compound—and the competition gets darker and darker.

Yep. We’re intrigued.

The Compound plays with reality TV, voyeurism, relationships, gender politics, and what happens when entertainment goes way too far. It’s a great choice if your idea of a beach read involves a little psychological discomfort.

If you’re looking for something completely different from the typical summer romance, add this dystopian series to your list. Conform introduces Emeline to a society where she’s chosen as a Mate, and the luxurious world she’s entered quickly reveals a much darker side. Beneath continues the story and expands the world behind the rebellion.

Calling all Crime Junkies!! You know who you are 😘 For readers who love books involving secrets, complicated relationships, and questions about what really happened, this is one to keep on your radar.

This was an especially easy book to recommend this summer with the World Cup going on, but if you even REMOTELY like soccer (or guys, or England, or a love story, or drama), pick up this book next time you go to the pool.

Sometimes you just need a book that pulls you into another person’s life and lets you escape for a while. Add Lucky to your summer stack when you’re ready for something a little different.

If you’re craving a beautifully written, emotional story filled with secrets, family drama, and a little mystery, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lyon is the perfect summer read. Emma is witty, she’s charming, she’s everything we need! *add to cart*

If you love twisty family dramas that keep you guessing until the very end, Culpability is the kind of summer read that will have you questioning who you can trust, and what really happened. Can you trust technology as much as you think you can? This one had me questioning some things!

If you’re looking for a warm, funny, and heartfelt summer read, Dolly All the Time follows a woman who’s spent years putting everyone else first as she navigates marriage, motherhood, friendship, and the question of what she really wants for herself. This is perfect for anyone who loves relatable characters, complicated relationships, and a little romance. A binged this one in less than 24 hours!