Get your beach chairs ready because it’s time for some hot beach reads! I’ve had a lot of these titles on my tbr list for a while, waiting for their imminent release. Some I’ve been able to read before this list so I can tell you what I think, but I also can’t wait to dig in to the rest on this list.
So what is a beach read? I would say it’s a light, enjoyable, entertaining book. Something to keep you enthralled while you’re sipping a cold drink, but nothing too serious. That kind of sounds like exactly what I read all the time! Haha
Get ready for some great summer reads!
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Must-Read Beach Reads
Her Hidden Genius, by Marie Benedict
Pub Date: January 25, 2022
From the author of The Personal Librarian, we get a stunning work of historical fiction of yet another extraordinary woman in history. Rosalind Franklin makes leaps and bounds into unearthing yet unknown secrets of human DNA, making world-changing contributions to science. But with men in her field surrounding her to take the credit, Rosalind has no idea what will happen next.
I personally loved The Personal Librarian and am now hooked on anything Marie Benedict writes, so this is a must read for me! If you’re into historical fiction, this could be the perfect beach read for you.
The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, by Eva Jurczyk
Pub Date: January 25, 2022
Liesl has been happy with her place in the rare books department of a large university, even if she is doing a lot of work while her boss takes the credit. But then Liesl’s boss has a stroke and she is left to run the department right as she discovers a rare manuscript is missing. Soon a librarian goes missing as well and Liesl must dig into her colleague’s pasts to find out what’s going on and solve the mystery.
There is death in this book and a lot of rotates around Liesl’s personal life and her questioning her leadership skills during this crisis. This is not a cozy mystery if that’s what you are looking for, but it was a good read nonetheless! Maybe it will be for you too.
With Love, From London, by Sarah Jio
Pub Date: February 8, 2022
More bookish reads coming your way in the form of a librarian being given the deed to a bookshop after her mother passes away. Valentina’s mother left her family when she was a teenager, leaving Val heartbroken and lost. She feels even more so when she finds out her mother has passed away, but this bookshop could be the key to finding out her mother’s story.
Val uproots her life to save The Book Garden from going under and unearth her mother’s story in the process so she might finally find some peace.
I adored this book! Five star read for me, and perfect the beach.
For people who love books about books like I do, this is right up your alley.
One Night on the Island, by Josie Silver
Pub Date: February 15, 2022
Author of The Two Lives of Lydia Bird and One Day in December, Silver brings us a twist on an enemies to lovers romance. Cleo and Mac both desperately need solitude to get their lives in order so they book a little getaway on a small Irish island. The only thing is, a booking mix up causes them to book this one-bedroom hideaway at the same time. I’m sure you know the rest…
I adore Josie Silver’s books, so this is definitely a must-read! Her writing is always so well done and she didn’t miss the mark with this one either. This is one beautiful, captivating love story.
If you’re looking for more contemporary romance, check out this list!
Delilah Green Doesn't Care, by Ashley Herring Blake
Pub Date: February 22, 2022
Delilah Green has everything she wants in New York City, a great photography career and women in her bed every night. But when her estranged sister, Astrid, begs/bribes her to take her wedding photos in the hole of a town they grew up in, Delilah must return to Bright Falls.
She plans on getting in and getting out, but one of Astrid’s besties, Claire, catches her eye. And the rest is history. This lovely LGBTQ romance is one I do not plan on missing out on! Romance is the perfect beach read if you ask me. P.S. Claire is a bookstore owner!
The League of Gentlewomen Witches, by India Holton
Pub Date: March 15, 2022
This is the quirkiest of all the novels on this list. If you read Holton’s first book for this series, The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels you know what I’m talking about. It’s got magic, intrigue, action, romance, history and lots and lots of humor!
Charlotte Pettifer is part of the League of Gentlewomen Witches, who use their magic to tidy, clean, and make things proper. But when Black Beryl’s amulet turns up, Charlotte must team up with Alex O’Riley, a very un-Darcylike pirate, to steal the amulet and keep it from getting into the wrong hands. If you want some adventure and humor on your next beach trip, this is the book to read!
Sadie on a Plate, by Amanda Elliot
Pub Date: March 15, 2022
Sadie is a rising star in the food world who dreams of creating mouthwatering Jewish recipes. After a public break-up with a chef boss, she can only hope to recover her reputation through winning on the Chef Supreme TV show. She ends up having crazy chemistry with her seatmate on the plane to New York for the show. When she gets to the set the next day, she discovers who Luke is… If she wants to save her career, she’s going to have to make a choice.
A foodie romance is the perfect type of romance for the beach! I can’t wait to read this one.
The No-Show, by Beth O'Leary
Pub Date: April 12, 2022
Siobhan, Miranda, and Jane are three strangers who only have one thing in common. They were all stood up on Valentine’s day, and to make it even worse it was the same man who stood them all up! All three forgive him and let him back in… how long will it take them to untangle the truth before they give over their hearts?
Beth O’Leary is always a must read for me, so I know this book will be amazing. An interesting twist on contemporary romance is the perfect beach read!
Book Lovers, by Emily Henry
Pub Date: May 3, 2022
I have high hopes for this next bookish read, by the author of People We Meet on Vacation. Nora is a bad ass literary agent and the only people she makes time for are her clients and her little sister, Libby. When Libby asks for a vacation away to small town North Carolina, Nora agrees but instead of running into a handsome country doctor, she keeps seeing Charlie, an editor from back home in the city.
This is another enemies to lovers type but with a bookish twist.
Adult Assembly Required, by Abbi Waxman
Pub Date: May 17, 2022
From the author of and in the same world as The Bookish Life of Nina Hill. Laura Costello goes to LA to start over. What then transpires is not how she would have planned, but she learns things about herself along the way. She ends up in an illegal boardinghouse, and tasked to try to save a trivia team from disgrace. Laura’s not sure she’s cut out for this whole adulting thing, but her new friends Nina, Polly and Bob help her along the way.
This is a quirky, cute, finding your way in the world novel with a little romance. A nice light read while you’re soaking up sun at the beach.
An Island Wedding, by Jenny Colgan
Pub Date: June 21, 2022
On the cute little imaginary Scottish Island of Mure, Flora MacKenzie wants a small carefully planned wedding with her closest friends and loved ones. Not everyone is happy about being excluded and to top it off, gorgeous Olivia MacDonald returns to the island to plan her own astonishly large wedding at the same hotel and on the same day as Flora’s. Can Flora still get her own Happily Ever After?
Jenny Colgan is a delightful author of UK romance. I’ve read The Little Bookshop on the Corner which I loved, so I would vouch for her any day. This is #5 in a series, but I think it can still be read as a standalone.
Husband Material, by Alexis Hall
Pub Date: August 2, 2022
Last but not least, the sequel to Boyfriend Material is released later in the summer. Luc and Oliver pretended to fake be in love to keep Luc’s reputation in check, but then ended up really falling in love and got past all the family turmoil trying to push them apart. Now all of their friends are getting married and Luc is feeling the pressure to propose. Good thing Oliver is perfect husband material!
The first book was adorable, I have a feeling the second will be just as good!
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