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There’s something about the arrival of warmer weather that turns me into a reading fiend. Perhaps it’s the longer days or the never-ending call to sit outside on my patio. Whatever the case may be, the best books for this time of year require only one thing: my undivided attention. When I think of a quintessential “beach read,” I define it as a book I simply can’t put down. Today, I’m sharing a few of my favorites — plus a few I’m excited to dive into!
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The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
I love a book that can pull me out of a reading slump, and Freida McFadden’s The Housemaid did just that earlier this year. A certified page-turner, this thrilling mystery follows the life of Millie Calloway, who’s recently been released from prison and is in desperate need of a new job.
The very wealthy Winchester family soon hires Millie as their new live-in housemaid, but it doesn’t take long for her to notice their odd (and extremely frustrating) behavior. From Nina Winchester’s erratic and inconsistent personality to Andrew Winchester’s not-so-subtle flirting, Millie soon wonders, “Who on Earth am I working for?”
The Housemaid is one of those books that will stay with you for days after you finish reading. Offering a handful of plot twists, you’re never quite sure what is reality or who is telling the truth. Oh, and good luck not immediately buying the rest of the series after reading this one …
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
I recommend this book to fans of Fredrik Backman (author of another one of my personal favorites, A Man Called Ove), as it’s another quirky novel that follows an unexpected hero.
Eleanor Oliphant is a socially awkward financial clerk who spends her weekends indulging in frozen pizza and (probably too much) vodka. With a troubled past, she spends most of her time alone and doesn’t care to interact with strangers much. That is until she sparks an unlikely friendship with one of her coworkers, Raymond Gibbons.
As the story unfolds, so does Eleanor’s complicated and troubling past, which makes for a pretty captivating book (despite how seemingly unremarkable Eleanor is on the surface). It’s a witty tale of the impact of loneliness, the need for companionship, and the importance of mental well-being.
Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn
Despite taking place at a lakeside resort, Catch and Keep still makes for a fantastic beach read. The book follows 33-year-old Maren Laughlin, who finds herself at a crossroads.
After losing both her long-time boyfriend and dream job, she returns to the Wisconsin cabin resort where her family used to vacation in the summer. Hoping to fix up an old bait shop while she’s there, Maren runs into her brother’s best friend (who also happens to be her childhood crush), Josiah Cole. The two strike up a friendship … and then some.
While Catch and Keep is definitely your stereotypical enemies-to-lovers trope, there is so much more to the story. It’s a journey about self-discovery, falling in love with yourself, and navigating relationships as an adult. Not to mention, you’ll be instantly transported to a beautiful lake in Northwoods, Wisconsin.
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
On the other hand, if you are looking for a book that takes place near a beach, consider reading Malibu Rising (if you haven’t already!). The book follows the famous Riva siblings, Nina, Jay, Hud, and Kit.
Set in 1983, the story alternates between the present, where the siblings are throwing an over-the-top Malibu party that will change their lives forever, and the past, which details their complicated family history.
This book introduced me to Taylor Jenkins Reid and immediately hooked me on her writing style. She does an incredible job of creating a world of complex characters you love and hate. Malibu Rising is an emotional book that will make you laugh, cry, and everything in between. It’s a beautiful — and somewhat heartbreaking — story of family, fame, betrayal, and love.
To Be Read: Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
Ann Patchett’s Tom Lake has been on my “To Read” list for quite some time, and based on the synopsis, I think it would make for a great beach read. The book centers around a woman named Lara in the spring of 2020. As she quarantines at her family’s cherry orchard, her three adult daughters beg her to recount her whirlwind romance with famous actor Pete Duke. Not only does this encourage Lara to reflect on her own life choices, but her daughters begin to think about their own lives and the relationships they share with their mother.
To Be Read: The Wedding People by Alison Espach
Don’t let the premise fool you: The Wedding People is a surprisingly uplifting blend of humor and heart. I keep seeing rave reviews for this book on social media, where it’s said to be a beautiful mix of loss, love, and self-discovery.
The story centers around the distraught Phoebe Stone, who has checked into a Rhode Island hotel for a very dark reason: to take her own life. While checking in, Phoebe is mistaken for a guest at a wedding that the hotel is also hosting. As she interacts with the other guests throughout the weekend, Phoebe begins to confide in them and reflect on her past. Through these connections, she finds a restored sense of hope and comfort.
To Be Read: Selling Sexy: Victoria’s Secret and the Unraveling of an American Icon by Lauren Sherman and Chantal Fernandez
Switching gears a bit, I’ve recently been obsessed with diving deep into significant moments from pop culture history, and I think Selling Sexy will help satisfy my craving to learn even more.
The book follows the rise and fall of the famous lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret, which went from a small retail boutique to a multi-million-dollar brand to a has-been business that failed to adapt to societal standards. In addition to analyzing some of the brand’s biggest successes and controversies, the book highlights how Victoria’s Secret played a critical role in society’s perceptions of sexuality and femininity.
To Be Read: Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
This may be my most anticipated read of 2025, as I could wax poetic about Emily Henry for hours. Set to release in April, Great Big Beautiful Life follows two writers who jet off to an island to compete to pen the biography of a famous woman the world has not seen in years. (I think it’s also safe to assume that they may fall in love, as this is dubbed a romance novel, after all.)
As I anxiously await the book’s arrival, I’ve been checking reviews to see what people are saying about the advanced copies of Great Big Beautiful Life they’ve received. Here’s one I found on GoodReads that sums up Emily Henry’s books perfectly …
“Something about Emily Henry’s books always gives me a sense of déjà vu. It’s this almost nostalgic feeling of reading a new-to-you book that feels so familiar. It makes for a really comforting reading experience.”
Happy reading!
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