Since we are nearing the end of this school year, that means summer break is right around the corner! Many people like to chill over the summer, whether that be at the pool or at the beach. While you are relaxing by the water, it is nice to read a good book!
The first book I would recommend is Beach Read by Emily Henry, and even though the title is ironic, it is a great romance read! Beach Read is about two authors who happened to be in neighboring beach houses for the summer. January Andrews is a romance author who no longer believes in love and Augustus Everett is a literary writer stuck in a rut. Since they are both struggling with writer’s block, they challenge each other to write in the opposite genre. In doing this, they get to experience the other world while also tackling their own personal struggles.
Beach Read in all honesty is a great beach read, and it covers some difficult topics while still being a cute romantic novel. I just love the way Emily Henry writes because she makes you fall in love with the characters. I would also recommend Emily Henry’s other books, such as People We Meet On Vacation since there is currently a film adaptation happening.
The second book I would recommend is Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid which won the Goodreads Choice Award for Readers’ Favorite Historical Fiction in 2021. Malibu Rising follows the Riva siblings annual end of the summer party in 1983, which forces them to confront their family’s history and secrets. By the next morning, the mansion will be up in flames, but before that happens, the party will be flowing and secrets will be spilling.
Initially, I saw this book and never wanted to read it because I had seen it all over the internet and thought it was overhyped, but I was wrong. Since the book revolves around the four siblings and their absent father, we get different points of view which helps to understand the story from all angles. The author goes back and forth from present day to the past which gives readers understanding to why the characters act the way they do, which I loved. My favorite thing about this book is the connection the siblings have because it is very heartwarming to read. If you are a historical fiction fan and enjoy some drama, I would recommend Malibu Rising.
The next book I would recommend is The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther, which is a young adult, contemporary romance. The Summer of Broken Rules surrounds the main character Meredith Fox who goes to Martha’s Vineyard every summer with her family. This is the first summer back after her sister’s death, and Meredith’s emotions are still running high. Every year her family plays a game of “assassin” with water guns so it is a great distraction. Meredith initially joins the game to honor her sister, but it quickly becomes more than that when she meets a handsome and charming groomsman. This novel is about grief, healing, love, and letting go, all wrapped up in a fun, summer vibe.
The Summer of Broken Rules was one of my favorite reads from last summer and I will never stop recommending it. The plot and story overall just blended so well and I couldn’t put it down. All of the characters in this novel were all so likeable and I just found myself lost in the story. This story was just so beautiful and heartwarming, but it also has some comedic parts which makes a great mixture.
The last book I am recommending is We Were Liars by E. Lockhart, and it is a young adult mystery thriller. This story is centered around the wealthy Sinclair family who spend their summers on a private island. More specifically, the main character is Cadence who is suffering from a head injury and is trying to remember the details from last summer. As the story progresses, Cadence tries to piece together her missing memories and uncovers secrets and the truth about the tragic events that unfolded that summer.
We Were Liars was a great first thriller mystery to read. I enjoyed the way this story unraveled and I was interested all throughout trying to figure out what actually happened. It was such a clever book, given that it is a YA mystery thriller and that most people didn’t like it. However, I did enjoy this book because it was tragic yet beautiful.
Whether you are a bookworm or not, you should give reading a chance, especially reading by the beach!
