Sun, sand, and the sound of pages turning – this year’s standout summer reads promise stories that shimmer with wit, warmth, and a touch of adventure. From seaside thrillers to tender escapes, these ten books are made for lazy afternoons and long golden evenings by the shore.
What you consider to be a “beach read” or what you bring to the pool is totally up to you. It could be a gripping thriller, a swoon-worthy romance, or anything in between. The most important thing about a good summer read is that it should be a book you don’t want to put down (even if you really need to put on another layer of sunscreen).
So grab your sun hat, your pool floaties, and your SPF, and take a look at the AELGAMES-flavored summer books below.
Happy Place by Emily Henry
Emily Henry’s Happy Place blends humor, longing, and summer nostalgia in a story about exes who pretend to be together during an annual vacation with friends. Set against a coastal backdrop, it captures the tension between love lost and love rediscovered, making it an ideal companion for lazy beach afternoons.
If Riley Sager is the king of summer thrillers, then it’s fair to say that Emily Henry, with titles like Beach Read and People We Meet on Vacation already under her belt, is the uncontested queen of summer romance novels. Equal parts sweet and spicy, her latest novel, Happy Place, is a second-chance romance with a plethora of classic tropes – fake dating, there’s only one bed, etc. – that will have you squealing in delight and sighing dreamily in equal measure.
Alternating between past and present timelines, Happy Place explores a tightly knit group of friends who have spent each summer together at a cottage in Maine. Things are a bit different this time around, though. The cottage is tragically up for sale, and Harriet and Wyn, while outwardly still a perfect couple, have yet to tell their friends that they broke up five months ago. In order to have one last perfect week with their friends, Harriet and Wyn strike a deal: They’ll put aside their differences and share one of the cottage’s guest bedrooms. To make matters infinitely more complicated, romantic feelings are rekindled as their time together comes to a close.
Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
Riley Sager’s Home Before Dark blends a chilling haunted house story with a gripping family mystery. The novel follows a woman who returns to a Victorian mansion her father made famous in his bestselling book about their supposed paranormal experiences. As she begins to restore the house, buried secrets and eerie events challenge everything she thought she knew. Perfect for readers who enjoy a touch of suspense with their summer getaway.
Twenty-five years ago, in the middle of the night, Maggie Holt’s family fled the rambling Victorian estate where they lived. What drove them away after the three short weeks they spent there? Is there any credibility to her father’s controversial memoir, House of Horrors? Why can’t Maggie seem to remember the events of that fateful evening? Now a restorer of old homes herself, Maggie has returned and is determined to find some answers in the wake of her father’s death.
Maggie’s homecoming is unfortunately (and somewhat unsurprisingly) a far from welcome one. The locals are less than thrilled to see her, reporters are lurking around every corner, and something much more sinister seems to be stalking the dust-coated halls of her childhood home.
Riley Sager has truly cornered the market on summertime thrillers that are perfect for reading at the beach, by the pool, or sitting at home with the air conditioning turned all the way up. They’re fun, fast-paced, and full of twists that you won’t see coming. Home Before Dark, at its core an homage to classic gothic novels, is not to be missed.
Ghost Wall by Sarah Moss
Sarah Moss’s Ghost Wall is a haunting and gripping short novel that blends past and present with chilling precision. Set during an experimental archaeology trip in rural England, it follows a teenage girl whose father’s obsession with ancient rituals and control creates a tense, claustrophobic atmosphere. Moss captures themes of power, belonging, and violence in prose that feels immediate and unsettling-perfect for readers who like their summer reading sharp and thought-provoking.
Set during a brutally hot summer in the marshes of rural Northumberland, England, Ghost Wall tells the story of 17-year-old Silvie and the rapidly deteriorating relationship she has with her family. Her domineering father’s fascination with Iron Age Britons has brought them to a university-funded encampment run by an archaeologist who is a little too invested in the region’s dark history. As Silvie spends more time with the archaeologist’s students, and as her father becomes increasingly violent, she begins to catch glimpses of a future for herself that she didn’t know was possible.
Though it’s only 152 pages, don’t let the size of this book fool you. It’s a heavy read, and Sarah Moss expertly ratchets up the disquiet and encroaching sense of dread with each page as the past blends seamlessly with the present.
Lucky Red by Claudia Cravens
Set in the gritty streets of nineteenth-century Texas, Lucky Red follows Bridget, a sharp-witted young woman who finds herself working in a frontier brothel after a string of misfortunes. Claudia Cravens builds a vivid, fast-paced tale of survival, loyalty, and self-discovery, blending Western adventure with raw emotional depth. The result is a bold, heartfelt novel that feels both timeless and refreshingly modern-perfect for a long afternoon by the sea.
Lucky Red by Claudia Cravens is, hands down, one of my favorite books hitting shelves this summer. It’s an action-packed story of desire, and a delightfully queer subversion of the Western genre that puts a charismatic and sharp-tongued harlot front and center. If you watched Westworld and Maeve was your favorite character, then this book is for you.
Best described as True Grit by way of Sarah Waters, Lucky Red is set in the heart of the American West during the late 1800s and tells the story of Bridget, a young woman who finds herself penniless and alone after her father’s untimely death. Not one to wallow in self-pity, Bridget makes her way to Dodge City, where she is recruited to work at a brothel called the Buffalo Queen. The pay is good, the clientele (though utterly boring) treat her well, and she enjoys the company of the other women who work there. But Bridget’s life is, once again, turned on its head when the notorious female gunslinger, Spartan Lee, comes to town.
You’ll feel grit in your teeth and smell gunsmoke in the air by the end of this book (although that might just be sand from the beach and someone setting off fireworks in the distance).
Looking Glass Sound by Catriona Ward
Catriona Ward’s Looking Glass Sound blurs memory and reality in a haunting seaside town where a writer’s past refuses to stay buried. The novel weaves suspense with deep emotional tension, unraveling secrets that ripple through friendship, guilt, and artistic obsession. Perfect for readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with gothic undertones, it’s a story best read under the sun while feeling a chill that has nothing to do with the ocean breeze.
If you’re anything like me, the middle of summer is your favorite time to read books that send a chill down your spine. There’s truly no better time to tell scary stories than when you’re up late, sitting around a bonfire on the beach with your friends or camping in the middle of the woods.
Set along the toothy coast of Maine in a quiet, picturesque coastal town, Catriona Ward’s latest psychological thriller, Looking Glass Sound, begins with the unpublished memoir of a young man by the name of Wilder Harlow. As Wilder attempts to recount the summer months he spent exploring Whistler Bay with his friends and telling stories about a serial killer known only as the Dagger Man, fact and fiction begin to blur together. Readers will question every word as Ward expertly weaves together an enigmatic story of friendship, young love, obsession, and horror.
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
Tia Williams’s Seven Days in June blends humor, passion, and vulnerability in a story about two writers reunited after years apart. Set against the sultry backdrop of a New York summer, their rekindled connection brings unresolved emotions and creative sparks to the surface. With sharp wit and genuine emotion, the novel explores second chances, self-discovery, and the healing power of love.
There’s truly no better way to spend a hot, hazy summer day than sitting by the pool reading a copy of Tia Williams’ steamy, contemporary romance novel, Seven Days in June.
Over the course of just seven days, Seven Days in June tells the story of Shane, an award-winning literary author who enjoys keeping to himself, and Eva, a single mother and bestselling erotica writer. Their chemistry is undeniably electric – this book truly sizzles from start to finish – but what their friends and loved ones don’t know is that Shane and Eva share a past. Twenty years ago they spent a sultry week together, and the pair haven’t been able to move on from the time they spent together since. In fact, Eva and Shane are so hung up on each other that they’ve been secretly writing about each other in their books.
When a chance encounter reunites them and exposes their connection to New York’s literary scene, Eva and Shane will be forced to face past mistakes and what, if anything, the future holds for them.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Set in 1950s Mexico, Mexican Gothic follows a glamorous socialite who travels to a crumbling mansion to rescue her cousin from a mysterious and menacing family. Silvia Moreno-Garcia masterfully blends horror, suspense, and lush historical detail, creating a chilling atmosphere that feels both gothic and deeply modern. With its rich prose and unsettling twists, this novel is a perfect choice for those who enjoy a haunting story under the summer sun.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a strange and sumptuous book that follows in the footsteps of the gothic tales that preceded it while still managing to turn the genre on its head in the most mind-boggling and mushroom-filled way.
Drawing from scandalous stories full of madness, sex, and murder, as well as the dark side of Mexico’s history, Mexican Gothic begins when Noemí Taboada’s father receives an unsettling letter from her cousin. Despite Noemí’s reservations – she much prefers parties to detective work – she heads to High Place, the distant estate that her cousin and her cousin’s mysterious English family have been calling home. What she discovers waiting for her there is equal parts menacing and alluring, and it will take all of Noemí’s willpower to make it back home in one piece.
Shark Heart: A Love Story by Emily Habeck
Emily Habeck’s Shark Heart: A Love Story blends magical realism with raw emotion, following a newlywed couple whose marriage is tested when the husband begins transforming into a great white shark. The novel moves between heartbreak and wonder, exploring devotion, identity, and the ways love adapts to impossible change. Its lyrical prose and surreal premise make it a moving, unforgettable read for warm summer afternoons.
If Shark Week has taught us anything, it’s that shark sightings are only natural during the summer. Sharks are an important part of the marine ecosystem and, while they might look menacing, are generally harmless to humans. So what would happen if, without any clear medical explanation, a person were to begin turning into a shark? This is the question that Emily Habek poses in her stunning and exceedingly strange debut novel, Shark Heart.
The first year of marriage is said to be the hardest, and newlywed couple Lewis and Wren face their greatest challenge yet when it is revealed that Lewis is going through the early stages of a rare carcharodon carcharias mutation. Lewis, in a transformation that is strangely reminiscent of Animorphs, is slowly turning into a great white shark. Wren is, understandably, devastated by the news, and begins to wonder if there is any way for her and Lewis to still be together when he is no longer human.
In many ways, Shark Heart feels like this summer’s answer to 2022’s runaway hit Our Wives Under the Sea. It’s as romantic as it is disquieting. Emily Habek clearly enjoys describing Lewis’ bones turning to cartilage in vivid detail and tugging at her reader’s heartstrings in equal measure.
Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs by Jamie Loftus
Jamie Loftus serves up a hilarious and surprisingly heartfelt exploration of America’s favorite processed meat. Mixing travel writing with social commentary, she traces the cultural, historical, and emotional meaning behind the humble hot dog-from small-town stands to competitive eating events. It’s weird, smart, and sharp, making it a perfect pick for anyone who likes their nonfiction both funny and unapologetically strange.
Love ’em or hate ’em, for many people, hot dogs are a staple of summer. They can be found at pool parties, baseball games, picnics, backyard barbeques, and at the beach. And now, thanks to Jamie Loftus, the history of hot dogs – ranging from Kayem to red snappers – is essential summer reading.
Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs is a positively delightful cross-country investigation into the cultural significance of hot dogs. Through a mix of her signature humor, reporting, and taste-testing, Loftus creates a truly unique travelog that digs into the strange (and sometimes violent) history that hot dogs are steeped in.
Butts: A Backstory by Heather Radke
Heather Radke’s Butts: A Backstory blends social history, science, and personal narrative to trace how culture has shaped the way we view and value the human backside. With sharp wit and thoughtful research, Radke examines body image, race, gender, and media, revealing how something seemingly lighthearted reflects deeper social norms and desires. It’s a fascinating, smart read perfect for sparking conversation under the sun.
Summer is the time of year when people are wearing their shortest shorts and their smallest bathing suits, so what better way to celebrate everyone’s best assets than with a book about the relationship we have with our rear ends?
Through a combination of her tongue-in-cheek wit and thorough investigative reporting, Heather Radke explores our obsession with and the cultural importance of one particular body part. Butts takes readers from 19th-century London to the gym scene of the 1980s to the present day, all the while critically tackling larger subjects such as race, desire, and bodily autonomy as they have changed over the years.
Best beach reads in 2025 for a relaxing vacation
Beach reads for 2025 vacations emphasize escapist romances, thrillers, and feel-good fiction with sunny settings like lakesides, islands, and coastal resorts. These picks highlight popular recommendations from blogs and lists, focusing on page-turners perfect for relaxation.
Top Romances
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One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune: A nostalgic friends-to-lovers story set by a dreamy lake, full of banter and second chances.
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Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry: Writers unravel life’s messy bits in a warm, feel-good tale from the beach read queen.
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Funny Story by Emily Henry: Enemies-to-lovers with laughs and sweetness, ideal for light beach vibes.
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Total Dreamboat by Katelyn Doyle: Bantery rom-com on a Caribbean cruise with meet-cutes and forced proximity.
Thrillers and Mysteries
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Salt Water by Katy Hays: Slow-burn family secrets and murder in atmospheric Capri, blending drama and intrigue.
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The Bachelorette Party by Camilla Sten: Suspenseful secrets erupt during a wild weekend getaway.
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Everyone Is Lying To You by Jo Piazza: Twisty thriller on social media influencers and tradwives with dark secrets.
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With A Vengeance by Riley Sager: Fast-paced suspense perfect for one-sitting reads.
Feel-Good Fiction
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Other People’s Summers by Sarah Morgan: Lakeside friendship, forgiveness, and fresh starts.
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Salty by Kate Myers: Yacht drama with sister antics, revenge, and humor like White Lotus meets Below Deck.
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The Wedding People by Alison Espach: Witty seaside romance with emotional depth.
These selections capture 2025’s hottest relaxing vacation reads, blending nostalgia, spice, and twists for sandy downtime.
Which 2025 beach reads are light romcoms
2025 beach reads with light romcom vibes focus on witty banter, sunny settings, and feel-good tropes like friends-to-lovers or enemies-to-lovers, perfect for breezy vacation laughs.
Top Light Romcoms
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First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison: A jaded radio host and hopeless romantic spark via a viral call-in, inspired by Sleepless in Seattle with meet-cute charm.
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One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune: Nostalgic friends-to-lovers on a vivid lakeside summer, packed with humor, banter, and bucket-list fun.
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Back After This by Linda Holmes: Podcasting world meet-cute explores modern dating in a smart, heartfelt romantic comedy.
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Total Dreamboat by Katelyn Doyle: Bantery cruise-ship romcom with forced proximity and sun-soaked delight.
Additional Easy Laughs
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Funny Story by Emily Henry: Enemies-to-lovers hijinks with clever sweetness and beach-bag lightness.
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Friends to Lovers by Sally Blakely: Childhood friends reunite on the Oregon coast amid wedding season, channeling Emily Henry vibes.
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Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry: Witty writers navigate life’s mess in another airy, laugh-out-loud hit.
These picks deliver escapist humor and romance without heavy drama, drawing from 2025’s standout lists.
