Best Books To Read This Summer

Is it even a holiday if you aren’t reading on holiday? After summer 2020 was cancelled for many, and 2021 looking a tad different, at least we have books. So, whether you read on the road or plane; by the pool or in your room, reading any of these summer books to read will be perfect.

If you, like many of us, opt to raid our local bookshops in the weeks before travel to find the perfect holiday read. Look no further, here are just some of them coming you should get pre-ordering. (AFF) (This post contains affiliate links, clicking/using this blog earns a small percentage but you pay no more for using them).

Books To Read This Summer

The Split by Laura Kay

Brutally dumped by her girlfriend, Ally is homeless, friendless and jobless… but at least she has Malcolm. Wounded and betrayed, Ally has made off with the one thing she thinks might soothe the pain: Emily’s cat. After a long train journey, she arrives home to her dad in Sheffield. Soon enough, Ally is reunited with her first-ever beard and friend of old, Jeremy. Who is also broken-hearted and living at home again. In an inspired effort to hold each other up, the pair decide to sign up for the local half marathon. In a bid to impress their exes with their commitment and athleticism. Given neither of them can run, they enlist the support of athletic (not to mention beautiful) Jo. But will she have them running for the hills… or will their ridiculous plan pay off…?

A fun, light-hearted read perfect to sip cocktails with. This summer read is filled with friendship and rebuilding at its heart. Plus, the author describes this book as lesbian angst, cake and a horrible cat. So, really, what more could you be looking for?

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Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

With Malibu Rising being released in 2021, it’s expected to be one of the biggest summer reads. But, Taylor Jenkins Reid has been found on holidays for years.

Malibu: August 1983. It’s the day of Nina Riva’s annual end-of-summer party, and anticipation is at a fever pitch. Everyone wants to be around the famous Rivas: Nina, the talented surfer and supermodel; brothers Jay and Hud, one a championship surfer, the other a renowned photographer; and their adored baby sister, Kit. Together, the siblings are a source of fascination in Malibu and the world over-especially as the offspring of the legendary singer, Mick Riva. By midnight the party will be completely out of control.  By morning, the Riva mansion will have gone up in flames.  But before that first spark in the early hours before dawn, the alcohol will flow; the music will play. And the loves and secrets that shaped this family’s generations will all come bubbling to the surface.

No stranger to being read alongside summer drinks, Taylor Jenkins Reid is coming in summer 2021 with a bang.

Released in May 2021.

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You and Me on Vacation by Emily Henry

Two friends, ten summer trips and the last chance to fall in love. Twelve summers ago, Poppy and Alex meet. They hate each other and are pretty confident they’ll never speak again. Eleven summers ago, they’re forced to share a ride home from college. By the end of it, a friendship is formed. And a pact: every year, one vacation together. Ten summers ago, Alex discovers his fear of flying on the way to Vancouver. Poppy holds his hand the whole way. Seven summers ago, they get far too drunk and narrowly avoid getting matching tattoos in New Orleans. Two summers ago, it all goes wrong. This summer, Poppy asks Alex to join her on one last trip, one that’ll determine everything for them.

Emily Henry doesn’t hold back on providing gorgeous romance and a heartfelt story along the way. Another fun holiday read on our books to read list hitting our shelves in May 2021.

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Don’t Breathe a Word by Jordyn Taylor

Another exciting new release hitting us in May 2021, and one that’s been on my pre-order shelf since I first saw it. I can’t wait to sit in my garden, ignoring the dog and delving into this mystery.

Eva has never felt like she belonged… not in her own family or with her friends in New York City. Certainly not at a fancy boarding school like Hardwick Preparatory Academy. So, when she is invited to join the Fives, an elite secret society, she jumps at the opportunity to finally be a part of something. But what if the Fives are about more than just having the best parties. And are also responsible for keeping some of Hardwick’s biggest secrets buried? 1962: There is only one reason why Connie would volunteer to be one of the six students to participate in testing Hardwick’s nuclear fallout shelter: Craig Allenby. While the thought of nuclear war sends her into a panic, she can’t pass up the opportunity to spend four days locked in with the school’s golden boy. However, Connie and the other students quickly discover that there is more to this “test” than they previously thought.
Separated by sixty years, Eva and Connie’s stories become inextricably intertwined as Eva unravels the mystery of how six students went into the fallout shelter all those years ago . . . but only five came out.

Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love Truly Devious. Author Jordyn Taylor weaves an addictive mystery perfect for us, spanning years and uncovering rooted secrets, all ready to be revealed.

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Clap When Your Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

Camino Rios lives for the summers when her father visits her in the Dominican Republic. But this time, on the day when his plane is supposed to land, Camino arrives at the airport to see crowds of crying people…
In New York City, Yahaira Rios is called to the principal’s office. She finds her mother is waiting to tell her that her father, her hero, has died in a plane crash. Separated by distance, the two girls are forced to face a new reality in which their father is dead.

I was gifted a copy last year by my wonderful book club host, and it blew me away.
Written in verse, and in a dual narrative novel, you feel the grief and love left behind for these two girls. It’s a perfect read for this summer as much as it was last year.

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One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

For cynical twenty-three-year-old August, moving to New York City is supposed to prove her right. Like things such as magic and cinematic love stories don’t exist. She can’t imagine how waiting tables at a 24-hour pancake diner and moving in with too many weird roommates could possibly change that. And then, there’s this gorgeous girl on the train.
Jane. Dazzling, charming, mysterious, impossible Jane. With her rough edges and swoopy hair; soft smile, showing up in a leather jacket to save August’s day when she needed it most. There’s one big problem: Jane doesn’t just look like an old school punk rocker. She’s literally displaced in time from the 1970s, and August is going to have to use everything she tried to leave in her own past to help her.

From the same author of Red, White and Royal Blue, One Last Stop is the new release book from Casey McQuiston. Is anyone else just as excited as I am about its release in June 2021?

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You Have A Match by Emma Lord

This book is actually currently flying towards me by mail.

When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it’s mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber.
Best friend to Leo and Connie…although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front. But she didn’t know she’s a younger sister.
When the DNA service reveals Abby has a secret sister, shimmery-haired Instagram star Savannah Tully, it’s hard to believe they’re from the same planet, never mind the same parents — especially considering Savannah, queen of green smoothies, is only a year and a half older than Abby herself. The logical course of action? Meet up at summer camp (obviously) and figure out why Abby’s parents gave Savvy up for adoption.
But there are complications: Savvy is a rigid rule-follower and total narc. Leo is the camp’s co-chef, putting Abby’s growing feelings for him on blast. And her parents have a secret that threatens to unravel everything.

I am so excited to read this, from the author of Tweet Cute Emma Lord brings another book that’ll make us swoon.

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So We Meet Again by Suzanne Park

When investment banker Jessie Kim is laid off in a virtual meeting and then overhears why (“she’s already being overpaid anyway for a woman” and “Asians are worker bees, not someone who can drum up new deals”) she delivers an “eff you guys” speech and storms out. After moving back home to Tennessee to live with her loving but meddling mother and father, she runs into her childhood nemesis—golden child Daniel Choi—at the local Asian grocery store. The smart, charming lawyer appears to have it all…while Jessie has nothing. Jess begrudgingly accepts Daniel’s help to relaunch her long-abandoned Korean cooking YouTube channel: HANGUK HACKS, showcasing easy meal prep for busy professionals. But just as she discovers Daniel’s life isn’t as perfect as it seems and there’s more to him than meets the eye, he shows up for a life-changing business opportunity, and their rivalry is back on . . .

Another soon to be release, and perfect for lying on the grass as you untangle Jessie Kim’s life. I can’t wait to get my grubby hands on this one, and maybe she can teach me something about cooking.

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It Had To Be You by Georgia Clark

For the past twenty years, Liv and Eliot Goldenhorn have run In Love in New York, Brooklyn’s beloved wedding-planning business. When Eliot dies unexpectedly, he even more unexpectedly leaves half of the business to his younger, blonder girlfriend, Savannah. Liv and Savannah are not a match made in heaven, to say the least. But what starts as a personal and professional nightmare transforms into something even savvy, cynical Liv Goldenhorn couldn’t begin to imagine.

Thank you to the publishers for giving me access to an advanced read of this book, and I can say with a hand on heart this is one of the book to read this summer. It’s cute, and romantic; it’s fun and easy to read. For my full review, check out the post here.

The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes by Xio Axelrod

Growing up, Antonia “Toni” Bennett’s guitar was her only companion…until she met Sebastian Quick. Seb was a little older, a lot wiser, and he became Toni’s way out, promising they’d escape their small town together. Then Seb turned eighteen and split without looking back. Now, Toni B is all grown up and making a name for herself in Philadelphia’s indie rock scene. When a friend suggests she try out for the hottest new band in the country, she decides to take a chance. She’s in for a surprise when one of the decision-makers turns out to be none other than Seb. Toni can handle it. No problem. Or it wouldn’t be if Seb didn’t still hold a piece of her heart, not to mention the key to her future.

Released in June 2021, this book is a heart wrenching tail with highs and lows of self-discovery. It’s an emotional read, so be prepared to wear sunglasses when reading.

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Beach Read by Emily Henry

Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction. January Andrews writes bestselling romance. When she pens a happily ever after, he kills off his entire cast. They’re polar opposites. In fact, the only thing they have in common is that for the next three months, they’re living in neighbouring beach houses, broke, and bogged down with writer’s block. Until, one hazy evening, one thing leads to another and they strike a deal designed to force them out of their creative ruts. Augustus will spend the summer writing something happy, and January will pen the next Great American Novel. She’ll take him on field trips worthy of any rom-com montage, and he’ll take her to interview surviving members of a backwoods death cult (obviously). Everyone will finish a book and no one will fall in love. Really.

It’s in the title, I had to include it. It was one of my favourite’s and one I’ll be recommending. Although, very little beach in my opinion. But an overall sweet and funny rom-com I thoroughly enjoyed.

Purchases Here From Waterstones

There are likely so many more summer books to read, and even more, I’ll come across. Summer, whether that is staying in your own country this year, can still be like it has been. We can swap pool sides for gardens or parks; we can drink cocktails with umbrellas in deck chairs over beach chairs.

Let me know if you’ve got a suggestion for me to add to the list of summer books to read, or which ones you’re most excited for below.