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Looking for the best books to read on the beach? Here are the beach reads you need for your next vacation.
Reading on a beach is one of life's simple pleasures. The warm breeze, the waves crashing, and no responsibilities.
But what exactly makes a book a great beach read? For me the best beach reads are the books that allow you to escape from reality. This curated list of books feature the perfect summertime distractions that you won't be able to put down. From witty romances to unsolved murders, there is something for everyone.
But, you don't just have to be on a beach to read these, they are great books all year round if you're looking for what to read next.
This post is all about the ultimate beach reads you need to bring on your next vacation.
Beach Reads:
Calla, a 26-year old city girl living in Toronto, travels to remote Alaska to mend her relationship with her father. She meets Jonah, the pilot keeping her father's charter plane company operational. The Simple Wild is a perfectly written enemies to lovers story. It is a must-read romance for your next beach trip.
If you love stories of heroines that stand up to power and learn what they're capable of then this series is for you. Laia must risk her life and fight for the return of her brother who has been arrested for treason. She must choose where she places her trust, as any misstep could result in her execution by the Empire.
Though it sounds heavy, this series is absolutely captivating making it the perfect story to escape to while on vacation. Along with strength and rebellion, the story also features friendship, romance, and trust.
This novel starts in the summer of 1993 and brings back so much nostalgia of what was happening in the world that year and every year after for 28 years.
Another enemies to lovers trope, but with the best rom-com references and fake dating. Liz is a senior in high school and desperately wants to go to prom with Michael. But to do so, she HAS to hang around her frenemy and next-door neighbor, Wes.
This book will have you wanting your own rom-com romance to take off.
This book is the perfect romantic comedy filled with dirty humor and fun. Two best friends, Becky and Janine, have a totally relatable relationship. They have been friends since their freshman year and are now in a place in life where they are ready to spice things up. Becky is in a sexual rut in her marriage and enlists Janine to help. Meanwhile, Janine is back to internet dating after a messy divorce. These two are hilarious and will have you laughing out loud, making it one of the best beach reads.
Available on Kindle Unlimited
If your perfect beach reads are suspenseful thrillers/murder investigations then Don't Believe It is calling your name. Grace is serving a sentence in St. Lucian for the murder of her boyfriend, Julian. The couple was on vacation for their friends destination wedding when Julian is found dead. A documentary journalist named Sydney must uncover the truth of what happened on the island 10 years before. The initial investigation was messy and Donlea delivers a shocking twist that doesn't disappoint.
Available on Kindle Unlimited
Science fiction can be one of the best ways to mentally escape on your vacation. In The Measure all over the world, individuals 22 years and older wake up with a small box on their doorstep. Inside this box is a string which reveals the measure of your life. Erlick follows eight people as they grapple with the knowledge of how long they have to live. The novel is thought provoking and will keep you turning page after page.
In this romance novel, Olivia's ex-boyfriend Caleb has just lost his memory. And Olivia, being the opportunist that she is, attempts to take advantage of the situation to win him back. However, Caleb's new girlfriend isn't backing down. Olivia must fight for what was once hers in a novel that is like watching a train wreck.
Available on Kindle Unlimited
Now if your ideal beach reads are something with sizzling romance and a clumsy, entertaining heroine then you'll want to read the Curse of the Gods series. It is oozing with sexual tension and "romance" scenes. Willa Knight is a dweller (aka slave) and is selected to serve at the school for the magically-blessed beings. Though she is supposed to be subservient, Willa's personality is a bit more quippy than that. She quickly befriends five gods that find her irresistible.
Available on Kindle Unlimited
Abby Jimenez delivers the perfect rom-com. Alexis Montgomery is an ER doctor who comes from a family world-renowned surgeons. But, Alexis doesn't want to follow her families path. When she meets Daniel she starts to realize what is important in life, but worries that her and Daniel can never be more than just a fling. This is a book to laugh, cry, and swoon over making it one of the best beach reads.
Shelby Van Pelt's debut novel, Remarkably Bright Creatures, is the heartfelt novel your beach bag needs.
Tova is recently widowed and decides to start working the night shift at the aquarium to keep her mind busy. She is no stranger to grief and coping. Over thirty years ago her 18-year old son disappeared, but Tova will learn the circumstances surrounding his disappearance from an unlikely source.
It is an incredibly uplifting and heart warming story that you won't want to miss.
From the author of Beach Read and People We Meet on Vacation, Henry delivers what many have called her best book yet. Nora Stephens isn't your typical protagonist in a romance, she's ruthless, unwavering, and kind of rude. Henry describes her as being like "blood dripping from fangs." Someone who aligns more with the villains in a story than the heroes.
On a sister trip away from the busy city, Nora runs into Charlie (who she despises). Which leads to plenty of witty banter and maybe....something more?
Eleanor is completely fine, she goes to her office job 5-days a week, indulges in pizza and alcohol on the weekends, and doesn't have any friends. But, she is totally fine. When people ask you how you are, you're meant to say "fine," you aren't meant to tell them that you cried yourself to sleep the night before. But no one has ever told Eleanor that life should be better than fine.