5 Beach Reads: Books for the Perfect Summer Getaway

Who is ready for the beach? With refreshing dips in your favorite body of water, the calming sound of waves, every sandy trip must include the perfect beach read! Dive into my list of 5 beach reads, books that will be the perfect companions for your summer getaway!

“Let’s be reasonable and add an eighth day to the week that is devoted exclusively to reading.” – Lena Dunham

Dive into Summer with These 5 Beach Reads!

Alas…summer is finally here at Cottage in the Mitten! I traded in my cozy blankets (and I have alot of those) for beach towels, cold drinks, and some new refreshing reads! Sadly, I’ve paused my book club for the last few months, but I’m hoping to start again this fall. If you don’t belong to a book club, and would like to start your own, check out my post on 7 Easy Ways to Host a Book Club. Without a doubt, it is always such a fun gathering!

Now, grab your favorite sunscreen and dive into my list of 5 captivating beach reads that will transport you on your way to unforgettable summer adventures!

A Happier Life | Kristy Woodson Harvey

I just received this one in the mail and can’t wait to read it!

A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey tells the story of Keaton Smith who is desperate for a fresh start. This is a feel-good novel about a woman stuck in a rut. She finds the courage to pursue her dreams of opening a bookstore after inheriting her grandmother’s beach cottage. Self-discovery, unexpected friendships, and a second chance at love are all waiting for her!

Kristy Woodson Harvey is a fan favorite and I’m sure this book will not disappoint!

The book A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey. The cover shows a woman laying by the beach in a small town. Part of my 5 Beach Reads: Books for the Perfect Summer Getaway series.

Swan Song | Elin Hilderbrand

I’ve never read a book by this author that I didn’t love!

Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand is set on the island of Nantucket. The idyllic summer season takes a dramatic turn with the arrival of a wealthy, mysterious family. A lavish party, a suspicious fire, and a missing person unravel a web of secrets, forcing a retiring police chief to confront hidden truths and a potential crime that rocks the close-knit island community.

After writing 27 books based on the Massachusetts island of Nantucket, Elin recently revealed that this book will be the last of her summer-themed novels. She is moving on to writing with her daughter. I’m sad to see the series go, but anxious to read her new stuff.

The novel Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand. The cover of the book shows a woman diving into the lake from a sail boat.

The Summer House | James Patterson

What would my summer book recommendations be without one or two thrillers? If you’ve been here for any length of time, you know I love a good mystery or thrill seeking book!

In James Patterson’s thriller, The Summer House, a brutal massacre leaves seven dead in a once-grand lakeside house now known as the Murder House. The finger points at four recently returned Army Rangers, nicknamed the Night Ninjas. Veteran investigator Major Jeremiah Cook, with his own NYPD background, is sent in to uncover the truth.

Facing resistance from a tight-lipped local sheriff and suspicious evidence, Cook’s team delves deeper. As they uncover inconsistencies, they realize powerful forces are at play, determined to bury the truth alongside the victims. Cook must race against time to find the real killer, even if it means confronting his own dark past.

The book cover of The Summer House by James Patterson. The cover shows a house sitting on a bluff near the water. Part of my 5 Beach Reads: Books for the Perfect Summer Getaway

All the Days of Summer | Nancy Thayer

All the Days of Summer by Nancy Thayer tells the story of Heather Willette, a woman in a comfortable but unfulfilling life. Her marriage has lost its spark, and her son is about to graduate college. Feeling lost, Heather decides to take charge and rents a cottage on Nantucket for the summer, in hopes of rediscovering herself.

Complicating Heather’s fresh start, her son Ross, throws a wrench in her plans by deciding to move to Nantucket himself to be with his girlfriend. Heather has to navigate living on the same island as her son and his girlfriend, while also forging a new life for herself. The summer promises self-discovery, new connections, and maybe even a second chance at love.

The novel All the Days of Summer by Nancy Thayer. The cover shows a small Nantucket house on the water flanked with beautiful blue hydrangeas.

Middle of the Night | Riley Sager

I haven’t read Middle of the Night by Riley Sager, however, it is tops on my summer beach read list!

This novel follows Ethan Marsh who is haunted by a childhood trauma. The trauma is the unsolved disappearance of his best friend. Ethan returns home and confronts the unsolved disappearance of his best friend, encountering strange occurrences that blur the lines between memory, grief, and the supernatural.

Oooh, sounds so good!