Slow Down: 7 Summer Reads from My Cottage Porch

Slowing Down to Read: My Summer Strategy

If you live in a place where the seasons change, it’s probably a unanimous opinion that summer days seem to fly by. I love to read and carving out some specific time to read helps me intentionally slow down and enjoy the season…and a good book or two!

Before we get started on my reading selections, I thought I’d take a moment to share some ways you can slow down and enjoy reading, this summer.

Some of the books on my summer list are books I’ve read and a couple I haven’t yet had the opportunity. I hope you enjoy this list and it gives you loads of slow time!

The Tenant | Freida McFadden

I’m a Freida McFadden fan and her recent book is right up my alley! The Tenant by Freida McFadden centers on Dr. Ava Bradley, who rents out a room in her home after a traumatic past. Her new tenant, Nadine, quickly proves to be unsettling, exhibiting strange behaviors and possessing intimate knowledge of Ava’s life. As Nadine’s presence turns sinister, Ava is forced to confront dark secrets from her past and question her own grasp on reality in this twisty psychological thriller.

The Guest Cottage | Lori Foster

The Guest Cottage by Lori Foster features Shae Love. She is seeking a fresh start after heartbreak and escapes to a secluded guest cottage. Her solitude is interrupted by the arrival of Gabe, the cottage owner’s son and a man battling his own past. Their unexpected connection leads to a journey of healing and finding love in an unlikely place.

One Perfect Couple | Ruth Ware

Imagine five “perfect” couples, hand-picked for a dream reality TV show. They are whisked away to a remote island with a huge prize on the line. Sounds fun, right? In One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware, that dreamy competition quickly turns into a chilling fight for survival when a massive storm hits, completely cutting them off from the world. Suddenly, it’s not just about winning anymore; it’s about staying alive.

People We Meet on Vacation | Emily Henry

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry is on my list to read this summer. The story follows Poppy Wright and Alex Nilsen, who are best friends despite being polar opposites. For a decade, they’ve taken a ridiculously fun summer vacation together, until two years ago, something happened that ruined everything. Now, with a desperate plea from Poppy, they agree to one last trip hoping to mend their fractured friendship. Perhaps finally confront the romantic tension that’s always simmered beneath the surface.

A Dead Draw | Robert Dugoni

A Dead Draw by Robert Dugoni, follows Seattle detective Tracy Crosswhite who finds herself drawn into a cold case. The case is a decades-old murder of a high school cheerleader and aspiring artist. As Tracy digs deeper into the forgotten evidence and long-held secrets of the small town, she uncovers a web of betrayals and lies that might finally lead to justice for the victim.

It’s important to know that Tracy Crosswhite is a recurring character in Dugoni’s popular series. However, A Dead Draw is expertly crafted to be enjoyed as a completely standalone mystery. No prior knowledge of the other books required.

Beach House Rules | Kristy Woodson Harvey

Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey is a warm, emotionally rich beach read about found family, resilience, and the power of women lifting each other up. This book just came out and it is also one that I haven’t yet read but plan to.

The book is about Charlotte Sitterly’s husband who is arrested for financial fraud. She and her teenage daughter Iris are suddenly cut off from their home and savings. Desperate, they relocate to a beachfront former bed-and-breakfast in Juniper Shores, NC. It is also a “mommune” for single mothers facing life upheavals. There, guided by owner Alice Bailey, the women forge deep bonds, leaning on quirky house rules and one another for support.

The Let Them Theory | Mel Robbins

I love Mel Robbins and one of my favorite speakers. In her new book The Let Them Theory Robbins shares a simple yet powerful mantra made famous on social media with just two words “Let Them”. Those two words help set emotional boundaries and shift focus away from things outside your control. She invites readers to stop exhausting themselves trying to manage others’ opinions, drama, or actions, and instead invest that energy in what really matters: their own growth, goals, and peace. If you don’t know who she is, Mel is a New York Times bestselling author, motivational speaker, and podcast host. I encourage you to pick up this book and read it, this summer. It’s life changing!