These 2025 Summer Reads Belong in Your Beach Bag
Looking for your next great summer book? These are the top summer reads to pack in your bag and unwind with this season.
Do you love to read? We definitely do. Sometimes it’s via audiobook, but other times its nice to have the peace and quiet of reading an actual book. In the summer though, we find ourselves looking for all the good romance or thriller novels to bring with us to the pool or the beach. There’s just something about summer that makes reading feel extra special… maybe it’s the slower pace or all the extra time outside, but either way, we’ve got the perfect recommendations for you this summer that you’ll love.
This list is a mix of books we’ve either read and loved or one’s that are on our must-read list too. If you’re ready to refresh your reading list, here are the titles worth grabbing this summer.
Summer Reads 2025: Books Worth Binging This Summer
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We love a good romance novel, but if you’re looking for a slow read… these are not that. You’ll be so into these stories that you’ll most likely finish them within the weekend. These are SUCH good reads and because we’re all about making your life easier, every book on this list is linked straight to Amazon so you can throw it in your cart and move on with your day. Let’s dive in!
One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
I absolutely loved this story. It’s the perfect summer read. It gives beach air, second chances, and long summer nights you never want to end. Carley Fortune is such a great writer and definitely knows how to write the kind of romance that feels like a memory. This particular story pulls you in with its warmth and nostalgia, and it’s perfect for anyone who loves emotional stories without all the drama. Plus, when you’re done with this one, you have to read the story of Sam and Percy in Every Summer After too!
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
I adored this book. It actually came out last summer I think, but it’s worth adding to your list. Every time I read her books, I find myself laughing out loud and tears of joy running down my face. Sounds dramatic, but seriously. Abby Jimenez always brings a mix of heart and humor, and this one is no different. It’s great for moms who want something light but still meaningful.
The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros
You might recognize this authors name because she’s actually the writer of the Fourth Wing too! Apparently, she’s very versatile in how the romance shoes up because this book is amazing. It weaves together two timelines with a deep love story and real emotional weight. It’s one of those reads that lingers with you long after you finish, AND it has an awesome twist at the end that you’ll never see coming!
Things We Never Got Over (Knockemout) by Lucy Score
This whole series was one of my favorites. If you love a small town romance with just enough drama and a whole lot of heart, you’ll fly through this. Lucy Score has a way of making you fall in love with every character, even the grumpy ones. This is a great pick for poolside reading or when you just want to escape into a different world for a bit.
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
I have not read this one yet, but it has been getting rave reviews and Emily Henry is such a great writer. This one just came out, so if you’re a fan of stories that feel deeply personal and beautifully written, this is one to add to your list. According to what I read, it’s the kind of book that makes you want to underline everything and recommend it to everyone, which clearly people are doing because it’s on the list!
What is reading without getting the heart pumping right?! The beauty of most of these stories is that they aren’t going to scare you into not sleeping, but they will keep you interested the whole way through. Let’s dive into our recommendations for our other favorite reads, the mystery thrillers.
The Teacher by Freida McFadden
I absolutely loved this book. It’s a little dark, twisty, and impossible to put down. If you like stories with unreliable narrators and jaw-dropping moments, this one’s going to be your new favorite. It’s great if you are looking for something fast-paced to tear through during a weekend at the lake, or honestly, just while hiding from the chaos in the car line. And the twist at the end… SO GOOD!
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
We read this as part of our book club and it was so good. It’s a classic psychological thriller and the plot unfolds slowly but with purpose, leading to one of the best twists we’ve ever read. It’s a great read for those rare moments when you can actually sit down and lose yourself in a story for a few hours.
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
If you’ve ever loved a Reese’s Book Club pick, you’ll probably love this too. We just started following her on the ‘gram and she does choose some awesome titles. This one was super quick pacing, and just the right amount of suspense. It’s the kind of story that makes you want to keep reading just one more chapter. You’ll definitely want to grab this one when you are traveling, for pool days, or really any day you need a good distraction.
King of Ashes by S. A. Cosby
We have not read this one yet, but we hear it is a really great read. According to what we read, this is one of those gritty novels that dive into high-stakes drama and complicated characters with style. It’s written to be super suspenseful, raw, and with edge. Definitely a change of pace from lighter reads, but loved by so many who read it. It’s definitely on our list!
The Quiet Librarian by Allen Eskens
This is another one that we haven’t read yet, but it is based on a true story, which is always fun to read. This historical fiction novel is said to be a quieter read but powerful at the same time. It takes a look at bravery, sacrifice, and standing up for what’s right, even when it’s hard. If you like thoughtful stories with real depth, this one is worth adding to your list.
We love a good romance or mystery and there’s no better feeling than getting lost in a good book, especially during summer. These summer reads are the perfect mix of emotional, exciting, and binge-worthy, and they’re all mom-approved for a reason. If you need a break from the noise or just want something good to bring on vacation, these books totally deliver. Which one are you reading first? Or is there a book you think we need to add to our summer list? Let us know in the comments.
More Summer Fun
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