Hot Girls Read This Summer
Must-haves for this summer’s beach reads & book clubs.
BY ALLY LAIN-HEDDEN ☆ JUNE 16, 2021
Every summer, I spend countless hours searching for the absolute perfect beach read. Since it can be challenging to find new books, I decided to put together a list of some of my favorites and need to read summer books. From romance to thriller and your everyday classics, I hope this list of books helps you find your perfect summer book.
Credit: Amazon
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
Emily Henry does not mess around with her ability to make us fall in love with her books. Both opposites but somehow best-friends Poppy and Alex love to travel, but two years ago everything changed. Poppy in need of some dire happiness, spontaneously asks her old friend to go on one more vacation. Surprisingly, he says yes but will their trip end in success or failure? This read will have you feeling all the emotions and having you laughing at times. Could not get enough of it and perfect for a beach trip or plane ride. Plus, who does not love a cute romance read that has a bright and cute cover.
Credit: Amazon
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Warning: This book does dive into sensitive topics of self-harm that some readers may find hard to read. If you're in need of a book for a long drive or flight, then Matt Haigs, The Midnight Library is perfect for you. Haig beautifully describes the story of Nora Seed, who finds herself stuck in the Midnight Library, a world in between life and death. Nora is granted the possibility to make new choices about her life that may change it all. With multiple possible outcomes, Nora must look within herself to find her true happiness and purpose in life. While this read discusses sensitive topics, it also teaches us to live life to its fullest.
Credit: Amazon
My Policeman by Bethan Roberts
As a die-hard Harry Styles fan, it’s only fitting to include the book of the movie he’s set to play the lead role in. Roberts describes to us a love story between Marion, Tom, and Patrick that is filled with heartache, and frustration. But he also displays the violence, suffering, and discrimination members of the LGBTQ+ faced in the 1950s. Because of the incredible writing, you can empathize with the characters so hard that you feel like you’re a part of the story. Highly encouraged to read with a box of tissues nearby and listen to Meet Me in the Hallway after you finish the read.
Credit: Amazon
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Everything that Taylor Swift's “Love Story” makes us feel, Pride and Prejudice does the same. A classic love story that follows the Bennet family which includes five unmarried sisters who all vary in personality and desires. Our leading lady Elizabeth Bennet, the second daughter, is not afraid to speak her mind and refuses to let any man change them. While our first encounter with Mr. Darcy may not be the best, we soon learn to love him. This enemies-to-lover love story is like no other and will have you laughing, crying, and craving your very own Mr. Darcy. No matter how many times I read this book, it never gets old because Austen's writing and characters are flawless.
Credit: Amazon
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Filled with juicy secrets, family drama, an epic party, and time travel, Malibu Rising will have you feeling all the emotions. Everyone is anticipating the Riva’s annual summer party and craving to meet the four famous siblings hosting the event. But by midnight the party will be out of control, secrets will be spilled, and by morning a house will be destroyed. Don’t worry all the juicy details of the party will be revealed along with family secrets that will leave you speechless. A well-written story that makes you feel for each character differently but also leaves you with life lessons.
Credit: Amazon
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
If you love a good mystery and thriller, this book is perfect for you. Before disappearing, Owen Michaels left a note to his wife, Hannah Hall, telling her to protect his 16-year-old daughter Bailey. But Bailey wants nothing to do with her stepmother, leaving Hannah desperate for Owens' return. As the FBI arrests Owen’s boss along with others, Hannah soon begins to suspect that her husband may not be the person he said he was. The two women set out together to find out the truth of their so-called “family” and Owen's sudden disappearance. A story filled with family drama, dramatic plot twists, and mystery that will have you hooked.
Credit: Amazon
The Guncle by Steven Rowley
While Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP) loves spending time with his niece and nephew, he never expected to have to become their caretaker. But when tragedy strikes, and his niece and nephew need a primary guardian, he steps up but not without his “Guncle Rules.” Dive into a story filled with struggles, laughter and heartfelt family moments that is perfect for any beach trip.
Credit: Amazon
Everything I Know About Love: A Memoir by Dolly Alderton
A British Sex in the City that fits in any vacation or summer day? Sign us up. Former Sunday Times columnist, Dolly Alderton, does not hold back in her memoir from personal stories about her wild love life to chaotic late nights; she leaves us all wishing we were friends with her. Not only is this read funny but it also is relatable, her honesty and vulnerability speak to the heart. With British humor that will find its way into your everyday dictionary, Everything I Know About Love is a perfect inspirational and funny read for the summer.
Credit: Amazon
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
Olive Torres has accepted that her life is unlucky while her sister Ami seems to have luck in everything. Not only was she not looking forward to her sister's wedding day, but she also must spend the wedding with the best man, and her nemesis, Ethan Thomas. When food poisoning strikes the whole wedding party except for Olive and Ethan, there's a free honeymoon open the two agree to a temporary truce for a free vacation. But how will their truce play out, when feelings begin to rise? An enemies to lovers story that will have you laughing and wishing you were in Maui.
Credit: Amazon
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
With an excellent story, writing and characters you will find yourself raving about this book to everyone. Rumors of a “Marsh Girl” have haunted Berkley Cove, a small town on the North Carolina coast. But when Chase Andrews is found dead, everyone immediately suspects Kyla Clark, Marsh Girl. Nobody knows the truth of the life of Kyla Clark and the pain she has endured until two young men find themselves interested in her. But this coming-of-age story takes you on a ride of heartbreak, beauty and a murder mystery.
The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo
We all know The Great Gatsby and the heartbreaking story of Gatsby and Daisy, but have you ever wondered what happened to golf legend Jordan Baker? Well, Nghi Vo brings her story to life, one filled with money, over the top parties and tons of golf tournaments. But she also adds her own new take on Jordan, where she is queer, Asian and living a life filled with secrets. Dive back into the world of The Great Gatsby like you have never imagined.
Credit: Amazon
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
Mariana Andros is certain that Edward Fosca, Greek-tragedy professor at Cambridge University, is a murderer. Fosca is well respected by his peers and members of an all-female secret society known as The Maidens. But when a body is discovered, Mariana becomes interested in the secret society. As secrets are revealed and Marianas' determination to prove Fosca guilty grows, Mariana soon finds herself in a game that could cost her everything. If you love a thriller that is both well written and addicting, this read is perfect for you.
Credit: Amazon
Normal People by Sally Rooney
While Connell and Marianne may have grown up in the same small town, they both are extremely different. Amongst his peers Connell is popular and the star of the soccer team, unlike Marianne who is lonely and private. Regardless of their differences when the two strike up a conversation, at Marianne’s house, a connection grows between them that they are determined to keep private. Time passes and the two soon find themselves at Trinity College where Marianne has found her place in the social world while Connell keeps to himself. While they may have an intense connection that brings them together it also brings out their flaws, insecurities, and traumas. A love story like no other that you will need tissues for because these characters bring all the emotions out of you. Plus, you can also watch it on Hulu!
Credit: Amazon
The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams
If you’ve ever felt a deep connection to a book and found that a book has helped you move past hard times, then the Reading List is for you. After losing his beloved wife, widower Mukesh lives a quiet private life in the London Borough of Ealing. He worries about his granddaughter, Priya, who keeps to herself hidden in her room reading. Desperate to connect with his granddaughter he goes to the local library, where he meets Aleisha, who works for the library during the summer. She shares with Mukesh a reading list that she discovered in the back of To Kill a Mockingbird. But this reading list has power that brings together these two lost souls and helps them escape their pain.
Credit: Amazon
The Break-Up Book Club by Wendy Wax
Jazmine, Judith, Erin, and Sara are all very different people. But when their paths cross at a book club meeting, at a historic carriage house turned bookstore, they soon find that they all share a similar passion for reading. Regardless of their different lifestyles and careers, they find comfort in each other through a lot of laughter and wine. As a friendship develops these ladies soon work with each other to help one another find their happily-ever-after. Definitely a perfect read for the beach, that will have you smiling and calling your best friends after you finish it.
Credit: Amazon
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Evelyn Hugo is ready to spill *all the secrets* about her wild Hollywood life, but nobody expected her to choose unknown magazine artist Monique Grant for her tell-all biography. With not much to her name, Monique Grant is determined to make a name for herself and get Evelyn's story right. Listening to her life's adventures from leaving Hollywood, to her seven husbands, forbidden love and a lot of heartbreak Monique finds herself building a connection and relating to Evelyn's tragic life. Reid transports you back with her novel that will have you hooked from the start.
Hopefully, this list will provide you with a new book to read and fall in love with. Now put on your cute swimsuit, grab yourself a refreshing beverage, and dive into a new story this summer. P.S. - don't forget to put on your sunscreen and snap a cute pic of you and your summer read!