When it comes to adding to my TBR pile, there are some bloggers whose opinions I always trust. One of those? Tamara Welch from my very first book blog obsession, Traveling With T. Especially during 2020, the concept of going on vacation without ever leaving home was more appealing than ever. With the world opening up and beach days on the horizon, I’m counting on “T” to tell me which beach reads I cannot miss. Check out some of her must-reads for summer — and let us know what you’re most looking forward to reading in the comments! — Kristy Woodson Harvey
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I love summer. I love the pool, lying on a float with a good book in my hand. I love to visit the beach and feel the sand under my feet, smell the ocean air, and watch the waves crashing on the beach and knowing I have a book (or 2) in my beach bag for reading under the umbrella. I love the smell of sunscreen (shout out to Sun Bum!), the longer days, the lazy weekends — summer is my happy place.
But what I love most about summer is all those delicious book covers of the hot summer reads I’ll be enjoying by the pool while my pool boy brings me umbrella drinks and fresh towels (totally kidding about the pool boy, but 100% truthful about the books!)
My 12 picks (in no particular order):
A Summer to Remember by Erika Montgomery
A Summer to Remember
by Erika Montgomery
I’m a huge fan of movies and, when I read this had ties to Hollywood, it was a no-brainer for me.
The Summer of Lost and Found by Mary Alice Monroe
The Summer of Lost and Found
by Mary Alice Monroe
I always learn something when I read a Mary Alice Monroe book, and I know this book will teach me to appreciate nature even more — especially after surviving 2020.
The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews
The Newcomer
by Mary Kay Andrews
Mary Kay Andrews combines a mystery with a set of characters I could NOT get enough of — and then that cover was SO perfect for the book!
Under the Southern Sky by risty Woodson Harvey
Under the Southern Sky
by Kristy Woodson Harvey
Kristy Woodson Harvey has been a go-to author for me since her debut, Dear Carolina, so I don’t say this lightly — Under the Southern Sky is her best book so far and had to be included! Read BookTrib’s review here.
An Invincible Summer by Mariah Stewart
An Invincible Summer
by Mariah Stewart
I adore stories where women start over and find out life still holds sweet surprises.
Love for Beginners by Jill Shalvis
Love for Beginners
by Jill Shalvis
A book by Jill Shalvis checks many boxes for me: humor, relatable characters and a romance to root for.
Summertime Guests by Wendy Francis
Summertime Guests
by Wendy Francis
The cover made me pick it up, but the writing kept me invested! SO good!
The Stepsisters by Susan Mallery
The Stepsisters
by Susan Mallery
Susan Mallery writes stories that I can 100% sink into and thoroughly enjoy.
Last Summer at the Golden Hotel by Elyssa Friedland
Last Summer at the Golden Hotel
by Elyssa Friedland
When a book references Dirty Dancing, it’s an automatic “got to read” for me.
To Sir, With Love by Lauren Layne
To Sir, With Love
by Lauren Layne
An enemies to lovers trope is one of my jams!
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
People We Meet on Vacation
by Emily Henry
Emily Henry stole my heart last year with Beach Read (read BookTrib’s review here), and I had to see if People We Meet on Vacation would win a place in my heart. (It did!)
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Malibu Rising
by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Because Taylor Jenkins Reid does books with secrets VERY well, and Julia Whelan is the narrator of the audio version (and she does a great job with characters!). Read BookTrib’s review here.
Great article!!
Gorgeous covers.
Love this list!