Sun-sational Summer Reads

While summer and I have never gotten along, and I really just count down the days until my beloved fall returns … 41 days until September … I do enjoy a good summer read. When it’s stupid hot outside (and inside because, no, I do not have an air conditioner) I really need a read that is light, fast, smart, and features an ice cream or two.

Here are my top suggestions for your next favourite summer read … serve with lemonade for full effect. (Reviews are linked where applicable).

Love & Gelato

Written by Jenna Evans Welch

Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

I mean, it has ice cream right in the title! If contemporary YA is your thing, or even if you tend to abhor it (raises hand), this book is the perfect pick for summer. After losing her mother to cancer, Lina takes a journey to Tuscany to meet and get to know her father. Once there, she is given an old journal of her mother’s that she kept when she lived in Italy. Using her mother’s memories as a guide, and the help of a new friend, Lina travels through Tuscany’s museums, art, food, and beauty, unravelling secrets of the past and begins the painful journey through her grief. While it sounds depressing as all get up, this book is ultimately hopeful, sweet, and desperately makes me want to travel to Italy.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

A Hundred Summers

Written by Beatriz Williams

Published by Berkley Books

Beatriz may just be the queen of summer novels, but I especially loved this one. In A Hundred Summers, we follow Lily Dane as she retreats to her family’s vacation home on Rhode Island over the infamous Memorial Day weekend of 1938. While she is expecting a relaxing weekend, the unexpected arrival of her former fiancé and former best friend (now recently married) puts a kink in her plans. This story is told between the alternating time lines of 1938 and 1931 as we piece together what went wrong between the two lovers. What is especially interesting is how Beatriz weaves in the historic, devastating 1938 New England Hurricane and its tragic aftermath. It’s romantic, ominous and wee bit eerie and makes a perfect beach read.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

Summer of ’69

Written by Elin Hilderbrand

Published by Back Bay Books

Oh how I love Elin Hilderbrand. My new favourite author for go-to smart characters and light, intriguing reads. This story takes place over the summer of … no surprise here … 1969, on the idyllic sounding Nantucket island and Martha’s Vineyard. It follows the Levin family as they struggle with the drastically changing political and social climate, their son & brother in Vietnam, and a plethora of family secrets. Everything from women’s rights, women entering the male dominated work spaces, mixed race couples, alcoholism, blended families, the burgeoning field of psychotherapy and its stigma, the devastatingly conflicted Vietnam war, the fight against (and for) change and the ever present mother-child relationship with all its ups and downs. Such a fantastically executed read!

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

With the Fire on High

Written by Elizabeth Acevedo

Published by Quill Tree Books

I can’t say enough good things about this sweet, smart, grounded YA Contemporary (I know, I know I said above I dislike YA Contemporary and yet there are two on this small list). A truly delightful story of family, growing up, being an individual, past mistakes, incredible challenges, finding your passion and a lot of yummy food. Combining hard issues, great heart, and important conversations this book definitely needs to be on your summer reading list.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

Lost Lake

Written by Sarah Addison Allen

Published by St. Martin’s Griffin

Lost Lake follows Kate, who has experienced her share of heartache, as she and her 12 year old daughter try to recreate the happy memories of her last, best summer at Lost Lake resort before it is sold to developers. Lost Lake is run by Eby – the kindly, matronly, grandmotherly woman we all want in our lives. The resort is falling into disrepair as Eby ages and can no longer care for it. A collection of quirky, likeable, and eccentric characters are drawn together at this cabin resort for one last summer of healing, laughter, romance and a bit of magic.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

Beach Read

Written by Emily Henry

Published by Berkley Books

I mean, it’s built in the title here. This book has been heavily represented around bookstagram and booktube this year, and almost seems repetitive to add here, but if you’re a contemporary lover who is craving a steamy romance set in a lake town …make this your next read. Witty banter, heartfelt characters, enemies to lovers romance, and complicated, deep emotions combine to make this much more than your average “fluffy” romance novel.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

Any purchases made via retailer links provided in this article may result in this site receiving a share of that sale.