Beach Reads For 2020

Best Beach Reads For 2020

The Books That Are Going To Be The Hottest Books of Summer 2020 For Sure

• Beach Read by  Emily Henry — You’ve seen it everywhere already, the cover & title are perfectly positioned to make it that top beach reach for 2020…..but the hype is real for this being a perfect beach book. Two writers, one a romance writer and the other a literary fiction writer, are both in a writing (and life) rut and embark on a challenge, to get out of it, to write the other’s genre and spend time together on related challenges and adventures they come up with. As you can imagine…A SPARK!  Perfect for readers who….don’t mind a dash of emotions in their beach reading. (I cried a lot, okay). CW: Loss of a parent FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG

•   Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner — This one surprised me so much and really combines MANY things that I think make a good beach read….so there’s a good reason it’s on every summer reading list! I don’t wanna give anything away but I promise you won’t be able to put this down and it won’t be what you think it is from the summary. Perfect for readers who…….don’t mind being a bit surprised. FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG

• Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid: This one came out at the beginning of the year but I think this one is going to be another popular one this summer. Perfect for readers who……are looking for something that explores race and privilege in a lighter but still obviously serious way. FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG

• The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennet: One of the most talked about hot summer reads for 2020 and seriously…the hype can’t even begin to crack away at the brilliance of this novel. This isn’t your completely light and fluffy beach read but I’m picking it for it’s compelling and unputdownable qualities. Seriously one of the best books I’ve read in a while — amazing writing, compelling story, nuanced exploration of race, privilege & identity, and the most vivid characters that pull you in! Perfect for readers who….are looking for something that is bit more on the literary side of beach reads. And who also might be looking for beach reads by Black authors. FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG

• Rodham by Curtis Sittenfield: This is going to be one of the most juiciest and talked about books for summer 2020 considering it’s a fictionalized “what-if” alternate world to a very much living figure in the public eye. What IF Hillary hadn’t met Bill Clinton? Swirling together facts with a broad brush of (fan) fiction, this book takes on that question.  Perfect for readers who…love a good alternative history “what if” novel about a living figure (and doesn’t feel squicky about that) or anyone, like me, who has daydreamed about an alternative Hils involved universe right about now. FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG

• 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand: A romance built on “same time next year” secret love affair spanning 28 summers and so many life changes and ups and downs and, in the present, one of them has a death bed call made to the other one outside of their one weekend per yer. Elin’s books are always huge picks for book to put in your beach bag! Perfect for readers who….won’t be turned off by the idea of an affair (which I know I normally don’t like cheating so I get it) FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG

Beach Reading Picks For Those Who Love A Good Dose of Romance

•  Take A Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert: I LOVED Get A Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert and now we get to meet Chloe’s sister, Dani, in this new romance about a driven woman NOT looking for sex without the romance and the grumpy security guard (though a hopeless romantic) she thinks will be the perfect friend with benefit as they engage in a faux romance for a publicity stunt for a good cause. Perfect for readers who….love a faux romance and a hero who has a grumpy exterior but on the inside is an ooey gooey cinnamon roll. Also if you are looking for a romance written by a Black author! FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG

• The Trouble With Hating You by Sagni Patel: OKAY…meetcute + workplace romance + hate to love……all things that make a perfect beach read book. Perfect for readers who….don’t mind a romance/rom-com that have an emotional edge. (Trigger:  sexual assault and abuse) FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG

• The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa: This is one of those books that, as I was reading it, I could IMMEDIATELY see as a delightful rom-com movie. I had such a fun time reading this story about a woman, a successful wedding planner, who has to work on a huge career-changing project with her ex almost brother-in-law who was the catalyst to her getting left at the aisle. Perfect for readers who….are looking for a light rom-com with an electric hate-to-love situation. FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG

• Last Tang Standing by Lauren Ho: Crazy Rich Asians meets Bridget Jones’ Diary? It’s about a successful 30-something who has everything going for her — great job, amazing apartment, great friends and the change to make partner right in front of her to really seal the deal. WELL minus the fact that the pressure is on since she’s the last Tang of her generation who is still single once her cousin announces an engagement. Trying to stay steady on what she wants becomes tricky when all sorts of pressure ramp up — work, pressure from family, friend drama and alluring men who come into her path. Perfect for readers who…..love a good a slow burn romance in their rom-com. FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG

For those who like their beach bag to be filled with sizzling thrillers & mysteries

• Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier: Dive headfirst into this thriller about a mother whose son went missing a year ago and, in her search for answers, discovers her husband is having an affair with a younger woman who just might have had something to do with his disappearance. I don’t wanna say much more beyond that because everything is NOT as it seems. Perfect for readers who….love stuff like Criminal Minds but more character-driven. FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG

• The Guest List by Liz Foley: I’m listening to this right now on audiobook (via Libro.FM — this one is SO good on audio!!!) and it is the perfect mystery thriller to grab you. The multi POV thing really works here as you try to figure who the killer is at this wedding set on a remote Irish island.  Perfect for readers who….like books with short, engrossing chapters that make for an easy put down/pick up book at the beach if you HAVE to put it down. FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG

• A Good Marriage by Kimberly McCreight: Looking for something suspenseful to read on the beach? Part legal thriller & domestic suspense, this one will keep you on your toes as you try to figure out what happened to Amanda and untangle the salacious web of secrets and lies and uncover some darker sides of marriage. Perfect for readers who…enjoyed Big Little Lies! FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG

• The Lion’s Den by Katherine St. John: The cover just screams perfect summer read while poolside or on the beach, right? Set on a luxury yacht, the main character’s Mediterranean dream vacation quickly becomes a nightmare she is just trying to survive. An addictive wild ride that is equal parts escapist and clever! Perfect for readers who….love books that draw them into a rich & wealthy (yet twisted) world full of backstabbing, revenge, deception and WAY MORE. FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG

If a lighter historical fiction is your idea of a perfect summer read

• Summer Darlings by Brooke Lea Foster: Books about wealthy and glamorous people always seem to be my random summer reading go-to subgenre and this one really fits the bill! It’s about a young penniless nanny and college student in the 1960’s who gets caught up in the intoxicating wealthy and glam world of the couple she works for…but begins to see the darker side (and all the cracks) of these seemingly perfect lives as she develops friendships, romances and flirts with this type of life. Perfect for readers who….love books set in dazzling wealth and circumstances. FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG

• The Last Train To Key West by Chanel Cleeton: I LOVED Next Year in Havana so much by this author and this one likes the perfect beach read escape. It’s set in Key West in 1935 and it follows 3 totally different women in Key West whose lives collide in the wake of a deadly hurricane threatening the Keys. Chanel writes the most captivating historical books and this one looks perfect for the summer season especially with that Key West setting. Perfect for readers who….love a fast based historical read. FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG

• We Came Here To Shine: Set during the 1939 World’s Fair, this book follows the found friendship of two young girls — one a wannabe actress down on her luck and the other an aspiring journalist– during a summer that could change the trajectory of their lives and careers as they deal with not being taken seriously as women in their respective workplaces. A quick light historical fiction read if that’s your beach reading go-to. Perfect for readers who…. love books about strong women taking on the patriarchy and finding their place in the world.  FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG

General Fiction Beach Reads

• Feels Like Falling by Kirsty Woodson Harvey: Like a little Southern summer vacation read? A story about friendship and found family between two women who are really going through some tough times. Perfect for readers who…..love those kind of classic chick lit beach reads — heartfelt yet light….almost like a Hallmark movie. (I don’t love the label “chick lit” for MANY reasons but so many readers use it and look for it). FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG

• What You Wish For by Katherine Center: I have always found Katherine Center’s books perfect summer books (Happiness For Beginners is my all time fave) and this one is no different. It’s a romantic story but not quite a romance in my mind — more like a book with a love story in it. It’s about a passionate elementary school librarian, along with her fellow teachers, trying to save her school and its vibrant spirit from the new principal whose safety and security focus clashes with what is so great about the school….and that principal just happens to be an old crush who seems to be a different person these days. Perfect for readers who….love a good second chance love story and a book with a lot of heart. FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG

• Musical Chairs by Amy Poeppel: A story of family and friendship, told from multiple point of views, that takes place during one chaotic summer that upends and brings big changes for one family — breakups, second chances, a marriage, a trio of musicians missing a third, a once empty nest buzzing with activity and more! Perfect for readers who…want something smart, funny and feel-good!  FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG

• Summer Longing by Jamie Brenner: A woman newly retires into a cottage on the water for a summer of solitude when a baby is mysteriously left on her doorstep and she is drawn into the lives of her new neighbors in this close-knit community when she asks for help. The women and community are changed and tested in caring for the baby over the summer.  Perfect for readers who….love Elin Hilderbrand’s books.  FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG

• One To Watch by Kate Stayman-London: A body positive, anti-fat book about a plus-sized blogger who gets the chance to be the next star of a huge reality dating show….but she’s adamant about not actually falling in love there since her most recent heartbreak as had her swearing off dating. But it’s a lot easier said than done once the cameras start rolling. Perfect for fans who….love shows like the Bachelor/Bachelorette but wish for some more diverse casting!  FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG

• Happy & You Know It by Laura Hankin:  My ultimate light summer read is a book about rich people drama, especially these days, rich moms whose lives look NOTHING like mine. I don’t know why but I just can’t get enough of these types of books. This one focuses on a posh play ground and all the secrets and drama and messiness under the perfect facades are uncovered by Claire as she becomes part of the circle thanks to her less than desirable gig of singing to these babies after being kicked out of her band. Perfect for readers who….love a good book (that is darkly funny) about rich mom problems that also illuminates aspects of modern day motherhood most can relate to. FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG

• All Adults Here by Emma Straub: If you are looking for something more on the literary side of a beach read, check this one out. It’s about a quirky, dysfunctional family all with their own problems, regrets, misgivings and a multitude of things that follow them into adulthood (and older adulthood when your kids are all grown up and you look back). It tackles A LOT of issues though, be prepared.  Perfect for readers who…..like a good character driven book. FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG

• The Switch by Beth O’Leary: The Flatshare was my vacation read of choice last year from this author and this book looks to pack the same charm for this year as it follows a grandmother and granddaughter swapping lives for two months — one will look for a second chance of love in the bustling city of London and the other will get some rest and relaxation in a sleepy village after blowing a big work presentation. Perfect for readers who….love The Holiday (or the Hallmark movie Finding Christmas)….but not at Christmas and a grandmother/granddaughter are the focus. FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG

What new beach read books would you add to this 2020 summer reading list??