Whether you’re lounging under a striped umbrella with sand squished between your toes, stretching out poolside with a piña colada, or curled up on your couch while a thunderstorm rages outside, there’s nothing like a good book to complete your summer escape. But not just any book—a beach read. Think juicy plots, swoony romance, laugh-out-loud moments, and enough drama to keep you flipping pages between dips in the water.
From bestselling rom-coms to twisty thrillers and heartfelt family sagas, here are 20 of the best beach reads from the last 5 years that will keep you hooked from the first page to the final sentence. So grab your tote bag, sunscreen, and a big floppy hat—these are the stories you’ll want to bring on every vacation.
What Makes a Perfect Beach Read?
Before we dive into the list, let’s define a “beach read.” While there’s no hard rule, most beach reads have a few things in common:
Fast-paced, engaging plots
Relatable (and often hilarious) characters
Emotional payoffs
Escapism: stories that whisk you away from the ordinary
Now, let’s get to the good stuff.
20 Beach Reads Worth Packing
1. Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2021)
Surf, scandal, and sibling drama collide in this dazzling story set in 1980s Malibu.
Perfect for fans of: celebrity fiction, family secrets, California vibes
2. The Guest by Emma Cline (2023)
A slow-burn psychological drama about a grifter drifting through the Hamptons. Tense, haunting, and unforgettable.
Perfect for fans of: dark summer stories, edgy literary fiction
3. The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren (2020)
Fake honeymoon, real chemistry. A sun-soaked enemies-to-lovers rom-com with sharp banter and tropical charm.
Perfect for fans of: breezy romance, destination getaways
4. The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller (2021)
Set at a Cape Cod summer home, this lyrical novel explores one woman’s life-altering decision over 24 hours.
Perfect for fans of: emotional depth, family drama, nostalgia
5. Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood (2023)
Academic rivalry meets romantic sparks. Hazelwood brings her signature wit to a fresh fake-dating scenario.
Perfect for fans of: smart romance, STEM heroines, fake dating
6. Vacationland by Meg Mitchell Moore (2022)
Family secrets unravel in a charming Maine beach town. Cozy, heartfelt, and layered.
Perfect for fans of: multigenerational stories, coastal small towns
7. The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave (2021)
A woman’s husband disappears—and so begins a tense, emotional journey to uncover the truth.
Perfect for fans of: domestic suspense, page-turning thrillers
8. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (2022)
Sharp, funny, and empowering. A 1960s scientist becomes an accidental cooking show sensation.
Perfect for fans of: feminist fiction, humor, unconventional heroines
9. The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren (2021)
A DNA-based dating app and a reluctant romance? This one has heart, heat, and science.
Perfect for fans of: modern love stories, opposites attract
10. One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle (2022)
After her mother’s death, a woman travels to Italy and meets her mother… as a young woman. Magical and moving.
Perfect for fans of: grief fiction, time travel, mother-daughter bonds
11. The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand (2023)
A Nantucket influencer invites friends from every stage of her life for a curated girls’ weekend. Drama (and healing) ensue.
Perfect for fans of: girlfriend getaways, Elin Hilderbrand classics
12. The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles (2021)
Based on a true story of librarians in WWII Paris. A dual-timeline story rich in emotion and history.
Perfect for fans of: historical fiction, bibliophiles
13. Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson (2023)
A sharp and funny debut about wealthy Brooklynites navigating love, family, and privilege.
Perfect for fans of: social satire, character-driven fiction
14. Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld (2023)
A cynical TV writer falls for a pop star. Smart, fresh, and full of backstage banter.
Perfect for fans of: SNL vibes, witty writing, modern romance
15. The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak (2021)
A poetic story of love, war, and nature, spanning generations and cultures.
Perfect for fans of: literary fiction, lush settings, emotional depth
16. The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand (2022)
A glamorous hotel, a haunting past, and a new cast of characters. Hilderbrand’s most fun summer book yet.
Perfect for fans of: coastal charm, ensemble casts
17. The House of Fortune by Jessie Burton (2022)
A sequel to The Miniaturist, set in 18th-century Amsterdam. Rich, mysterious, and beautifully crafted.
Perfect for fans of: historical fiction, family sagas, secrets
18. Tom Lake by Ann Patchett (2023)
A mother recounts her youthful romance during lockdown. Quiet, reflective, and full of beauty.
Perfect for fans of: lyrical storytelling, literary fiction
19. The Guncle by Steven Rowley (2021)
A gay sitcom star becomes guardian to his niece and nephew. Laugh-out-loud funny and surprisingly moving.
Perfect for fans of: heartfelt humor, found family, Palm Springs vibes
20. Beach Read by Emily Henry (2020)
Two authors with writer’s block—one writes romance, the other literary fiction—challenge each other to swap genres. Sparks fly.
Perfect for fans of: writerly banter, slow-burn romance, opposites attract
Let me know which beach reads you would add to this list!
