Summer Lovin'!
Summer is quickly approaching, and when I think of summer, I think of summer reads. My favorite summer reads are usually on the lighter side, set in the summertime, and usually feature some romance. Without further ado, here are some of my favorite summer reads.
Michelle Smith
Series: Lewis Creek, #2
Publisher: Bloomsbury Spark
There is nothing more "summer" than baseball, and this series is one of my favorites featuring baseball players. This book had some many things I loved: a friends-to-more romance, a small town setting, a slightly damaged heroine, a hero fighting to prove himself, and I really enjoyed seeing their romance unfold.
Beth Ellyn Summer
Series: n/a
Publisher: Bloomsbury Spark
Summer may be no more teachers and no more books, but it also can mean summer job. At First Blush follows Lacey, a makeup vlogger, as she navigates her first summer internship. As she worked to reach that million subscriber mark, she formed friendships, made valuable contacts, and fell in love. A fun, light, and totally adorable read, which put a perma-smile on my face.
Miranda Kenneally
Series: Hundred Oaks, #8
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
We may have to wait four years for it, but the Summer Olympics are something I look forward to. This book starred Maggie and Levi, elite swimmers, who hoped to make the US Olympic team. At some point, Maggie asks Levi to teach her the fine art of "hooking up" and then feelings got a little confused. A solid addition to the Hundred Oak series. A wonderful friends to lovers story, which is sort of fluffy and left me with a happy heart.
Lily Anderson
Series: n/a
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Some kids relax by the pool or at the beach during their summer break, while others attend cutthroat academic programs. This book was so fun and fabulously nerdy. I loved every second of it. I am so happy to have discovered Anderson via this book, because fun and nerdy romances are some of my faves.
Sandhya Menon
Series: n/a
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Yet another book set in a summer academic program, but Rishi hoped it would be the place, where he would win the heart of his future wife. This book sits firmly on my favorites shelf, because I loved everything about it. A hilarious, adorable, and endearing story of falling in love, and finding yourself in the process.
Laura Stampler
Series: n/a
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Hot times, summer in the city, and these kids were embarking on a summer internship with an elite magazine. It was a fun look into the cutthroat world of an elite magazine. We got spend the summer in NYC and the story was cute and fun and featured a great romance.
Jennifer E. Smith
Series: This is What Happy Looks Like, #1
Publisher: Poppy
JES is one of my YA contemporary go-tos, and it's because she knows how to write a book with just the right amount of drama to keep things interesting, but still on the lighter side. I had such a great time spending summer on the movie set, while watching Ellie and Graham fall in love. This story made me so happy, and I never wanted it one to end.
Jenna Evans Welch
Series: Love & Gelato, #1
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Summer under the Tuscan sun! Although sad circumstances surround what brought Lina to Italy, it was a beautiful place for her to heal, and bonus! She fell in love. I utterly adored this book. I cried quite a few tears as I grieved with Lina, and wore a huge smile as she found some peace, healing, and her first love.
Carlie Sorosiak
Series: n/a
Publisher: HarperTeen
Another summer staple is the beach, and If Birds Fly Back takes us to Miami for sun, fun, and uncovering family secrets. This book was the perfect blend of fluff and substance, hard and soft, heavy and light, happy and sad. It took me through just about every emotion, and left me with my heart bursting with joy.
Sarah Dessen
Series: n/a
Publisher: Viking Books
Sarah Dessen has long been anointed "the queen of the beach", and in this book, she took us back to the quaint little seaside town of Colby. I have read all of Dessen's books, and this is still one of my favorites. I love a good coming-of-age story, and this one delivered one, which left me so warm and fuzzy. Seriously, bike riding and middle of the night pie with your sweetie. *heart-eyes*
Do you have a favorite summer read?
Let us know in the comments!
When Dimple Met Rishi is definitely a summer read, it’s so cute and good!
ReplyDeleteTTT - My Summer TBR.
It is set in the summer, in the lighter side, and features first love. Totally summer to me
DeleteComing Up For Air looks fun, and I know I saw some good reviews for it, and Love & Gelato was a nice read. :)
ReplyDeleteThe Love & books were both fabulous. I hope Welch writes more of them
DeleteIt didn't make my top 10 but I am hoping to get to Love & Gelato this summer. It has been sitting unread and ignored on my Kindle for way too long. Great list!
ReplyDeleteIf you need something a little lighter and want to visit Italy, you cannot go wrong with that book
DeleteGreat list! I need to get to When Dimple Met Rishi this summer! :)
ReplyDeleteMy TTT
You do! You do! I swear, it will make you smile
DeleteI want to read When Dimple Met Rishi, too. I've heard so many good things about it.
ReplyDeleteHere is our Top Ten Tuesday.
Both Menon's books were wonderful.
DeleteOther than Dimple/Rishi, I don't know these, I don't think! Sounds like a gorgeous summer list!
ReplyDeleteYou know me and YA contemporaries
DeleteI have little black dresses little white lies on my list for a while. ENjoy all your reads they look fun and breezy.
ReplyDeleteYeah. I never hear anyone talking about that book, and I thought it was great
DeleteComing Up from Air sounds like a good one to have on a summer list. I still need to check out that series and what better time than the summer. I need to read Love & Gelato too!
ReplyDeleteBoth books were excellent. Coming Up for Air was the final Hundred Oak book, and Kenneally gave the series such a wonderful send off
DeleteGreat list! These books do look very summery!
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
All are set in the summer. I like to add additional difficulty to every TTT 🤣
DeleteI do need to make time for some light, fun reads this summer. I've read When Dimple Met Rishi from your list but none of the others, so thanks for some ideas!
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
You can depend on me to push the lighter side books always
DeleteYou had me at the clip from Grease. :) When Dimple Met Rishi is such a perfect summer read. It takes place during the summer, it’s cute and fluffy and adorable. Summer perfection. And Miranda Kenneally is a good one. I really enjoyed Breathe, Annie, Breathe but haven’t read Coming Up for Air yet.
ReplyDeleteYou know I have to be cheesy and plant songs in your head 😜 I enjoyed all the Hundred Oak books I have read, and I think Coming Up For Air was one of my favorites.
DeleteThese are all new to me, but I know a lot of people loved When Dimple Met Rishi! Great list :D
ReplyDeleteI loved both Menon's books. She is officially an auto-read for me now
DeleteI really enjoyed Game 0n and Coming Up for Air. I see a couple up there I own so I need to get to them!
ReplyDeleteYeah! Glad to see there are some more Lewis Creek fans out there.
DeleteWhen Dimple met Rishi and Love and Gelato are on my tbr list. Maybe I should get to them this summer. I like light romances in the summer too.
ReplyDeleteI always like light romances, and both was fun with just the right amount of depth and drama.
DeleteI've heard a lot of good things about Along for the Ride By Sarah Dessen! Hope you love all of these :)
ReplyDeleteThese are all books I have read and enjoyed.
DeleteI love Dimple and Ever so much. Great selections!
ReplyDeleteBoth were fabulous characters, and those authors are fast becoming favorites of mine.
DeleteI have yet to read a book by Jennifer E. Smith, but you reminded me that they're on my TBR. I may have to pick up her books this summer...
ReplyDeleteKrystianna @ Downright Dystopian
JES has always worked for me. Even my least favorite book by her made me happy. What can I say, I love the not too heavy contemporaries.
DeleteLoved When Dimple Met Rishi! Lol on the Grease video. Brings back great memories! :)
ReplyDeleteCouldn't resist popping the video in there. WDMR was such a fun and happy-inducing book. Menon's new book is just as fantastic too.
DeleteLove & Gelato has been on my list for awhile! I really need to read it soon. The cover alone oozes summer vibes, haha. I just added If Birds Fly Back to my Goodreads TBR. Thanks for sharing these! <3
ReplyDeleteL @ Do You Dog-ear?
I read both Love& books one after the other, and absolutely loved them. IBFB was one of my faves last year. I loved the story, the romance, and the format. I hope you get to read it.
DeleteI'll definitely move it up on my list! A good romance is always what I need.
DeleteIt has emotional depth too, because, you know, dead mother and all.
DeleteNot Now, Not Ever and Little Black Dresses sounds great! What an awesome summer read list! Thanks Sam! ♥️
ReplyDeleteThey really were. Anderson does nerdy so well, and LBD was lots of fun.
DeleteI have read exactly zero of these. I do want to read more from Lily Anderson and Love and Gelato sounds like fun.
ReplyDeleteLily Anderson's book was so much fun, and I really need to get the companion to that book. She has such a great sense of humor, and the dialog is whip-smart too.
DeleteI don't read seasonally but admittedly I have somehow accidentally read more romances than usual this month! I have to admit Along for the Ride wasn't for me, but I do like her book Just listen which is also summery!
ReplyDeleteThe season for romances is ALL. I loved Just Listen, but there was something about Along for the Ride that holds a special place in my heart. I have read all Dessen's books, my lease favorite were the two they combine to make that movie, How to Deal. They just felt really different from her other books, but they were still ok for me. I just adore her books.
Delete