Ten of the Best Summer Books to Read
In this post, I am highlighting ten of the best books I’ve read so far this year. My top ten list includes a mix of romance, psychological thrillers, and one that I honestly don’t know what genre it is. So if you are ready to add a new book (or more!) to your reading list, check out my recommendations below.
If you are interesting in purchasing any of these books, just click on the images of the book covers.
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"Wives Like Us" by Plum Sykes
As an Anglophile, I always enjoy reading books set in the UK. This story centers around an upset wife, an intriguing American arrival, and a butler. This comedy of manners will provide more than a few laughs. Will Ian the butler be able to sort out the many challenges created by the other characters?
Why I love it: The English countryside setting is idyllic and the characters are both ridiculous and relatable at the same time. This is a fun read!
"The Ministry of Time" by Kaliane Bradley
Quite frankly, I don’t know what genre this book falls into. Is it science fiction, a love story, or a mystery? A special British ministry has discovered how to retrieve people from earlier times and bring them to the present. The narrator is assigned to be the “bridge” to her time traveler from 1847 and help him adjust to modern life. Is it necessarily a good thing to experiment with time travel?
Why I love it: My mind was blown by this book. I’m still thinking about the ending.
"How to Solve Your Own Murder" by Kristen Perrin
Sixty years ago, the main character’s great aunt was told by a fortune teller she would be murdered one day. The great aunt spends her whole life obsessed by this, and the fortune ultimately comes to fruition. The main character (Annie) must solve her murder first in order to claim a substantial inheritance. Will Annie prevail?
Why I love it: I always enjoy dual timeline plots. And I loved the different twist on a murder mystery.
"Summer Romance" by Annabel Monaghan
This is a charming book about Ali whose husband left her. She is now a single mom who is a professional organizer. Despite her profession, her life is anything but organized. The opportunity to enjoy a summer romance comes along, but it soon has the chance to become more. Will Ali let it?
Why I love it: This is the author’s third book, and I have loved all of them. This is a sweet and light-hearted book about second chances.
"Has Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter?" by Nicci French
A woman disappears the night of her husband’s 50th birthday party. After thirty years, it is still a mystery as to what happened to her. A neighbor’s body is found shortly after Charlotte vanishes, so everyone assumes they were having an affair. His sons return to town as grown men to make a podcast about what happened all those years ago. Will the truth finally come to light?
Why I love it: I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery of this plot. The characters were well crafted, and the ending was surprising.
"Expiration Dates" by Rebecca Serle
This fun book is one of my favorite romance stories I’ve ever read. The main character (Daphne) receives mysterious slips of paper that tell her the exact amount of time a relationship will last. When she embarks on a new relationship, the slip of paper doesn’t specify a time. So she assumes he is the “one”. But is he?
Why I love it: This is a sweet and charming story with an ending that I absolutely loved.
"She's Not Sorry" by Mary Kubica
This one is another great psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the end. Meghan is a single mom and an ICU nurse. Her latest patient fell from a bridge and is severely injured. Despite her best intentions, Meghan finds herself drawn into the patient’s life. Then it comes to light that the patient was pushed off the bridge. Who is the possible murderer?
Why I love it: This plot has more twists and turns than a mountain road.
"Villa with a View" by Julie Caplin
Part of the author’s Romantic Escapes series, this is a frothy and fun read. Lia discovers that her biological father is a famous Italian movie star. She travels to the Amalfi Coast to try and meet him. Unfortunately, she runs into a roadblock who is the movie star’s stepson. Needless to say Lia and the stepson soon clash over her meeting his stepdad. Do they overcome their dislike of each other?
Why I love it: These books by Julie Caplin are a fun escape from reality. If you can’t go anywhere on vacation, then travel the world via “A Villa with a View”.
"How to Walk Away" by Katherine Center
Simultaneously heartbreaking and full of hope, this book will grab you from the very beginning. Maggie is in the midst of creating her dream life. On the verge of starting her dream job, she also gets engaged. But an accident changes everything. Maggie’s life will now take a totally new turn. Will it be for the better?
Why I love it: This story shows how an alternate path can lead to something better. Going along with Maggie on her journey makes you realize that what you think is the perfect life actually isn’t.
"Funny Story" by Emily Henry
Would you be willing to move to a new town far from friends and family for love? Daphne does in this delightful story. There’s only one problem. Shortly after their move, her fiancé dumps her for his childhood best friend named Petra. She ends up becoming roommates with Petra’s jilted boyfriend. Daphne always thought she and her former fiancé had the best story of how they met. Will her new life end up with an even better story?
Why I love it: I always love stories that require the main characters to start over. It’s fun to see how they turn their lives around, and I really love how this book turns out.
These Summer Books Provide a Perfect Escape
I hope that you’ll enjoy reading one or all of these reads that make up my top ten best summer books. All of these are perfect for reading on vacation or when you need to just take a break from reality And if you read “The Ministry of Time”, please email me at kristin@whatagoodday.com. I’m still trying to comprehend the ending of that book, so please let me know if you fully understand it!
If you love reading as much as I do, then please visit our Book Reviews to discover your next read. We have lots of great suggestions in a wide variety of genres.
Have a good day ~ Kristin
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