Dust off the pool toys, shake out the beach blanket, stock up on your favorite canned cocktails, and while you’re at it, go ahead and splurge on a new bathing suit or pair of shades , too — it’s officially beach read season!
The humidity may be making its comeback, but the heat is no match for the library’s A/C and our summer reading list. Perhaps you’re challenging yourself this summer to try a genre outside of your literary comfort zone, or you can’t quit your book-buying addiction like the rest of us. Scary Mommy bookworms unite! Whether you’re in a reading kick, slump, or somewhere in between, these summer titles will help you meet all your reading goals… and then some.
Prepare to fall in love , solve a murder or two , and tumble down a few social media rabbit holes. Below, find the best 2026 summer releases to bring to the pool, beach, lake, and everywhere in between.
1. Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan
For a third summer in a row, romance novelist Annabel Monaghan has earned a top spot on our beach reading lists. A grieving, recently single mom finds solace in someone from her past while trying to get her life in order, despite her career as a professional organizer. It’s summer — a spicy fling is just what the doctor ordered, right?
2. Summer Fridays by Suzanne Rindell
When their partners begin spending late hours at the office together, Sawyer and Nick meet to compare theories because, obviously, nothing good can come from this. But under the sweltering Manhattan sun, they fall into an unexpected routine in which they spend every summer Friday exploring a new part of the city, from Coney Island to Central Park. If you’ve dreamed of experiencing NYC in the summer, slip this novel into your beach bag immediately.
3. Such a Bad Influence by Olivia Muenter
During a live stream, mega-popular lifestyle influencer Evie goes missing. She’s gone in a blimp, with her millions of followers stalking the Internet, hashtags, Reddit threads, and more, trying to figure out #WhatHappenedToEvie? Hazel, being the protective big sister she is, bravely dives into Evie’s world to uncover her whereabouts.
4. Missing White Woman by Kellye Garrett
A romantic getaway weekend goes awry when Bree discovers a dead white woman’s body in their vacation rental — and coincidentally, her boyfriend is nowhere to be found either. A Black woman alone at the scene of the crime, Bree calls her ex-best friend, who’s a lawyer, for help. But there’s only so much they can do before the police and social media begin making assumptions of their own.
5. I Want You More by Swan Huntley
After suffering a tremendous family loss, Zara relocates to East Hampton to help ghostwrite celebrity chef Jane Bailey’s next cookbook. Long days in the kitchen result in Zara becoming eerily obsessed with her new client, and vice versa. Soon enough, the two women become one and the same, and the job description Zara originally agreed to is far out the window.
6. The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley
Everyone’s favorite guncle is back! This time, he’s shepherding Maisie and Grant to Europe for their father’s wedding. When they arrive in Italy for the nuptials, it’s clear Patrick has his hands full. There’s the competitive soon-to-be launt (lesbian aunt), his brother’s cold feet, his sister’s cringey flirting skills, and his young niece and nephew, who need him now more than ever.
7. Swiped by L.M. Chilton
Gwen Turner’s looks could kill, literally . Down on her luck, she throws herself into the dating pool, saying yes to every right swipe she can muster. But her love life hits an unexpected roadblock when she discovers that her dates aren’t ghosting her; they’re dead. There’s a serial killer in town, and their victim list eerily matches Gwen’s dating roster.
8. Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
A brief affair with her English professor sends 20-year-old Margo into a twisted tailspin fueled by debt and an unplanned pregnancy. Oh, and she’s about to graduate from college. Margo’s life is a mess, and she needs to figure out how to clean it up before it’s too late.
9. This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan
We had so much fun chit-chatting with author Kennedy Ryan last year and couldn’t be more excited about book number two in the Skyland series. Natalie hates Rob, and for good reason: He wrote a mean-spirited one-star review of her new novel. But when they meet again, sparks fly, and Natalie finds herself falling for the man who once made fun of her writing.
10. The Last to Know by Julia Whelan
Abigail’s world is turned upside down when she discovers a shocking family secret. Her father, a seemingly perfect and loving husband and father, is hiding a dark secret that will change everything she thought she knew about her family. Abigail must navigate the complex web of her family’s lies and secrets to uncover the truth.
11. The House on Fripp Island by Rebecca Kauffman
The story of The House on Fripp Island is a slow-burning, suspenseful mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat. When a mysterious woman checks into a beachside mansion, she unleashes a chain of events that will change the lives of everyone around her.
12. The Last Summer on Earth by John Dufresne
In this thought-provoking novel, a group of friends reunite for one last summer before the world ends. As they navigate their complicated relationships and personal struggles, they must confront the reality of their own mortality and the impermanence of everything they hold dear.
13. The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
A family reunion in Paris turns deadly when a woman is found dead in a luxurious apartment. As the investigation unfolds, a complex web of secrets and lies is revealed, and the truth behind the murder is more shocking than anyone could have imagined.
14. The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell
After a tragic accident, a family is torn apart, and the truth behind the event is slowly revealed over the course of the novel. A gripping and emotional tale of family, love, and loss that will keep you guessing until the very end.
15. The It Girl by Ruth Ware
A reclusive novelist is invited to a prestigious literary festival, but things take a dark turn when she discovers a cryptic message that suggests someone is tracking her every move. As she delves deeper into the mystery, she realizes that the truth behind the message is more sinister than she ever could have imagined.
16. The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda
A woman returns to her summer rental home after a traumatic event, only to discover that someone is following her. As she tries to uncover the identity of her stalker, she realizes that the truth behind the event that changed her life forever is more complex than she ever could have imagined.
Get ready to dive into the ultimate summer reading experience with these 16 new beach reads. From romance novels to mystery and suspense, there’s something for every bookworm.
