12 Books You Need To Read This Summer

Hey, y'all. Join me as I introduce you to some titles that I'm itching to get my hands on this summer.

Many of the authors listed here are some of my all-time favorites. You'll also find recommendations from authors who have recently caught my eye. I have decided to include some I - personally - have never read before. I hope you'll be as interested in meeting them as I am.

If that intro isn't enough you'll need to trust me. Whatever kind of book you're looking for you'll find it here. So consider pre-ordering (or ordering - depending on when you read this post) these so they wind up on your Kindle or in your mailbox as soon as they're released. You'll thank me later!

All links provided are affiliate links to assist you in your shopping experience.


This Too Shall Pass, Milena Busquets
Release Date: May 24



Busquets has an international hit on her hands. This Too Shall Pass has been praised by magazines like Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire and French Vogue. Translated from Spanish it's been a huge hit overseas and recognized as a phenomenal story. The main character of Bianca is mourning the loss of her mother - the loss of a parent touches a nerve for me. It's caught my eye. And at only 176 pages, this seems like the perfect summer read. And lucky for you this book is available to order now!
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Happy Family, Tracy Barone
Release Date: May 26


Happy Family is the debut novel of Tracy Barone. It looks chock-full of relationships, connections, and a dynamic that surrounds the main characters - from past to present. Starting in the 1960s and bringing us forty years down the road we'll get to know them well. I expect excellent story-telling. The characters are described as beautifully damaged people. These are the kind I need to get to know.
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Saving Abby, Steena Holmes
Release Date: May 31



Saving Abby is going to be one of the breakout books of the summer - I'm sure of it. It was a powerful read. I have a review coming out next month, so I don't want to give too much away today. But I will point out that while this might not be the kind of story you would expect me to recommend as a beach read, but that doesn't matter - just get your hands on a copy and jump right in. It's introduced me to Holmes and now I'm on a mission to check out everything she's written. Join me!
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All Summer Long, Dorothea Benton Frank
Release Date: May 31
Dorothea Benton Frank is one of the best writers of southern fiction you'll ever come across. Her ability to weave the settings in with her characters gives you a true feel of how much the scene impacts the story. Confession: I am so excited that this book follows a New York couple as they head south. They're going to SC, and I am (obviously) in NC, but still ... it's absolutely attracted me to this story. That and her talent? I'm sold. I hope you'll get a copy, too, and we can read it together! ----
Modern Lovers, Emma Straub
Release Date: May 31


Emma Straub may not be new to you, but I've only heard of her because of her recent popular release, The Vacationers. Modern Lovers keeps showing up for me - on must-read lists AND on Amazon/BN - so I've decided that I need to add it here. I might even pick up The Vacationers at the same time, because that seems like a fantastic summer read. Although it's probably the title and the cover that have me thinking that. I totally judge a book by its cover. Don't you? Oops.
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Here's To Us, Elin Hilderbrand
Release Date: June 14



Elin Hildebrand writes beachy summer reads like nobody's business. Her stories weave friendships and romance together to bring us characters that we love, hate and question. She finds a way to wind up in my beach tote every summer, and I rarely go to the beach. To find out why you need to take a look at Hilderbrand's books - the covers alone will bring you a feeling of relaxation, you'll imagine fresh air and the hot summer sun. Throw in a cool breeze and a tropical drink (cocktail or mocktail - your choice!) and you're ready to sit yourself down with new friends.
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Invincible Summer, Alice Adams
Release Date: June 28
Let's introduce ourselves to Alice Adams. This is her first novel and it looks like a great story. Invincible Summer is about four friends who were inseparable during college, but, as most college friends find, are distant from one another in their later years. They make their way back to each other as they navigate through adulthood and learn about life, love and friendship. It's perfectly fitting that I am listing this one right before In Twenty Years, because that story is similar. I look forward to getting to know the characters Adams brings us - just as I look forward to getting to know her.
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In Twenty Years, Allison Winn Scotch
Release Date: July 1
I've been a fan of Allison Winn Scotch for years. I'm so excited to see a new release from her. I just read this book and absolutely loved it. It's the perfect summer read. The dynamic of six friends who met in college and come together to reconnect after so much has happened to them - between them. Winn Scotch weaves together a story of different perspectives that you don't want to put down. I'll refrain from saying more because I'll be posting a full review on this book soon. Stay tuned!
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The Perfect Neighbors, Sarah Pekkanen
Release Date: July 5


I've been a Sarah Pekkanen fan for a long time. With this story, as with all of her others,  you find yourself wanting to dive in with just the introduction. The main character Kellie is returning to work after years of stay-at-home-mom life. That's enough for me. I can relate. Add to that another mom in the neighborhood with a big secret? I'm in. Secrets. Family. Motherhood. Mystery? Sign me up.  ----
The Choices We Make, Karma Brown

Release date: July 12

Come Away With Me was one of my favorite books of 2015. That alone means I'm going to read whatever Karma Brown writes, now and for many years to come. The Choices We Make has been described as a powerful tale of incredible friendship and the risks we take to make our dreams come true. Sounds perfect, doesn't it? Friendship? Risks?  Dreams? Yep. I definitely think so.  ----
Truly, Madly, Guilty, Liane Moriarty
Release Date: July 26
 

I'm so excited to see a new book from Liane Moriarty that I don't even care what it's about. I've pretty much decided that I need to read every book she has ever written, but since it is possible you're unfamiliar with her work, I'll tell you what I've learned about Truly, Madly, Guilty. The story includes marriage, sex, guilt and secrets. Relationships, families, friends and more. Moriarty has a writing style that draws you in and has you trying to figure out what is going to happen. You try to predict, but you're not always right. She leaves you questioning yourself. You're going to want in.  ----
Falling, Jane Green 
Release Date: July 19

I've been a Jane Green fan for over twenty years. Literally. Two decades! I read her as as a new college graduate making my way to work in NYC. Green's writing became a fast friend keeping me company on my trip in from Brooklyn. I devoured her books. I bought each one immediately after it was released. Honestly, it's taken me too long to find my way back to her, and I'm really excited to dive into Falling. I love that it's a love story, because I know that's something she writes best.  So - there you have it - my list of must-reads for the summer. Get to pre-ordering now so you'll get them as soon as they're released. I've got LOADS of book recommendations for you, so have a look around. Oh! And if you're in need of a book immediately you're going to want to read my list of books you must read this spring, because these are available to purchase NOW.

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