2025 Summer Reading List for the Beach
There’s nothing better than getting lost in a great book on a summer day, whether you’re reading with your toes in the sand, relaxing by the pool, or just curled up on the deck with a cold drink. I love making myself a fun summer TBR list each year, mixing new releases with a few tried-and-true favorite authors. If you’re looking for your next beach read, here are some recommendations… of course, I’m including my own novel Welcome to Seagull Street, which is set in my favorite summer vacation spot: Ocean City, Maryland!
Coincidentally, I was working on this blog post when I found out that the University of Maryland included Welcome to Seagull Street in their summer reading list for best beach reads by Terps! Check out the UMD article.
7 Great Beach Reads for Summer 20251. Welcome to Seagull Street by Alissa Arford (May 2025)
Romance • Mystery • Slice-of-Life
A reclusive cybersecurity analyst. A heartbroken teacher. A surfer chasing a fresh start. Set in Ocean City, Maryland, this summer read is full of friendship, suspense, Boardwalk shenanigans, and seagulls who never miss a thing.
2. Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez (April 2024)
Romantic Comedy
Two people with a bad track record of dating decide to help each other break the curse… and of course, sparks fly. Perfect for fans of witty banter, slow-burn romance, and heart.
3. The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin (July 2024)
Women’s Fiction
A lifelong circle of friends comes together at a beach house one fateful summer. Secrets, second chances, and the ties that bind make this one an easy summer binge.
4. Book Lovers by Emily Henry (May 2022)
Romantic Comedy
Still a modern classic of the genre and one that belongs on every beach list. A literary agent and a brooding editor face off in a small town full of unexpected turns. This is my favorite Emily Henry book!
5. The Paris Widow by Kimberly Belle (June 2024)
Thriller • Suspense
An American woman’s husband disappears during a business trip in Paris, setting off a dangerous search through the city’s glamorous and darker corners. Page-turning and tense. One for thriller fans!
6. The Summer We Started Over by Nancy Thayer (April 2024)
Women’s Fiction
A story of new beginnings, friendship, and family on Nantucket. If you love cozy summer settings and stories about reinventing life after big changes, this one hits the mark.
7. Audition by Katie Kitamura (April 2025)
Literary Fiction
An acclaimed stage actress begins an intense mentorship with a younger actor… a relationship complicated by the possibility that he may be her long-lost son. A layered, atmospheric novel about identity, memory, and the blurred lines between performance and truth.
Wherever this summer takes you — beach days, road trips, or quiet afternoons at home — I hope these books bring a little extra sunshine to your reading life. If you’ve read any of the picks on this list (or have other favorites I should add to my summer reading list), I’d love to hear from you! And of course, if Welcome to Seagull Street makes it into your beach bag, tag me. I always love seeing where the story travels!
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