Best Beach Reads: Must-Read Books for the Ultimate Escape

There’s nothing better than the perfect book to match the rhythm of summer—the kind of story that sweeps you away as easily as the ocean tide. Whether you’re nestled in the warm sand listening to the crashing surf (my personal favorite), or just day dreaming of a lush getaway from your own backyard, a great beach read can transport you anywhere.

I curated this list of my favorite travel themed, summery novels. It features compulsively readable books set in some of the most dreamy destinations around the world. From the tropical private islands to the untamed beauty of the Galápagos, each novel is an escape in itself, bursting with adventure, romance, and wanderlust. These are the summer’s must-read novels that keep you turning pages long after sunset, and leave you with that blissful, vacation-afterglow feeling. I loved these books, and I think you will as well.

So grab your sunscreen, an Aperol spritz, and let’s escape into the best beach reads to whisk you away—no passport required.

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1. A Hilarious, Spicy, and Totally Addictive Beach Read

Christina Lauren is the pen name of 2 best friends and writing partners. Their books absolutely slap. I loved this book—it’s an amazing beach read even though the plot is mostly predictable. It’s so entertaining and bingeable that you won’t even care. It’s easily consumed one sitting (so set a timer to reapply your sunscreen). I devoured the witty banter and laughed out loud regularly. It’s available in all forms here.

The Setup: A Fake Marriage, A Luxe Indonesian Escape, and Blistering Chemistry

When a long-forgotten, phony college marriage of convenience suddenly resurfaces, Anna is swept into a high-stakes deception. To secure a massive inheritance, Liam needs her to play the role of his perfect socialite wife at a lavish wedding—a far cry from her current frumpy and unemployed reality. The awkward reunion with Liam, the husband she barely remembers, blooms into tense smoldering attraction after Anna’s She’s-All-That style glow-up. 

A Enviable Escape in the Heart of Indonesia

The setting is soooo good—a tropical paradise of over-water bungalows and crystal-clear waters that drips with opulence and like condensation from your chilled Dom Pérignon. What I also appreciated is this extreme excess drives social commentary on class divides and privilege. It’s just the right amount of substance to make this book feel less frivolous. 

The lush backdrop, the opposites-attract and forced-proximity tension is absolutely sizzling and will set your beach towel ablaze.

 If you’re craving a book that feels like a luxury vacation, this one delivers in every way.

2. A wild and Cynically Fun Beach Read

My next must-read beach book is These Summer Storms, a novel that also features inheritance drama, dysfunctional families, and high-stakes sibling rivalries. It’s slated to be released in the summer of 2025, but is already causing conversation so it’s definitely one to watch out for. You can order your copy here.  

Ok, I wasn’t initially sold on the premise—because, TBH, mega-rich people kind of creep me out. But Sarah MacLean is so funny and self-aware, leaning all the way into the discomfort we all feel about the rich-people-behaving-badly trope. She injects the story with biting humor, delicious tension, and all the moody New England summer vibes you could ask for.

The Setup: A Private Island, A Messy Fortune, and a Family in Chaos

Set on a private island estate in Rhode Island, the 4 Storm siblings have reunited after the sudden death of their father. They’re hers to a massive tech fortune. But their grief is quickly interrupted with a calculated twist. Instead of splitting the inheritance outright, each sibling must complete a carefully designed and uniquely painful challenge. 

Alice, the black sheep of the family, was exiled five years ago after a scandalous business fallout and hasn’t spoken to her family—even her 3 siblings since. Her unexpected return is as controversial as her fall from grace, fraught with tension and resentment. I thought this aspect was as sad as her losing her father. 

And as if navigating her estranged, emotionally stunted family wasn’t enough, there’s also Jack—a gorgeous, frustrating stranger she meets on the train, who derails her carefully guarded romantic life. There’s an enemies-to-lovers trope but their romance struggles to take off thanks to a frustrating (yet effective) failure-to-launch dynamic despite the rage chemistry simmering in the background the intense Storm family drama.   

Sharp, Funny, and Packed with Dysfunction

Meanwhile, the Storm family spirals into total chaos, struggling to process their loss while also battling the looming threat of financial ruin. What makes this book so good is Sarah MacLean’s whetted writing. The heart-wrenching elements are balanced with the absurdity of their extreme wealth, The tone is both empathetic and satirical, making it easy to love (or love to hate) the character. Her character development was satisfying. While some family members eventually show their layers of relatable humanity, others remain the quintessential poor little rich girl—which felt very accurate. 

These Summer Storms exactly what I want in a beach read—dramatic, wildly entertaining, and just self-aware enough to keep it from feeling frivolous.

Summer 2025 cannot come fast enough.

3. A Solo Female Travel Inspired Short Story

Elin Hilderbrand is known for her summer vacation vibes, typically transporting readers to the shores of Nantucket. But with Natural Selection, we’re whisked away from her signature New England charm to the rugged and remote Galápagos Islands. When I saw the setting, I snatched up this book so FAST—and read it even faster. Granted, it’s a short story, so it was bound to go quickly… but trust me, it was good. It’s available on Kindle Unlimited and as an audiobook.

The Story: Bucket-List Trip to the Wild Galápagos

Sophia has finally found a decent boyfriend after dating a string of miserable duds, and she’s ready to celebrate their solid relationship with the trip of a lifetime. Her boyfriend, JP, is a photographer going to document the unforgettable landscapes and wildlife in the lonely, untamed island chain where Darwin was inspired to coin the theory of evolution. But just as they’re about to board the plane, he gets an urgent call from home—and bails on their couples getaway. Literally leaves her standing at the gate.

Now, Sophia faces a choice:

→ Play it safe and sulk back home to New York, trip ruined?

→ Embrace adventure and embark on the romantic couples’ cruise alone?

She chooses the solo adventure. With JP’s high-end camera in hand, she captures stunning professional-quality photos. She treks across volcanic landscapes, and marvels at blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, and dolphins frolicking at dawn.

The story is very much journey of self discovery and empowerment, Sophia, abandoned by her so-called perfect boyfriend, is completely out of her element. Under the powerful crucible of the Galapagos, she emerges from the couples retreat with a new sense of self. 

My Thoughts: A Wanderlust Must-Read for Summer 

The ending is fine, but the adventure along the way is what makes this novella such a delightful beach read. The short story is stuffed with heartache, life lessons, and transformation and all the vibrant, enchanting descriptions of a location many of us can only dream of visiting. The setting was pure gold—Natural Selection is a perfect escapist themed beach read that is a must for your summer TBR

4. Ancient Ruins and Young Love

Field Rules, the first installment of Carla Luna’s Romancing the Ruins series, follows archaeology students on digs in dreamy, enviable European locations—and I’m hooked. After reading book one, I cannot wait to dive into the next two! I feel like I’ve unearthed a rare and precious treasure in discovering Carla Luna. If you want to explore this trilogy, you can order your copies here.

The Story: Love, History, and Second Chances in Cyprus

Ricky and Olivia find themselves unexpectedly reunited on an archaeological dig in Cyprus—CYPRUS!! A place imbued in ancient history and, as it turns out, unresolved emotions. Seven years ago, they met on Olivia’s first dig, but after scandal rocked their budding romance, she completely ghosted him. Now, she’s been thrown into this six-week summer program as a last minute replacement for an injured friend. 

She’s thriving in her PhD program, writing a thesis on wine in the ancient world (honestly, very cool). But when it comes to fieldwork, Olivia appears to be far less experienced than the others. Since she never talks about that ill-fated first dig, most people assume she’s a total novice.

From the moment she arrives, the tension with Ricky is undeniable. Their history lingers—awkward, and impossible to ignore. Being thrown together again forces them to confront their past. Ricky, a charismatic and skilled archaeologist, is helping Olivia get up to speed. He’s fantastic with the students, too, earning their respect even though he’s not pursuing a graduate degree—something that makes the program’s supervisors dismiss him unfairly.

Meanwhile, the students form their own tight-knit team, eager to make a name for themselves in their early careers, racing towards an epic discovery. They’re having an unforgettable adventure all while Olivia and Ricky’s slow-burning, friends-to-lovers x exes-reunite romance blossoms against the backdrop of ancient ruins and the sparkling Mediterranean sea. 

My thoughts A Lighthearted, Immersive, and Utterly Transporting Beach Read

I loved the archeology element in this novel. There’s a ton of interesting details on their work and feel authentic because the author drew inspiration from her own experiences on a dig in Cyprus. Honestly, so rad. Having spent most of my own science career in academia, I really enjoyed how she captured the dynamic between students, mentors and professors. She perfectly captures the thrill of young scientists blooming their early careers; their passion and ambition are palpable. It’s giving Halcyon days. 

The scenes are so alive, and they hit all the senses: 
✨ Taste the vibrant zing of their favorite lemony cocktails
☀️ Feel the beating sun on your skin
🌿 Smell the vine-choked fields and the damp reprieve of Aphrodite’s dusty temple

The story is lighthearted, but well-paced an so, so immersive. Field Rules will surely transport you to the untamed mediterranean island of Cyprus. It’s perfect for soaking up those summery beach vibes to day dream about European getaways. 
Field Rules was a surprisingly awesome escapist beach read for summer 2025!

5. A Meta Murder Mystery with a View

So far, everything I’ve read by Catherine Mack has taken me for a ride, and this book was no exception. I’ll be adding this to my sample size and, at this point, I can’t wait to read everything she writes. Even better? The sequel, Nobody Is Supposed to Die at This Wedding, is coming out this summer—officially making this the Vacation Mystery series. *fist pump* Better news: It’s available on Kindle Unlimited, or you can sign up for an audible membership and listen there.

The Setting: A sinister Tour of Italy

This book takes place in Italy, spanning Rome, Amalfi, Ischia and Pompeii—which, for me, was a huge win. I love Pompeii—it is endlessly fascinating.  The setting doesn’t just serve as a backdrop; it’s woven into the plot with enough detail to make you feel fully transported to a dangerous summer in Italy.

The Story

Eleanor Dash is the accidental author of a wildly popular travel-mystery series. Her debut novel was never meant to be a book—it was born from a frantic journal entry after a harrowing misadventure in Rome, really an attempt to process the events. But somehow, it became a bestselling phenomenon and the series has taken on a life of its own.

Conor was with her through the whole ordeal in Rome. Now, thanks to her books, he’s also been catapulted to fame. So, He’s along for the ride—forever connected to Eleanore through her book series. But he’s annoying, arrogant and she can’t seem to shake him. She day dreaming about killing him off just to get a break (…in her books, mostly).

Now, Eleanor and her sister Emily (who works for the book estate) are on a book tour with her adoring fans and literary friends. But things take a turn when Connor becomes convinced that someone is trying to kill him. It’s ironic.

Suddenly, the book tour morphs into a real-life murder mystery—except this time, they’re trying to solve the murder before it even happens. And because Eleanor can’t help herself, she starts narrating the whole thing directly to the reader, laying out the suspects, and questioning the logic.

A Clever, Meta Mystery That Keeps You Guessing

One thing I loved about this book is how Eleanor ropes you into solving the case. She speaks directly to the reader, pointing out clues, analyzing red herrings, and essentially laying out the plot as if it’s her next novel—which, honestly, it might be. (In her mind and personal notes, at least.)

There are plenty of twists, turns, and false leads, and despite Eleanor’s handholding of the reader, the ending isn’t easy to see coming. But TBH I wasn’t trying too hard to guess—I was here for the Italian journey.

I will be reading the sequel. In fact, I’ve already ordered it. I can’t wait to see where Mack takes us next, and I’ll definitely be diving in the second it lands in my hands. So stay tuned—maybe we can embark on that journey together. And if you want to chat about it, add me on Goodreads.

Final Thoughts: A Deamy Summer Escape Awaits

There’s nothing better than a book that whisks you away to incredible destinations, whether it’s a lush private island, or the rugged wild west. I curated this reading list to include settings from around the world, anything that will inspire wanderlust and make you crave adventure. This series is bound to make you feel like you’re on vacation, whether you’re reading from your favorite chaise lounge, or day dreaming if your next getaway between work emails. This season I’ll be chasing all the summer vibes with the most immersive and escapist beach reads I can find.

So grab your sunscreen, a beach towel, and your favorite from this list—let’s escape together.

What’s on your summer TBR? Let’s chat in the comments! ⬇️😊

Do you have an insatiable case of wanderlust that you feed with travel themed novels? Great, me too. Here are a few more reading lists for you go get lost in

1. Wintery snowed in books that will take you around the globe
2. Escape to Budapest: 5 books to read when you want to get away now