10 Books That Will Give You a Serious Case of Wanderlust

 

There's nothing better than some armchair traveling, am I right? And for me, when it can take me to a tropical island, a beautiful lake, or a historic city in Europe, I am all for it. Today I am featuring ten beach reads that will have you packing your bags and booking a flight in no time.

1. The Sicilian Inheritance by Jo Piazza 

The food! The people! The drama! Even though this book was a bit of a murder mystery, I was totally caught up in all the amazing details of Sicily.

 

 

2. Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

This book is one of my favorite beach reads of all time! This one transports readers to beautiful Positano, Italy.

 

 

 

3. On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves 

If you are looking for some armchair traveling to a deserted tropical island in the Maldives, look no further! 

4. Villa America by Liza Klaussman

This atmospheric beach read takes readers to the French Riviera. It's based on a real house built in the 1920s.

5. Last Summer at the Golden Hotel by Elyssa Friedland

If you long for lazy summers in the Catskill Mountains among the forest and lakes, this book will be right up your alley. 

 

 

6. The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley

I adored this cute novel that takes place on a remote island in the Chesapeake Bay. Who doesn't dream of unplugging on small island where everyone takes it slow?

 

 

7. Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

This beach read is one of my absolute favorites and it had me dreaming of my own lakeside Canadian getaway.

8. Hula by Jasmin Iolani Hakes 

This powerful novel takes readers through the history of Hawaii and had me longing for a trip back one day. This book truly captures the spirit of Hawaii.

9. The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey

If your idea of a good vacation is to an East Coast summer camp where your days are filled with swimming, canoeing, and more, this is the ultimate summer camp book. If you enjoyed camp as a kid, this will bring back all the memories. 

10.  This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune

I have been a fan of Prince Edward Island for years (thank you, Anne of Green Gables), but reading this book took my obsession to a new level.

Runner Up:

 

Any Elin Hilderbrand novel will have you dreaming of your own trip to Nantucket.

So, these are just a few of my favorite beach reads that provide some great armchair traveling. If you are looking for more beach reads, I've got you covered. You can check out my beach read menu for more recommendations or my list of the best beach reads.  Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Book Review: Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan

 

Pages: 368

Genre: Adult Fiction/Romance

Pub. Date: June 4, 2024

Publisher: Putnam

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: Same Time Next Summer,

and Nora Goes Off Script

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars 

 

Goodreads says, "Benefits of a summer romance: it’s always fun, always brief, and no one gets their heart broken.

There aren’t enough labeled glass containers to contain the mess that is Ali Morris’s life. Her mom died two years ago, then her husband left, and she hasn’t worn pants with a zipper in longer than she cares to remember. She’s a professional organizer whose pantry is a disgrace.

No one is more surprised than Ali when the first time she takes off her wedding ring and puts on pants with hardware—overalls count, right?—she meets someone. Or rather, her dog claims a man for her in the same way he claimed his favorite of her three children: by peeing on him. Ethan smiles at Ali like her pants are just right—like he likes what he sees. The last thing Ali needs is to make her life messier, but there’s no harm in a little Summer Romance. Is there?"

 

Ali Morris is not in the best place. Her mother died two years ago and she is still grieving. Raising her three kids is difficult, especially when she is going through a divorce from her husband, Pete, who seems to care more about his biking schedule than his kids. She has been in a rut, wearing mostly sweatpants, and hanging out with her geriatric neighbor, until she takes her dog to the dog park and her dog pees on gorgeous Ethan. Ethan and Ali hit it off and this reminds Ali of who she used to be and starts to get her out of her rut. That is until she realizes Ethan is none other than Scooter, her friend's little brother, who was a real pain in the ass in high school. She couldn't possibly date him, right? Scooter seems entirely different than the man before her eyes and he has had a crush on Ali since high school. Ethan is determined to make her take him seriously. Could their romance be something that lasts more than just a summer? Annabel Monaghan's  Summer Romance is beach read gold. I loved every second of this relatable story filled with characters that I actually liked and was rooting for.

Ali is one of my favorite characters of the year. I adored her, along with many of the secondary characters in Summer Romance, which rarely happens in books lately. Most of the characters, other than her ex-husband, were extremely likable. I enjoyed being in Ali's world and as a mom in my 40s, I could relate to her. Monaghan gets women in their late 30s/early 40s better than any writer out there today. How could I not root for Ali and the return to her former self in Summer Romance? I was so happy to watch her relationship unfold with Ethan and for her to gain some confidence back. 

The dialogue was, as usual, done so well and there were some laugh-out-loud moments in Summer Romance. Monaghan's realistic (and hilarious!) dialogue is right up there with Emily Henry and Carley Fortune. Also, Monaghan has created such a happy beach read. I didn't want it to end. Summer Romance is one of my favorite  beach reads of the summer, if not one of my favorite books of the year. I adored Nora Goes Off Script as well as Same Time Next Summer , so it's safe to say Monaghan  is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. If you love a beach read that is happy, sweet, relatable, and is believable, look no further than Summer Romance. I am convinced Monaghan can do no wrong. 

So, do you plan on reading Summer Romance? Are you a fan of Monaghan? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

 

Blog Tour: Look on the Bright Side

Looking for an emotional beach read this summer? Kristan Higgins has written another heartfelt romance which came out yesterday and thanks to Berkley, I am part of the blog tour. Look on the Bright Side follows a "young doctor whose life was forever altered by a devastating loss." If you enjoy stories about second chances, look no further!

 

Learn More About The Book: 

 

Look on the Bright Side by Kristan Higgins

Pub. Date: May 28, 2024

 Goodreads says, "Five years ago, Lark was planning a wedding to her high school sweetheart when her dreams were abruptly shattered. Her fiancé’s cancer came back in full force, and she was left to pick up the pieces of her life alone and afraid of a future without him. Her goal of becoming an oncologist kept her going and she’s nearly reached it when she’s fired for being “too emotional.” How can she not be emotional when every dying patient reminds her of what she lost?

Enter Lorenzo Santini, aka “Dr. Satan,” the arrogant, renowned surgeon who offers to help Lark get her job back. The only catch? She must pose as his girlfriend in the leadup to his sister’s wedding and fool his entire family. It’s not until their fake-dating scheme is underway that Lark meets Lorenzo’s brother, Dante, a man she feels strangely drawn to for reasons she can’t explain.

As Lark gets to know Lorenzo’s family and begins a new rotation in the hospital ER, she is surprised to find herself forming new connections and feeling renewed confidence in her work. Life hasn’t turned out as Lark planned, but is she brave enough to take the second chances offered in love, happiness, and healing?

 

You can purchase your own copy of Look on the Bright Side at Barnes & Noble, Bookshop, Books A Million and Amazon. Also, you can learn more about Kristan Higgins by visiting her website and connecting with her Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Is Look on the Bright Side on your summer TBR list? Are you a fan of Kristan Higgins? Let me know what you think in the comments below.

The Best Backlist Beach Reads To Throw In Your Beach Bag

 

It's here! Memorial Day Weekend! I can't think of a better weekend to curl up with a beach read. You have all the excitement of summer ahead of you and hopefully a pile of books you want to read, too!

Sometimes the best beach reads are the ones that have been out for a few years that fly under the radar or you may have looked them over. For the past ten years, I've compiled a list of my favorite backlist beach reads that shouldn't be missed! The best part about backlist beach reads is the fact that they are out in paperback, which is the perfect type of book to throw in your bag or luggage. This list has something here for everyone  - young adult, romance, and historical beach reads and when possible, I have linked the title to my review.

Young Adult Beach Reads: 

 

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

The Lake Effect by Erin McCahan

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

The Boys Next Door/Endless Summer by Jennifer Echols

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland

The Season of You and Me by Robin Constatine

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

Open Road Summer by Emory Lord

Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend by Katie Finn

The Summer After You and Me by Jennifer Doktorski

The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen

Save the Date by Morgan Matson

Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett 

 

 

 

Adult Beach Reads: 

 

 

A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams

The Summer House by Hannah McKinnon

The Book of Summer by Michelle Gable

Slightly South of Simple by Kristy Woodson Harvey

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

On the Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves

The Island by Elin Hilderbrand

All the Summer Girls by Meg Donohue

Under a Dark Summer Sky by Vanessa Lafaye

The Last Summer at Chelsea Beach by Pam Jenoff

The Night the Lights Went Out by Karen White

Villa America by Liza Klausmann

 

 

 

 

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

You, Me, and the Sea by Meg Donohue
The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves

The Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams

The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand 

 

 The Summer I Met Jack by Michelle Gable

The Husband Hour by Jamie Brenner

The Secret to Southern Charm by Kristy Woodson Harvey

The Southern Side of Paradise by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Summer of '69 by Elin Hilderbrand

 

 

 

 

 

The Golden Hour by Beatriz Williams

Surfside Sisters by Nancy Thayer 

The Islanders by Meg Mitchell Moore

Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren 

Drawing Home by Jamie Brenner

 

 

 

 

 

 Beach Read by Emily Henry

28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand

Summer Longing by Jamie Brenner

The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton

Girls of Summer by Nancy Thayer

Summer Darlings by Brooke Lea Foster

Hello, Summer by Mary Kay Andrews

 

 

 

 

 

The People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

Mailbu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley

Last Summer at the Golden Hotel by Elyssa Friedland

Under the Southern Sky by Kristy Woodson Harvey

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

We are the Brennans by Tracey Lange

Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand

 

 

 

 

 

 Every Summer After by Carley Fortune 

  The Summer Place by Jennifer Weiner 

 The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand

   Meant to Be by Emily Giffin

 Sea Glass Summer by Miranda Liasson 

 Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan

  On Gin Lane by Brooke Lea Foster

 The Lost Summers of Newport by Beatriz Williams, Karen White, and Lauren Willig

The Siren by Katherine St. John  

 

 

 

 Recent Additions:

 

 

 Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan

The Beach at Summerly by Beatriz Williams

Hula by Jasmin Iolani Hakes

California Golden by Melanie Benjamin

The Cuban Heiress by Chanel Cleeton

Little Monsters by Adrienne Brodeur

Happy Place by Emily Henry

The Darlings by Hannah McKinnon

Save What's Left by Elizabeth Castellano

 

 

 

 

 Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune

Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson

The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Summer Reading by Jenn McKinlay

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

The Firefly Summer by Morgan Matson

The Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand

 

 

 

Have you read any of these beach reads? Do you have any recommendations for me? Let me know in the comments below.

 

Book Review: Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews

 

Pages: 448

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: May 7, 2024

Publisher: St. Martin's

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: The Weekenders,

The Newcomer, Sunset Beach, The High Tide Club, 

The Homewreckers, and Hello, Summer

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "Everyone refers to the St. Cecelia as “the Saint.” If you grew up coming here, you were “a Saint.” If you came from the wrong side of the river, you were “an Ain’t.” Traci Eddings was one of those outsiders whose family wasn’t rich enough or connected enough to vacation here. But she could work here. One fateful summer she did, and married the boss’s son. Now, she’s the widowed owner of the hotel, determined to see it return to its glory days, even as staff shortages and financial troubles threaten to ruin it. Plus, her greedy and unscrupulous brother-in-law wants to make sure she fails. Enlisting a motley crew of recently hired summer help—including the daughter of her estranged best friend—Traci has one summer season to turn it around. But new information about a long-ago drowning at the hotel threatens to come to light, and the tragic death of one of their own brings Traci to the brink of despair.

Traci Eddings has her back against the pink-painted wall of this beloved institution. And it will take all the wits and guts she has to see wrongs put to right, to see guilty parties put in their place, and maybe even to find a new romance along the way. Told with Mary Kay Andrew’s warmth, humor, knack for twists, and eye for delicious detail about human nature, Summers at the Saint is a beach read with depth and heart."

Traci has inherited the St. Cecilia Resort from her late husband and she hopes to pull it out of bankruptcy. As a child, she has always looked at this resort from afar and dreamed of all the luxury. Now she is in charge, but things aren't easy. Her late husband's family is fighting for control of the hotel, not to mention there's a new resort in town is giving the Saint some competition. Then things go from worse to even worse when there is a murder that occurs at the hotel. Traci desperately tries to do damage control along with all the other workers at the Saint, including the landscaper, who is a former private investigator. This occurrence sheds light on another terrible event that happened at the Saint years before involving a drowning. If you enjoy your beach reads with a side of mystery and murder, Mary Kay Andrews has got you covered with Summers at the Saint.

Poor Traci has a lot going on in Summers at the Saint. Running a luxurious hotel isn't easy and add in new workers, her late husband's family breathing down her neck, bankruptcy and now a murder.... a disaster, really. But things aren't all doom and gloom at the Saint. The beautiful setting of coastal Georgia was done well as well as all the details of a glamorous resort. It reminded me of Hilderbrand's The Hotel Nantucket in that it takes you behind the scenes of a summer resort, but to be honest, it didn't hit the spot like that novel.

I thought Summers at the Saint was just ok as far as beach reads go and not my favorite from Andrews. It was quite long as far as beach reads go and I thought the dialogue was a bit too hokey for me. Additionally, the murder and its aftermath were taken too lightly. The romance was barely present and instead, the mystery took center stage. On the other hand, Andrews did a good job really examining how a small beach town's townies interact with the visitors who come for the summer, and  how the politics of all that plays out, especially at a five-star resort. So, if you like your beach reads with a strong mystery, but one that won't keep you up at night, Summers at the Saint is a good fit. But, if you are like me and want a little more depth and quite honestly are getting tired of Andrews's formulaic mystery beach reads with cringy dialogue, you might want to pick up another novel instead. 

So, are you a fan of Mary Kay Andrews? Is Summers at the Saint on your summer TBR list? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.  

 

Blog Tour and Giveaway: The Magic Sea Turtle

Beach read lovers, I've got a new picture book for the little ocean lovers in your life. I love all things sea related, so I am happy to share with you all The Magic Sea Turtle by Kathleen Welton. I love that the picture book focuses on ocean life while also sharing the important message of dreaming big. 

Also, don't miss the giveaway which includes a chance to adopt a sea turtle! Ever since my family visited The Turtle Hospital in the Florida Keys, I've really loved supporting these beautiful creatures.

Learn More About the Book:

 

The Magic Sea Turtle

Written by Kathleen Welton

Illustrated by Chau Pham

Ages 3+ | 32 Pages

Publisher: Bookfox Press | ISBN-13: 978-1960157515

 

Publisher’s Book Summary: Once upon a time, Myrtle chased her dreams–dreams of being a queen with a crown that sparkled like the moon. One day, she tumbles down, down, down into the sea. Max helps rescue her and a magic carpet flies her to a place even more amazing than her sandcastle dreams and she discovers an entire ocean of possibilities! There are dolphins who welcome her and a friendly otter with the biggest smile. They can teach her to swim and enjoy the day. Another magical glow surrounds Myrtle when she decides to stay and wishes to be a sea turtle like Max.

And guess what? Myrtle’s fall may have been unexpected, but thanks to a touch of magic, it leads her to a place where her wishes come true. Myrtle becomes a queen AND a magic sea turtle too, ready for incredible adventures! Myrtle the Turtle learns that being a queen means having the best friends ever. And with her sparkly crown and a heart full of joy, she is the happiest queen the whole ocean has ever seen!

 

You can purchase your own copy of The Magic Sea Turtle at Barnes & Noble, Bookshop, and Amazon. Also, you can learn more about Kathleen Welton by visiting her website.

The Giveaway:

I've partnered with Kathleen Welton to host a fantastic giveaway to celebrate the publication of The Magic Sea Turtle. Enter for a chance to win a copy of The Magic Sea Turtle, a plushy of Myrtle, and a Baby Turtle Adoption from seeturtles.org. Good luck!  

 

The Magic Sea Turtle: Book Giveaway