The Ultimate Summer Reading List for 2026

 

It's finally here—the best time of the year, in my opinion: beach read season! Find a sunny spot and grab a good book because it's time to relax. I'm here to provide you with recommendations throughout the season, so be sure to bookmark this page. Below, you'll find a list of the best beach reads and summer releases to add to your summer TBR (to-be-read) pile. It looks like it's going to be an excellent summer for books! I've marked any titles that I believe would be great for book clubs with an asterisk (*). Keep an eye on this space for upcoming releases, spotlights, and more as we dive into the joys of beach read season!

Already Released:

 

• The House of Hidden Letters by Izzy Broom (3/17)
• The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez (3/24) 
• Happy Ending by Chloe Liese (4/14) 
• The Last Kiss of Summer by Jessica M. Felleman (4/28)
• The Island Club by Nicola Harrison (4/28)

 

May:

 

• The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett (5/5)
• Liberty Island by Virginia Hume (5/5)
• Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune (5/5)
• Summer State of Mind by Kristy Woodson Harvey (5/5)
• A Founding Mother by Stephanie Dray and Lauren Kamoie (5/5)*
• Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen (5/5)
• The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout (5/5)* 

 
 

• The May House by Jillian Cantor (5/12) 
• June Baby by Shannon Garvey (5/12) 
• The Shippers by Katherine Center (5/19) 
• Fever Dream by Elsie Silver (5/19) 
• Take Me With You by Steven Rowley (5/19)* 
• Fortune of Sand by Ruta Sepetys (5/26

 

 

• Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan (5/26)
• The Midnight Train by Matt Haig (5/26)*
• Have a Great Summer by Francesca Cocchi (5/26) 
• The Summer Share by Jenn McKinley (5/26) 

 

 

June:

• Down with the Shipmans by Meg Mitchell Moore (6/2)
• The Windsor Affair by Melanie Benjamin (6/2)
• Land by Maggie O'Farrell (6/2)*
• Road Trip by Mary Kay Andrews (6/2)
• Off the Record by Sara Goodman Confino (6/9)

 

  

• It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell (6/23)
• When You Loved Me by Beatriz Williams (6/23)
• Worse Than Strangers by Kyleigh Leddy (6/23) 
• The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson (6/30)
• Wasp's Nest by Kat Stoddard (6/30)
• The Top of the World by Ethan Joella (6/30)* 

 

 

July:

 

 

• Habits of the Sea by Shea Ernshaw (7/7)
• An Infinite Love Story by Chanel Cleeton (7/7)
• Every Version of You by Natalie Messier (7/7)
• Love You More by Emily Giffin (7/7)
• Star-Crossed Summer by Devon Daniels (7/7) 

 

   

• Crash Into Me by Robinne Lee (7/7) 
• Summer People by Sally Blakely (7/14) 
• The Parisian Heist by Jo Piazza (7/14)
• The Romance Revival by Christina Lauren (7/14)
• Meet Me in Paris by Kristin Harmel (7/28) 

 

Shop All Books Here:  

 

Which books are you most looking forward to reading this summer? Are there any you think I should add to my list? Let me know in the comments below.