My Favorite Backlist Beach Reads

Over the past ten years or so, I've read some amazing beach reads. Everything from historical beach reads to ones filled with romance and gorgeous coastal settings. I've updated a list of my favorite beach reads and I am excited to share them with you today. I've linked the book title to my review if you want to learn more about a particular book.  So, if you are looking for a beach read to take with you on vacation this summer, look no further! There's something here for everyone.

 

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

 

 

 

Recent Additions: 

 

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

So, what do guys think? Do you see some of your favorite beach reads on my list? Let me know which one is your favorite in the comments below.

 

My Favorite Southern Beach Reads

One of my favorite types of beach reads are the type that transport readers to the South.  Palm trees, sweet tea, white sand, sunshine, a bay breeze....what more could you ask for?  Here are some of my favorite Southern Beach Reads along with some new additions.  

Adult Fiction:

Hemingway's Girl by Erika Robuck  (Key West, Florida)

Slightly South of Simple (& entire Peachtree Bluff series) by Kristy Woodson Harvey (Georgia)

The Night the Lights Went Out by Karen White (Georgia)

The Weekenders by Mary Kay Andrews - (North Carolina)

The Last Original Wife by Dorothea Benton Frank (Charleston, South Carolina)

All Summer Long by Dorothea Benton Frank (Charleston, South Carolina)

Under a Dark Summer Sky by Vanessa LaFaye (Key West, Florida)

YA Fiction:

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen (Colby, North Carolina)

The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen (Colby, North Carolina)

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer Holm (Key West, Florida)

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han (Cousins Beach - Fictional Southern beach town)

Endless Summer by Jennifer Echols (Alabama)

Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton (Georgia)

Recent Additions:

 

Feels Like Falling by Kristy Woodson Harvey (North Carolina) 

Hello, Summer by Mary Kay Andrews (Florida)

 

When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton (Florida)

Cocoa Beach by Beatriz Williams (Florida)

To Read:

On Ocean Boulevard by Mary Alice Monroe (South Carolina)

The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton (Florida)

The House on Fripp Island by Rebecca Kauffman (South Carolina)

So, what are some of your favorite Southern Beach Reads?  Have you read any of these books? Let me know in the comments below. 

7th Annual Summer Kickoff Feature

If you have been following me these past few years, you know that I am all about my summertime reads so much so that I have made it a fun feature at Confessions of a Book Addict. This is my 7th (!!) spring/summer showcasing the best beach reads around and I am so excited to get started this year.  After this never-ending winter here in PA, I am all about some warm weather, sunshine, a cocktail, and a good book.  Who is with me?

My Summer Kickoff Feature has changed over the years, but here's what you can expect this time around. I'll be sharing my favorite beach reads for summer 2018 and you'll know, because I'll have this header above my review.  By the time 4th of July hits, you will, hopefully, have a good list going of some great books to throw in your beach bag, take with you to the pool, or bring with you on vacation.  I'll also be hosting many giveaways during this feature, so keep your eye out for them!

Adult Fiction:

The Husband Hour by Jamie Brenner

Secret to Southern Charm by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

The Summer Sail by Wendy Francis

The Favorite Sister by Jessica Knoll

The Summer I Met Jack by Michelle Gable

The High Tide Club by Mary Kay Andrews

Beach House Reunion by Mary Alice Monroe

The High Season by Judy Blundell

Dreams of Falling by Karen White

The Ever After by Sarah Pekkanen

All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin

Sailing Lessons by Hanna McKinnon

California Summer by Anita Hughes

The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand

The Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams

Honorable Mentions:  (If I find the time!)

Women of the Dunes by Sarah Maine

Every Time You Go Away by Beth Harrison

Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers by Sara Ackerman

When Life Gives You Lululemons by Lauren Weisberger

The Nantucket Wedding by Nancy Thayer

YA Fiction:

Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett

9 Days & 9 Nights by Kate Cotugno

August and Everything After by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

Love & Luck by Jenna Evans Welch

The Last Summer of the Garrett Girls by Jessica Spotswood

Let Me List the Ways by Sarah White

Honorable Mentions (If I find the time!)

Save the Date by Morgan Matson

The Other Side of Lost by Jessi Kirby

Listen to Your Heart by Kasie West
Stay Sweet by Siobhan Vivian

Now this list might change as the summer gets closer, but listed above are the books I hope to showcase and/or read during my Summer Kickoff Feature.  To see what books I featured in years past, check out my whole page dedicated to beach reads.

What books are you looking forward to reading this summer? Any books that I missed? Let me know in the comments.

If You Love Southern Beach Reads

Guys, it is officially beach read season!  Some of my favorite beach reads have Southern settings. The beaches, the sunshine, the palm trees, the small town...what more could you want? Not only is the South home to many gorgeous beaches, it's also home to two of my favorite destinations: Savannah and Key West.

If you are looking to armchair travel to the sunny South this summer or you want a Southern beach read to bring with you to the pool or on vacation, look no further. Here are my some of my favorite beach reads with Southern settings.

Adult Fiction:

Hemingway's Girl by Erika Robuck  (Key West, Florida)

Slightly South of Simple by Kristy Woodson Harvey (Georgia)

The Night the Lights Went Out by Karen White (Georgia)

The Weekenders by Mary Kay Andrews - (North Carolina)

The Last Original Wife by Dorothea Benton Frank (Charleston, South Carolina)

All Summer Long by Dorothea Benton Frank (Charleston, South Carolina)

Under a Dark Summer Sky by Vanessa LaFaye (Key West, Florida)

YA Fiction:

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen (Colby, North Carolina)

The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen (Colby, North Carolina)

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer Holm (Key West, Florida)

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han (Cousins Beach - Fictional Southern beach town)

Endless Summer by Jennifer Echols (Alabama)

Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton (Georgia)

Southern Beach Reads on my TBR List: 

Coming Out This Summer:

Beach House for Rent by Mary Alice Monroe (Isle of Palms, South Carolina)

Same Beach, Next Year by Dorothea Benton Frank (South Carolina)

Cocoa Beach by Beatriz Williams (Cocoa Beach, Florida)

Backlist Southern Beach Reads:

Summer at Hideaway Key by Barbara Davis (Gulf Coast of Florida)

Flight Patterns by Karen White  (Florida coast)

The Sound of Glass by Karen White (Beaufort, South Carolina)

Sea Change by Karen White (St. Simons Island, Georgia)

Lies and Other Acts of Love by Kristy Woodsen Harvey (North Carolina)

The Summer Girls by Mary Alice Monroe (Sullivan's Island, South Carolina)
Spring Fever by Mary Kay Andrews (North Carolina)

What are some of your favorite Southern beach reads? Which ones are on your TBR list? Do you have any recommendations for me? Let me know in the comments below.  

Summer Kickoff Feature!

Somehow it has been six years since I started my Summer Kickoff Feature! It's one of my favorite things to plan each year. Last year I decided to feature my beach read picks all summer long instead of only during the month of May and that worked out well, so I am going to do that again this year.  You will know I'll be featuring a beach read if you see my Summer Kickoff header at the top of the review!

Of course, I'll also be hosting some great giveaways and sharing some fun beachy posts, too.  I absolutely love this time of the year! For me, there is nothing better than reading at the beach.

Here are some of the books I plan on featuring and/or reviewing during my Summer Kickoff Feature. I always add in some last minute choices as well, but here's a rough idea:

Adult Fiction New Releases:

The Forever Summer by Jamie Brenner

Purple Hearts by Tess Wakefield

White Sand, Blue Sea by Anita Hughes

The Book of Summer by Michelle Gable

Slightly South of Simple by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Secrets in Summer by Nancy Thayer

The People We Hate at the Wedding by Grant Ginder

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Beach House for Rent by Mary Alice Monroe

The Summer House by Hannah McKinnon

Same Beach, Next Year by Dorothea Benton Frank

The Sunshine Sisters by Jane Green

Kiss Carlo by Adriana Trigiani

Cocoa Beach by Beatriz Williams

Hello, Sunshine by Laura Dave

YA New Releases:

The Whole Thing Together by Ann Brashares

It Started with Goodbye by Christina June

The Names They Gave Us by Emery Lord

Romancing the Throne by Nadine Jolie Courtney

If Birds Fly Back by Carlie Sorosiak

Once and For All by Sarah Dessen

Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han

Trusting You and Other Lies by Nicole Williams

I See London, I See France by Sarah Mlynowski

Coming Up for Air by Miranda Kenneally

Changes in Latitudes by Jen Malone

How to Make a Wish by Ashley Herring Blake

Hello, Sunshine by Leila Howland

The Secret History of Us by Jessi Kirby

The Lake Effect by Erin McCahan

Oldies-But-Goodies:

Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen

The Matchmaker by Elin Hilderbrand

Summer at Hideaway Key by Barbara Davis

If you want to check out the other books that I featured in years past, you can find them here. What are you looking forward to reading this summer?

Happy Reading!

Books with the Best Beach Towns

Being a beach bum myself, I always appreciate when an author creates the most perfect coastal town.  Whether the author captures the whole dynamic between townies versus vacationers or includes details like the perfect place to get ice cream or the best beach, I am sold.  A vivid and beautifully detailed beach town is the kind of setting I want to be transported to time and time again.  If you want to read my review for all of these books, please check out my review archive, which is organized by the author's last name. The following list includes some of my favorites:

Cape May, New Jersey

Jersey Shore: I'm a little biased since I am a Jersey Shore lover, but these books really capture what makes the "shore" so great. All of the Jersey Shore isn't like the MTV show; in fact, it is so, so very different. There's beautiful beaches, great places to shop, dine, and get a great scoop of ice cream ...these books have it all, not to mention the award-winning boardwalks and rides!

• The Season of You & Me by Robin Constantine - Jersey Shore
• The Summer After You and Me by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski - Jersey Shore
• All the Summer Girls by Meg Donohue - Avalon, New Jersey
• Others with this Setting: All I Need by Susane Colasanti, Whisper Beach by Shelley Noble, and Jersey Angel by Beth Ann Bauman.

The Hamptons

The Hamptons/New York: I love a good beach read that takes place here, because the setting and the beach-goers seem so extravagant.  There's high-end shops and restaurants and huge homes on the beach, yet it is still a beach town at heart.

• Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend by Katie Finn - The Hamptons
• The Last Summer of You and Me by Ann Brashares - Fire Island, New York
• Others with this Setting: Rules of Summer by Joanna Philbin, The Summer of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells, The Summer We Read Gatsby by Danielle Ganek, and A Certain Summer by Patricia Beard.

Nantucket

Northeast/New England: There's something special about New England beaches as well as Nantucket. I love the lobster rolls, the beautiful hydrangeas, the quaint towns, the lighthouses, the clambakes, and the rocky beaches all depicted in these novels.

• Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
• Beautiful Day by Elin Hilderbrand - Nantucket
• The Island by Elin Hilderbrand
• The Forget-Me-Not Summer by Leila Howland
• A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams
• Island Girls by Nancy Thayer
• The Summer I Turned Pretty Series by Jenny Han
• Others with this Setting: Nantucket Sisters by Nancy Thayer, Summer Sisters by Judy Bloom,  The Guest Cottage by Nancy Thayer, Last Year's Mistake by Gina Ciocca, Summer Secrets by Jane Green, The Sound by Sarah Alderson, and The Summer of Good Intentions by Wendy Francis.

Outer Banks

The South: I love a good southern summertime story, especially if it takes place in Colby, Sarah Dessen's fictional beach town, or at the Florida Keys.  There's the perpetual smell of Coppertone, sweet tea, ripe peaches, fantastic porches, BBQ, and hot, muggy weather.  There's nothing better!

• Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
• The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen
• Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer Holm
• Hemingway's Girl by Erika Robuck
• Under a Dark Summer Sky by Vanessa LaFaye
• Other Books with this Setting:  Sea Change by Aimee Friedman, Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks, The Summer My Life Began by Shannon Greenland,  Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols, Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton, and The Weekenders by Mary Kay Andrews.

Southern California 

California: Every time I think of a California summer, I think of beautiful beaches, gorgeous sunsets, palm trees, and of course hot surfers.  These books capture the beauty of California. 

• Moonglass by Jessi Kirby - Crystal Cove, California
• Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler - California Coast
• Things We Know by Heart by Jessi Kirby - California Coast
• Other Books with this Setting:  The Star Shack by Lila Castle, The Mermaid's Mirror by L.K. Madigan, and Emmy & Oliver by Robin Benway.

Miscellaneous Beach Towns:
What I Thought Was True by Huntley Fitzpatrick,  First Time in Forever by Sarah Morgan, and The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler.


So, what are some of your favorite fictional beach towns? I know I could spend some time at Colby or Cousins Beach right about now! Let me know in the comments below.