The Top 5 Beach Reads

One thing about me, a trip isn't complete without a book in hand. Preferably, a read that matches the aesthetic of the trip. I'll admit that I'm a window shopper when it comes to books, meaning I do judge a book by its cover. So, if a book has a pretty cover or any hint that it involves a romance that takes place in a beach town or coastal destination, I'm there. A beach read simply elevates your vacation.

With the snow melting (or the temperatures reaching 80s again if you're in Florida like me), it's socially acceptable to read beach reads again. Here are some of my favorite beach reads that immerse you into small coastal towns where there's summer love, angst, and the nostalgic feeling of beach days.

One Golden Summer

When I tell you this book had me in a chokehold in 2025, I mean it. It's the perfect blend between summer love and grown-up relationships. This is the sequel to "Every Summer After," which was a best-selling novel about a classic friends to lovers trope. "One Golden Summer" by Carley Fortune follows Charlie Florek — and I will proudly admit I was team Charlie in "Every Summer After — and Alice as she visits her Grandmother at Barry's Bay.

Charlie is one of those characters you can't help but love. He's funny, full of banter, a flirt, but also incredibly generous and thoughtful. Alice is a relatable FMC: introvert, finding herself, charming (in a nerdy way), and protective of her heart. Her progression, as well as Charlie's, hits you right in the heartstrings. They find love through hot days on the lake, glances across the room, two worlds meeting, and a lot of examples of the invisible string theory — my favorite!

This book felt like a nap after a hot day at the beach — it's comforting and nostalgic. Plus, there's yearning...I mean what more could you ask for? It's one of the best love stories that is the quintessential summer read.

Beach Read

Did you really think I was going to make a list of beach reads and not put the one? "Beach Read" by Emily Henry is a classic enemies to lovers trope mixed with small beach town charm and family dynamics. The love in this story is complicated, especially because the two main characters are opposites and career rivals. The rivalry is key to the tension that makes this book binge-worthy, but when they finally put their rivalry to the side, a partnership forms that pushes them and creates a beautiful match.

If "August"by Taylor Swift was a book, it would be this one. It feels like salt air, fleeting romance, and maybe some bad decisions. But, in Gus and January's case, their fleeting romance finds a foundation that is swoonworthy and admirable.

You, With A View

Another enemies to lovers trope that I couldn't put down was "You, With A View" by Jessica Joyce. This book ditches the beach setting and swaps it for a multi-destination vacation. Now, picture this: You travel around the country with your high school enemy all while discovering the story of your Grandma's first true love. Yes, it's like if forced proximity and timeless love had a child — and I ate it up. It's equally endearing and filled with tension.

This book makes you want to travel the world, capturing polaroids and writing letters to your long distance lover. It's a beautiful story about the right person, right time or maybe, right person, wrong time. It's about finding love in unexpected places and savoring life every chance you get it. Are my hopeless romantic tendencies showing yet?

The Summer I Turned Pretty Trilogy

Mentally, I'm always in Cousins Beach. When I first read Jenny Han's universe of the Fisher and Conklin families, I fell in love. Something about the teen angst, nostalgia, and young love had me hooked. And when the trilogy got adapted into a TV show, my love grew into a full-fledged obsession. You're probably familiar with the love triangle of Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah, but in the off chance that you've been living under a rock, the series is the epitome of beach reads.

These books are filled with sweet nothings, yearning, self exploration, and growing up. As someone who cries any time she thinks about growing up, these books made me incredibly emotional. I could go into detail about why I love these books, from the dynamics of grief to the complexity of young love, but I will leave you with this: Team Conrad for life.

Happy Place

Emily Henry can do no wrong. She somehow transcribes my feelings into words on a page. For me, the love between friends pulls at my heartstrings more than relationships, which is why "Happy Place" was a roman empire book for me.

It perfectly encapsulates how it feels to grow up and what that might mean for the friendships in your life. It's a beautiful recording of interpersonal dynamics, friendship, second chances, closure, and of course, unconditional love. I have a soft spot for every character in this book. Plus, it takes place in a coastal town, so you get that summer fix.