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24 Highly Popular Beach Reads of 2023
Ready to soak up in the sun with the best beach reads 2023?
There’s nothing like getting lost in a captivating summer book while feeling the warm breeze on your skin. From steamy beach reads to compelling memoirs and mysteries, this year’s selection of beach books has something for everyone.
Whether you’re a fan of beach-read queens such as Emily Henry, Elin Hilderbrand, or Jennifer Weiner, these books will surely make your summer unforgettable! ( I still remember everyone that I know couldn’t stop recommending The Hotel Nantucket in the summer of 2022)
So grab your sunglasses, sunscreen, and a good book, and get ready for a season of endless adventure and enjoyment. These best beach reads are sure to keep you entertained from the first page till the last.
Top 3 Best Beach Reads for 2023
If you have in a hurry and quickly want to grab the best beach books for 2023, here are my top selection!
- The Summer Broken Rules by K.L. Walther
- Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan
- One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
Summer Beach Books for 2023
Explore the complete list of 24 beach reads in detail. Featuring books by bestselling authors such as Taylor Jenkins Reid, Emily Henry, Rebecca Serle, and many more.
Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- Goodreads Choice AwardWinner for Best Historical Fiction (2022)
- New York Times Bestseller
I read this book in 24 hours and absolutely loved it. Not just because I am a huge Taylor Jenkins Reid fan. (I absolutely couldn’t put down The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo!)
But also the fast-paced story of the father-daughter duo who live, eat, and breathe tennis, was utterly fascinating.
The book has everything that you look for in a captivating beach novel. The protagonist Carrie Soto is fierce, sharp, and unapologetic, you may not love her but you can’t ignore her inspiring journey.
At thirty-seven Carrie decides to come out of retirement and prove to the world that she is still the greatest player in the world. A riveting tale of sacrifice and vulnerability. To tell you the truth, in the end I can’t help but just love Carrie!
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The Summer Broken Rules by K.L. Walther
- A USA Today Bestseller
This perfect summer romance is a love story inspired by Taylor Swift’s songs. It tells the story of 18-year-old Meredith Fox who lost her big sister.
As she prepares to go to Martha’s Vineyard, an annual summer tradition of her family, she still can’t get over the void of loss.
And to make things even worse, her boyfriend has just dumped her. The Summer Broken Rules is a unique story for the fans of Jenny Han’s The Summer I Turned Pretty. You can’t help but absolutely fall in love with this young adult romance with summer vibes.
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Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
- Goodreads Choice AwardNominee for Best Romance (2022)
- Nominee for Best Debut Novel (2022)
- The New York Times Bestseller!
This might be the ultimate beach reach of 2023! Named as One of the Hottest Reads of Summer 2022 by Today, Every Summer After is still readers’ favorite in this year. Carley Fortune’s debut novel is a beautiful coming-of-age novel of summer love.
For six summers Persephone Fraser (Percy) and Sam Florek had been inseparable, until their unexpected separations. Now Percy returns for Sam’s mother’s funeral and an overwhelming wave of emotions surge back at once. But will she be able to reveal all her secrets?
If you’re itching to read a nostalgic tale of second-chance romance, pack along with your summer essentials.
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Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan
- One of Real Simple’s Best Books of 2022
- One of the Washington Post’s 10 Noteworthy Books for June 2022
- One of USA Today’s Top Rom Coms for June 2022
- One of Cosmopolitan’s 15 Best Romance Novels of 2022 That’ll Give You All the Feels
- One of Southern Living’s Beach Reads Perfect for Summer 2022
There are two types of summer romance novels that I prefer to read during a scorching day at the beach, one is the usual kind of fun, lighthearted romance that promises a happy ending, the second is a real love story that is complicated by work, kids, and the emotional baggage that comes with life. And Nora Goes Off Script is one such story.
It’s the romance between a middle-aged, divorced romance screenwriter and the highest-paid actor.
Nora Hamilton knows the formula for love better than anyone, as she is the screenwriter for a romance channel. But when her narcissistic husband leaves her and her children behind, she decides to write the best script of her life. And that changes everything! Witty, addictive, and warm, Nora Goes Off Script is perfect for fans of Emily Henry’s novels and Nancy Meyers’ movies.
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Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- Goodreads Choice Award Winner for Best Historical Fiction (2021)
- New York Times Bestseller
- Read with Jenna Book Club Pick as Featured on Today
There is no better vacation companion than a book set in Malibu. By now you know I devour anything written by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
And this is another book by Reid that I finished within a few hours. Set in 1983’s Malibu the whole story revolves around Nina Riva’s annual end-of-summer party, by the four Riva siblings. The siblings are a source of fascination in Malibu and the world over especially because of their father Mick Riva.
Prepared to be swept away by this irresistible drama that’s packed with breathtaking beaches, captivating surfing, and four sexy siblings.
And before you even know it you will find yourself booking a beach vacation in exotic Malibu. Reid’s novels Maybe in Another Life, Daisy Jones & The Six also great to read this summer
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One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
- New York Times Bestseller
The Italian Summer is a refreshing beach read if you dream of a trip to Italy. When Katy’s mother, Carol dies she has lost not only a parent but also a best friend.
And it turns out that the grief has put her marriage in trouble as well. Katy and Carol had planned to take a mother-daughter trip to Positano.
Now after Carol’s death, Katy decides to embark on the adventure alone. As she explores the beautiful cliffsides, crystal-clear waters, and delicious food, she discovers a new side of her mother.
This book was heartwarming and delightful to read. And all those descriptions of mouth-watering food had me drooling!
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A Place Like Home by Rosamunde Pilcher
Rosamunde Pilcher’s collection of fifteen short stories will transport you to picturesque settings.
If you’re familiar with Pilcher’s writing you know she always describes her scenes so well that it will make you feel as if you are there. And these stories- Our Holiday or Through the Eyes of Love, is filled with Mediterranean sunshine, fresh sea air, and Scottish countryside charm.
And what these stories mostly have in common is the smart, feisty female characters! The uplifting romance in these stories is written with warmth and passion. By the way, make sure to grab yourself plenty of cold drinks because you are going to be spending hours reading this A Place Like Home under the scorching sun!
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These Tangled Vines by Julianne MacLean
This summer-page tuner is one woman’s journey to the lush vineyards of Tuscany.
Fiona, the protagonist, has kept her late mother’s secret about an affair in Tuscany thirty years ago, and she has no plan to reveal it to anyone, not even to her father.
But when she learns about an incredible fortune and discovers two half-siblings, she must confront her past. While her mysterious family in Italy is shocked to learn of her existence, they are desperate to claim her share of the will. These Tangled Vines is a breathtaking journey of love, secrets, and the true meaning of family.
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The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
- New York Times Bestseller
- Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Best Romance (2021)
- Winner for Best Debut Novel (2021)
If there is one genre that’s perfect for lazy beach days and warm summer nights, it’s a rom-com. And what better than this enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn booktok sensation, The Spanish Love Deception. Elena Armas’s first novel is perfect for fans of steamy love stories.
Catalina Martín is desperately looking for a date to her sister’s wedding after her lie about An American boyfriend has spiraled out of control. When Aaron Blackford, her aggravating coworker offers to help, she has no option but to accept it. As the wedding draws nearer, Cataline begins to see a new side of Aaron and wonders if he might not be as terrible as he seems.
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The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
- Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Best Romance (2022)
With its sweet romance and quirky characters, Katherine Center’s The Bodyguard will surely be a hit in the summer 2023. Hannah Brooks may look like a kindergarten teacher but she is an Executive Protection Agent (aka “bodyguard”) for high-profile clients. While struggling to deal with personal troubles after the death of her mother and a recent breakup, Hannah is assigned to protect superstar actor Jack Stapleton from his middle-aged, corgi-breeding stalker. The Bodyguard is a delightful, lighthearted romance with emotional depth.
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The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews
The New York Times bestselling author Mary Kay Andrews is the Queen of beach reads for her perfect summer page-turners that are filled with little romance and suspense. Her new novel The Newcomer takes us from a murder scene in Manhattan to a laid-back beach town on Florida’s west coast.
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Summer on the Island by Brenda Novak
Author Brenda Novak’s new novel follows a formula proven to be a hit in ultimate beach reads: themes of healing, friendship, and love. Marlow Madsen decides to travel to a small island off the coast of Florida, after her father’s death. It’s also where her parents’ beach house where she has spent several summers. She is accompanied by best friends Aida and Claire, who are also looking to reset their lives. As the trio spends a leisurely summer on the beach, exploring new paths, an unexpected secret is revealed in her father’s will. With the help of her best friends and an unlikely love interest, Marlow navigates life and comes to the realization that happiness can be found with the right people by his side.
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The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller
- Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Best Debut Goodreads Author (2016)
Louise Miller’s first novel takes place in a small town in Vermont and has the most mouth-watering food descriptions you’ll ever read. A sweet novel about a big-city baker who discovers the true meaning of home. The book has got everything that you look for in a great beach read: serene landscapes, cinnamon-scented kitchens and small-town friendliness.
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Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
- Goodreads Choice Award Winner for Best Fiction (2022)
- New York Times Bestseller
New York Times best-selling novelist, and author of The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry, Gabrielle Zevin’s exhilarating novel follows childhood friends, Sam and Sadie who become creative partners in the world of video game design. Spanning over thirty years from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Venice Beach, California, and lands in between and far beyond, the story explores themes of identity, disability and failure.
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The Guncle by Steven Rowley
- Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Best Fiction (2021)
- National Bestseller
- Wall Street Journal Bestseller
- USA Today Bestseller
- An NPR Book of the Year
- Finalist for the Thurber Prize for American Humor
- Finalist for the 2021 Goodreads Choice Awards
Guncle is a witty, sweet, and heartbreaking beach read about a formerly famous gay sitcom star. Patrick or Gay Uncle Patrick has always loved his niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant. But when it comes to caretaking and relating to two of these adorable children, it’s always a struggle. So when tragedy strikes Patrick finds himself suddenly taking on the role of primary guardian of Maisie and Grant.
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I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
- New York Times Bestseller
- International bestseller
- Goodreads Choice Award Winner for Best Memoir & Autobiography (2022)
This is one of the candid memoir by iCarly and Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdy about her struggles as a former child actor. I’m Glad My Mom Died heartbreaking and hilarious account of her eating disorders, addiction, and complicated relationship with her overbearing mother would make a great vacation companion.
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The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris
- New York Times Best Seller
If thrilling psychological thrillers are your kind of beach read, you will love Zakiya Dalila Harris’ The Other Black Girl.This darkly humorous story of a Black assistant. Editorial assistant Nella Rogers is thrilled when Hazel, another Black woman, joins the team, as she hopes to find support and solidarity from someone who understands her struggles with microaggressions in the workplace. However, when she gets to know Hazel, Nella quickly realizes that her co-worker may not be exactly who she seems.
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The Unsinkable Greta James Jennifer E. Smith
This warm contemporary summer romance takes place on an Alaskan cruise. After her mother’s sudden death, rock star Greta James decides to accompany her father on a week-long cruise, to escape the chaos of her life. On the cruise, she meets Ben, a historian who is struggling with a major upheaval in his life. Despite their differences, both of them form an unlikely friendship that helps them work through their struggles together.
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Haven Point by Virginia Hume
- National Bestseller
Virginia Hume’s first novel Haven Point is about the generations of a family that spends summers in a seaside enclave.
Set on Maine’s rocky coastline, this multigenerational family drama follows the lives of Maren and Oliver. It begins with their first meeting during WWII into their marriage and the birth of their three children. The story also has a present-day timeline, where we learn about Maren’s granddaughter, Skye, as she recalls her visits to Haven Point throughout her childhood while also uncovering a buried family secret.
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Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
- Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Best Romance (2021)
- A Reese Witherspoon Bookclub Pick
Seven Days in June is a humorous, romantic, and sexy‑as‑hell story of a second chance love story of two writers.
When Eva Mercy, the bestselling erotica writer from Brooklyn unexpectedly meets literary author Shane Hall at a literary event, their past buried traumas arise. What nobody knows is that they both have been secretly writing to each other in their books.
Over the next seven days, as they reconnect and explore their chemistry, Eva is unsure whether she can trust the man who broke her heart. The novel offers a mix of themes such as modern motherhood, and the consequences of motherlessness. Enjoy this profoundly moving while lounging on the beach or by the pool.
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People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
- Goodreads Choice Award Winner for Best Romance (2021)
Whether it’s Book Lovers, Happy Place, all Emily Henry novels need to be on everyone’s summer beach read list.
I don’t know whether it’s her knack for writing swoon-worthy romantic comedies or sparkling wit, you can just spend endless hours at the beach with her book in your hands. I remember every book club was reading People We Meet on Vacation last year, but it turns out it’s still a favorite among readers.
Poppy and Alex are the most unlikely best friends who share a strong bond that developed after a car share home from college. Although they mostly live apart, the duo always looks forward to their week-long vacation together every summer.
That’s until a falling out two years ago when everything was ruined. Now Poppy feels that she wants to fix things with Alex by convincing him to take one more vacation together. So when he finally agrees, Poppy has just one week to make things right.
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When in Rome by Sarah Adams
Sarah Adams’ rom-coms are as delightful as the summer sunshine. People adored her TikTok sensation The Cheat Sheet. Her new novel When in Rome follows a stranded pop star and small-town baker.
Having burned out from years of maintaining the “princess of pop” image, Amelia Rose decides to escape to Rome, Kentucky, where she finds herself on the front lawn of the owner of a pie shop.
This opposite-attract quick romantic comedy is a modern take on the Hepburn classic movie- Roman Holiday.
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Under the Southern Sky by Kristy Woodson Harvey
- New York Times Best Seller
- Country Living’s 20 New Books You Don’t Want to Miss This Spring
- Bookstr’s 8 Most Anticipated Reads of 2021
- Frolic’s 12 Most Anticipated Books of 2021
- BookTrib’s Most-Anticipated Reads of 2021
- Brit + Co’s Books You Should Read with Your BFF
Next on the list is a sweet Southern fiction that’s perfect for the fans of authors Jennifer Weiner and Elin Hilderbrand. Woodson Harvey’s emotionally charged novel Under the Southern Sky is about two childhood friends who discover that love and family can be found in the most unexpected ways.
When journalist Amelia Saxton uncovered the biggest story of her career, she never expected it to be deeply personal. When she finds out about her childhood friend Parker’s late wife’s abandoned frozen embryos, she’s put in the unenviable position of telling Parker.
Later, he decides to become a single father and find a surrogate. As Parker and Amelia deal with their own grief they find comfort in each other and their childhood home. This gorgeous novel is a tear-jerker!
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The Summer of Lost and Found by Mary Alice Monroe
Mary Alice Monroe’s beach house series is perfect for the fans of Elin Hilderbrand and Wendy Wax. Every Monroe novel guarantees a perfect escape, one should not pack a beach bag without her books. Her latest The Summer of Lost and Found takes you on a trip to the idyllic sun, and sand of a Southern summer. The story that takes place against the backdrop of the coronavirus is surely something we all can relate to.
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There you have the best beach reads for 2023! What other summer books do you like to add to the list?
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Stephy George
