Ahhh…summer. My favorite time of the year. Why you ask? Because finally it’s warm enough to swim — and that means I get to lay by the pool and read, um, I mean supervise while the kids frolic with their friends. And if my book is so juicy I can’t even tear my eyes away? Well, isn’t that what life jackets are for?
In all seriousness, though, I’m excited for summer because I love to read. And I’m dishing out the juicy details to SheKnows readers on these must-have books to add to your beach bag this summer.
Here are my top five picks for the beach, the pool or just hanging out inside with the air conditioner on. Kick off your flip flops and dig into these fabulous books — you deserve it!
5 Hot Summer Reads
The Secret of Joy by Melissa Senate
I just finished this book and loved it. After her father’s deathbed confession of a long-past summer affair, Rebecca embarks on a journey to discover a sister but ends up finding herself with the help of some interesting characters in the little town she’s visiting.
And of course, as with any small town, there’s a resident handyman hottie.
Bottom line: I literally couldn’t put this down.
Love in Mid Air by Kim Wright
I haven’t crushed on a book like this in a long time. When Elyse exchanges sparks with a man she meets on a commuter flight, it sends her on a journey to free herself from her unhappy marriage to a perfectly nice man.
Elyse surrounds herself with a circle of friends who belong to a book club and are in various states in their own marriages. This supporting cast of women, Elyse’s journey and some hot, sexy scenes make this book sizzle.
Bottom line: A subtle yet thought-provoking commentary on what happiness really means, it had me thinking about it long after I finished. Don’t miss my official SheKnows review of Love in Mid Air.
The Opposite of Me by Sarah Pekkanen
Both hilarious and touching, you won’t be able to put this debut down. When Lindsey’s life implodes (the result of a fun boardroom scene) and she’s forced to move from her high-powered, career-driven NYC life back home to her wacky parents and seemingly perfect twin sister, Alex, she realizes that it’s not always easy to go home again.
Just when you think you know where this novel is going, Pekkanen surprises and you find yourself laughing and crying and wanting more.
Bottom line: From the first word I read, I was hooked.
Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin
An authentic, page-turner about what can happen when people check out of their marriage and the complexities of adultery.
Pitch perfect and totally engaging, Heart of the Matter is told from the point of view of two women involved with the same man. There’s a mom of two who decides to stay at home with her kids while her pediatric surgeon husband works miracles and a single mom who is a lawyer and struggling to fit in with the other suburban moms.
Heart of the Matter also happens to be the current SheKnows Book Club pick and I can see why.
Bottom line:Emily Giffin‘s deepest and best novel yet.
Beginner’s Greek by James Collins
Do you believe in fate? Are you feeling a little romantic? Then pick up this amazing story about missed opportunities, second chances and lost love.
Beginner’s Greek is one of my all time favorite beach reads, and I’ll likely read it again this summer. It’s about a man who meets the woman of his dreams on a flight and then loses her number.
Bottom line: You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll pass it on to your best friend.
Tell us what your favorite beach reads are — new books for this summer (like our SheKnows June Book Pick from bestselling author Allison Winn Scotch) or your all-time favorite beach reads you like to read again and again.
We want to know!
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