We are officially in the home stretch of the school year, meaning it’s time to start thinking about summer plans. Whether you’ve got a packed schedule or a blank slate ahead of you, you’ll need a book or two to get in the mood for the season.
Last Kiss of Summer by Jessica Felleman
Who doesn’t love a good cry on the beach? If you’re looking for an emotional awakening this summer, you’ll love (and sob over) this summer romance. It follows Sera as she returns to her family’s Cape Cod summer house in need of a fresh start. After her best friend and next-door neighbor, Luke, broke her heart last summer, she is determined to avoid anything romantic. However, the sparks between them soon become pretty undeniable, and when the pair learns devastating news about their future, Sera must make the choice between protecting her heart and living life to the fullest—before it’s too late.
Stars, Stripes, & Summer Nights by Celeste Dador
Imagine if Gilmore Girls had a Fourth of July special, complete with enough small-town charm and patriotism to carry an entire national holiday. If that sounds like your vibe, crack open this adorable read in the lead-up to your own celebration. In the book, a mishap-turned front-page scandal sends First Daughter of the U.S., Abby, to a small-town inn for her last summer before college (which was supposed to be refreshing and carefree). The biggest catch? The inn is owned by the family of Gabriel, who is the very carefree and irritatingly cute reason for her relocation in the first place. Soon, Abby finds herself teaming up with Gabriel to save his family’s Fourth of July festival and check off her own bucket list…which might just include falling in love.
Ancient History Between Us by Kaitlyn Hill
Fresh pizza in Naples, cliffside views from Capri, Pompeii’s ancient ruins…if only everyone’s summer involved a journey across the Italian coast. Whether or not you’ve got extensive travel plans for this vacay, you’re sure to love this summertime adventure story. Cammie and West are reunited after a three-year distance—following an accidental first kiss and heartbreak—for a trip through southern Italy as Cammie uses her mom’s old journal to search for her absent father. Using their knowledge of dig sites (from their time spent on digs with their respective parent archaeologists), they explore the beautiful coast, discover secrets about their pasts and realize the history between them might not be so ancient after all.
Sundown Girls by L.S. Stratton
A good summer mystery never fails to hit, especially when it carries a deeper message. This punchy thriller is exactly that combo, and you’ll be ripping through the pages late into the night. Naomi and her family move to the secluded mountain town of Sparksburg, Virginia, expecting a fresh start. Instead, they find an unsettling atmosphere and a dark history. Sparksburg was once a Sundown Town, in which Black people had to stay locked up inside after sunset or face danger. The sense of fear only grows when two girls in town go missing, and Naomi starts receiving visions of another girl—a ghost that haunts her bedroom window at night. Soon, Naomi must decide to dig into the cases herself and connect with the ghost girl to understand the complex history of her new home—and protect herself and her family before it’s too late.
The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst
Who said summer couldn’t carry a bit of magic? This cozy fantasy story is the perfect blend of enchantment, secrets and new love. Calisa, fresh out of a heartbreak, heads to her great-aunt Zee’s bed and breakfast in rural Vermont for a fresh start and an escape from drama. However, with the dilapidated state of the inn and her aunt’s clear disdain for any visitors, Calisa’s plan starts to feel less like a restorative escape and more like a nightmare. Soon, she starts working around the inn to earn her stay (with the help of the groundskeeper’s cute son) and discovers that not everything about the place (or her aunt) is as it seems. She finds herself wrapped in a magical mystery, discovering healing along the way.
Check out our Book Club IG @glbestiebookclub for more rad reads!
More summer inspo, incoming…
☀️ Live Your Cool Girl Summer On A Budget
☀️ Your Official Summer Swimsuit Trend Report
☀️ Brb, We’re Making Homemade Ice Cream All Summer
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