Summer Book Recommendations & My Summer TBR ☀️

Summer is my favorite reading season. I love being able to sit outdoors & enjoy a light read with the sunshine on my face & the breeze. I guess it’s because we tend to take more vacations this time of year & school is out for some of us, it becomes a time of rest & relaxation. And what better way to recharge than getting lost in a good book. Here are my summer book recommendations as well as my potential TBR for the next few months.

The Knockemount Series by Lucy Score

The Knockemount Series by Lucy Score is the perfect small town romance duet to read this summer. Book one focuses on Knox & Naomi & is a slow burn, grumpy sunshine, strangers to neighbors & fake dating. The secondary plot, found family & mystery adds a nice twist to the typical romance novel. I’m excited to read Knox’s brother – Nash’s story in Things We Hide from the Light. This is the perfect season to catch up on this series because the 3rd installment releases this September.

Emily Henry Books

Beach Read is my favorite Emily Henry & the perfect summer / vacation read. It’s a grumpy sunshine romance about two writers with writers block who decide to swap projects to rediscover their creativity. People We Meet on Vacation is my second favorite which is a second chance friends to lovers romance. Book Lovers isn’t mentioned because I was not a fan. But I am very excited to read her newest release, Happy Place which is a fake dating premise.

The Chestnut Springs Series by Elsie Silver

If you are looking to channel your inner cowboy / cowgirl & are a fan of the tv show, Yellowstone – I highly recommend these standalone romance series. I have only read Flawless so far but I plan to read the rest of the series this summer. Each story focuses on a brother of a ranch family. The first book focusing on a bull rider who falls into a PR scandal that forced him to have a “babysitter” or rather his PR agent’s daughter to live with him on the ranch to keep him out of trouble. They are filled with great tropes & tons of spice & bull riding hunks.

Taylor Jenkins Reid Books

TJR is one of my favorite authors who writes historical fiction & romance. Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a popular one among the internet & was the book that got me into her writing. It follows a Hollywood starlet & her romantic escapades during the 70’s & 80’s. There’s a hint of mystery & twists that really had me hooked until the end. Daisy Jones & the Six is another recommendation along with the Amazon prime tv adaptation that released in March. It tells the story of the rise & fall of a famous rock band in the 60’s. Malibu Rising is another contender which tells the story about four famous siblings who throw an epic house party & the past & present events that lead up to that specific night. Carrie Soto is Back is one that is in my summer TBR. It focuses on the story of a famous tennis player in the 90’s. As you can see, these select novels take place in the same universe & is known as her decade novels. You might even see a few characters pop up interchangeably in each book. Of course, if you’ve read these, you can always move onto her back list where One True Loves is soon to become a motion picture.

Red Rising Saga by Pierce Brown

With the newest installment to the series, Lightbringer releasing in July, I feel like this is the best time to catch up this sci-fi action series if you are looking to dive into this genre. This series is very fast paced & suspenseful following Darrow, a teenage boy working in the mines of Mars that quickly becomes in search of political revenge when devastation arises. If you enjoy Star Wars, Hunger Games or Lord of the Flies – I highly recommend you check out this series. Red Rising, Golden Son, Morning Star, Iron Gold & Dark Age is the reading order.

Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings

I’ve finally decided to start the Magnolia Parks series because so many people are talking about it. You either love this series or you hate it. But a lot of people compare it to Gossip Girl, so I have to see for myself. Basically, the series follows a group of rich, British socialites & their very toxic relationships & crazy lives. If you end up loving the first book, you can check out the entire series.

Hooked by Emily McIntire

This is a dark romance, Captain Hook & Wendy retelling. I figured this would be a great summer read for the ocean setting & plainly because I just wanted to dip my toes into more dark romance & the length of this book is perfect for a beach read. The Never After Series includes a Hooked, Scarred, Twisted & Wretched

Elin Hilderbrand Books

I have yet to read any of Elin Hilderbrand’s books but I have my eyes on The Perfect Couple which is a beach vacation murder mystery. Every time I see her books at the store, I just see myself reading these on a beach vacation. I just feel like they are perfect for this season.

The Ravenhood Series by Kate Stewart

I would describe this series as a “mafiaeque” reversed Harlem romance. Flock is the first book in the series & introduces Cecilia who moves to a town to work for her father’s factory. While she is there she meets Sean along with his group of “ravens” ( each branded with a raven wing tattoo on their shoulder blade). She also meets Sean’s brother Dominic who she can’t seem to get enough of either. Exodus, the second in the series goes more in-depth & has a heartbreaking ending. I hope to finish up the series & tie up some lose ends with Finish Line. This series has lots of spice.

In all honesty – any book can be a summer read. These are just a few that really scream warm weather & ones I feel like you would love this season. Of course, I still plan to read tons of fantasy books ie. the Wheel of Time ( currently on book 9).

Let me know what you plan to read this summer. I’m always looking for recommendations .

And be sure to follow me on bookstagram

– B