Sun, sand, salty air… and the perfect book in hand.
Nothing says summer bliss like getting lost in a story while the ocean waves crash nearby.
But what makes a perfect beach read?
It’s the kind of book that’s engaging, immersive, fun, emotional — but never too heavy.
You want something you can devour between swims, sunbathing sessions, and maybe even a seaside nap.
Whether you love rom-coms, twisty thrillers, or epic sagas, I’ve curated the 20 best beach reads for Summer 2025 to keep you entertained from sunrise to sunset.
Ready to dive in?
1. “Love on the Rocks” by Emily Sloane
A steamy, hilarious rom-com set on a vineyard island where an ambitious city girl falls (literally) for the grumpy winemaker.
Perfect for sipping rosé while soaking up the sun.
2. “The Last Summer Girl” by Tessa Raines
A bittersweet coming-of-age story set in a sleepy beach town where secrets from the past resurface one fateful summer.
You’ll laugh, cry, and wish you could stay forever.
3. “Dead Calm” by Noah Blake
A chilling psychological thriller set on a private yacht trip gone wrong.
Get ready for jaw-dropping twists — just maybe read this one after your boat ride.
4. “Palm Trees and Promises” by Isla Monroe
Feel-good, feel-sunny!
A story about three friends who reunite for a tropical getaway and discover new dreams, old loves, and the power of forgiveness.
5. “The Art of Disappearing” by Clare Winston
Magical realism meets mystery.
A woman literally vanishes into thin air during a beach bonfire party — and her best friend will stop at nothing to uncover the truth.
6. “Seashells and Second Chances” by Mia Blakewood
Divorcee retreats to a coastal village to start over, only to find love — and herself — among locals, surfboards, and seaside markets.
Uplifting and full of heart.
7. “Sunburned” by Jack Trevors
An atmospheric literary thriller.
Set in a sun-drenched Greek island village where something sinister lurks behind the postcard-perfect scenery.
8. “The Summer of Maybe” by Lila Peters
Sweet, relatable, and packed with hope.
What happens when two almost-lovers find themselves stranded together during a hurricane evacuation?
Answer: Fireworks.
9. “Beach Bums and Billionaires” by Kylie Archer
Light, frothy fun!
A mistaken identity sparks a hilarious romance between a broke artist and a secret tech billionaire posing as a surf instructor.
10. “Coastal Crimes” by Bennett Moore
A fast-paced beach town murder mystery with quirky detectives, hidden clues, and more red herrings than a seafood buffet.
11. “Brightside” by Hannah Lorenz
A heartwarming novel about a woman who inherits a run-down beach motel and finds love, family, and a second shot at happiness — one renovation at a time.
12. “All the Tides We’ve Turned” by Vivian Gray
Multi-generational saga meets summer escape.
Two families, one island, and decades of rivalry, romance, and redemption.
Perfect for fans of sweeping, emotional stories.
13. “Mykonos Mistake” by Eleni Markos
A sunny, spicy rom-com!
An unexpected Greek vacation, a fake dating scheme, and a broody, charming local who’s definitely not part of the plan.
14. “The Bookshop by the Bay” by Serena Walters
For the book lovers:
A charming seaside bookstore, a grumpy literary critic, and a woman trying to rebuild her life one chapter at a time.
15. “Riptide Secrets” by Ivy Malone
High-stakes adventure mixed with romance.
When a marine biologist stumbles upon a government conspiracy underwater, she teams up with a daring diver to expose the truth.
16. “Shoreline Serenade” by Jessica Moon
A dreamy romance between a famous pop star hiding out on an island and a local musician with no idea who he is.
Expect lots of music, sunsets, and slow-burn feels.
17. “Island of Lost Things” by Jude Harmon
Magical, moody, and completely mesmerizing. An enchanted island where lost objects — and sometimes lost people — reappear.
Hauntingly beautiful.
18. “Vacancy at Villa Rosa” by Callie Morton
A cozy mystery filled with wine, pasta, and peril.
Set at an Italian seaside villa with a suspicious death and a feisty amateur sleuth on the case.
19. “Tangled Tides” by Rachel Briar
A sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance between two rival sailing instructors competing for the same prize — and accidentally falling overboard and in love.
20. “Summers We Set Free” by Elise Tarlow
The perfect tearjerker for the end of your trip.
A story about youth, loss, memory, and the summers that shape us forever.
Bring tissues — and maybe sunglasses to hide the tears.
Final Thoughts: Your Perfect Summer Escape
There you have it: 20 must-read beach books for Summer 2025!
From swoon-worthy love stories to gasp-worthy thrillers, from heartwarming journeys to eerie island mysteries — there’s something for every type of reader under the sun.
Imagine yourself sprawled on a towel, cold drink by your side, breeze lifting the pages…
That’s the real summer dream, isn’t it?
✅ Pro tip: Always pack two books — because a real page-turner will be finished before you even get your second margarita.
Quick Checklist for the Perfect Beach Reading Day
✅ Sunscreen
✅ Giant floppy hat
✅ Sunglasses
✅ Towel or beach chair
✅ Ice-cold drinks
✅ Two (or three!) of these amazing beach reads
✅ A heart wide open for adventure, romance, thrills, and feels
Get ready to dive into your best summer yet — one unforgettable page at a time.