Whether you are looking for a book to relax with poolside, an audiobook to entertain you while heading out on a road trip, or a tantalizing tale to enjoy at bedtime, I’ve got a list of new releases that are perfect for diving into this summer!
Below, you will find several 2024 releases I read and thoroughly enjoyed, more stories that I can’t wait to read, and a list of twelve of my all-time favorite books. From heartfelt romantic comedies to poignant historical fictions and nail-biting thrillers, there is a little something here for everyone.
Grab one of these standout stories and indulge in some summer fun! Happy reading!
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Funny Story by Emily Henry
You can’t go wrong with an Emily Henry book, and I especially love her latest story filled with heart, humor, and witty dialogue.
Organized children’s librarian, Daphne, loves to plan ahead, but when her fiancé Peter breaks up with her for his childhood best friend Petra, she finds herself friendless, homeless, and thrown into a spontaneous new life. When she is forced to move in with Petra’s ex-boyfriend, the equally brokenhearted Miles, the two jilted lovers forge a surprising friendship. Daphne’s journey of self-discovery and new love is such a joy to read about.
I also highly recommend Emily Henry’s other books:
Book Lovers, Happy Place, Beach Read, and People We Meet on Vacation.
Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth
Foster sisters Jessica, Norah, and Alicia have remained close ever since they were placed at Miss Fairchild’s house as young girls. Bonded by sisterhood and secrets, they’ve never revealed the horrors they faced growing up there. Decades later, however, they are summoned back to the town where they grew up to answer questions regarding a body that was found on the property. Sally Hepworth is such a captivating writer and I absolutely loved the way this story unfolded with its many twists and turns especially at the end.
I also recommend The Mother-In-Law by Sally Hepworth.
The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren
Free spirit Anna Green agrees to marry grad student Liam Weston in order to game the system and receive cheaper family housing through the university they both attend. Little does she know that her sham marriage will have shocking results years later when Liam needs her to play the role of his actual wife at his sister’s wedding. With just the right amount of spice and humor, this is such a fun summer read!
I also highly recommend Christina Lauren’s other books including: The Unhoneymooners, The Soulmate Equation, The True Love Equation
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
Abby Jimenez is quickly becoming one of my new favorite authors. I love her ability to write such likeable characters with funny dialogue. Her books have more complexity than your typical romance and this one involves mental illness regarding the main character and her mother, so there may be triggers for some readers.
Bonded over their curse of dating someone before they meet their soulmate, Justin and Emma agree to “date” each other over one summer in order to find their own soulmates afterwards. They are each surprised how much they enjoy spending time together and begin to wonder if they’ve found their potential partner after all. With surprising depth, this compelling story pulls at the heartstrings.
I also highly recommend Abby Jimenez’s other books including: Part of Your World and Yours Truly
Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
Years after the murder of her best friend Savvy, Lucy is faced with a podcast diving into the details of Savvy’s mysterious death. Since Lucy was found covered in Savvy’s blood and no memory of the event, she has remained the number one suspect until the podcast uncovers sensational secrets that cast a shadow of suspicion on Lucy’s friends and family.
I just loved all the twists and turns in this one that kept me guessing until the very end.
This Summer Will be Different by Carley Fortune
While vacationing on Prince Edward Island, Lucy becomes smitten with local Felix until she realizes he is her best friend’s younger brother. Summer after summer Lucy tries her best to deny the attraction felt between her and Felix. This summer, however, something changes and Lucy isn’t so sure she can resist the temptation of a second chance with Felix. With the beautiful setting of Prince Edward Island, this spectacularly written romance is an excellent beach read.
The Women by Kristin Hannah
Kristin Hannah creates the most beautifully written, engrossing stories with interesting characters. Her latest book follows naïve Frankie who volunteers to be a nurse in the Vietnam War only to be faced by its many horrors and an unwelcome homecoming afterwards. I really appreciated this underrepresented female perspective of the heroic nurses and the strong friendships they formed during this controversial time.
I also highly recommend: The Nightingale and The Great Alone.
One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware
As a lover of thrillers, Ruth Ware is a must-read author for me. I’m currently reading One Perfect Couple now and loving it.
When scientist Lyla begrudgingly agrees to go on a reality television show with her actor boyfriend Nico, she has no idea that she will be fighting for her life instead of a monetary prize.
Soon after arriving on a remote island for filming, a storm hits, cutting off the couples from any chance of help. To make matters worse, there is a killer on the island taking out the competition one murder at a time.
I also highly recommend Ruth Ware’s other books including:
The It Girl, The Turn of the Key, The Death of Mrs. Westaway, The Lying Game, In a Dark Dark Wood, One by One
The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins
With multiple points of view, readers are drawn into the notorious McTavish family. When matriarch Ruby McTavish dies, her adopted son Camden and his wife Jules are brought back to the famous estate at Ashby House where Ruby’s secrets regarding the deaths of her husbands and her mysterious kidnapping as a child are revealed.
Filled with secrets galore, this is a fun page-turner.
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
While Evie Porter may appear to have the perfect life living with her doting boyfriend Ryan, she is actually a professional con artist employed by the mysterious Mr. Smith to retrieve information on her unsuspecting marks. When she begins to fall a little too hard for Ryan and her own past secrets arise, she finds that she and Ryan may both be in more danger than she could ever have imagined.
I love the way the truth to Evie’s past is slowly teased out through the story resulting in a wholly gratifying ending.
Middle of the Night by Riley Sager
I just love the way Riley Sager adds a bit of spookiness to his thrillers. His latest story stars Ethan who reluctantly returns to his childhood home nearly thirty years after his best friend Billy disappeared from a tent in his backyard. With late-night noises coupled with seemingly odd messages from Billy, Ethan begins to wonder of Billy’s spirit has returned to identify his kidnapper. The story goes back and forth in time between the day Billy disappeared and the present to reveal what actually happened to poor Billy Marsh. With a large cast of suspects, this one had me guessing until the very end.
I also highly recommend Riley Sager’s other books including:
The Only One Left, Home Before Dark, Lock Every Door, The Last Time I Lied, Final Girls
Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle
What if you knew the length of your next relationship before it even started? This is the gift/curse that Daphne has been mysteriously granted that shapes her life. Every time she meets a new romantic interest, she receives a piece of paper noting the length of the relationship until now. Upon her first date with Jake, she receives a piece of paper that remains blank making her think Jake could be the one. While this isn’t my favorite Rebecca Serle book, I really enjoyed the unique premise and interesting story.
The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley
With alternating points of view, everyone’s a suspect in Lucy Foley’s newest thriller. It’s opening night at a new luxury resort called The Manor, but strange events unravel as the locals demonstrate their unhappiness with the resort encroaching on their land and the owners, workers, and guests all harbor dangerous secrets.
I also highly recommend Lucy Foley’s other books including:
The Guest List, The Hunting Party, and The Paris Apartment
OLDIES, BUT GOODIES
These books may have been around for awhile, but if you haven’t read them yet, that just means they are new to you! Below are a few of my absolute favorite stories. I’ve tried to include a variety of genres, so there is a little something for everyone.
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