Whether you’re relaxing by the pool, packing a few books for vacation, listening to an audiobook on a road trip, or sneaking in a few chapters before bed, there’s nothing quite like getting lost in a great story during the summer months.
Below you’ll find a collection of my favorite adult books I’ve read recently. From heartfelt romances and thought-provoking literary fiction to gripping historical fiction and can’t-put-it-down thrillers, there’s something here for every kind of reader.
I hope this list helps you discover your next favorite book and makes your summer reading even more enjoyable. Happy reading! ☀️📚
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Thought-Provoking Fiction I Couldn’t Put Down
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
Yesteryear is one of the most interesting books I’ve read in a long time. I listened to the audio and found it utterly captivating, but I can understand why it has sparked such divided opinions. It’s dark, sharp, uncomfortable at times, and definitely not your typical story. That’s why I think it’s a great choice for book clubs. The book has many layers and there’s a lot to unpack and talk about.
Natalie Heller Mills has created a social media empire featuring her rustic lifestyle on a farm with her handsome husband raising her many children until one day she wakes up and she’s been transported to the year 1855. Blending satire, suspense, mystery, and psychological unraveling, this unsettling story takes readers deep down the rabbit hole of one woman’s shattered reality.
The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett
The Calamity Club is a beautifully written historical fiction novel filled with unforgettable characters. Told through the alternating perspectives of eleven-year-old Meg, who is abandoned at an orphanage, and Birdie, a young woman desperate to help her family, this moving story set during the early 1930’s explores resilience, friendship, and never giving up on the people you love. Kathryn Stockett’s characters feel incredibly real, and I was completely drawn into their lives from the very first chapter.
Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth
Mad Mabel is a witty, layered mystery that is equal parts funny, thought-provoking, and surprisingly heartfelt. When the death of a neighbor forces eighty-one-year-old Elsie “Mad Mabel” Fitzpatrick to confront the dark secret of her past as Australia’s youngest convicted murderer, the story unfolds with plenty of twists, memorable characters, and sharp humor. I picked this one for my book club, and it sparked one of our best discussions thanks to its complex characters and moral questions that linger long after the final page.
Past Favorite Thought-Provoking Fiction
Perfect Beach Reads
Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune, 2026
Carley Fortune is a bestselling author for a reason. Her novels consistently deliver memorable characters, witty dialogue, and deeply emotional love stories that are impossible not to get swept up in and this may be her best book yet.
This heartfelt story follows two longtime best friends who begin to question whether risking their friendship for something more is worth it. After Frankie is left at the altar, she escapes to Tofino with her best friend George, who is determined to help her heal and rediscover her confidence. But as old secrets surface and long-buried feelings grow impossible to ignore, both of their lives begin to change in unexpected ways.
Frankie and George feel incredibly real. They are flawed, vulnerable, funny, and deeply easy to root for. Warm, emotional, and completely absorbing, this is absolutely a must-read book of the summer.
The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez, 2026
Abby Jimenez is one of my favorite romance authors because she so skillfully balances heartfelt love stories with emotional depth, humor, and relatable real-life struggles. When Larissa makes a split-second decision to accept a ride home from Mike instead of his best friend Chris, the choice unexpectedly changes the course of her life. As Chris steps in to help Larissa, the two develop a close friendship that slowly grows into something far deeper than either of them anticipated. Filled with witty banter, emotional vulnerability, lots and lots of pining, this beautifully layered romance is both entertaining and deeply moving.
American Fantasy by Emma Straub, 2026
American Fantasy is a fun, heartfelt novel with a wonderfully unique premise. When newly divorced Annie boards a themed cruise headlined by a famous ’90s boy band, she joins a cast of memorable characters including the cruise director and one of the band’s members whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways.
Told from multiple perspectives, the story explores what happens when people temporarily escape reality only to discover they’re finally ready to face it. Beneath the lighthearted setting are thoughtful reflections on divorce, reinvention, aging, and second chances. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It was an easy, breezy read with plenty of humor, heart, and surprisingly thought-provoking moments.
Past Favorite Beach Reads
Gripping Thrillers
My Husband’s Wife by Alex Feeney
Holy moly, I think I have whiplash from all the twists in Alice Feeney’s new thriller. It’s hard to even explain the premise because the book goes in so many different directions. The only thing you need to know is that this murder mystery will keep you guessing and on your toes until the very last page.
It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell
Lisa Jewell delivers another dark, unsettling thriller that will leave you with the chills. While it isn’t my favorite of her novels, I still found it impossible to put down. The story follows middle-aged Jane Tevally as she investigates the disappearance of a young woman from a house that holds terrifying secrets from Jane’s own past. As the mystery unravels, so does a sinister web of disturbing characters and shocking revelations.
Her Last Breath by Taylor Adams
This pulse-pounding thriller had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Best friends Tess and Allie head out on a caving adventure only to be ambushed by someone lying in wait. What follows is a suspenseful game of cat and mouse, where each chapter peels back another layer of intrigue and leaves you questioning every character’s motives.
If you love twisty, high-stakes thrillers, I also highly recommend No Exit and The Last Word, also by Taylor Adams.
Past Favorite Gripping Thrillers
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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