Do you enjoy spending lazy days at the beach with a good book in hand?
With summer approaching, it’s never too early to start planning your summer reading list. Whether you’re lounging on the sand or enjoying a staycation at home, the new beach reads of 2025 will provide the perfect summer escape.
With a mix of gripping thrillers, heartwarming romances, and thought-provoking dramas, there’s something for every type of reader. So grab your sunglasses and sunscreen, because we’re about to take a sneak peek at the must-read beach books of 2025!
More Beach Read Lists
Romance Beach Reads 2025
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry (April 22)
If you need a beach read, Emily Henry has you covered. In this gripping romance, two talented writers vie for the opportunity of a lifetime – to pen the biography of a notorious heiress. With a life full of scandal and intrigue, this larger-than-life woman is the perfect subject for a juicy tell-all. But only one writer will come out on top during the one-month trial period. Are you ready for some friendly competition? Let the battle for the bestseller begin!
One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune (May 6)
If you’re more of a lake person, Carley Fortune’s new release will make the perfect beach read. In One Golden Summer, a photographer decides to spend the summer at the lake that inspired her passion for photography, accompanied by her grandmother. During her time there, she discovers something unexpected: the yellow speed boat that motivated her to take a life-changing photo, along with the man who is driving it.
Can’t Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan (May 13)
Can’t Get Enough is the newest romance sensation from the talented Kennedy Ryan. Follow the captivating story of Hendrix Barry, a successful woman at the peak of her career as she navigates the complexities of caring for an aging parent. With her plate full, Hendrix has no room for love – until she crosses paths with the charismatic tech mogul, Maverick Bell. Could he be the missing puzzle piece in Hendrix’s life?
The Love Haters by Katherine Center (May 20)
From the bestselling author of Happiness for Beginners comes an exciting new romantic comedy about a video producer on the verge of being laid off and a Coast Guard rescue swimmer who may offer her the chance to create a career-defining profile. However, there’s one problem: she has told a few white lies, starting with the fact that she can’t swim.
Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood (May 27)
Twenty-three-year-old Maya Killgore knows that starting a relationship with her brother’s best friend, thirty-eight-year-old Conor Harknass, would be a bad idea. However, how can something that feels so wrong also feel so right? If you’re as obsessed with Ali Hazelwood’s novels as I am, you’ll definitely want to add this to your summer reading list.
It’s A Love Story by Annabel Monaghan (May 27)
In this new release from the bestselling author of Nora Goes Off Script, a former sitcom child star, now an aspiring Hollywood studio executive, is determined to get her first project approved. However, when her former crush, a cinematographer, stirs up her emotions, she impulsively claims that she can convince the world’s biggest pop star to write a song for the movie. What could possibly go wrong?
Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver (June 10)
In this delightful tale, a savvy talent agent enlists an actress to pose as the “author” for a summer book tour, taking the place of their reclusive client who wants no part in promoting their novel.
Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston (June 17)
From the best-selling author of The Seven Year Slip comes an enchanting story about a successful songwriter who is struggling with writer’s block—until she hears a mystical melody in her mind, sung by a voice she can’t resist. Little does she know, the voice belongs to a witty musician who is also grappling with an incomplete song.
Fiction Beach Reads 2025
Summer Light on Nantucket by Nancy Thayer (April 22)
If you’re looking for a beach read with a summery cover, Summer Light on Nantucket might be the ideal choice, particularly if you enjoy summer books that explore themes of second chances, family, parenthood, and first love.
The Summer We Met by Hope Holloway and Cecilia Scott (May 2)
Three decades ago, two families spent their last summer together before a mysterious falling out left them estranged for years. Now, their childhood beach house has been renovated and is twice the size it once was. The children from those families, now in their forties and fifties, decide to spend the summer together and try to recreate the magic of their childhood. If you’re looking for a heartwarming family saga filled with second chances for your next beach read, The Destin Diaries will be the perfect choice.
My Friends by Fredrik Backman (May 6)
Fredrik Backman, the bestselling author of Beartown, tells a hilarious story about four teenagers whose friendship transcends time and impacts the life of a stranger decades later.
In The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club, a story inspired by true events, two sisters living on Martha’s Vineyard during World War II start a book club for women to connect during the war. For a captivating historical beach read, consider Martha Hall Kelly’s latest release.
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (June 3)
In this thrilling new release, Joan Goodwin, a brilliant professor of physics and astronomy, is given the opportunity of a lifetime – a spot on the prestigious 1980s Space Shuttle program. And as she discovers the wonders of the vast universe, she also encounters something beyond her wildest dreams: love.
Far and Away by Amy Poeppel (June 10)
From Southern charm and BBQ to European sophistication and schnitzel, Lucy and Greta are about to experience a culture shock like never before when they agree to a house swap. But that’s not all – throw in some overly friendly neighbors and a few scandalous secrets, and it’s a recipe for chaos. Will Lucy and Greta be able to navigate this swap, or will they long for the comfort of their old homes?
These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean (July 8)
From New York Times bestselling author Sarah MacLean, These Summer Storms is an exciting, highly-awaited novel of 2025. For five years, Alice Storm has avoided her family’s private island off Rhode Island after being cast out. Everything changes with her father’s passing, which brings the family together. What was meant to be a brief visit turns into chaos when Alice discovers her father’s final challenge—an inheritance game that could tear the family apart.
Mystery & Thriller Beach Reads 2025
Heartwood by Amity Gage (April 1)
When an experienced hiker goes missing on the Appalachian Trail, a rescue team races against time to find her. If you enjoy suspense and thrillers, Heartwood by Amity Gage is the perfect summer read.
The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers (May 6)
From the bestselling author of All Good People Here and the host of the #1 true crime podcast Crime Junkie, comes an enthralling mystery about two women haunted by the unsolved disappearances of their sisters. United by their shared loss, they work together to solve these cases—and they will do anything to find them.
Never Flinch by Stephen King (May 27)
If you enjoy horror, be sure to pack Stephen King’s latest release in your beach bag. This gripping new novel from the master of horror features a killer seeking vengeance and a vigilante targeting a feminist celebrity speaker.
Mean Moms by Emma Rosenblum (July 29)
No one truly knows the person standing next to them. For three NYC moms, known as the “queen bees” of downtown Manhattan, they are about to discover just how deceptive appearances can be. If you’re planning a vacation in August and enjoy a captivating domestic thriller, be sure to pack Emma Rosenblum’s latest novel, Mean Moms.
Young Adult Beach Reads 2025
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (March 18)
Are you ready to journey back to the fiftieth annual Hunger Games? In the small, impoverished District 12, Haymitch Abernathy anxiously tries to push thoughts of being chosen out of his mind. But when his name is unexpectedly called, his world is turned upside down as he is forced to fight for his life in the notorious arena. Suzanne Collins returns to her captivating series with Haymitch’s long-awaited story in Sunrise on the Reaping.
The Thrashers by Julie Soto (May 6)
At New Helvetia High, the Thrashers—comprising Julian, Lucy, Paige, and the infamous Zack Thrasher—form an elite friend group. Jodi Dillon, childhood friend of Zack, was never meant to be part of this circle, but her connection to him grants her automatic inclusion. But when a fellow student, desperate to join the Thrashers, dies, the gossip mill begins to churn. If you’re looking to add a little drama to your summer, Julie Soto’s thrilling YA debut is a must-read..