Summary
Getting cozy with abookin cold weather is a satisfying experience, but summer is also a great time to catch up on reading — andthere is no shortage of exciting beach reads to check out in 2024. While summer reading can take place anywhere, lounging outdoors with a book is a great way to enjoy the warm weather (and 2024’s most-anticipated titles). The beach is an ideal spot to dive into a new story, but beach reads aren’t limited to one location. They can easily be devoured by the pool, on a camp site, or even in the comfort of one’s own home.
Beach reads are known for being fast-paced and fun, which is why romances and thrillers tend to dominate recommendation lists during the summer. Fortunately, many excitingromance books have debuted in 2024, and there are lots ofmuch-anticipated thrillers coming outas well. Anyone looking for gripping summer reads — especially those with seasonal themes, like vacations and tropical settings — has many options to choose from.
15 Most Popular Books On BookTok
BookTok has become the go-to place to find book reviews and recommendations, but what are some of the most popular novels on the platform?
15Just For The Summer By Abby Jimenez
One look at the title and cover of Abby Jimenez’sJust for the Summerreveals that it’s a beach read, and it’s one worth diving into this summer. The third installment in the author’sPart of Your Worldseries,Just for the Summerhas the highest averageGoodreadsrating of all three current books. If its 4.4 rating does nothing else, it should convince romance readers and fans of Jimenez’s previous work to pick this up. Its use of the fake-dating trope and private island setting make it a great choice for a trip to the beach.
Just for the Summerfollows Justin and Emma, two characters who have the same curse: every time one of them breaks up with someone, that person meets their soulmate immediately after. Hoping to outsmart this curse, Justin and Emma decide to date each other, which should allow both of them to meet their soulmates at long last. Naturally, their scheme concludes with them developing genuine feelings for one another. It’s a fun spin on the fake-dating setup, andit makesJust for the Summerstand outamong the many other romance books begging to be read this summer.
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14The Paradise Problem By Christina Lauren
Anyone hoping to visit a luxurious island setting during their next beach read should look no further thanThe Paradise Problemby Christina Lauren.Christina Lauren’s 2024 bookwhisks readers away using a hilarious premise that leads to plenty of drama — and a compelling central romance.The Paradise Problemfollows Anna and West, who got married in college to secure affordable family housing. The two go their separate ways when their educations are over, but they’re forced back together when West’s inheritance depends on convincing his family they’re a real couple.
It’s almost like watchingSuccession,just with two characters readers can actually root for.
They’re tasked with doing so at his sister’s wedding, which takes place on a private island. As West’s family is extremely wealthy, there’s a lot of drama and dysfunction surrounding their grocery business and money. It’s almost like watchingSuccession,just with two characters readers can actually root for. As Anna and West spend more time together, their fake relationship turns into something deeper. Of course, this leaves them to make some difficult decisions. Their journey is equal parts gripping and heartwarming, andit makes for a fast summer read.
13One Perfect Couple By Ruth Ware
Like several other 2024 beach reads,Ruth Ware’sOne Perfect Couplealso has an island setting— but this seemingly luxurious backdrop turns sinister in her latest thriller.One Perfect Coupleopens with Lyla’s actor boyfriend convincing her to join him on a reality TV show, which will pit five couples against each other on a private island. Despite Lyla’s initial hesitation, she agrees that it sounds like a good getaway. However, she’s proven wrong when a storm rolls in, and she finds herself stranded on the show’s remote island with people who are desperate and dangerous.
One Perfect Coupleis a story about survival at its core, and it takes readers on an adrenaline-fueled journey. It feels different from Ware’s previous mystery thrillers, but it makes for an equally gripping and fast-paced read. Because it’s so hard to put down,One Perfect Coupleis easy to read in just a sitting or two. Combined with its island setting and reality TV focus, this quality makes it an obvious book to lie on the beach with.
12Middle Of The Night By Riley Sager
Riley Sager’sMiddle of the Nightis anothermuch-anticipated June 2024 thriller, andthe book’s summer setting and central mystery will leave readers feeling nostalgic for simpler timesspent riding bikes around the neighborhood and camping in the backyard. Of course, the latter goes completely awry inMiddle of the Night,which centers on a boy who goes missing from a tent in his best friend’s backyard. That best friend returns to his childhood home 30 years later, and he finds himself becoming more and more committed to learning what really happened that night.
Middle of the Night’spast and present storylines take place in July, andthis givesSager’s latest thrillerdistinct summer vibes. Ethan’s quest to uncover what happened to his friend is also fascinating, which makesMiddle of the Nighta page-turner. For those who enjoy reading thrillers and horror books in the summer, this one offers a great blend of both genres. It’s a must-read 2024 release, and summer feels like the right time to pick it up.
11One Of Us Knows By Alyssa Cole
Alyssa Cole, the author ofWhen No One Is Watching,is back withOne of Us Knowsin 2024. Like Ware’s new thriller,Cole’s novel puts a scary spin on a remote island setting— and the darker things get, the more readers will want to keep turning the pages.One of Us Knowsfollows Kenetria Nash, a woman whose career is hanging by a thread after a breakdown lands her with a diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder. Kenetria jumps at the opportunity to become a caretaker on Hudson River Island, but a storm turns this new dream into a nightmare.
If readers want a beach read they’ll positively breeze through,One of Us Knowsis a strong contender.
Kenetria soon finds herself stranded on the island with a bunch of strangers, including one she has a negative history with. When that person is found dead, Kenetria faces suspicion for the crime. Things heat up from there, andOne of Us Knows’central mystery and unreliable narrator keep things interestingall the way through. If readers want a beach read they’ll positively breeze through,One of Us Knowsis a strong contender.
10This Summer Will Be Different By Carley Fortune
Returning to romance reads that are perfect to carry around this season,Carley Fortune’sThis Summer Will Be Differentis another title to add to the TBR pile. Fortune is known for writing summer romances that are impossible to put down, and the author’s 2024 title is no different. On the heels ofEvery Summer AfterandMeet Me at the Lake,This Summer Will Be Differentweaves a forbidden love story set on Prince Edward Island. This is where the novel’s leads — Lucy and Felix — get together every time Lucy visits.
However, Lucy is determined to stay away from Felix this time around. Predictably, that plan doesn’t play out as intended. The two can’t deny the chemistry between them, and they’re unable to stop feelings from forming as well. A sweet read with a relaxing summer setting,This Summer Will Be Differentlives up to its title. It’s a book that demands to be brought to the beach in 2024.
9Funny Story By Emily Henry
Emily Henry’s romance booksare all great choices for the beach, butFunny Storyis the author’s newest title — and anyone who hasn’t checked it out should make it a point to do so this summer.Funny Storyopens with the novel’s heroine, Daphne, getting dumped by her fiancé after he realizes he’s in love with his longtime best friend, Petra. This devastating revelation finds Daphne looking for somewhere to live — and she winds up becoming roommates with Petra’s ex-boyfriend.
Daphne and Miles can commiserate with one another as roommates, but as any seasoned romance reader would expect, their bond quickly develops into more than that. Henry’s humorous setup paves the way for a heartwarming and fun love story. It’s the perfect sort of narrative to bring to the beach, andit makes a nice addition to Henry’s lineup of beloved beach reads.
8The Midnight Feast By Lucy Foley
Lucy Foley is another author who writes fast-paced thrillers that make perfect beach reads, andThe Midnight Feastcontinues this trend. Set during the grand opening of a trendy resort called The Manor,The Midnight Feastsees the influencers staying there clashing with the locals angry about their presence. These tensions culminate in a fire and deadly encounter, raising questions about whether people are behind the attack on The Manor — or if something far more sinister is at play.
The Midnight Feastunfolds quickly, and its short chapters and solid pacing make it easy to fly through.
Told in multiple perspectives,The Midnight Feastunfolds quickly, and its short chapters and solid pacing make it easy to fly through.Such qualities make it an ideal beach read, in addition to being one of June 2024’s most exciting new thrillers. Anyone looking for scares over love stories should keep it on their radars as the summer continues.
7The Housemaid Is Watching By Freida McFadden
Freida McFadden’s books are all easy to fall into and full of twists, and the author’sHousemaidseries is her most popular to date. WithThe HousemaidandThe Housemaid’s Secretgaining so much traction on BookTok, it’s no surprise thatThe Housemaid Is Watchingis one of the biggest titles hitting shelves this summer. As it’s bound to feature more thrilling surprises, it’s a great sequel to read during a trip to the beach. And seeing Millie taking on a new role in McFadden’s story is even more reason to pick up this installment.
The Housemaid Is Watchingsees Millie moving into her own home in the suburbs, a far cry from where she started inThe Housemaid.Unfortunately,Millie’s past comes back to haunt her in McFadden’s latest novel. Even her new house and family can’t distract her from the signs that someone is watching her. This setup promises a cat-and-mouse game different from its predecessors. Fans ofThe Housemaidwon’t want to wait to pick up this June 2024 release.
6Lies And Weddings By Kevin Kwan
Kevin Kwan is best known for writingCrazy Rich Asians,but the author’s 2024 release is getting attention this summer — and the warmer months might be the best time to pick up this book.Lies and Weddings has astunning cover that screams summer, but its premise is equally exciting. Kwan’s latest follows Rufus Leung Gresham, the Earl of Greshambury, as he heads to Hawaii to search for a suitor. The catch? Despite coming from a wealthy background, Rufus no longer has a family fortune — and his mother wants him to find someone who can restore their finances.
Although Rufus heads to Hawaii with that mission in mind, he’s actually got a thing for his neighbor. But chasing after a doctor won’t please his family, and his trip gets even more complicated when secrets come out and a volcano threatens to erupt. Needless to say,Kwan’s new novel is juicy enough to read at the beach— and it may cause readers to spend the whole day there. It certainly sounds like a worthy follow-up toCrazy Rich Asiansand the author’s other books.
