Here at Once Upon a Book Club, we love summer. The sun is shining, picnic blankets and beach towels are packed, and let’s be honest, our summer TBR list always has room for just a few more! It doesn’t matter if you’re chilling seaside, poolside, or simply in your backyard with a cool drink (don’t forget those cocktail umbrellas and obligatory cherries); there’s still time to squeeze in those perfect beach reads. 

We can’t think of a better way to keep the vacation vibes alive than curled up with a great beach read! From swoony romances to gripping thrillers, we’ve got you covered with our ultimate bookish escape list to wrap up your summer in style.

 

10 Beach Reads to Soak Up the Last of Summer

A Whimsical Romance That Reads Like Sunshine

The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren

A fake marriage, an outrageous inheritance, and two opposites forced to play nice. This is a romance that’s guaranteed to bring summer smiles into your day. If you’re a fan of romantic chaos, you’re in for a treat! Christina Lauren’s newest novel pairs a free-spirited artist with her surprisingly grounded ex-husband in a heartwarming, hilarious love story.

Why it’s perfect for the beach: This sweet, slow-burn romance is light enough for lazy afternoons yet filled with just enough heart to keep you flipping those pages.

Historical Intrigue on a Seaside Estate

The Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams

Glamour, secrets, and forbidden love come together in this sweeping historical fiction set on a posh New England island. Miranda Schuyler is drawn into a web of class divisions and dangerous liaisons, leading to a scandal that will change her life forever.

Why it’s perfect for the beach: We loved the setting and layers of mystery! It’s one of those beach reads that lets you time travel between the sun-soaked sands and those shadows of the past.

A Cozy Mystery Set in a Summer Town

Murder at Gulls Nest by Jess Kidd

A former nun, a seaside hotel, and a string of strange murders, what more could a beach mystery lover ask for? Nora Breen’s sleuthing adventure in a charming (and slightly sinister) seaside town is equal parts quirky and compelling.

Our April 2025 Adult box, “Seaside Suspicions”, featured an exclusive, hardcover edition of Murder at Gull's Nest by Jess Kidd, plus four phenomenal and customized gifts that bring this mysterious read to life! We still have a few boxes left, which are ready-to-ship, but order quickly as they are flying off the shelves.

Why it’s perfect for the beach: Light on gore but heavy on atmosphere, this cozy mystery makes for a breezy yet engaging end-of-summer read.

A Feel-Good Fiction Full of Friendship and Waves

The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey

A summer camp on the brink of closure brings together four women in a heartfelt story about friendship, family, and finding your way back to the people and places you love. Kristy Harvey’s writing is the epitome of warmth and southern charm.

Why it’s perfect for the beach: It’s like a heart-to-heart chat with your best friends—sunny, soulful, and full of those feel-good moments perfect for a summer reading list.

A Bittersweet Love Story with Vacation Vibes

28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand

Inspired by Same Time Next Year, this story of a decades-long secret love affair will sweep you off your feet and maybe break your heart a little too. Elin Hilderbrand captures the magic of fleeting summer romances like no one else.

Why it’s perfect for the beach: Emotional and absorbing, this is one of those summer beach books you won’t be able to put down (or forget).

Escapist Fantasy with Island Adventure

The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

Magic, mayhem, and a dash of romance await in this cozy fantasy about a reclusive librarian, her sentient spider plant, and a seaside spellshop. It’s whimsical, warm, and wonderfully escapist!

Why it’s perfect for the beach: Sometimes, your beach read needs a little magic. This one delivers with charm and heart in spades!

A Summer Coming-of-Age You’ll Never Forget

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

Six summers. One unforgettable love story. And a second chance that may just change everything. This nostalgic, heart-tugging coming-of-age romance reminds us of the power of first loves and second chances.

Why it’s perfect for the beach: Equal parts poignant and hopeful, it’s the perfect pick for those craving young adult beach reads with depth.

Suspense That Keeps You Turning Pages, Poolside

With a Vengeance by Riley Sager

A luxury train, a revenge plot, and a killer on board; this high-stakes thriller will have you on the edge of your seat. With each twist and turn, Sager proves once again why he’s a master of suspense.

Why it’s perfect for the beach: Who says summer reads can’t be thrilling? This pulse-pounding pick is featured in our limited-edition Summer Thrills Box, which also includes five incredible gifts that bring the story to life the OUABC way! There are also lots of extras, including a signed bookplate from the author, an exclusive letter from the author to our readers, and a book club kit featuring more details about the novel.

A Heartwarming Story of Family, Food, and the Beach

Summer at the Comfort Food Cafe by Debbie Johnson

A windswept cliffside cafe. Freshly baked bread. Beautifully crafted cupcakes. Second chances. What more could you ask for? This heartfelt novel about a grieving mother who finds healing in a seaside village is perfect for fans of food, family, and cozy new beginnings. The Comfort Food Cafe might just become your new fictional happy place.

Why it’s perfect for the beach: Sweet and uplifting, it’s like your favourite comfort food, only in book form.

A Book Lover’s Story That Celebrates Healing

The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George

Okay, so this one takes place on a floating bookstore in France, not exactly coastal, but it’s too charming to skip. Monsieur Perdu prescribes books for the brokenhearted, but struggles to mend his own soul. With literary musings, slow travel, and healing journeys, The Little Paris Bookshop is a love letter to readers everywhere. A floating bookshop, a heartbroken owner, and a literary journey through France make this a beautifully written tale of healing and hope. 

Why it’s perfect for the beach: It’s a story about the magic of books, and we can’t think of a better beach companion!

Check out our blog, 5 Page-Turning Thrillers for Summer Nights or August’s New Releases, for some extra inspiration!

 

Make It a Vacation You’ll Remember

We have something for everyone, from our Adult and Young Adult ready-to-ship book boxes to one for your tween! And for those of you looking to elevate your reading experience, you should definitely check out the exclusive Once Upon a Book Club Boutique! It’s simply bookworm heaven!

We love journaling about our favorite reads. Whether it is noting a memorable quote, reflecting on how a story made us feel, predicting the ending, or capturing the entire reading experience, the possibilities are endless. Since everyone on our team has their own way of tracking their reading journey, we poured a whole lot of love (and a few passionate discussions) into creating a book journal we all agreed would be every bookworm’s dream.

Available in three stunning colorways—Classic Coral, Periwinkle Prose, and Seafoam Stories—each journal is thoughtfully designed with a sewn-in ribbon bookmark, coordinating floral endpapers, seventy-five unique book review pages, index pages to track your reads, and fun prompts to help guide your reviews. You will find space for favorite quotes, key characters, a spice rating, and much more. There is also plenty of room for creativity, whether you want to doodle, add stickers, or show off your OUABC collectible stickers!

Don’t forget to bring the beach vibes with a Beach Bookworms Towel, add a little coziness with the Southern Gothic Apple Candle, or download the OUABC Digital Reading Journal to track every sunny memory.

 

Don’t Let Summer Slip Away Without One More Story

As summer winds down and September whispers promises of cooler days and back-to-school buzz, there’s still time to escape. Whether you're after romantic beach reads, gripping suspense, or a heartwarming tale of friendship, your next great adventure is just a page away.

According to research, “Reading for pleasure isn’t like a lecture: it’s like a conversation. There’s a back-and-forthness about it. The book proposes, the reader questions, the book responds, the reader considers.” That’s why we always think of books like our friends, because we interact with them! 

Why not treat yourself to a final chapter of sunshine? Explore our Past Boxes and discover the perfect story to close out the season with a splash.

 

Sources

Clark, C., & Rumbold, K. (2006). Reading for pleasure: A research overview. National Literacy Trust. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED496343.pdf