Best Beach Reads 2026
The Ultimate Beach Reads 2026 book list features all the new release books Jackie and I read and loved this year. We also think these books are perfect for the beach or pool. The selection process has become more vigorous than ever, but we wanted to make sure that only the best beach reads are on this list!
Believe it or not, this is my 10th year assembling the best beach reads into one post. Over those 9 years, I’ve learned a thing or two from our readers. You have all told us you don’t love navigating the list and seeing tons of books you can’t yet read.
This year, Ultimate Beach Reads 2026 will be updated 2 times. The first publication will have two books per genre, the update before Memorial Day will add two more books, and finally, right before July 4th, we will release everything else for the rest of the summer. With so many amazing books on this list, you might just need a bigger beach bag.
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Fiction Beach Reads 2026
Villa Coco
Author: Andrew Sean Greer
Release Date: June 9, 2026
Genre: Fiction
More info: Pulitzer Prize-Winning author of Less
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range:
Plot
This is a literary fiction whose narrator is “our young man”. He takes a job in the Italian countryside as an archivist for Lisabetta, a wealthy widow known as Coco to her friends. However, when he arrives at the estate, he is given strange tasks, such as ridding the house of a marten and helping with the olive harvest to make olive oil.
What starts off as just a means to a paycheck slowly becomes something much more as the young man learns Italian and befriends Coco’s friends, family, and neighbors.
Why Jackie loves it
At times emotional and other times laugh-out-loud funny, I loved the characters Greer created in this book. This is a character-driven novel that is beautifully written and had me mesmerized from the first page. I was not sure what Coco had in mind with all her crazy antics, but I was happy to follow her to see where the story would lead. #gifted
Find this book in: Coming-of-Age Books for Adults / Books Set in Italy / Best Beach Reads 2026
American Fantasy
Author: Emma Straub
Release Date: April 7, 2026
Genre: Fiction
More info: Most People’s Anticipated Books of 2026
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
The American fantasy is a cruise ship that has a four-day themed voyage. Five members of a 90s-era boy band will be on board with 3000 women who have loved them since childhood. Annie is turning 50 and newly divorced when she decides to go on the cruise. Suddenly, she remembers parts of herself she forgot a long time ago. When she finally meets one of the band members, she finds someone who needs a friend.
Why Kirsten loves it
Told from multiple perspectives, this story was a riot! I was picturing myself on this cruise with my childhood favorites, NSYNC, and it was an enjoyable reading experience. I was impressed with the depth that Straub was able to tackle in a book that could have been pure fluff. From depression to rivalries to ponderings about aging, this book had substance and hysterical scenarios! #gifted by PRH Audio
Find this book in: Boat Books / Novels About Musicians / Best Beach Reads 2026
Yesteryear
Author: Caro Claire Burke
Year: April 2026
Genre: Fiction / Historical Fiction
More info: April 2026 GMA Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Natalie Heller Mills is a tradwife, but don’t say that to her. She has millions of followers on social media, showing her lifestyle of collecting eggs from the chickens (The Ladies) and preparing beautiful meals for her 6 children. She prides herself on living a faithful, antifeminist lifestyle.
So what if behind the scenes, she has multiple nannies, a producer, a ranch hand, and more staff to help her life appear effortless. Natalie is convinced the haters are jealous.
When Natalie wakes up one morning in 1855 with children who look like hers, but are not the same, and a husband who is Caleb, but not her Caleb, she thinks it might be a sick prank. Until the realities of living without electricity finally hit her.
Trigger Warnings
Domestic Abuse, Detailed description of pregnancy and childbirth, Sexual assault, child abuse/neglect, and animal abuse.
Why Jackie loves it
I loved this book from the start to the finish. I could not put it down. The book is told in multiple timelines: The present, the past, and Natalie’s time in school leading up to her influencer days. Natalie is a totally unlikeable character, and yet, I rooted for her anyway. The story is complex and had me questioning our society, the pressures on women, and our obsession with tradwives. The book is very well-written. Thank you, PRH Audio, for my copy of this book.
Adaptation Information
Currently, an adaptation starring Anne Hathaway is in development.
Find this book in: GMA Book Club List 2026 / Best Time Travel Books / Best Beach Reads 2026/ Summary of Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke / Fictional Books About Influencers / Best Thought-Provoking Books
Go Gentle
Author: Maria Semple
Release Date: April 14, 2026
Genre: Fiction
More info: April 2026 Oprah Book Club Pick
Bestselling author of Where’d You Go, Bernadette?
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Adora Hazzard is a divorcee who works as an in-house philosopher for an extremely wealthy family. She lives in the Ansonia, on the same floor as a group of women she affectionately calls her “coven”. When she meets a handsome stranger at the ballet one night, her world is turned upside down.
She is torn between her desire to be with him and the ethics that have driven her life for the past 15 years. Soon, she is over her head, and she does not know who she can trust when secrets from her past come back to haunt her.
Trigger Warnings
Sexual assault, attempted suicide
Why Jackie loves it
The book is told in two timelines. One in the present, and then we jump to the past to learn about Adora and how she moved from a career in comedy to philosophy. The book deals with serious topics in a humorous way. The characters are well-rounded and hilarious. I absolutely loved this book. #gifted
Find this book in: Oprah Club List 2026 / The Best Oprah Books/ Best Beach Reads 2026 / Ultimate List of Feel-Good Books
Historical Fiction Beach Reads 2026
Liberty Island
Author: Virginia Hume
Release Date: May 5, 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: Bestselling author of Haven Point
July 2026 Beyond the Bookends Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 15+
Plot
Anna Bradley was 28 in 1900. She is looking for a way to be independent and make her own money. She is having trouble finishing the textbook she was writing with her father and has to find convincing arguments to get her employer to actually pay her. She spends her summers supervising three little girls, including her niece, as they run around off the coast of Haven Point, Maine. They became the inspiration for the book “Liberty Island” that Anna writes under a pen name. The Liberty Island stories are unlike anything else in that time. Rather than writing morals about how to be good wives and mothers, the children have adventures!
In 1922, Julia Demarast used to love her aunt’s book, but now, at university, she views the books as old-fashioned. Julia becomes involved in the suffragette movement and begins to move away from her family.
Why Jackie loves it
Kirsten and I loved Haven Point, so it was no surprise that I adored this book as well. I loved seeing Anna and Julia both fight for women’s rights in their own ways. The characters are rich and deep, and the story comes together in an unexpected way. This is everything I hoped for from Virginia. Thank you, Macmillan Audio
Find this book in: Beyond the Bookends Book Club / Books Set in Maine / Best Beach Reads 2026
The Island Club by Nicola Harrison
Author: Nicola Harrison
Release Date: April 28, 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This is the story of the friendship between three women and the game that brought them together. Set on Balboa Island, Milly Kinkaid is trying to fix her marriage, Adele Lambert is a loaner trying to hide from her past, and Sylvia Johnson is risking everything for her new business: The Island Club.
Over the course of the summer, The Island Club’s tennis program will bring the three newly acquainted women together as they try to save the club that initially brought them together. While sharing that common goal, they are each struggling with something on a personal level – financial ruin, a failing marriage, and shame.
Why Kirsten loves it:
I couldn’t put this story down. Between the setting, the time period, and the ladies at the center of the plot, I was transfixed and quickly flipping pages. I loved each woman’s character development over the course of the novel, especially when they were bucking societal standards. It was equally parts thought-provoking and fun – the perfect historical fiction read for summer! #gifted by St. Martin’s Press.
Find this book in: Best Poolside Reads / Tennis Novels / Best Beach Reads 2026
Wait for Me
Author: Amy Jo Burns
Year: 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: March 2026 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Elle Harlow is a folk singer who reached the height of her fame in 1973. After a performance at the Grand Ole Opry, she disappears. Two decades later, when a meteor strikes her small town, Marijohn Shaw, also a folk singer, uncovers information linking her to Elle. Suddenly, Marijohn questions everything she thought she knew about herself.
Told in three parts, Elle and Marijohn each get their own narratives before their stories dovetail for the final portion of the book. From Nashville to Appalachia, this immersive story is filled with tales of the music industry in the 1970s and early 1990s. It’s a story of loss and redemption, and the fight within us all to be seen for who we truly are.
Why Kirsten loves it
I was captivated by Marijohn and Elle’s individual stories, but when they merged, I was swept into their world. You must listen to this story as an audiobook because all the original songs peppered throughout the book are sung with a musical accompaniment. I felt as if I were a fly on the wall watching two extraordinary artists come into their own.
I think this will be the runaway hit of the summer, because it’s a perfect balance of thought-provoking themes and imaginative storytelling. I’d also like to respectfully request an adaptation of this story! #gifted by Macmillan Audio and Celadon.
Find this book in: Read with Jenna Book Club List 2026 / Wait for Me Book Club Questions / Summary of Wait for Me by Amy Jo Burns / Novels About Music, Bands, and Musicians to Love / Books Set in the 70s / Best Beach Reads 2026 / Best Books to Get Out of a Reading Slump / Books like Daisy Jones and The Six / The Best Audiobooks of All Time
The House of Hidden Letters
Author: Izzy Broom
Year: 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
In this dual timeline narrative, Skye is running from a difficult marriage. She buys a dilapidated home on a Greek island for $1 and, with the help of her new neighbors, begins to renovate the property. During the renovation, she uncovers a cache of letters from WWII. While she tries to figure out what happened on the island in the past, she’s also trying to get her own life in order.
Meanwhile, in the WWII timeline, letters show what life was like on Folegandros during the war when the island’s men were fighting the very people occupying their shores.
Trigger Warnings
Domestic Abuse
Why Kirsten loves it
This story reminded me of a mash-up between Under the Tuscan Sun and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. It was heartwarming and thought-provoking without being too heavy, unlike many other WWII stories. I fell for all the characters in this story! #gifted by Berkley.
Find this book in: WWII Books / Best Beach Reads 2026
Summer Fiction 2026
Have a Great Summer
Author: Francesca Cocchi
Year: 2026
Genre: Romance
More info: Debut
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Lina is a wedding journalist who lives in her Jersey Shore hometown after briefly living in NYC. While doing her job at the beginning of summer, she bumps into Sebastian – her first love – and his fiancée, and the next thing she knows, she’s covering their wedding and planning for her magazine.
In between the present-day chapters, readers are transported back to when 15-year-old Lina met and fell for Sebastian at his mother’s seaside restaurant. The dual timeline narrative truly makes this second-chance romance special.
Why Kirsten loves it
I inhaled this book over a rainy Memorial Day at the shore – not stopping until I was finished. It had all the nostalgia of my summers at the beach and those feelings of first love. It’s the perfect beach read for anyone who loves the Jersey Shore! #gifted by Kensington.
Find this book in: Best Beach Reads 2026 / Second Chance Romance Books
Under Water
Author: Tara Menon
Year: 2026
Genre: Fiction
More info: Most Anticipated Book of the Year by Time and Oprah Daily
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This is a dual timeline narrative about grief, friendship, and the ocean. After Marissa’s mother dies when she is six, her father moves them to Thailand to pursue his research as a marine biologist. There, she meets her best friend, Arielle. The two spend their time in the water as much as possible, where they feel a kinship with the marine life.
The second timeline takes place 8 years later, in 2012, in New York City. There, Marissa works as a copywriter for a travel company. She is mourning the loss of Arielle and is experiencing the trauma of losing someone so close to her.
This is a book about coming to terms with loss and the different forms of grief. It also touches upon the toll that humans take on the environment.
Trigger Warnings
Tsunami, Mild sexual assault, PTSD
Why Jackie loves it
This book is beautifully written. It touches upon the idea that we do not have the proper word for grief when it applies to a friend. The descriptions of the wildlife are lush and pulled me in immediately. I was shocked by the first chapter in the book- a horrible nightmare. This is a stark contrast to the beauty described throughout the rest of the book. #gifted by PRH Audio
Find this book in: Novels about Grief / Novels about Weather, Hurricanes, and Blizzards / Best Beach Reads 2026
Summer State of Mind
Author: Kristy Woodson Harvey
Release Date: May 5, 2026
Genre: Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Daisy Stevens has left her job as a NICU nurse and moved to Cape Caroline, looking for a different life. She has happy memories of Cape Caroline as a child. On her first day, the baseball coach, Mason Thaysden, finds an abandoned baby and brings her to the NICU, where Daisy is working.
Sparks begin to fly between Daisy and Mason as they bond over the baby they saved. Daisy begins to feel more attached to the child, but knows they have to continue the search for the baby’s parents.
Mason’s Aunt Tilly often finds herself stuck in the past. When Daisy arrives, she becomes fast friends with Tilly, and suddenly, there is someone who is ot family who may be able to keep her in the present.
Trigger Warnings
NICU, Death of a baby
Why Jackie loves it
Harvey has become a must-read author for beach season. Her books are filled with beautiful relationships and lots of heart.
Find this book in: Best Beach Reads 2026 / Books With Summer in the Title
So, I Met This Guy
Author: Alexander Porter
Year: 2026
Genre: Fiction
More info: UK Bestseller
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Maggie, a 40-year-old gallery owner, has just been conned by the man she thought was the one. Now, she wants to find him and get it all back. Enter Flick, a charming young reporter who is happy to spend her summer traveling around Europe looking for the villain of Maggie’s (and probably a few other women’s) story.
Why Kirsten loves it
What a fun story! I loved how these women bonded during their Euro summer trip! From planes to cars to boats, this book has all forms of transport, but the road trip bits were my favorite as they allowed Flick to learn Maggie’s backstory. The ending left me smiling. I’d recommend this to anyone looking for a fun beach read! #gifted by Zibby Publishing
Find this book in: Road Trip Novels / Best Beach Reads 2026
Sweet Romance Beach Reads 2026
The Shippers
Author: Katherine Center
Release Date: May 19, 2026
Genre: Romance
More info: Bestselling Author
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
JoJo Burton is on a cruise for her sister’s destination wedding. After calling off her wedding a few weeks prior, she has decided that the way to fix her bad luck with love is to get closure with her first crush, Finn. She enlists the help of Cooper Watts, her childhood best friend and biggest heartbreak, to be her wingman. Can JoJo find her happily ever through a series of hysterical exploits while navigating some family drama?
Why Kirsten loves it
Katherine Center has become a go-to author for me! Her stories are sweet and deep and just so unique! The Shippers gave me everything I wanted, and I was shipping Jojo and Cooper from the very beginning! Thanks to MacMillan Audio for my copy.
Find this book in: Boat Books and Sailing Novels / Friends to Lovers Romance Books / Best Beach Reads 2026
A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity
Author: Rachel Linden
Year: May 2026
Genre: Sweet Romance
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Emmie Wynne is a chocolatier who trained in Paris before needing to return home to help her parent with their candy store. Her father got sick, and her mother has arthritis, which no longer allows her to make the beloved candy. With her 34th birthday coming up, Emmy is waiting to see if she will finally be given the vision of her future that every woman gets once in their lifetime. Her vision is more than she could’ve imagined. It includes her celebrity crush, Henry Summers, the host of a Travel cooking show.
But when sparks fly with her former high school best friend, Jakob, she is not sure if her vision could have been wrong.
Why Jackie loves it
I love the sprinkle of magic in this sweet romance. The chocolates are delectable, and so is the romance. I love a great single-parent romance aspect of this as well. Emmie is able to find herself and really go after what she wants.
Find this book in: Best Beach Reads 2026
The Ex-Perimento
Author: Maria J. Morillo
Release Date: February 17, 2026
Genre: Romance
More info: Debut Author
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Maria “Marianto” Camacho has the job of her dreams and a boyfriend who is perfect on paper. She is sure her boyfriend is going to propose to her, so she sets up her camera to record. But things do not go as planned and he breaks up with her. When she looses her job the next day, she has to come up with a plan to win them back.
She decides to document experiments to get her ex back. Imagine “How to Lose a Guy in 10 days” but in reverse! Marianto realizes the easiest way to do this is to fake date Simon Arreaza, the lead singer of her favorite Indie band. He has a man’s perspective on what will actually work to win her ex back.
Why Jackie loves it
This is an adorable romance that had me laughing and cringing with every one of Maria’s missteps. I was rooting for her the whole time.
Find this book in: Fake Dating Books / Best Beach Reads 2026
Plot
Melissa Ferguson writes the best clean romances, so I’m excited to read her mystery romance debut! It’s set on a cruise ship when Pip, organizer of an author cruise and personal assistant to a famed writer, finds her employer has been murdered. Soon, she’s using her amateur detective skills to solve the mystery with the help of Nash, her friendly Western author pal.
Why Kirsten loves it
This sweet story kept me guessing until the end. I’ve been loving the new RomCozy trend, and this clean story delighted! I was feverishly trying to solve the mystery alongside Pip while also swooning over Nash’s attempts to keep her out of harm’s way. Delightful as always, and the cruise ship setting was perfect for this one! #gifted by Thomas Nelson
Find this book in: RomCozy Books / Boat Books / Beach Mystery Books / Best Beach Reads 2026
Steamy Romance Beach Reads 2026
Our Perfect Storm
Author: Carley Fortune
Release Date: May 5, 2026
Genre: Romance
More info: #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Frankie and George have been best friends since they were eight years old. They know each other better than anyone, so it is only natural that George be Frankie’s best man at her upcoming wedding. Everything in Frankie’s life seems perfect until her fiancé breaks up with her via a note two days before the wedding. George convinces Frankie that the two of them should go on her honeymoon together as the perfect way to heal her broken heart.
Why Jackie loves it
This is a friends-to-lovers romance that only Carley Fortune could write. It is slow-burn and utterly delicious in every sense! The descriptions of the food and the beautiful island of Tofino were fantastic. I love their relationship as well. Thank you PRH Audio for my copy of this book!
Find this book in: Carley Fortune Books / Best Beach Reads 2026
Dolly All the Time
Author: Annabel Monaghan
Release Date: May 26, 2026
Genre: Romance
More info: June 2026 GMA Book Club Pick
New York Times Bestselling Author
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Dolly is a single mom who moves back to Whitfield, Rhode Island, for the summer to help her dad and her brother, who had a TBI when he was much younger. When she comes across Stuart Whitfield, with a flat tire and a dead phone battery, she decides to help him.
He needs someone to help him overcome his recent humiliating public breakup, and proposes that they fake date. Soon, Dolly and Stuart learn to lean on each other for friendship and support. Can Dolly finally depend on someone else?
Why Jackie loves it
This is my favorite book Monaghan has written. I loved the relationship between Dolly and Stuart. They learn to understand what the other needs in the relationship. This is not a knight in shining armor situation- even if there are parts that give “Pretty Woman” vibes. #gifted
Find this book in: Annabel Monaghan Books / Best Beach Reads 2026
Into the Blue
Author: Emma Brodie
Year: 2026
Genre: Romance
More info: April 2026 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This is the first novel of Jenna Bush Hager’s imprint to be a book club pick – and it was chosen by Reese, not Jenna! This love story spans decades as two summer friends work as acting partners to make it into Hollywood or the SNL scene. Noah, scion of Hollywood royalty, and AJ’s friendship forms over their shared ambition until Noah disappears.
When, years later, AJ is cast to be on Noah’s space-themed TV series, they reconnect. But as their characters grow close, so do they until fiction blurs with reality.
Trigger Warnings
Chronic Illness, Alcoholism
Why Kirsten loves it
I loved this book – I didn’t want it to end, which is saying something because she’s a clonker! This book is so much more than a romance; it’s a book club-worthy novel that looks at first love, sexism in Hollywood, complicated family dynamics, legacy, and chronic illness. This is a true MUST-READ story worthy of everyone’s attention.
I can’t go into much detail without ruining the story, but AJ and Noah’s connection absolutely sizzled. I felt like they were friends of mine as I watched them grow up, grow close, drift apart, and come back together time and again. I’ll be thinking of this one for ages. #gifted by PRH Audio
Find this book in: The Best Reese Witherspoon Books / Reese Witherspoon Book Club List 2026 / Hollywood Novels / Best Beach Reads 2026 / Celebrity Romance Books / Books With Colors in the Title
No Matter What
Author: Cara Bastone
Release Date: March 3, 2026
Genre: Romance
More info: Part of Dial Delights, bestselling author of Promise Me Sunshine
Plot
Roz and Vin survived a life-altering accident, but have not been able to look at each other since. They both have so much trauma from the accident and they cannot find a way back to each other.
Vin knows that he needs to move out, so Roz signs up to do a drawing class. When Vin offers to be her model, the two start to see each other in a different way. Can they begin the process of healing or are they too far apart?
Trigger Warnings
PTSD
Why Jackie loves it
Promise me Sunshine was one of Beyond the Bookends’ best romances of 2025 so I was very excited to read this book. It did not disappoint. Bastone has a way of writing that makes her romances SO emotional. I felt for Roz and Vin so much. I wanted them to be able to heal and find a way back to each other.
Find this book in: Second Chance Romance Books / Best Beach Reads 2026
Thriller Beach Reads 2026
The Anniversary
Author: Alex Finlay
Year: 2026
Genre: Thriller
More info: A Goodreads “Top Mystery and Thriller Book of 2026.”
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
On May 1st every year, a serial killer strikes. He takes one victim and is not seen again for a year. Jules is in high school when she survives an attack from the May Day Killer.
Quinn is a kid from the wrong side of town and is arrested that same night after trying to break up a fight. The two of them are connected- each haunted by May first.
We follow Quinn and Julia on May first over the next decade. Julia is traumatized by that night and has never told anyone about it. Quinn is released from juvenile detention to find out that his mother was murdered. Slowly, secrets are revealed as more girls go missing every year.
Trigger Warnings
Kidnapping, murder, sexual assault
Why Jackie loves it
I listened to this one in the car on a road trip with my husband, and we both loved it. It is smart and unexpected. I loved the premise of this book as well- it is so unique.
Find this book in: Fiction Serial Killer Books / Best Beach Reads 2026
The Parisian Heist
Author: Jo Piazza
Year: 2026
Genre: Fiction
More info: Bestselling Author
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Emma is a scrappy young artist making her way in Paris, working as a maid to help pay for art school. She lives with two other female artists, each talented in their own right and each working to support their artistic pursuits. When Emma’s client, Stella Swanson, the recent widow of a famed art dealer, asks her for help in taking control of the art empire she helped to build, Emma is torn between helping Stella and falling for her charming step-grandson, whose father is working to cut Stella out of her inheritance.
Stella will do whatever it takes to unveil some of her deceased husband’s family secrets, and she’s trying to bring Emma and her friends along on her not-so-legal path to taking them down. While Emma is working out what to do in the present day, her story is cut between that of Jo van Gogh as she works to fulfill her late husband, Theo’s, dream of making his brother Vincent a famed artist.
Jo was a real-life unsung hero in the creation of Vincent as a god-like figure in the world of art, and her struggles, narrated by her fictitious nanny/assistant, intertwine with Emma’s present-day story in the most rewarding way.
Why Kirsten loves it
This propulsive novel had me flipping through the pages. I adore biographical fiction and art heist novels, and this was the perfect combination of both, with a major dose of feminism thrown in. I was enthralled by Jo’s tenacity as she became the driving force behind making Vincent van Gogh a household name, but even more, I was ensnared by the modern plotline of Emma and Stella reclaiming their power.
If you are looking for an escapist read that will also inspire you to fight the patriarchy, this should be an immediate purchase! You learn a lot, you’ll have fun while reading, and you’ll come away with renewed energy as you realize the power of women working together.
Find this book in: Books Set in Paris / Books Set in Museums / Best Beach Reads 2026
The Storm
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Release Date: January 6, 2026
Genre: Mystery Thriller
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Geneva Corliss is the owner of the Rosalie Inn, a place famous for surviving every hurricane that comes to St Medard’s Bay, Alabama. When a writer comes to town to research a famous crime, Geneva is hopeful that it may be successful enough to get her some new business. But when August Fletcher shows up with Lo Bailey, a woman accused of murder in 1984, Geneva wonders why Lo really came back home.
Why Kirsten loves it
The dual timeline nature of this book kept me guessing as each layer of the story was pulled back, and the approaching storms (one in each timeline) heightened the tension to a truly high-stakes game. It’s a perfect beach thriller, and the full cast narration made it feel truly engrossing. #gifted by MacMillan Audio and St. Martin’s Press
Find this book in: Novels About Hurricanes / Books Set in the 80s / Beach Mystery Books / Best Beach Reads 2026
My Husband’s Wife
Author: Alice Feeney
Release Date: January 20, 2026
Genre: Thriller
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Eden Fox was out for her nightly jog when she came home to Spyglass to find that the key to her house didn’t fit in the lock. When a woman who looks like her answers the door, her husband insists that the stranger is his wife. Eden watches as the woman attends her art gallery opening with her husband. With no keys, phone, or ID, she has not idea how to prove who she really is.
Six months earlier, Birdy inherited Spyglass from a long-lost grandmother. Inside, she finds a letter addressed to her grandmother with the name of a clinic that can predict anyone’s date of death.
Trigger Warnings
Suicide, cancer, coma
Why Jackie loves it
I was so excited to read this book because I love Alice Feeney. The beginning gripped me immediately, and I hoped that the rest of the book would continue to be just as good. It did not disappoint. I absolutely loved this thriller that is filled with so many twists, turns, and secrets. The book was not predictable and did not follow a pattern (that is often the case with authors who write many books in the same genre). I think this is one of the best books Feeney has written!
Find this book in: Alice Feeney Books in Order / Best Beach Reads 2026
Mystery Beach Reads 2026
Safari Murder Party
Author: Rachel Moore
Year: May 22, 2026
Genre: Thriller
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Fletcher has been working for the CEO of Cartwright Media for three years. She finally gains the courage to ask for a spot at the annual company retreat, where promotions and bonuses are handed out like candy on Halloween. But when her boss is found dead, his will states that whoever can survive the week will inherit the company.
Now, she is stuck on a remote private island with power-hungry colleagues who will do anything to be the last person standing and wild animals with no barriers (think Jurassic Park, but safari style). Can Fletcher survive, and can she trust anyone on the Island?
Trigger Warnings
Gore
Why Jackie loves it
Despite the fact that there is some gore in this book, I found myself laughing out loud. Think a funny and grown-up version of Lord of the Flies. There is romance in this book which should not work, in theory, and yet, it 100% does. I loved this book from beginning to end. It is the perfect beach thriller.
Find this book in: Best Beach Reads 2026
This Weekend Doesn’t End Well for Anyone
Author: Catherine Mack
Year: 2026
Genre: Mystery
More info: The Vacation Mysteries Book #3
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Eleanor Dash cannot catch a break because every time she goes on vacation, someone dies. She is hoping that her all-inclusive weekend trip to the Bahamas will be different since it’s not a vacation, but a work event in which she is speaking at a murder mystery conference for writers.
Yet, she arrives and finds a body on the floor of her hotel room. Surrounded by murder mystery writers who know the perfect way to plan a crime, Eleanor is determined to solve the mystery once again.
Why Kirsten loves it
What can I say about this series that I haven’t already? Each can be read as a standalone, but I suggest reading them in order. I adore taking these stories with me on vacation each year because they are funny and not scary like many mysteries. The narrator always breaks the fourth wall, and this particular one also teaches readers the basic framework of writing a mystery. Thanks to Macmillan Audio and St. Martins Press for my copies.
Find this book in: Books Set at the Beach / Best Beach Reads 2026
A Sociopath’s Guide to a Successful Marriage
Author: MK Oliver
Year: 2026
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This funny mystery is all about Lalla, a woman trying to do it all – help her husband make partner, get her daughter into an exclusive private school, secure her dream home, and host a damn-good birthday party for her 4-year-old. All of which hits a snag when she murders a thief attempting to break into her house, and kinda likes it. Now she needs to frame a friend, dispose of a body, and figure out how to hide her past from the police.
Why Kirsten loves it
I love to root for an anti-hero, and Lalla is the perfect one! Lalla’s unique inner monologue made for delightful reading, and the increasingly fraught scenarios were humorous and suspenseful at the same time! Lalla’s narration style won’t be for everyone but if you liek Joe’s narration in You or the story Best Offer Wins, then this will be right up your alley. #Gifted by Atria and S&S Audio.
Find this book in: Cozy Mystery Books / Best Beach Reads 2026
Mad Mabel
Author: Sally Hepworth
Year: 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction Mystery
More info: Bestselling author
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick is an 81-year-old woman who has worked very hard to conceal her past. No one ever suspects little girls or old ladies of doing anything criminal. When a new little girl moves into Elsie’s neighborhood, she works very hard to become Elsie’s friend. Little does she know that 50 years ago, Elsie was known as mad Mabel, and she hopes that the past will not repeat itself.
Trigger Warnings
Child Abuse, Mental Illness
Why Kirsten loves it
I’m used to Sally Hepworth writing chilling thrillers that keep me guessing, but this story was so much more than that. Instead of a thriller, I was treated to the history of a fascinating woman often associated with death in her past. As Mabel’s story unfolded, my heart went from guarded to wary to absolute tender love for Mabel.
The character arc for Mabel reminded me of that silly saying from the donkey in Shrek – in the best way. The layers of this woman! And I loved the growth of her neighbors and they learned more about her. This is one of my favorite stories of the year so far – especially with the narrator choice of an old and young Mabel in the audiobook. It really brought the story to life. #gifted by MacMillan Audio and St. Martins Press.
Find this book in: Books with Older Protagonists / Best Beach Reads 2026
Sci-Fi and Fantasy Beach Reads 2026
Rites of the Starling
Author: Devney Perry
Year: 2026
Genre: Romantasy
More info: Shield of Sparrows books 2
Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
The Crux is coming. Odessa has been separated from Ransom. She is on a mission to find him and find a cure for Lyssa while keeping herself alive.
We also have Caspia’s Point of View as she searches for answers about the Starling. The two women are both part of epic journeys that lead them to new and unknown places.
Trigger Warnings
Death, Violence
Why Jackie loves it
This was an amazing follow-up to the first book in the series and did not disappoint. I loved it. There are fantastic new characters, and the story gets even deeper in this second book in the trilogy. It is also steamier then the last! The ending had me completely shocked. I cannot wait for the last book in the series.
Find this book in: Best Beach Reads 2026
The Book Witch
Author: Meg Shaffer
Release Date: April 7, 2026
Genre: Fantasy
More info: USA Today Bestselling author of The Wishing Game
Plot
Rainy March is a book witch. She can move in and out of novels to fix any alterations that book burners might do to try and harm the book. All book witches have to abide by a strict code that does not allow them to eat, drink, or sleep inside a fictional world. They are also not supposed to bring fictional characters into the real world.
When Rainy’s grandfather disappears, and a priceless book is stolen, there is only one person she can trust to help her. The Duke of Chicago is a British detective who stars in her favorite mystery series. The problem? She has been forbidden to see him anymore because they fell in love when she went into his books to save them from the burners. Now, the two of them will hop from book to book to follow the clues her grandfather left behind.
Why Jackie loves it
This book is an ode to books, and I loved every minute of it. It is funny and sweet with the perfect amount of romance and mystery. There are mentions of classic books from Nancy Drew to Fahrenheit 451 and Pride and Prejudice. Thank you to Ballantine for my copy of this book #gifted.
Find this book in: The Ultimate List of Books About Books / Cozy Fantasy Romance Books / Best Beach Reads 2026
The Astral Library
Author: Kate Quinn
Year: 2026
Genre: Historical Fantasy
More info: Bestselling Author of The Alice Network
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Alix grew up in the foster care system and took refuge in books at the Boston Public Library. When she finds a hidden door, she enters a hidden library where people can escape into their favorite books.
There, she also meets the Librarian, the guardian of the Astral Library. When an enemy to the library threatens to destroy it, Alix and the Librarian flee through Sherlock Holmes and other literary favorites. Can they determine what the enemy wants before it destroys everything?
Trigger Warnings
Foster Care System, domestic abuse
Why Jackie loves it
2026 really seems to be the year of the book about books. This is unlike any other book by Kate Quinn. This is the perfect mix of fantasy and fiction, with an ode to books themselves. I could not out this book down.
Find this book in: Books About Libraries and Librarians / Best Beach Reads 2026
Magic and Mischief at the Wayside Hotel
Author: Elizabeth Everett
Year: 2026
Genre: Cozy Romantasy
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
The Wayside Hotels are magical buildings that hop between worlds, shuttling their magical inhabitants across the universe – like a more epic Knight Bus! But Number Five Wayside is malfunctioning, and it needs a reboot. Too bad it decided to dock itself on Earth – the only nonmagical planet!
Pax, the hotel manager, and his travel companions decide the wayside must be on earth for a reason, so they decide to welcome a human into the fold. When Josie and her young son rent an apartment at the Wayside, they begin to realize things are a bit amiss with their new home. As Pax and Josie grow closer together, it becomes harder to keep the secrets of the Wayside from her.
Why Kirsten loves it
This delightful story had me grinning and giggling. I fell in love with the residents of Number Five Wayside and the hotel’s goofy antics. More than that, though, Josie and Pax’s love story felt magical in a non-magical way. I was rooting for them the entire time and you will be rooting for them too! #gifted by Berkley Publishing.
Find this book in: Fantasy Hotel Novels / Cozy Fantasy Romance Books / Best Beach Reads 2026
Non-Fiction Beach Reads 2026
Plot
This story is NOT a biography, but rather a look at how the books Marilyn Monroe read shaped her life and career. Often thought to be a dumb blonde because of her film roles, Marilyn was a voracious reader who was as smart as she was as beautiful. A lover of classics, this look at Marilyn’s bookshelf gives a glimpse into her mind and acting process.
Trigger Warnings
Suicide
Why Kirsten loves it
I’ve long been a fan of Marilyn Monroe, but I had no idea how much of a reader she was! I gobbled up this book and eagerly compared her reading habits to mine. Gifted by Simon and Schuster Audio.
Find this book in: Best Beach Reads 2026
Make Believe: On Telling Stories to Children
Author: Mac Barnett
Year: 2026
Genre: Nonfiction
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This book for adults is about books for children from the bestselling, Caldecott Award-winning author. This is a book about how to approach children’s literature during a time in our history when literacy is at an all-time low.
Why Kirsten loves it
I can’t say enough good things about this book. It’s more of a long-form essay on how adults should view children’s literature and why the kinds of books we give children matter. It’s slightly autobiographical because it covers why Mac got into the business of writing children’s stories, but it also gives a mini overview of some of the best children’s authors that ever existed and why they were so brilliantly talented.
I cried while reading it because his sentiments about the importance of books to children and why we, as adults, need to reframe how we see stories written for kids, so perfectly align with my own views on the subject. This should be required reading for every librarian, educator, and parent. #Gifted by Little, Brown & Co.
Find this book in: Best Nonfiction Books / Best Beach Reads 2026
Strangers
Author: Belle Burden
Year: 2026
Genre: Memoir
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Belle and her children are sequestered at their home in Martha’s Vineyard during the COVID pandemic, when out of the blue, her husband reveals his affair and asks for a divorce. Unaware of her husband’s unhappiness and infidelity, Belle is left looking back on her 20 years of marriage for clues that this was going to happen.
She also documents her journey to acceptance, her friends and family’s reaction to the shocking news, and her path forward into single motherhood.
Why Kirsten loves it
Salacious and unputdownable, this story reads like fiction. I was swept into Belle’s mind, and my heart broke as I listened to her gracefully recount her sweeping emotions. I can’t wait to see Gwenyth Paltrow in the adaptation of this one.
Find this book in: Best Beach Reads 2026
Super Nintendo: The Game-Changing Company That Unlocked the Power of Play
Author: Keza MacDonald
Release Date: February 3, 2026
Genre: Nonfiction
Age Range: 12+
Plot
Nintendo, the video-gaming company, was the cornerstone of many a childhood. This book dives into the history of Nintendo, game by game, as it looks at where the company started and where it’s going in the future.
Why Kirsten loves it
I loved learning about my favorite video games. I read this story on vacation, and it sparked all kinds of fun conversations with my family members! It was the perfect vacation nonfiction. #gifted by Knopf
Find this book in: Pop Culture Nonfiction Books / Best Beach Reads 2026
Young Adult Beach Reads 2026
Rolls and Rivalry
Author: Kristy Boyce
Year: 2026
Genre: YA Romance
More info: Part of Quest for Love Collection
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
Hazel is about to start her senior year of high school. She is the captain of the color guard and is determined to start her first D&D campaign. When her former best friend and crush, Max, moves back to town, she is excited to see him until he has an unexpected attitude. Where did the chip on his shoulder come from? He has also joined the drum section of the band- the rivalry of the colorguard.
When Max is forced into Hazel’s D&D campaign by their parents, their relationship becomes more complicated. With all the ups and downs, it is hard to know where they stand. Slowly, Max starts to open up to Hazel, and their relationship takes a turn.
Trigger Warnings
Bullying
Why Jackie loves it
This is an adorable YA romance that is perfect for game-loving kids. I love that these are not the head cheerleaders and star football players. Rather, they are regular high school kids.
Find this book in: Best Beach Reads 2026
Change of Plans
Author: Sarah Dessen
Release Date: May 5, 2026
Genre: Romance
More info: May 2026 GMA YA Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 13+
Plot
GMA has finally broken their streak of YA fantasy picks by choosing a romance! Finley is quieter than her gregarious, fun-loving boyfriend, Colin. But when she’s swept on an unexpected trip to her distant mom’s soon-to-be-sold vacation home, she has to have her own adventure.
While meeting her estranged family, she also meets Ben and other teens with whom she quickly bonds. When her relationship with Colin goes south, Finley’s carefully laid post-graduation plans go out the window, and she is left figuring out what she should do next.
Trigger Warnings
Cancer
Why Kirsten loves it
This charming YA romance reminded me of a Carley Fortune novel with it’s slow burn romance and lake setting. The growth Finley experienced over the course of this novel felt accurate and appropriate for the age group, but also it was entertaining enough for adults! I also fell hard for Ben and Finley’s relationship. #gifted by Simon and Schuster Audio
Find this book in: Coming-of-Age Books for Teens / GMA Book Club List 2026 / Lake Books / Best YA Romance Books / Best Beach Reads 2026
The Faraway Inn
Author: Sarah Beth Durst
Release Date: March 31, 2026
Genre: YA fantasy
More info: New York Times Bestselling author of The Spellshop
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 13+
Plot
Calisa is excited to go stay with her great aunt in Vermont for the summer. She needs to get away from the boy who broke her heart. Auntie Zee runs a bed and breakfast, but rather than the cozy inn she was expecting, it is rundown.
Her aunt is also less than welcoming and tells her she can only stay for three days before she has to go home. Calisa decides that we will help her aunt fix the inn and become invaluable. This way, her aunt will let her stay. She quickly realizes that there is something magical about it as well.
Why Jackie loves it
This is an absolutely adorable, cozy fantasy book. I wanted to curl up by the moving fire in the book and not put it down. I can tell that this book is YA because of the small plot points that feel different from Durst’s adult books. However, I loved it. The magical world that Durst creates is so unique and lovely- I wish it were real!
Find this book in: YA Witch Books / The Ultimate List of YA Fantasy Books / Fantasy Hotel Novels / Best Beach Reads 2026
The Escape Game
Author: Marissa Meyer & Tamara Moss
Release Date: April 7, 2026
Genre: YA Mystery
More info: Bestselling author of The Lunar Chronicles
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
Season four of The Escape Game ended when Alicia Angelos, a contestant, was found murdered on the set during the finale. Everyone believes her sister, Sierra, who was also a contestant on the show, was the killer. But there was never evidence to convict her.
Now, it is six months later, and season 5 is starting. The show shocks everyone when Sierra is a contestant again. This season, the game is trying to find Alicia’s killer. The teams all compete in escape rooms. Can Sierra’s team stay in long enough to get answers?
Trigger Warnings
Murder
Why Jackie loves it
This book was fun from start to finish. I loved it. The escape rooms were so clever, and the cast of characters is fun and quirky. Each character has their own reason for being on the show, which adds depth to the story. #gifted by PRH Audio
Find this book in: YA Thriller Books / Best Beach Reads 2026
Helpful Tips
- Pick your beach read based on the genre you are most interested in.
- Each of these books is engaging, but easily put down if you want to participate in beach or poolside activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some good summer reads for 2026?
We have a list of dozens of selections, but our current favorites are:
1. Into The Blue by Emma Brodie
2. Summer State of Mind by Kristy Woodson Harvey
3. Go Gentle by Maria Semple
Depending on which genre you like, this is part one of a list of dozens of the best summer reads for 2026. So, whether you like fiction, fantasy, women’s fiction, or non-fiction, this list will have a book you love.
Related Content
Epilogue
What do you think of the beach reads 2026 list? Do you like the new way we are releasing them over 3 separate updates? Do you have any guesses for what will make the list later in the spring?
