Ultimate Beach Reads 2023: The Hottest Summer Reads

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

I absolutely adored this charming second-chance romance set at a lake house. It was one of the most popular books on Instagram this summer, and for good reason.

Sam is the teenage boy we all needed in our lives growing up, and he gets better with age! Meanwhile, I was rooting for Percy to get her happily ever after with Sam the whole time. I was swept away by their summer love story and you will be too!

This is a must-read if you are looking for the best summer reads 2023.

Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson

March 2023 Good Morning America Book Club Pick

I loved this family drama book about the blue-blooded Stockton family, told from the perspective of sisters, Darley and Georgiana, and their sister-in-law, Sasha.

Each woman has her own struggles with navigating life in the Stockton family. Sasha, a middle-class artist feels like an unwelcomed outsider. Darley struggles with living up to the Stockton family name after she gave up her identity to embrace motherhood. Georgiana, the youngest, needs to grow up and become a capable adult!

Each family member struggles on their own and within the family dynamic in this wonderful contemporary fiction. Each sibling faces dramatic struggles from sick parents to committing adultery to a lost job. I loved seeing how they each grew throughout this book for book clubs and ultimately how they strengthened their familial bond.

While the book had enough meat for me to get invested, it also had glimpses of the whimsy of the monied elite. The matriarch of this family in particular is a hoot! We had to include this book in our list of beach reads 2023 and the best contemporary fiction books of 2023.

The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff

Geeta lost her husband 5 years ago, but now her small Indian village thinks she killed him! The rumors have helped her for a few years, but now other local women are asking for her help in getting rid of their own husbands.

I found myself laughing at this band of friends and their antics. If you liked Dial A for Aunties, this one is for you and is a perfect fit for our best books for summer 2023 post.

Maame by Jessica George

February 2023 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick

Oof. This story about Maddie, known as Maame to her family, was immersive and beautifully complex. Dealing with friendships, racism, familial obligations, and then grief, this story swept me away.

I felt fiercely protective of Maddie while reading this book. There were times I wanted to swoop in to relieve some of the burdens of this wonderful character with a heart of gold. But it was more rewarding to see Maddie finding her inner strength and learning to prioritize herself and her dreams.

I can’t recommend this book about grief enough – it’s one of the best books of 2023 and a great pick for a list of book club books. This is one of the heavier books in our beach reads 2023 post, but this list would not be complete without it.

The Fortunes of Jaded Women by Carolyn Huynh

September 2022 GMA Book Club Pick

This family drama tells the tale of Mai, her estranged Vietnamese sisters, and her 3 daughters. After meeting with her psychic in Hawaii, Mai is determined to reunite with her family and find happiness and good marriages for all of her daughters within the year.

But life has other plans for her meddling and the year that unfolds brings unexpected changes for everyone. Will what Mai was told come to pass or will she lose her last chance to reconnect with everyone she loves?

I have a soft spot in my heart for meddlesome mothers and family drama books about sisters. I love when a story brings me into the hearts and minds of an entire family in a way that has me rooting for each character to find their proper place within each other’s lives. It is a must-read from our ultimate list of beach reads 2023.

Cover Story by Susan Rigetti

Like everyone, I fell deep into the Netflix show Inventing Anna. When I realized this story was about a similar tale, I knew it would be the perfect summer read!

Essentially it’s about an intern named Lora who was taken in by an Elle editor named Cat Wolff whose glamorous life quickly takes over her own. But is Cat who she claims to be or is she someone else entirely?

Let’s just say this is one of those books that when you get to the end you want to go back and re-read. I gasped when I read the final chapter of this pick from summer reads 2023.

The Measure by Nikki Erlick

July 2022 Read With Jenna Book Club Pick

This is one of the most unique books I’ve ever read. One day everyone in the world over the age of 22 wakes up to find a string on their doorstep. It’s soon clear that the length of one’s string determines the length of their life.

Soon short stringers are being discriminated against around the globe which begs the question – what is the true measure of a valuable life? This would be a fabulous book club book. There is so much to talk about and you will love this pick from summer reads 2023!

The Cuban Heiress by Chanel Cleeton

While this story is set in the same time period as some of Cleeton’s stories about the Perez family, this book is not about the family! It is inspired by the real story of the S.S. Moro and its fateful last journey.

Add in a woman pretending to be an heiress, a fiance who isn’t what he seems, a thief, and a passenger out for revenge and you have the perfect historical fiction beach read of 2023!

River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer

February 2023 Good Morning America Book Club Pick

Prior to reading this story, I had little concept of what the end of slavery meant in the Caribbean. I knew nothing of the apprenticeships and horrible conditions formerly enslaved people were forced to endure.

And I certainly had no idea of what it would take to reunite a family of formerly enslaved individuals who had been ripped apart when they were sold by their owners.

Rachel’s story changes that. She runs away from the plantation in Barbados to reunite with her family. She sets off on a journey to find her 5 children. What she finds out about each encompasses some of the many ways a formerly enslaved person’s life could turn out.

 I don’t think anyone will be able to read this story without shedding a tear and thinking hard about colonialism and the ripple effects it has had on generations. This is another book that is heavier in our ultimate beach reads 2023 post but you will not want to miss reading this pick.

Beyond that, the Sea by Laura Spence-Ash

I’ve read a lot of books about WWII but not as many books about what it was like after the war. This particular story is about Bea, an 11-year-old sent to America during the bombings in London. She assimilates into an American family with two sons during the war years, only to be wrenched away at the end of the war.

Her time in America forever changes Bea, and she struggles to reconnect to her home country and her family. As she grows up, her American family is never far from her heart. I loved to see how she merged her two families over the course of her life. While often sad at times, it was truly a lovely tale and a perfect pick for our summer reads 2023 post.

The Last Dress from Paris by Jade Beer

This dual-timeline story was such a fun read. At her grandmother’s request, Lucille has been sent to Paris to retrieve a Dior dress. But what should have been an easy task becomes a scavenger hunt when the dress in question is missing.

Lucille begins tracking down the dress and uncovering the history of Alice Ainsley, wife of the British Ambassador to France in the early 50s. Lucille’s hunt for the dress soon turns into her seeking Alice’s connection to her beloved grandmother.

I loved the way the timelines unfolded and the secrets were unveiled. It was lovely to understand womanhood in the 1950s from the lens of Lucille, who uses the lessons of the past to resurrect her own floundering life. This historical fiction is perfect for our beach reads 2023 post.

Jacqueline in Paris by Ann Mah

I had no idea that Jackie Kennedy spent a year abroad living in Paris in the year following the end of WWII. I was fascinated by Ann Mah’s take on what Jackie would have seen in post-war France.

This book covered it all! The rise of communism, the French people’s disdain for Americans, the struggle to make ends meet for many citizens, and the return to the glitz and glam of the gilded aristocracy.

As far as historical fiction books go, it was one of the most unique ones I’ve read in recent years. I immediately gave it to my francophile mother because I know she will adore it. This book was a must for our ultimate beach reads 2023 post.

Switchboard Soldiers by Jennifer Chiaverini

I’ve been reading WWI books non-stop because I’m fascinated by the way modern warfare met traditional tactics in the Great War. I’m particularly interested in the role women played in helping the Allies.

Chiaverini brought the Switchboard soldiers (the women who operated the telephone lines) to life in the most interesting way. I loved their bonds of sisterhood, how they stayed cool under pressure, and learning just how crucial they were to the war effort.

If you are looking for book club books, this historical fiction is a perfect choice. It is also a perfect choice for our summer reads 2023.

Always Be My Duchess by Amalie Howard

I have a thing for historical romance books like Bridgerton, so I knew I had to read the first in the Taming the Dukes series that Amalie Howard wrote.

Lord Blackstone needs a faux-fiance to secure a land deal, and he stumbles upon the perfect partner in out-of-work ballerina, Geneviève. We all know what happens in faux-dating romances, and yet, it’s still satisfying when the couple falls in love EVERY TIME.

I’m looking forward to the next one in this series and is a perfect pick for our ultimate list of beach reads 2023!

The Italian Ballerina by Kristy Cambron

This amazing WW11 historical fiction novel takes place in three timelines. While I was a little bit confused initially, I could not put the book down by the end.

This book is based on the true accounts of Syndrome K, the deadly and highly contagious disease that was fabricated by doctors in Rome to save Jewish people from Nazi extermination.

In the past, Courtney Coleman has had a troubled past and decides to enlist when Pearl Harbor is bombed. While he is there, he meets Julia Bradbury, an Italian ballerina, and together with another allied medic and the hospital staff, they work together to try and save the Jewish people from the Nazis.

In the Present day, Delaney Coleman has recently lost her grandfather, a WW11 veteran. Soon after, Delaney’s family is contacted by an Italian woman who claims they have a family heirloom. Delaney travels to Italy to discover her grandfather’s past. This is one of the newest books set in Italy on our list and is also a perfect pick for our ultimate beach reads 2023!

Audrey Hepburn Estate by Brenda Janowitz

Emma, a celebrated chef and caterer, is upset that her childhood home is set to be demolished by a developer, Leo, who also used to live at the Audrey Hepburn Estate.

Emma was the housekeeper’s daughter, Leo, the chauffeur’s son, and rounding out their childhood trio was Henry, raised by his grandparents on the rolling estate out on Long Island. Long ago, Emma and Leo discovered a secret about Henry’s family and now that the estate is ready to be torn down, those family secrets are coming to light.

Part mystery, part love-triangle romance, this story has all the drama and intrigue I expect from Brenda Janowitz.

The Friendship Breakup by Annie Cathryn

When it comes to books about motherhood, this is a must-read. As moms, we’ve all experiences the highs and lows of making new mom friends, but this story looks at what happens when friendships run their course.

Do you fight to keep the friendship alive or send it on its way? Well, Fallon is not letting them go so easily and her attempts to win back her friends are hysterical, but also poignant. This book about friendship had me examining my own relationships and I knew I needed to include it in the ultimate list of beach reads 2023. It’s also one of my picks for the best books of 2023.

Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Carrie Soto was the world’s most decorated tennis player who has come out of retirement to take back the title. Carrie was trained to be the best there was from a young age and has dedicated her entire life to winning- at the expense of everything else in her life. 

I loved this book so much, that I could not put it down. I alternated between reading and listening to the book and have to say that the audio version was really fantastic. My heart was pounding with each and every game played.

Taylor Jenkins Reid has done it again with this book and we knew that it could not be left off a list of books like Daisy Jones and the Six. If you are looking for a book about women in sports from this list of summer reads 2023, this is a heart-pounding pick.

Sophie Go’s Lonely Heart Club by Roselle Lim

Sophie has just returned from Shanghai after studying for three years to become a matchmaker. She is ready to start her career when the full truth comes out. Sophie did not graduate.

Now, she must prove herself as a matchmaker but nobody will hire her. When she comes across a group of Septegenarian Chinese bachelors living in her apartment complex she makes it her mission to find them love.

As she develops relationships with these lonely men, she comes to realize that family is not always the people you are related to. I loved this wonderful book about believing in yourself and the power of love and friendship. It is a perfect book for our list of ultimate beach reads 2023.

The Matchmaker’s Gift by Lynda Cohen Loigman

This is the story of Sara Glikman who in 1910, as a young child, was able to see the glow between her sister and the man who would become her husband. She very quietly arranged their match and many more for years.

Her granddaughter Abby is a divorce attorney who represents some of the biggest divorces in the city. When Sara dies, leaves Abby all of her diaries.

I loved this unexpected book. It is so unique and a pleasure to read. The story is such a wonderful feel-good book and we needed to recommend if for our summer reads 2023 post.

Bend Toward the Sun by Jen Devon

Rowan has a Ph. D in botany and is suffering from a setback in her research. She decides to take a position to help restore a winery vineyard until she is able to resume her research and start a post-doc position. She has her two best friends and that is all she needs after an emotionally abusive mother and a similar ex-fiance.

She does not expect to meet Harrison, an OB who has issues of his own. This is such a well-written romance and I loved seeing these two characters overcome heartache and distrust. This is a fun one that is also on our list of fiction books about wine and is such a great pick from ultimate beach reads 2023.

The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie by Rachel Linden

After Lolly’s mother dies, she abandoned her hopes and dreams as well as the love of her life to stay and run the families struggling Seattle diner. Now, as her 33rd birthday approaches, she is sad and lost. Everyone seems to be living the life they chose except her.

For a birthday gift, her aunt gives her magic lemon drops which will allow her to relive one day in a life that might have been. What if she never broke up with her fiance? What if her mom didn’t die?

This book is such a thoughtful and original book that really makes you think- is there something you would want a “do-over”? I loved this adorable book from our ultimate beach reads 2023.

The Beach Trap by Ali Brady

Estranged half-sisters inherit a dilapidated beach house when their father dies. One is desperate to sell, the other wants to hold onto the memories. Either way, they need to get over their differences and fix up the home!

I loved the romances that bloomed for each woman with town locals. They were mature relationships where each party actually communicated like adults! I love a good home renovation book, so that made me happy too. What could be better for beach reads 2023 than a book that takes place on a beach?

Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune

Will and Fern spent one amazing, adventure-filled day together in their early 20s with a promise to meet up again one year later. When Fern shows up and Will doesn’t, she is heartbroken.

Now, nine years later, Fern has inherited the lakeside resort that she never wanted to run, her ex-boyfriend is the resort manager, and she needs help. When Will shows up at the resort with an offer to help get things back in order, she doesn’t know if she can get over her old feelings and trust him again.

I absolutely loved this lake book. Set between Muskoka and Toronto, it reminded me of my childhood and teenage years! This is an absolute must-read romance novel! You can also find this book in our list of Hotel Novels to Indulge in on Vacation, and of course on our Ultimate Beach Reads 2023! If you are looking for books for summer, this one is for you.

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

April 2023 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Sally Milz is a sketch writer for a late-night comedy show. She begins to write a sketch called the Danny Horst Rule, which makes fun of average-looking men dating gorgeous women, but the reverse almost never happens.

When a pop music icon signs on as the musical guest and host for the show for the week, sparks begin to fly, but Sally doesn’t know if it is just in her head. After all, he is a gorgeous star!

We love Curtis Sittenfeld and could not wait to read this book. This is a slow-burn romance that I absolutely loved. Part of the book takes place over email correspondence during the COVID lockdown and I could not get enough. This is definitely one of my favorite summer reads for 2023.

Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan

Julia Whelan is my favorite audiobook narrator and I loved her debut book, so I eagerly plunged into this one. Sewanee Chester is a former actress and audiobook narrator who has been taped to read alongside the romance world’s biggest male audiobook reader for a new series.

As she falls for the mysterious Brock, who lives across the country and only communicates via text, she can’t stop thinking about her one-night stand in Vegas.

Additionally, she’s navigating a grandmother with Alzheimer’s and a possible chance to relaunch her acting career. But now that the dreams she had for so are in her grasp, are they really what she wants? And why does she feel so drawn to Brock? How could we not include this book in our list of ultimate beach reads 2023?

Maggie Moves on by Lucy Score

I love a good HGTV-type romance and Maggie and Silas’s story didn’t disappoint. Maggie purchased a massive home to renovate for her YouTube show. She hires Silas to be the landscaper of the enormous property in the hopes she can really flip the house for top dollar.

Maggie’s MO has always been to buy a house, flip it, and then move on to a new town, but she soon falls in love with the town of Kinship, Iowa, and the house itself. Will Silas be enough to make her put down roots? This is one of the renovation romances you will love and is a perfect pick for summer reads 2023.

Twisted Love by Ana Huang

This book was my pick for a steamy romance for our summer reading challenge 2022. This book could easily go on our list of billionaire romances (although Alex is a multi-millionaire and not a billionaire) and is a 50 Shades of Grey Feel. Since it was too late for last year, we knew that it needed to be on our ultimate beach reads 2023!

Alex is singularly driven in his pursuit of vengeance for the death of his family. When his best friend goes abroad and asks him to look after his sister while he is gone, Alex begins to feel something he swore he would never feel again.

This steamy romance was a fun and quick read.

Fake it Till You Bake It by Jamie Wesley

Donovan is an NFL player who also owns a struggling cupcake bakery with a few of his friends. Jada is internet famous, and not in a good way. She rejected a proposal on a bachelor-like tv show and now she’s got haters all over!

After taking a job at Donovan’s store, she lies to a reporter and says she was still thinking of Donovan when she rejected the proposal. 

So now she is fake-dating Donovan and helping the cupcake store in the process. But can they turn this fake relationship into something more? 

Um yes, and with SIZZLING chemistry to boot! You will love this pick from Ultimate beach reads 2023.

The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentil

There are so many things that I loved about this book, I do not even know where to start. This is a book within a book- a mystery inside a mystery. This book needs to be in your list of books for summer.

There is a scream and the Boston Public Library that pulls four strangers into a crazy adventure full of twists and turn. All of them have different reasons for being in that room and one of them is a murderer.

This is the book that is being written by an Australian author and mailed chapter by chapter to Leo, in the United States. He is giving feedback on each chapter. And as you watch both stories unfold, you will never anticipate the next step.

This thriller is one of the best books on our list of ultimate beach reads 2023.

Stay Awake by Megan Goldin

Megan Goldin is quickly becoming a go-to thriller writer for me. In her latest, a murder witness has amnesia and can’t remember anything once she falls asleep.

Now, Liv’s wanted for murder and she must work as hard as she can to prove her innocence before the real murderer catches up with her… if only she could remember who the murderer is!

This reminded me of Memento in all the best ways. It got a little repetitive at certain times because as the narrator, we needed to rediscover information alongside Liv. But overall, I was really into the story and it is a fun pick from summer reads 2023.

The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley

Jess has arrived in Paris to stay with her half-brother, Ben while she gets back on her feet. While he reluctantly agrees to help, he doesn’t answer the door when she shows up to move in.

Soon she gains entry into his apartment and begins the hunt to find out what happened to her brother. With secrets lurking around every corridor and the other residents being shady and elusive, Jess begins to think something sinister happened to Ben.

The first half of this story was a little slow while the character groundwork was laid out, but once the big reveal comes halfway through, I was reading the rest of the chapters at lightning speed. This is the only thriller on our list of books set in France and it’s a doozy! Lucy Foley is always a great pick from summer reads 2023.

The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager

Casey Fletcher is an actress who is fleeing bad press after the death of her beloved husband. She retreats to the family’s lake house, despite the fact that this is where he husband drowned.

Casey spends her days drinking and spying on the house across the lake. When she saves former supermodel, Katherine Royce from drowning, the two strike up a friendship. It becomes clear that Katherine and her husband are having some serious issues

Some points in the story moved slowly for me and at one point, the story nearly lost me. But, I am so glad that I kept reading this pick from Lake Books. There were definitely surprises that I did not see coming. We LOVE Riley Sager. Be sure to check out The Best Riley Sager Books Ranked by Super Fans. This book is such a great pick from our ultimate beach reads 2023 and is a perfect pick from summer reads.

Daisy Darker: A Novel by Alice Feeney

Daisy’s family is gathering for Nan’s birthday on a tiny, private, tidal island after not seeing each other for years. When the tide comes in, they will be cut off from everybody for 8 hours.

When Nana’s body is found dead with a creepy poem written on the wall beside her, they each begin to suspect each other- after all, one of them is a murderer. Soon, everybody’s secrets start to come out as the members of the family die one at a time.

This pick from isolation books had me guessing until the very end and definitely has the feeling of “And Then There Were None”. In the true Alice Feeney style, I had no idea what was going to happen next so, I stopped trying to guess so I could just enjoy the thrill of the ride. You will love this pick from the Ultimate List of Beach Reads 2023.

The Prisoner by BA Paris

There is a lot more to Amelie Hawthorne than just being the wife of billionaire Ned Hawthorne. She has always been a survivor and that has never been more important than it is now. Amelie wakes up in a completely black room. The only light is in the bathroom and that light will only turn on if the door is locked.

Shut in her room with no contact with anyone and no sounds other than those of her captors torturing her husband, she must use all of her wits to survive. This thriller from our ultimate list of beach reads 2023 had me listening non-stop. If you love thrillers, you can check out our The Ultimate List of Best Thriller Books for more.

The It Girl by Ruth Ware

Ruth Ware’s slow-burn style of writing psychological thrillers continues to impress. This Dark Academia murder mystery focuses on the murder of April, an It Girl at Oxford.

Her accused murderer has recently died in prison, causing her best friend, Hannah to question if she wrongfully put the wrong person in prison. As Hannah reevaluates the murder a decade later, new information comes to light that has her questioning everything she knew about that time in her own life and April’s.

This pick from our summer reads 2023 is a long book and a slow burn, but I didn’t see the ending coming! I thought I figured out the murderer early on and was dead wrong.

More Than You’ll Ever Know by Katie Gutierrez

The June 2022 Good Morning America Book Club Pick

This story of the double life of Lore Rivera and the murder of one of her husbands had me eagerly flipping the pages. Cassie Bowman is a true crime writer who wants to write a book about Lore and her husbands – one of whom killed the other.

But as she digs into Lore’s past and her decision to have two families at once, things don’t add up. Is the wrong person behind bars for the murder? And what secrets from Cassie’s past will come out at the same time?

If you are a true crime lover, you will eat this story up! This is a great pick from our list of the best beach reads 2023.

The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood

Judith is a 77-year-old crossword puzzle author who enjoys her quiet life with her whiskey in her dilapidated mansion in Marlow. When she is out skinny dipping one nice in the Thames, she hears her neighbor get shot.

The police think nothing is awry so Judith takes to investigating. Soon, there are two more murders and Judith unknowingly brings two more people into the investigation with her- Suzie, the dog walker, and Becks, the vicar’s wife.

This book was an absolute delight to read. It was witty and funny, and I enjoyed every minute. I am looking forward to the next book in this series that is perfect for our list of ultimate beach reads 2023.

The Twyford Code by Janice Hallett

Name a more unique mystery writer than Janice Hallett. You can’t because her mystery books are unlike any I’ve ever read before. 

It’s not just the incredible mysteries that keep you on your toes – it’s HOW the stories are told.

The Twyford Code is laid out as a collection of audio file transcripts that you need to decipher to find the treasure. The ending BLEW MY MIND. The genius of Hallett to lay it out like that… I’m in awe of this pick from our list of ultimate beach reads 2023.

The Last Party (DS Morgan #1) by Clare Mackintosh

This is by far the best mystery I have read in a long time. One party, one body, and everyone had a reason for wanting him dead. This is a brilliant well thought-out mystery that reminds me of Agatha Christie or the movie clue- because everyone had motive and opportunity.

The answer is brilliant and kept me guessing until the last page- and I was still left with my mouth agape!!! This is a must-read from our list of mystery books and a great pick from our list of summer reads 2023!

The Shadow of Perseus by Claire Heywood

Shadow of Perseus is a multi-narrator Greek mythology retelling told from the perspective of the women in Perseus’s story. 

Heywood examines how facts can be manipulated into folklore, making everyday stories into monster-filled legends. Ultimately, the females in the story cast Perseus in a much different, and darker, light than traditional mythological depictions.

I love when mythology retellings turn a well-known story on its head – and this one does it exquisitely! I was riveted by Medusa, Andromeda, and Danae’s version of events and the setting of this boat book. We needed to include it in our ultimate list of beach reads 2023.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

This book is definitely a feel-good book of the season. Mika Moon knows that she must hide her magic and stay away from other witches so their powers do not draw the attention of other people. She also knows that witches are destined to be orphans, a very lonely existence.

When she is asked to come and teach magic to three young witches, she finds the life that she had always dreamed of, even if it is temporary. But, does it have to be? Can she find the life she always wanted?

I listened to this charming witch book in one day and loved it. This is a delightful pick from our list of ultimate beach reads 2023.

Upgrade by Blake Crouch

Logan Ramsey works for the Gene Protection Agency, a part of the government dedicated to ensuring genes are not being manipulated after the “Great Starvation”.

When Logan is caught in an explosion, it seems like there is nothing wrong at first. Then, he begins to notice the changes. He is smarter, stronger, faster, better, and multitasking. In short, his genes have been hacked and he has been upgraded.

It is not a coincidence that Logan was chosen. His family has a horrible legacy and now, he is the only one that can stop the plan that will change humanity forever.

I have loved all of Couch’s books and this one did not disappoint. I could not stop reading this book that has non-stop action and really makes you think!

The Witches of Moonshyne Manor by Bianca Marais

I am a huge fan of Ms. Marais’ writing. I read her previous two books and was so excited to read this one because fantasy is my favorite genre. This book did not disappoint. The writing is beautiful and very much Marais’ style and the witches in this book are hilarious. They are witty and funny and there is never a dull moment in the Manor.

The magic in this book is woven seamlessly into the story that has non-stop surprises. The book begins with the people of the town descending onto the manor with a wrecking ball to destroy it and the distillery and leave the witches homeless. They are left with less than two weeks to save their house but in order to do so, they must reveal long-kept secrets.

I do not want to give anything away. This family drama book made me laugh out loud often and shed a few tears as well. I absolutely loved this witch book and it is a definite must-read from our list of ultimate beach reads 2023.

Spare by Prince Harry

I’m still reeling from the revelations and truths woven throughout Prince Harry’s narrative. His candor in taking us from the death of his mother to the death of Queen was refreshingly real and often poetic, no doubt thanks to the incredible skills of his ghostwriter.

I was struck by how much I had believed the press’s story of his life; accurate or not. To think that an entire family’s stories could be so fabricated or twisted into untruth was astonishing.

In revealing his own truths, however, he illuminated the dreadful antics of his family. Wills, Charles, Camilla, and the courtiers do not come out of this book without tarnish – and with good reason. There is so much to talk about, this is our book club book for next month.

At the end of the day, it’s hard not to judge everyone for lack of compassion but it’s a generational cycle that needs to be broken. I felt proud to see Harry putting in the work to make sure his own children don’t go through what he did.

This is a must for fans of books about the royal family and stories about royalty. This book is a best book for book clubs and a perfect pick from beach reads. Even if you don’t usually read memoirs, this is one of the best non-fiction books of 2023.

Rogues: True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels, and Crooks by Patrick Radden Keefe

Patrick Radden Keefe is an award-winning author and it is clear why. He is a brilliant writer who meticulously researches his stories and whose writing is compelling.

This book is 12 stories of con artists and criminals and the almost unbelievable ways they committed their crimes. These stories range from forging vintage wines to a black market arms dealer. Each story is more intriguing than the next on this list of ultimate beach reads 2023.

The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times by Michelle Obama

I loved Michelle Obama’s first book so much that it was listed on our favorite non-fiction book list. I was little nervous to read her self-help style advice book, but I shouldn’t have been.

With true grace, Obama breaks down ways to help unwind, prioritize, and regroup, using her own life experience as examples. She talks about the power of using your hands to free your mind, of embracing your community when you need it, and when to give yourself grace.

I found her insights to be inspiring and spot-on. I found myself wishing I had read this one instead of listening so I could underline passages to come back to when I need encouragement. This was a must-read on our list of ultimate beach reads 2023.

The Palace Papers by Tina Brown

This was like reading a JUMBO issue of People magazine. All gossip in the best way! It’s perfect for our beach reads 2023 list! Tina Brown goes deep into the scandals of the British Royal Family over the past 40 or so years.

I didn’t learn anything new, but I loved hearing the hot gossip laid out in book form. This is perfect for our list of books like The Crown and our Royal Reads roundup. This is definitely one of our favorite books about the royal family to take on vacation.

Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann

I read this non-fiction book because it’s becoming a movie in 2023. With Martin Scorsese planning to direct, I knew this plot must be juicy and thought-provoking. Indeed, it was hard to believe I was reading a true story, the plot twists and characters came to life in a cinematic way.

While this is about the start of the FBI and its role in solving the brutal Osage murders in the 1920s, it also tells the story of the exploitative, disgusting treatment of the Osage tribe. It was shocking to read about the brutal way the Osage were manipulated – from the overcharging of goods to the corruption of the justice system, to flat-out murder, this is a stark, eye-opening story of our country’s racist roots.

This is one of the summer reads 2023 that will stay with you for a long time.

We Ship It by Lauren Kay

This charming YA cruise novel screams summer vacation read! Our nerdy heroine is dragged on a cruise by her family despite her desire to study for an upcoming presentation.

Despite being a little awkward, she meets a fun crew of fellow teens and a love interest. Sound fluffy? It is, but there are serious topics explored as well. Trigger warnings for drug use and overdose in pick for best ya books of 2023.

Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings

This #booktok sensation is full of toxic relationships, high fashion, and DRAMA. Is it the best-written book? No. Did I read all 430+ pages in one day? Hell yeah.

It’s basically Gossip Girl set in London High Society featuring a bunch of 20-somethings as they party, date, and globe-trot. Magnolia Parks and BJ Balletine’s relationship is at the heart of this toxic romance book, but there are tons of secondary characters with equally dramatic lives. It’s the first in what will be a 7-book series – they are the perfect summer reads!

The Davenports by Krystal Marquis

What a fun read! I was eager to start a new Historical fiction romance series and the cover of this one drew me right to it.

The Davenports is a Gilded Age story about a successful Chicago Black family who made a name for themselves after slavery was abolished. Now the talk of the season, the three Davenport children are all looking for their spouses and trying to buck societal norms in the process!

Be warned! This YA historical romance book ends on a cliffhanger and the book is perfect for our list of beach reads 2023.

The Fraud Squad by Kyla Zhao

After reading a few heavier books this month, I craved a YA book that would put a smile on my face. Enter The Fraud Squad, a story about 2 socialites who team up to convince Singapore’s high society that working class, Samantha is one of them to help her secure her dream job.

This name-dropping, bejeweled story is like Crazy Rich Asians for teens. It was fun to revisit Singaporean high society through the eyes of young adults. It is fluff and fun in the very best ways in this pick from summer reads 2023.

Family of Liars by E. Lockhart

We are back with the Sinclair family BEFORE. The same family with more secrets and lies.

Carrie and her sisters are back to spend the summer on their private island near Cape Cod but this summer is different. Carrie’s youngest sister drowned the summer before and they are all silently grieving.

What starts off as a summer of new beginnings, quickly turns into a summer that none of them will ever forget for all the wrong reasons. I really loved the first book and included it in our list of books with unreliable narrators. This one lacked that “wow” moment. However, this was a fun, quick summer read and perfect for our list of ultimate beach reads 2023.

Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber

Jacks has betrayed Evangaline for the last time and she swears that she will never trust him again. But now, Evangeline finds herself cursed and must rely on Jacks to help her try and break the curse.

Stephanie Garber never fails to write a book that is unputdownable. Beware the ending. I cannot believe I have to wait to find out what happens because there is no way this story is over. This was a must on our list of ultimate beach reads 2023.

Zodiac Academy: The Awakening by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

Whew. I have found my newest YA Fantasy series addiction. Orphan twins Tory and Darcy find out they are actually Fae after their 18th birthday. And not just any Fae, they are the heirs to the throne and they only need to graduate from Zodiac Academy to claim their throne.

The problem comes in the form of the 4 Heirs – The boys in each elemental order who have been raised to share the throne and rule Solaria together in the Twins’ absence.

They aren’t planning to give up their claim anytime soon and they use their considerable magic in the air, fire, earth, and water elements to put these girls to the test.

This series is on fire hot, with lots of steam, bullying romance, and deadly situations. This series like ACOTAR will be the perfect pick for summer reads 2023.