Books to Read on Vacation (Great for the Beach!)
Hello friends! Are you looking for some book recommendations? Today, I’m sharing all the books I read in 2025 to help you decide what to read next. From inspiring stories and light beach reads to emotional page turners…here are some great books to read on vacation!
*For your convenience, please note that this post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking my links below, I will receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you).
Books to Read on Vacation:
Work on personal growth while relaxing on the beach…
As a huge fan of Mel Robbins and her podcast, I basically devour anything she creates. In The Let Them Theory, she has a way of taking you along on a self improvement journey with her. Through sharing personal stories and research, she teaches us how to stop wasting time and energy on things we can’t control. While the concept seems obvious, Mel Robbins has a knack for making you look at things in a different way. Since reading this book, I’ve become so much more aware of setting boundaries and focusing on what matters in life. Truly, a must read for anyone who wants to improve their outlook on life!
For fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid, here are three books…
Last spring, I read Carrie Soto is Back and I highly recommend it! Basically, it’s a story about a strong-willed retired tennis champion who returns to play so she can hold on to her record. With her father as her coach, there’s plenty of drama and family dynamics going on. Even if you’re not a fan of tennis, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the competition. Great story!
Also, I read one of her most famous novels – Daisy Jones & The Six (and finished it in just a few days). What a fun and emotional ride along with a fictional rock band from the 70’s! Apparently, the story was loosely inspired by the band, Fleetwood Mac along with other bands from that era. Definitely, a must read! Next, I need to watch the series on Amazon Prime!
Last fall, I bought one of her Taylor Jenkins Reid’s older novels, One True Loves and adored it! It’s the kind of book that makes you think about past relationships and falling in love at a young age. In the story, the main character’s husband goes missing and everyone assumes he’s dead. After time, she eventually moves on with her life only to have her missing husband show up before she is about to marry someone else. Yes, it sounds like a typical premise for a silly romance novel but the story was well written with believable characters. Throughout the book, I found myself going back and forth between who I wanted her to choose. Seriously, I wonder how I’d handle the situation. Great story!
For fans of historical fiction, here are three to read…
The Women, an emotional story honoring the nurses who served in Vietnam was eye opening and heartbreaking…yet inspiring. It’s one of those books that stays with you even after you’re finished reading. For me, it was even more meaningful to read it in the weeks leading up to Memorial Day. Even though this book might be a little intense for a relaxing day at the beach, I highly recommend that you add it to your reading list!
Another great historical fiction was Last Twilight in Paris, a World War II novel. The story is told from two different timelines and characters. Helaine, a Jewish woman is trapped in a Parisian store by the Nazis during the 1940s. Louise is a 1950s British housewife who investigates a necklace that she recognizes from her time working for the Red Cross. Both women have a connection to the necklace and their journeys uncover secrets with some interesting twists and turns. Overall, I thought it was an engaging story with some parts that were a bit far fetched. Though, I did enjoy it and I thought the author did a great job developing the characters. I also learned a few things from that time in history. Definitely, worth reading!
The Flower Sisters by Michelle Collins Anderson is a beautifully written historical novel that follows a family shaped by a tragic dance hall explosion in the 1920s. Told across two timelines, the story deals with grief and family secrets. At first, I thought the book started out slowly but the twists and turns kept it interesting. As the story evolved, I became more invested in the characters and ended up loving the book!
If you like intense and emotional stories, here’s a good one…
In The Last Letter, Beckett, a former a former special-ops soldier, promises his fallen best friend that he’ll look after his sister, Ella, and her children. When he arrives in her Colorado town, he doesn’t reveal his true identity partly due to his survivor’s guilt. Over time, he falls in love with Ella while supporting her through her daughter’s serious illness. As Ella and Beckett grow closer, secrets, and an unexpected twist test their trust.
For me, it was one of those books that stayed in my mind after I was finished reading it. It was beautifully written, heartwarming at times and absolutely heart wrenching at others. If you’re ready to feel deep emotions, read this one! (*Warning – if you’re sensitive to childhood trauma/sickness, I don’t recommend it).
For a charming and uplifting book to read on the beach…
As you know, I’m also a huge fan of Kristy Woodson Harvey. As expected, Beach House Rules was a perfect beach novel. As in most of her books, I loved the strong female characters and relationships. Once again, she entertains the reader with her southern charm and humor while exploring the meaningful bonds of friends and family. Grab this one for your beach bag!
*If you’re also a fan of Kristy Woodson Harvey, here is a review of another great book…along with photos from one of her book tours – A Happier Life (and Kristy Woodson Harvey Book Tour).
If you’re looking for a fun romance, here’s a cute one…
While you pack your bags for vacation, I recommend bringing along this entertaining novel from Josie Silver – Slow Burn Summer. Over the years, I’ve read all of her books including the hugely popular, One Day in December (a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick). In Slow Burn Summer, Josie Silver once again created charming characters that are easy to fall in love with. The book was filled with romance, surprises and a bit of silliness. Although a few of her ideas were a bit far fetched and the title could have been better, I blew through the book in a couple days and loved it!
For a mix of travel, soul searching and family history…
Last summer, I read the latest book from Adriana Trigiani – The View From Lake Como. It had been awhile since I’ve read any of her novels and I forgot how much a love her writing style. In this story, we follow a recently divorced woman from her home in Lake Como, New Jersey to Lake Como, Italy to basically find herself. It’s a heartwarming story filled with humor, self discovery and complicated family dynamics. Definitely, an enjoyable read!
For fans of heartwarming, character driven fiction, here’s a must read…
Finally, I read one of the books that everyone has been talking about – Remarkably Bright Creatures! To be honest, the concept of the book didn’t really appeal to me at first but I took a chance on it. Basically, it explores the connection between a widow who works the night cleaning shift at an aquarium and a giant octopus. But the book was so much more… It was a story about love, loss, friendships and second chances. I loved how the story is told through the perspectives of the characters…including the octopus. Such a sweet and enjoyable read!
If you want a quintessential beach read, this could be it…
Since, I spent part of December on the beach, I had to read something beach worthy! Just for the Summer ended up being the perfect book for that! In the story, a man and a traveling nurse decide to have a summer fling to break their bad luck dating history. As expected, they end up developing feelings for each other. I thought the characters were adorable, I loved the humor and I blew through the book in only a few days. Although the story also dealt with past traumas and some mental illness, it was still uplifting and so entertaining. Definitely, add this one to your beach bag! (Also, this book was voted one of the best books of 2024 on Amazon.)
If you’re heading on vacation or just looking for some great books, I hope this list helped you find something. Happy reading!
What are you reading this year?
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