In my part of the world, summer isn’t so much a season as it is a test of endurance—ranging from hot to why-is-the-air-on-fire levels of heat. While the lucky expats flee to cooler pastures (read: anywhere with trees and a breeze), I’ve chosen a more budget-friendly escape: books. Lots of them. If I can’t beat the heat, I might as well read through it, preferably with the A/C cranked and a cold drink in hand. So, if you’re also stuck somewhere sweltering or just need a few summer reads to make you forget you’re not on a beach in Santorini, here are a few of my sun-soaked (and occasionally shade-throwing) favorites.
The Cactus by Sarah Haywood
Meet Susan Green—she’s prickly, precise, and would rather poke out an eye than deal with messy emotions. But life, in all its chaotic brilliance, has other plans. Think of this as Eleanor Oliphant with a bit more sarcasm and a cactus garden. A dry-humored delight perfect for when you’re feeling antisocial but still want a bookish hug.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 25, 2018
Rating
The Love Haters by Katherine Center
Enemies to lovers? Childhood best friends? Ridiculously charming banter and one wildly inconvenient twist of fate? Yes, yes, and yes. Center’s latest is like a glass of cold lemonade spiked with just enough heartbreak to make the happily-ever-after taste extra sweet.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 20, 2025
Rating
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
What starts as a no-strings summer romance pact (because those always work out, right?) spirals into something real—complete with emotional baggage, swoon-worthy banter, and Jimenez’s signature wit. Bonus: a side character you’ll want to adopt as your own emotional support human.
424 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 2, 2024
Rating
The Beach House by Jenny Hale
This is your classic, cozy, sun-drenched beach read with heart and healing baked in. Grief, second chances, and a house by the sea? It’s the emotional version of a warm towel after a dip in the ocean. Sweet without being saccharine, and just sentimental enough to make you text your mom.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 9, 2021
Rating
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
Forced to go on your sister’s honeymoon with your nemesis after everyone else gets food poisoning at the wedding? Sounds like a nightmare—unless you’re reading it from your couch, rooting for the inevitable sexy chaos. Christina Lauren’s trademark sass and steam make this one a fan-favorite for a reason.
429 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 14, 2019
Rating
Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews
A glamorous resort. A messy scandal. And enough secrets to fill a beach bag twice over. Andrews brings all the glitz, gossip, and slow-burn suspense you’d want in a summer drama. It’s part escape, part mystery, and all page-turner. Plus, who doesn’t want a little sexy summer fantasy while sweating through the real summer?
448 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 7, 2024
Rating
Every Time I Go On Vacation, Someone Dies (The Vacation Mysteries #1) by Catherine Mack
If Agatha Christie and The White Lotus had a love child raised on snark and Aperol spritzes, this would be it. Our heroine is a bestselling mystery author who stumbles into a real-life whodunit while trying to relax at a luxury Italian villa (as one does). Witty, meta, and full of “oh no she didn’t” moments, this murder mystery is equal parts clever and chaotic—perfect for armchair travel with a body count.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2024
Rating
So while everyone else is off galavanting through breezy European villages or Instagramming their way across mountain retreats, I’ve been quite content turning pages and pretending my oscillating fan is a sea breeze. These books have delivered everything from laughs to gasps to the occasional teary sniffle—all without requiring sunscreen or a passport. If you’re stuck in the summer heat like me, may your TBR be long, your drinks be cold, and your plots be twisty. Happy reading, wherever you’re not vacationing!
