Summer is just about here, which means it’s time to start looking at what books I need to add to my summer reading list. Most of these books are new publications for 2023, but regardless of when they came out, they’re all perfect for reading on the beach.
Keep scrolling for the nine new books on my summer reading list.
Summer Reading List for 2023
1. Sun Damage
Author: Sabine Durrant
Genre: Thriller
Synopsis: Nine guests arrive in the south of France for a luxury vacation. All of the visitors know one another well, or, at least that’s what they think. The only stranger among them is Lulu, a young woman catering their stay. But Lulu isn’t the woman the guests thought they hired. Turns out, Lulu has plenty to hide and nowhere to run in this seemingly idyllic getaway.
2. Advika and the Hollywood Wives
Author: Kirthana Ramisetti
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Synopsis: Advika is a failed screenwriter who currently works as a bartender at A-list events. At one, she meets legendary film producer, Julian Zelding. Despite their age difference (41 years!), she is charmed by him and the pair embark on a whirlwind courtship and elopement.
A month into their marriage, Julian’s first wife, famous actress Evie Lockhart, dies. In her will, she leaves a single film reel and $1,000,000 to “Julian’s latest child bride” on one condition: Advika must divorce him first. Shocked and uneasy about this, Advika decides to investigate him through the eyes and experiences of his exes.
3. Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?
Author: Crystal Smith Paul
Genre: Historical Fiction
Synopsis: When Kitty Karr Tate, a white icon of the silver screen, dies and leaves her multi million-dollar estate to the St. John sisters, three young, wealthy Black women, it raises some eyebrows. Elise St. John, a celebrity in her own right, digs into Kitty’s past as she tries to sort out her affairs. Told in dual timelines, this multi-generational saga uncovers the glamour of old Hollywood and the seductive draw of modern-day showbiz.
Perfect Poolside Books
4. Once More With Feeling
Author: Elissa Sussman
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Synopsis: Katee Rose is a chart-topping pop star with an A-list boyfriend, Ryan LaNeve, one of the members of beloved boy band CrushZone. One night, she finds herself drawn to another CrushZone member, Cal Kirby, and the scandal upends both her relationship and career. Now, years later, Katee has left her larger-than-life existence behind her but Cal shows up offering her a starring role in a Broadway show.
5. Romantic Comedy
Author: Curtis Sittenfeld
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Synopsis: Sally Milz is a sketch writer for The Night Owls, a late-night show similar to Saturday Night Live. She’s given up on finding love, instead settling for a successful career and the occasional hook-up. But when her friend and fellow writer, Danny Horst, begins dating a glamorous actress after she guest-hosted the show, Sally channels her annoyance into her work and writes a sketch about it. Namely, she calls out the phenomenon of dorky men dating beautiful and accomplished women while the reverse rarely happens.
Enter Noah Brewster, a pop music sensation with a reputation for dating models. When Noah signs on as host and musical guest, he and Sally begin to collaborate on various sketches and sparks begin to fly.
6. Bad Summer People
Author: Emma Rosenblum
Genre: Domestic Thriller
Synopsis: Jen Weinstein and Lauren Parker rule the town of Salcombe, Fire Island every summer. They hold sway on the beach and the tennis court, and are adept at manipulating people to get what they want. Their husbands, Sam and Jason, have summered together on the island since childhood, despite lifelong grudges and numerous secrets. Their one single friend, Rachel Woolf, is looking to meet her match, whether he’s the tennis pro-or someone else’s husband.
But even with plenty to gossip about, this season starts out as quietly as any other. Until a body is discovered, face down off the side of the boardwalk.
Related Read: 12 Books I’m Excited to Read in 2023
Last 3 Titles on my Summer Reading List
7. The Five-Star Weekend
Author: Elin HIlderbrand
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Synopsis: Hollis Shaw is the creator of a popular food blog married to dreamy heart surgeon, Matthew. One morning, the two get into a heated argument just before he leaves for the airport and ends up being killed in a car accident. She decides to host a Five-Star-Weekend — a trip with her best friend from each phase of her life: her teenage years, her twenties, her thirties, and midlife. Of course, it doesn’t all go as smoothly as planned.
8. The Daydreams
Author: Laura Hankin
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Synopsis: In 2004, the cast of The Daydreams were the biggest stars on television. But during the live season two finale, the show imploded. Afterward, the four stars went their separate ways. Kat is a lawyer in Washington DC, Liana is the wife of a famous athlete, Noah is still in the spotlight, and Summer is the cautionary tale of teenage fame. Now, they’re brought back together for a long-awaited reunion special.
9. The Senator’s Wife
Author: Liv Constantine
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Synopsis: D.C. philanthropist Sloane Chase is finally starting to recover from the tragic loss of her first husband. She’s remarried to Senator Whit Montgomery and returning to the world of White House dinners. She is also, on account of her lupus, preparing for hip surgery, so she decides to hire Athena as a home health aid that can help her during the recovery period. Athena seems like the perfect fit, but when Sloane’s health starts to deteriorate, she begins to suspect her perfect employee of plotting to steal her husband.
4 Comments
Oooh The Daydreamers sounds good! It’s giving Daisy Jones vibes x
I thought so too! I’m a fan of all of her books, too
i’ve been meaning to read elin hilderbrand & have heard her books are perfect for summer. did you hear about kitty karr is on my tbr as well! thanks for all these amazing summer book recs.
I highly recommend Elin Hilderbrand. All of her books are amazing – you can’t go wrong!