As the summer sun kisses our skin and the sound of crashing waves serenades our souls, it’s the perfect time to indulge in the best beach reads 2023.
Whether you’re lounging under a colorful umbrella or stretched out on a sandy towel, a good book can transport you to faraway places, spark your imagination, and offer moments of pure bliss.
We’ve curated a list of the best summer beach reads of 2023 that are sure to enhance your seaside adventures. We have new beach reads, and older beach reads for the summer reading list. So grab your sunglasses, slather on some sunscreen, and let’s embark on a literary journey.
The Best Beach Reads 2023
“Every Summer After” by Carley Fortune
This was one of the quickest reads we have had in a long time. Persephone Fraser left her lakeside hometown a decade ago after a major mistake. Now, she lives in the city, keeping her distance from emotional attachments.
But when she receives an urgent call, she finds herself returning to her happy place, Barry’s Bay, and reconnecting with her true love, Sam Florek—the person she never expected to lose.
Whether you enjoy a love story or a novel that will allow you to look inward at what is important, this is the book for you.
“The Multi-Hyphen Method” by Emma Gannon
Emma Gannon empowers individuals to embrace their diverse talents and create fulfilling and financially stable lives. Gannon dispels the notion that being a “jack of all trades, master of none” is a negative thing, highlighting how technology enables us to work flexibly and design our own careers.
With this book as a guide, you’ll be inspired to harness your entrepreneurial spirit, leverage your skills, and find your own path to success in the modern working world.
We love a good self-help book for the summer!
“The Beach House” by Mary Alice Monroe
Caretta Rutledge thought she had escaped her Southern roots and troubled family, but a surprising request from her mother changes everything. As her own life spirals out of control, she finds herself returning to the picturesque Lowcountry of her childhood summers.
Amidst the island’s enchanting rhythms, Cara’s heart opens up in unexpected ways. She embarks on repairing the family beach house, embraces her role as a dedicated “turtle lady,” and reunites with old friends she thought she had lost forever.
However, it is through reconnecting with her mother that she discovers life’s most valuable lessons: love requires sacrifice, family bonds are unbreakable, and forgiveness can heal the mistakes of the past.
“In Good Time” by Tricia O’Malley
Escape with New York Times Bestselling author, Tricia O’Malley. You may recall, Tricia was on our podcast discussing her writing, which we love!
Aurora has been raised with the expectation that she will inherit the throne as ruler of the Mer on Triste Island. However, there’s a major issue: nobody bothered to ask Aurora if she actually wants to be queen. Feeling suffocated by her predetermined role, Aurora takes a daring leap to pursue a new life.
Her journey brings her to Siren Island, where she encounters a perplexed video game designer named Nathan. With time running out before the Royal guards discover her whereabouts, Aurora is determined to embrace the wonders of life on Siren Island.
“A Salty Piece of Land” by Jimmy Buffett
You don’t have to be a Parrothead to enjoy Jimmy’s writing. In “A Salty Piece of Land”, escape to Cayo Loco, a hidden tropical paradise.
Tully, awakening from a haze of ganja on Tulum’s beach is astonished to witness a majestic 142-foot schooner emerge from the misty ocean. Leading the vessel is Cleopatra Highbourne, a quirky 101-year-old sea captain who will guide Tully to a lighthouse on a remote and transformative piece of land.
From tranquil sunset sails in Punta Margarita to exuberant spring-break foam parties in San Pedro, Tully encounters a colorful array of characters: treasure hunters, rock stars, sailors, seaplane pilots, pirates, and even the occasional ghost.
“The Bodyguard” by Katherine Center
Hannah Brooks may not look like a deadly threat, but as an Executive Protection Agent, she’s skilled in unconventional weapons and self-defense. Her latest assignment? Protecting famous actor Jack Stapleton from his devoted, corgi-breeding stalker.
Jack, known for his beachside paparazzi shots and sudden disappearance from the public eye, returns home to his Texas ranch when his mother falls ill. Desperate to keep his family unaware of the stalker and his need for protection, Jack convinces Hannah to pose as his girlfriend.
Despite her doubts and the skepticism of her ex, Hannah finds herself drawn into the role, blurring the lines between fiction and reality. As their connection deepens, Hannah faces the challenge of safeguarding not only Jack but also her own neglected heart.
“The Pink Hotel” by Liska Jacobs
Newlyweds Keith and Kit Collins are ecstatic when the general manager of the prestigious Pink Hotel invites them for a luxurious stay, hoping to woo Keith with a job offer.
As they settle into the opulent surroundings, wildfires ravage the mountains and Los Angeles descends into chaos. The Pink Hotel becomes a sanctuary, shutting its doors to outsiders and housing an increasingly anxious staff and a peculiar mix of wealthy, idle guests seeking refuge.
Liska Jacobs’ gripping novel, “The Pink Hotel,” uncovers the hidden fault lines of a tenuous class system within the hotel, as greed, unspoken resentments, and a city on the brink of destruction collide, propelling readers toward an impending catastrophe.
Soak in the Our Recommended Best Beach Reads 2023
As you soak up the sun and breathe in the salty air, these best beach reads of 2023 will transport you to captivating worlds, engage your imagination, and add an extra touch of magic to your summer adventures.
Whether you’re in the mood for a gripping mystery, a heartwarming romance, or a thought-provoking tale, summer reads have something for every beach-loving reader.
So pack your beach bag, curl up with one of these compelling stories, and allow yourself to be swept away into your next adventure!
Note- we have included links to Amazon for these books, but we also encourage you to shop from your local bookstore should you have one near you. Small business owners, like bookshop owners, need our business to continue thriving.
FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
We love an actual book. Mainly, when we go to the beach, we don’t want to worry about damaging electronics. Plus, we want to disconnect from electronics completely. We also go to the library and check out actual books often. There is something about a book in your hand that just has a good feel.
Some of them are recommended by other people, some are on the list of new books at the library, and some we just run across due to certain connections. We love that our lists are always diverse.
It depends on what you like but we find that summer is often a time of renewal and working on ourselves. We enjoy a self-help book here and there in the summer, as well as in other months.
